>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," SOME STATE OFFICIALS WANT TO DEFUND INDIANA UNIVERSITY BECAUSE OF ITS CONTINUED ASSOCIATION WITH THE KINSEY INSTITUTE.

>> IT GOES TO WAGES, SALARIES, BENEFITS.

IT GOES TO EVERYTHING.

>> THE UNIVERSITY MAINTAINS ITS FOLLOWING THE LAW AND THE INSTITUTE NO LONGER USES ANY STATE FUNDING.

>>> GRAIN ENTRAPMENTS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF FARMING ACCIDENTS, KILLING TWO DOZEN PEOPLE EVERY YEAR.

>> HE WENT TO THE TOP TO LOOK IN AND THAT WAS BASICALLY THE LAST TIME HE WAS SEEN.

>> EDUCATION AND SAFETY PROCEDURES ARE BEST WAY TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.

>>> AND THE U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL WANTS WARNING LABELS ON ALCOHOL CONTAINERS TO INCLUDE RISKS FOR CANCER.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE KINSEY INSTITUTE HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL AND GROUNDBREAKING SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1947, BUT SOME INDIANA STATE LEADERS ARE PREPARING A NEW ATTACK ON THE INSTITUTE AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

HIGHER EDUCATION REPORTER AUBREY WRIGHT HAS MORE.

>> WHILE BLOOMINGTON IS CONTINUING TO RALLYING AROUND THE KINSEY INSTITUTE, THE PUSHBACK COMES FROM INDIANAPOLIS, SOME STATE OFFICIALS ARE CALLING ON THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO DEFUND INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

IT'S BECAUSE OF I.U.

BLOOMINGTON'S REMAINING TIES TO THE KINSEY INSTITUTE.

THE INSTITUTE WAS FOUNDED BY ALFRED KINSEY ALMOST 80 YEARS AGO, FOCUSING ON HUMAN SEXUALITY.

KINSEY'S STAFF ALSO RESEARCH ISSUES GENDER, REPRODUCTION AND SEXUAL HEALTH.

THERE WAS A CHARGE TO CUT ALL STATE FUNDING FROM THE KINSEY INSTITUTE, SPREADING UNFOUNDED CLAIMS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE.

>> I DON'T WANT ONE CENT OF HOOSIER TAX DOLLARS TO SHIELD CHILD SEX PREDATORS.

>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECIDED TO CUT ALL PUBLIC FUNDING FOR THE KINSEY INSTITUTE.

NO YOU SOME INDIANA LEADERS ARE NOT SATISFIED.

THEY ARE CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE AWAY ALL PUBLIC FUNDING FROM THE UNIVERSITY.

THEY SAY IF I.U.

WANTS TO KEEP ITS FUNDING IT SHOULD COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE KINSEY INSTITUTE.

>> IT GOES TO THE USE OF THE WEBSITE, WAGES, SALARIES, BENEFITS.

IT GOES TO EVERYTHING.

JANITORIAL SERVICES ARE IN SOME OF THESE.

>> I.U.

HAS MAINTAINED THAT THE KINSEY INSTITUTE DOESN'T USE ANY STATE FUNDING AND THAT THE UNIVERSITY HAS ALWAYS COMPLIED WITH THE LAW.

KINSEY SUPPORTERS DONATED ALMOST $4 MILLION IN 2023 AND HOSTED PROTESTS IN SUPPORT.

>> WITH SPEECHES, PETITIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS AROUND CAMPUS, PROTESTERS WANTED TO KEEP THE INSTITUTE INTACT.

PROFESSOR EMERITUS RUSS SCIVA WAS ONE OF THEM.

THE LEGISLATURE'S PUSH INVOKES INDIANA'S RACIST HISTORY.

>> WE ARE WIDELY NOTICED AS THE STATE THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH THE CAPITAL.

KU KLUX KLAN IN THE 1920s AND RIGHTLY SO.

>> FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS AT INDIANA COLLEGES HAVE RAISED ALARMS ABOUT THREATS TO ACADEMIC FREEDOM.

HE SAYS ATTACKS AGAINST KINSEY ARE VINDICTIVE, IN THAT OTHER NEW BILLS ARE MATCHING A DISTURBING TREND, BUT I.U.

AND THE KINSEY INSTITUTE STILL HAVE SOME SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT I.U.

IS NOT FOLLOWING A LAW, WHICH THEY ARE.

IT'S JUST A LOT OF COMPLEX ACCOUNTING.

THEY DON'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT, ONE, KINSEY NEVER HAD A DIRECT APPROPRIATION FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

SO THERE'S NO MONEY DIRECTLY FLOWING TO THE KINSEY INSTITUTE.

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

.

>>> THEY WILL MET WITH KINSEY CRITICS IN INDIANAPOLIS.

THEY WILL SHARE MORE ON THE PLANS TO DEFUND I.U.

THEN.

>>> THE 2025 SESSION OF THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY GOT UNDERWAY WEDNESDAY AND WHILE MORE THAN 1,000 PIECES OF LEGISLATION WILL BE FILED, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WILL BE HOUSE BILL 1001, THE NEW TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET.

AFTER BUTTING THAT BUDGET TOGETHER WILL BE MORE CHALLENGING THIS YEAR THAN IT'S BEEN FOR A WHILE, AS STATE REVENUES ARE PROJECTED TO BE MUCH TIGHTER.

NOT TO MENTION THE GROWTH OF MEDICAID SPENDING, WHICH IS DRIVING BUDGET PLANS THIS YEAR.

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S STATEHOUSE REPORTER BRANDON SMITH FOR MORE ON THIS SESSION.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, BRANDON.

OVERHAULING MEDICAID IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR REPUBLICANS THIS YEAR.

WHAT DOES THE GOP HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> WELL, THERE'S BEEN SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN MEDICAID SPENDING IN THE STATE BUDGET IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO SLOW THAT GROWTH DOWN, AND WHAT SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE PROPOSING IS THAT A MAJOR CHANGE TO THE MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM KNOWN AS THE HEALTHY INDIANA PLAN.

NOW, THE LEGISLATION WOULD CAP THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALLOWED TO BE ON THE PROGRAM AT 500,000, WHICH WOULD MEAN NEARLY 200,000 PEOPLE ON THE PROGRAM NOW WOULD BE KICKED OFF, LOSE THEIR INSURANCE AND BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST.

>> AND BRANDON, THEY ARE ALSO LOOKING AT TACKLING PROPERTY TAX REFORM.

>> YES, THIS IS A PRIORITY FOR BOTH POLITICAL HEARTS AND GOVERNOR-ELECT BRAUN THIS SESSION.

THE SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE CAUTIONING ABOUT HOW DRASTIC CHANGES TO PROPERTY TAXES WOULD AFFECT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO HOOSIERS, BUT WE HAVE ALSO GOT TO BALANCE THE FUNDING NEEDS FOR SCHOOLS AND LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT LIKE COUNTIES, CITIES, TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS.

>> THE SENATE GOP SAYS IT WILL TREAT THIS BILL ON THE PROPERTY TAX REFORM LIKE THEY DO THE BUDGET.

SO IT WILL BEGIN AS THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL IN THIS CASE BRAUN'S PLAN WHICH WOULD REVERT PROPERTY TAX BILLS TO WHAT THEY WERE IN 2021 AND CAP FUTURE INCREASES.

THEN, SENATE REPUBLICANS WILL REMAKE THE BILL INTO THEIR PREFERRED VERSION.

THEN THE HOUSE WILL DO THE SAME, AND EVENTUALLY A FINAL VERSION WILL BE WORKED OUT BETWEEN THE TWO CHAMBERS AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> SO NOW BRANDON WITH THE GOP HOLDING SUPER MAJORITIES IN BOTH CHAMBERS, WHAT CAN DEMOCRATS HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, DEMOCRATS WILL OFFER THEIR OWN IDEAS ON MAJOR ISSUES BUT THERE IS A LOT OF BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT GENERALLY SPEAKING ON THE BIGGEST TOPICS LAWMAKERS NEED TO TACKLE THIS YEAR, INCLUDING HEALTHCARE COSTS.

>> IT'S TIME TO TAKE ON INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR THEIR ROLE IN RAISING COSTS AND CUT THE PAPERWORK RED TAPE.

>> SO MIKE BRAUN WILL BE IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF ERIC HOLCOMB.

DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE ANY CHANGES IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE?

>> WELL, MIKE BRAUN HAS SPENT THE LAST DECADE SERVING IN LEGISLATIVE BODIES, INCLUDING THE INDIANA HOUSE, WHERE THERE ARE STILL LAWMAKERS THERE WHO SERVED WITH HIM, AND BRAUN HAS TALKED A LOT ABOUT BEING VERY COLLABORATIVE WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> OKAY BRANDON, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE YOU BEING ON THE SHOW AND ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR REPORTING THIS SESSION.

>> THANKS, JOE.

>>> INDIANA IS AMONG THE WORST STATES FOR ACCESS TO CHILD CARE AND SOME LAWMAKERS WANT TO ALLOCATE MORE FUNDING IN THE STATE BUDGET TO BETTER SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY AND THE HOOSIERS WHO RELY ON IT.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S TAMORIA CUNNINGHAM REPORTS, IT'S A KEY PRIORITY IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATION.

>> REPRESENTATIVE KERRY HAMILTON, AN INDIANAPOLIS DEMOCRAT SAYS CHILD CARE DESERTS ACROSS STATE POSES A CHALLENGE FOR WORKING PARENTS.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 780 LICENSED CHILD CARE CENTERS IN THE STATE AND MORE THAN 2,000 LICENSED HOME CARE PROVIDERS, BUT HAMILTON SAYS IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO MEET THE NEED FOR HOOSIERS ACROSS THE STATE, SOMETHING SHE WANTS TO CHANGE THIS SESSION.

>> WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS MAXIMIZE THE FEDERAL SUPPORT AND LOOK AT A RANGE OF POLICIES THAT WOULD HELP EXPAND ACCESS TO CHILD CARE ACROSS INDIANA.

>> HAMILTON SAYS THIS INCLUDES CREATING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE IN EVERY COUNTY AND INCREASING WAGES FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT KIDS HAVE ACCESS NOT JUST TO A SAFE PLACE PUT TO A SAFE LEARNING PLACE.

>> FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M TAMORIA CUNNINGHAM.

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

RESEARCH SHOWS DRINKING ALCOHOL, EVEN IN MODERATION, LEADS TO HIGH RISK OF SOME TYPES OF CANCER.

SURGEON GENERAL VIVEK MURTHY IS ASKING THEM TO UPDATE THE CAUTIONS ON CANS AND BOTTLES.

>> THE SURGEON GENERAL CITED RESEARCH THAT DRINKING LEADS TO AROUND 100,000 CASES OF CANCER AND 20,000 CANCER DEATHS EACH YEAR.

IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE.

WHILE MANY AMERICANS KNOW THE RISKS DRINKING POSES TO YOUR LIVER AND DURING PREGNANCY.

HE WANTS THE NEW ABLE TO CHANGE THAT.

>> WE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE CANCER RISK OF ALCOHOL FOR AT LEAST A COUPLE OF DECADES.

THAT DATA HAS CONTINUED TO EMERGE, AND CONFIRM THAT ALCOHOL IS KNOWN TO CAUSE AT LEAST SEVEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANCER.

>> THE U.S. HEALTH CHANGED THE WARNING LABEL SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1988, BUT SOUTH KOREA AND IRELAND HAVE PASSED ITEMS ON THEIR DRINKS IN RESPONSE TO A GROWING BODY OF EVIDENCE.

>> IT CAN CAUSE INFLAMMATION IN THE BODY WHICH CAN CAUSE CANCER AND IT CAN CHANGE THE BODY'S HORMONES INCREASING ESTROGEN, WHICH INFLUENCES THE RISK ON BREAST CANCER RISK.

>> IT REQUIRES AN ACT OF CONGRESS, IT'S A TOUGH SALE IN MARK WHERE THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE IN AMERICA IS WORTH $260 BILLION.

ALMOST HALF OF HOOSIERS DRINK ALCOHOL AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.

>> CURRENTLY THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO DRINK NO MORE THAN ONE DRINK PER DAY IF YOU ARE A WOMAN AND NO MORE THAN TWO DRINKS PER DAY IF YOU ARE A MAN.

EMERGING DATA IS TELLING US EVEN IF YOU ARE DRINKING THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS LESS THAN THAT THAT YOUR RISK OF CANCER IS STILL THERE.

>> EVIDENCE SHOWS GRAPHIC IMAGES OF NEGATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS ARE A STRONGER DETERRENT THAN TEXT ALONE.

WHAT MURTHY RECOMMENDS IS A SIMPLE CHANGE TO THE TEXT.

I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> THE SURGEON GENERAL'S RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NONBINDING MURTHY IS EXPECTED TO BE REPLACED IN JANUARY.

>>> HE INTENDS TO HELP CARRY OUT GOVERN-ELECT MIKE BRAUN'S AGENDA TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR BUSINESSES TO MOVE IN AND GROW.

DURING HIS TEN YEARS REPRESENTING HOUSE DISTRICT 42, MORRISON SPONSORED BILLS TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE PROTECTIONS FOR THE STATE'S WETLANDS.

>>> ENTRANCE FEES FOR CERTAIN STATE PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS COULD INCREASE UNDER A BILL AUTHORED BY REPUBLICAN DAVE HALL, WHO REPRESENTS ALL OF BROWN COUNTY AND PART OF MONROE.

HOUSE BILL 1245 WOULD ALLOW COUNTIES TO INTRODUCE AN EXTRA FEE OF NO MORE THAN $1 TO ENTER STATE PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS.

IT WOULD BE COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL E ARE SOURCES -- RESOURCES AND WADE TO THE COUNTY TREASURER TO BE USED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS.

>> I THINK ANY KIND OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WE CAN GET INTO THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN ENSURING THAT LAKE MONROE REMAINS A CLEAN AND HEALTHY WATER SOURCE FOR THE CITY, IS A GOOD THING.

>>> ANNUAL STATE PARK PASS HOLDERS WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THE EXTRA FEE.

IF PASSED, THE BILL WOULD BECOME LAW JULY 1st.

>>> PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP HAS PROMISED TO RESCIND ANY UNSPENT DOLLARS FROM THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

THAT'S THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S MAJOR CLIMATE BILL THAT INCLUDES ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES TO HOMES TO GREEN MANUFACTURING.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS THAT THOSE WHO BENEFITED FROM THE LAW MAY WANT TO KEEP THAT FUNDING.

>>> THE I.R.

A.s HAS RESULTED IN MORE NAN $7 BILLION IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND 5,000 PROPOSED JOBS FOR THE HOOSIER STATE, MOSTLY IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY MANUFACTURING.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR DAVID KAMINSKI LOOKS AT ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY POLICY.

THOUGH TRUMP CAN REVOKE THOSE UNSPENT FUNDS ONLY CONGRESS CAN REPEAL THE LAW.

>> I SUSPECT THE REPUBLICANS WILL TRY TO REPLACE THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

THEY, THEIR CONSTITUENTS, BUSINESSES IN THEIR DISTRICTS OR STATES ARE BENEFITING.

>> DURING HIS FIRST FOUR YEARS TRUMP ROLLED BACK 100 ENVIRONMENTAL RULES AND WITH TRUE THE U.S. FROM THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT.

KAMINSKI SAYS TRUMP WILL LIKELY RETURN TO THAT PLAY BOOK BUT WITH MORE EXPERIENCE AND MORE FAVORABLE SUPREME COURT.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS LEARNED FROM THOSE EXPERIENCES AND WILL BE MORE DILIGENT AND MAKING SURE THAT THESE NEW EFFORTS ARE MORE -- MORE LIKELY TO SURVIVE LEGAL CHALLENGE.

>> FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> I.U.

BLOOMINGTON HOSPITAL, AS WELL AS HOSPITALS IN BEDFORD AND PAOLI BEGAN LIMITING VISITORS MONDAY AMID A RISE IN FLU, COVID-19 AND OTHER RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES.

AT I.U.

BLOOMINGTON, VISITORS MAY NOT COME IF THEY HAVE RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AND MUST BE OVER AGE 18.

SOME UNITS MAY HAVE MORE STRINGENT REGULATIONS SUCH AS THE INTENSIVE CARE AND NEONATAL UNITS.

I.U.

HEALTH OFFICIALS ANTICIPATE IT WILL BE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE VISITOR REGULATIONS GO BACK TO NORMAL.

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

>> I STARTED DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ON SAFETY AND IT BECAME MY MISSION TO SAVE A LIVE.

>> A MOTHER WHO LOST HER SON FIVE YEARS AGO IN A GRAIN BIN INCIDENT, IS HOPING TO SAVE LIVES.

I SPOKE TO HER ABOUT GRAIN BIN ENTRAPMENTS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION HAS REMOVED THE INTERIM TAG FROM SUPERINTENDENT MARKAY WINSTON.

THEY OFFICIALLY NAMED THE LONG-TIME PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT DURING A MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT.

WINSTON HAD BEEN INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT SINCE JEFF HAUSWALD WAS FIRED LAST MONTH.

I SPOKE WITH WINSTON FOLLOWING THE MEETING AND HERE'S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

>> HONESTLY, IT WAS JUST A CONTINUATION, BUILDING UP ON THE HISTORY AND THE TRADITIONS OF OUR SCHOOL CORPORATION.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WONDERFUL THINGS IN PLACE.

I THINK FROM YESTERDAY TO TODAY AND ON TO TOMORROW, I WILL JUST CONTINUE TO DO THAT WORK, REALLY FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE AND MAKING SURE THAT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT I HAVE IN FRONT OF ME IS TO POSITION THIS CORPORATION FOR THE FUTURE.

AND THAT'S MY BIGGEST PRIORITY.

NUMBER ONE IS HEALTH AND SAFETY, MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE KEEPING OUR STUDENTS HEALTHY AND KEEPING THEM SAFE AND OUR FACULTY AS WELL AND ALL OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS.

THAT'S IS CERTAINLY NUMBER ONE.

CONTINUING OUR TRADITIONS OF ACCELERATING LEARNING FOR EVERYBODY'S CHILDREN, THAT'S CERTAINLY A BIG PRIORITY.

ANOTHER STRATEGIC PRIORITY HAS TO DO WITH OUR FACILITIES.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES FOR THE ATHLETICS AND THE PERFORMING ARTS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FISCALLY HEALTHY AND SOUND AS AN ORGANIZATION.

THAT'S CERTAINLY A MAJOR PRIORITY.

AND I'M CERTAIN THAT THERE ARE OTHER AREAS THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON, OF COURSE, AS YOU KNOW EARLY LEARNING, CONTINUING TO EXPAND AND GROW OUR EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM.

THAT'S DEFINITELY ONE OF OUR MAJOR PRIORITIES.

I THINK AMONGST ALL OF THOSE THINGS I MENTIONED IS BALANCING S.C.S.

IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AND I'M TASKED AND CHARGED IN ADDRESSING THAT.

THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF PRIORITIES AND WORK TO BE DONE IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS AND BEYOND.

S.C.S.

IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE HAVING EXPERIENCES ALONGSIDE STUDENTS WHO LOOK LIKE THEM, STUDENTS WHO DON'T LOOK LIKE THEM, FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT SOCIETY IS.

SOCIETY IS VERY DIVERSE, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE THOSE KIND OF EXPERIENCES AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT EVERY CHILD IS GOING TO BENEFIT FROM THOSE KINDS OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND THOSE KINDS OF RELATIONSHIPS.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGISLATIVE CHALLENGES, I GUESS IS THE BEST WORD I COULD SAY, THE VOUCHERS, YOU KNOW, CHARTER SCHOOLS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ON OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS IT IS FOR EVERY OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE AND QUITE FRANKLY, IT'S ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO THERE ARE CHALLENGES.

WE ARE MONITORING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT WILL BEGIN TOMORROW, ACTUALLY TO SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF THAT AND HOW THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT US IN TERMS OF OUR STUDENTS, IN TERMS OF OUR INSTRUCTION, AND MOST CERTAINLY OUR FINANCES.

IT'S PRETTY AWESOME.

IT'S PRETTY AMAZING AND JUST TO BE TRUSTED WITH THE FUTURE OF OVER 10,000 CHILDREN.

I TAKE THAT VERY SINCERELY.

I AM HONORED TO BE IN THIS POSITION, AND I AM VERY EAGER ALONGSIDE MY TEAM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE POSITION OUR STUDENTS TO BE EXCELLENT?

ALL THAT THEY DO, WHATEVER THEIR ENDEAVORS ARE.

IT'S A PRETTY AMAZING FEELING TO BE IN THIS ROLE AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME, TO LEAD THIS CORPORATION AND I AM GOING TO FULFILL EVERY PROMISE THAT I MAKE.

>> MORE THAN TWO DOZEN PEOPLE DIE ANNUALLY IN GRAIN BIN DEATHS.

>> A REPORT RELEASED BY PURDUE EXTENSION, SAID GRAIN ENTRAPMENTS ARE THE CONFINED SPACE INJURIES AND FATALITIES.

I SPOKE WITH A MOTHER WHOSE SON PASSED FROM A GRAIN ENTRAPMENT INCIDENT, AS WELL AS EXPERTS TO LEARN MORE.

>> ON A BITTER COLD MORNING IN WAVELAND, INDIANA, A MOTHER DOES SOMETHING NO PARENT SHOULD HAVE TO DO.

>> HE LOVED TO BE OUTSIDE.

HE LOVED TO HUNT.

HE LOVED TO FISH AND BE WITH HIS FRIENDS.

HE LOVED TO JOKE AROUND.

HE WAS JUST A GOOD -- JUST AN ALL-AROUND GOOD COUNTRY BOY.

>> IN 2019, HER 18-YEAR-OLD SON COLTON WAS EMPLOYED BY A LOCAL FARM.

HE TENDED THE FIELDS AND WORKED AROUND GRAIN BINS AT HARVEST TIME.

ON NOVEMBER 22nd OF THAT YEAR, ANITA RECEIVED TERRIBLE NEWS.

>> I RECEIVED A CALL FROM COLTON'S EMPLOYER THAT HE WAS MISSING, AND THAT THEY THOUGHT THAT HE MAY BE INSIDE THE BIN.

>> SHE RACED TO THE SITE WHERE EMERGENCY VEHICLES WERE ALREADY ON THE SCENE.

IT WAS THERE THAT ANITA'S WORLD CAME CRASHING DOWN.

>> HE HAD GONE TO THE TOP TO LOOK IN, AND THAT WAS BASICALLY THE LAST TIME THAT HE WAS SEEN.

SO I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT THERE WAS -- YOU KNOW, THAT IT WAS CLOGGED.

THEY WERE TRYING TO TAKE GRAIN OUT AND THAT HE WENT INSIDE, YOU KNOW.

I WILL NEVER KNOW.

>> COLTON'S STORY IS ONE OF 39 GRAIN BIN DEATHS THAT OCCURRED NATIONALLY IN 2019.

SINCE THEN, THE NUMBER OF WHAT THE INDUSTRY CALLS CONFINED SPACE EMERGENCIES HAS INCREASED BUT THE NUMBER OF DEATHS HAS SLIGHTLY DECREASED.

IN 2022, THERE WERE 55 CASES OF CONFINED SPACES NATIONALLY, AND 22 PASSING.

HIS MOTHER HAS WORKED TO BRING THAT NUMBER DOWN.

>> SHORTLY AFTER COLTON PASSED, I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON GRAIN BIN SAFETY, GRAIN BIN ACCIDENTS.

I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

SO I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT IT, AND IT BECAME MY MISSION TO SAVE A LIFE.

>> SHE ALSO SET UP THE COLTON HOWARD MEMORIAL FUND TO DONATE SPECIALIZED RESCUE EQUIPMENT TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE STATE.

>> CURRENTLY WE'RE UP TO ABOUT $40,000 WORTH OF EQUIPMENT, AND IT'S MAINLY GOING OUT TO RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, IF THE FUNDING IS JUST NOT THERE.

>> BETWEEN 2022 AND 2024, THE FUND HAS DONATED EQUIPMENT TO 23 DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING VIGO, JOHNSON, AND BARTHOLOMEW COUNTIES.

>> PEOPLE IN THE GRAIN BINS WHEN THE GRAIN BECOMES CLUMPED, SO THE LOOSENED GRAIN CAN LOAD.

>> A LOT OF TIMES WE CAN TRACE IT BACK TO THE FACT THAT THERE'S PROBABLY GRAIN OUT OF CONDITION, PERHAPS MOLDY, HAD GOTTEN WET, WHATEVER, WAS STORED WET.

AND IT GETS CLUMPED UP OR CLOGGED UP.

>> WHEN A PERSON BREAKS UP CLUMPS, IT CAN CREATE A SUCTION LIKE ACTION AND A LOSS OF FOOTING.

ENTRAPMENT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY.

>> WITHIN A FEW SECONDS YOU CAN BE BURIED UP TO YOUR KNEES.

AND ONCE YOU ARE UP TO YOUR KNEES, THERE'S NO GETTING OUT.

AS LONG AS THAT FLOW CONTINUES, THERE'S NO STOPPING IT.

>> PURDUE EXTENSION HAS FOCUSED ON PREVENTING THE ORIGINAL CAUSE OF CLUMPING, EXCESS MOISTURE IN THE BINS.

IN YEARS WITH MORE RAIN THAN USUAL OR MORE HUMIDITY IN THE AIR, IT'S MORE LIKELY THE CLUMPS OF WET GRAIN WILL FORM IN THE BIN.

>> THAT GRAIN WILL NEVER GET BETTER THAN THE DAY YOU PUT IT IN THERE.

SO THE BETTER YOU CAN -- THE BETTER CONDITION YOU CAN HAVE IT IN THE BIN AND MAINTAIN IT THAT WAY, THE LESS CHANCE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO IN THERE AND GRAB AROUND.

>> ANOTHER PREVENTION MEASURE IS A LIFE LINE ATTACHED TO THE PERSON ENTERING THE GRAIN BIN.

>> THE EMERGENCIES ARE DIFFICULT TO DOCUMENT.

OSHA DOES HAVE RULES IN PLACE FOR PROPERLY WORKING ON OR AROUND GRAIN BINS, BUT FARMS WITH TEN EMPLOYEES OR FEWER ARE NOT SUBJECT TO OSHA REGULATIONS.

>> IT MAKES IT A CHALLENGE FOR US, WHEN WE RESEARCH THESE TYPES OF INCIDENTS BECAUSE THERE'S NO REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

MOST OF OUR DATA ABOUT THESE INCIDENTS THAT OCCUR ON PRIVATE FARMS COMES FROM NEWSPAPER ARTICLES.

>> COLTON'S MOTHER HOPES TO CONTINUE RAISING MONEY TO PREVENT WHAT NO OTHER MOTHER SHOULD ENDURE.

>> MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A LIFE LINE.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WITH YOU.

MAKE SURE THE AUGER IS NOT ON.

MAKE SURE IT'S LOCKED OUT AND TAGS OUT.

THOSE ARE THE SIMPLE THINGS I HAVE LEARNED AND JUST MY SMALL AMOUNT OF RESEARCH.

COLTON SHOULD BE HERE TODAY.

HE WOULD BE HERE TODAY HAD HE STOPPED AND THOUGHT BEFORE HE ACTED.

>> AND JOE, THAT VERY SIM WEEK THAT I SPOKE WITH ANITA FOR THE STORY, A MAN IN LAKE COUNTY INDIANA BECAME TRAPPED IN A GRAIN SILO AND DIED, DESPITE A FOUR-HOUR RESCUE EFFORT.

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

>> THANKS, CLAYTON.

>>> INDIANA IS GETTING ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOW TODAY BUT A FAR CRY FROM THE SNOWFALL THAT SHUT DOWN MUCH OF THE STATE SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO GET 3 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS SOUTHERN INDIANA TODAY.

SO BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

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