>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AMONG MIKE BRAUN'S FIRST ACTS AS GOVERNOR WAS TO ELIMINATE THE STATE'S DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS.

>> THESE TOP-DOWN D.E.I.

APPROACHES AND MANDATES LED TO DIVISION AND INEFFICIENCY.

>> IT ALSO LED TO THE STATE'S BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS BOYCOTTING BRAUN'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

A SHORTAGE OF TECHNICIANS AND PARAMEDICS IN THE STATE IS STRESSING THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN MANY AREAS.

>> WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE EITHER NEED TO FIX E.M.S.

OR WE DO RISK THE SYSTEM COLLAPSING.

>> AHEAD, WE LOOK AT HOW ONE COUNTY WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME THE ISSUE.

>> AND AFTER YEARS IN THE PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION ON THE MONROE CONVENTION CENTER PASSION PROJECT IS SET TO BEGIN IN JUNE.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN USED HIS FIRST STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO MAKE THE CASE FOR HIS POLICY PRIORITIES TO LAWMAKERS AND THE PUBLIC.

HE TOUTED HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER ENDING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN STATE GOVERNMENT, BUT AS PAT BEANE REPORTS, ELIMINATING D.E.I.

POLICIES LED TO A BOYCOTT OF THE SPEECH BY THE INDIANA BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS.

>> THE EXECUTIVE ORDER BRAUN SIGNED AFTER BEING SWORN IN AS GOVERNOR TWO WEEKS AGO REPLACED D.E.I.

PROGRAMS WITH WHAT HE CALLED M.E.I., THAT STANDS FOR MERIT, EXCELLENCE AND INTELLIGENCE.

>> THESE TOP-DOWN D.E.I.

APPROACHES AND MANDATES LED TO DIVISION, AND INEFFICIENCY.

M.E.I.

PUTS MERIT AND RESULTS AT THE FOREFRONT.

>> THE INDIANA BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SAYS THAT SENDS A MESSAGE THAT INDIANA DOESN'T CARE ABOUT FAIRNESS.

INSTEAD OF ATTENDING THE STATE OF THE STATE, THEY GATHERED DOWN THE HALL AT THE STATE HOUSE.

NEARLY A DOZEN PEOPLE SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION WORK.

>> IT'S ABOUT THE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER AND EXPRESSING HOW WE WANT TO LIVE AND HOW WE WANT OUR STATE TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> NEARLY EVERY MEMBER OF THE CAUCUS ATTENDED THE RALLY INSTEAD OF THE STATE OF THE STATE.

HARRIS SAID WHILE OTHERS ALSO DECLINED TO ATTEND THE SPEECH, THE RALLY WAS INTENTIONAL.

>> IT'S REALLY TO GET ATTENTION.

WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THINGS MOVE BACKWARDS AND KEEP MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE HAD TO DO THAT TO SHOW IT'S SERIOUS.

>> RODRIC BRAY SAYS THE BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS IS A LITTLE BIT DISAPPOINTING.

>> WE WILL DO BETTER WORK WITH THEM AT THE TABLE AND THE FACT THAT THEY DECIDE NOT TO BE THERE IS A LITTLE FRUSTRATING IN THAT REGARD.

>> IT IS ALSO DIRECTED ALL STATE AGENCIES THAT THEY ARE COMPLYING WITH THE 2023 SUPREME COURT ACTION, BARRING RACE IN THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS.

IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET, BRAUN CUT THE ONLY PREDOMINANTLY BLACK COLLEGE.

THEY RECEIVED $5 MILLION FROM THE STATE.

MARTIN UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR JOSEPH PERKINS SAYS THEY HAVE FUNDING AND WILL WORK WITH CORPORATE FUNDING TO FILL THE GAPS.

BRAUN ALSO HIGHLIGHTED PROPERTY TAX REFORM, IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND ADDRESSED HIGH HEALTHCARE COSTS.

>> BRINGING DOWN HEALTHCARE COSTS, IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR HOOSIERS, REFORMING THIS INDUSTRY, SHOULDN'T BE A PARTISAN ISSUE.

>> BUT SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP SHELLI YODER SAYS THEY ARE NOT PURSUING REAL SOLUTIONS LIKE CAPPING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES AND EXPANDING RURAL HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS.

>> AND YET THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET CUTS PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING BY A THIRD AND KICKS 20,000 PEOPLE OFF OF HEALTH INSURANCE.

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

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL HAS DRAFTED A RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO SENATE BILL ONE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE PROPERTY TAX BILL.

THE BILL AIMS TO REDUCE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE BY $1.1 BILLION IN 2026, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENTS.

MONROE COUNTY COULD POSSIBLY LOSE AROUND $25 MILLION IN REVENUE.

COUNCILMEMBER TRENT DECKARD SAYS THEY WOULD KILL LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES LIKE POLICE, FIRE AND COURTS.

>> THE ONES YOU LIKE, THE ONES YOU HATE, THE ONES THAT YOU ARE NOT SO SURE ABOUT AND THE ONES THAT YOU ADORE, IT WILL KILL IT.

>> AND THE BILL'S AUTHOR REPUBLICAN SENATOR TRAVIS HOLDMAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE BILL WILL IMPACT LOCAL SERVICES AND SAID LEGISLATORS ARE TRYING TO FIND A COMPRISE.

>> DURING HIS FIRST WEEK BACK IN OFFICE, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFERED BROAD CRACKDOWNS ON IMMIGRATION.

THOSE ORDERS CLEARED THE WAY FOR AUTHORITIES TO REMOVE MIGRANTS LEGALLY ADMITTED TO THE U.S. DURING PAST ADMINISTRATIONS.

AND AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, IT HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE ON EDGE.

>> HI, JOE.

MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE ATTENDED A KNOW YOUR RIGHTS EVENT AT A COLUMBUS CHURCH ON TUESDAY.

IMMIGRATION LAWYERS PRESENTED INFORMATION ON WHAT FEDERAL AND STATE ACTIONS COULD MEAN.

THEY EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING INFORMATION FROM RELIABLE SOURCES.

THREE IMMIGRATION LAWYERS PRESENTED IN SPANISH AT ST. BARTHOLOMEW CHURCH.

THE SLEW OF ORDERS INCLUDES REVOKING TEMPORARY STATUS FOR HUNDREDS OF IMMIGRANTS AND RESTRICTING ELIGIBILITY FOR WORK PERMITS.

ANGELA ADAMS HOPES THE PRESENTATION CAN COUNTERACT FEAR AND MISINFORMATION IN INDIANA'S IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.

>> I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY QUESTIONS AFTER A PRESENTATION AND I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

SHE WANTS TO HELP PEOPLE AVOID SCAMS AND UNDERSTAND THEIR OPTIONS.

SHE WENT OVER DOCUMENTATION, AND BASIC ESTATE PLANNING, TEMPORARY GUARDIANSHIPS FOR CHILDREN AND DESIGNATED POWER OF ATTORNEY.

>> THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE TONIGHT, IS TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE SCARED TO MAYBE NOT BE AS SCARED.

>> PEOPLE'S RISK OF COLLATERAL DETENTION AND INTERIM REMOVAL IS HIGHER THAN IT WAS TWO MONTHS AGO LYKINS SAYS, AND THE LAWYERS ARE ON THEIR TOES.

>> THE REALITY IS IT MAY NOT BE QUITE AS HIGH AS I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FEARING IT MAY BE.

IT'S HARD TO GUESS.

IT'S HARD TO ESTIMATE THAT TO BE HONEST.

>> I THINK IT'S LEGITIMATE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT AN INCREASED PRESENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY ABOUT DETENTIONS AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

I THINK THAT'S A REALISTIC CONCERN TO HAVE.

>> HAVING EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR ADMINISTRATION EIGHT YEARS AGO, LYKINS SAYS LAWYERS ARE BETTER PREPARED ON WHAT TO EXPECT.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BENTE BOUTHIER.

>> BRAUN ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THIS WEEK THAT STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES COOPERATE WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AGENTS, THOUGH IT'S SOMETHING ALREADY REQUIRED UNDER INDIANA LAW.

SEVERAL BILLS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED THIS SESSION AIMED AT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

THE MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS STANDING BY ITS POLICY OF NOT ENFORCING IMMIGRATION OR CITIZEN STATUS DESPITE PRESSURE FROM THE STATE.

INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA SUED THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYING IT VIOLATES STATE LAW BY ALLOWING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WITH LOCAL TIES TO BE RELEASED FROM JAIL WHEN CHARGED WITH LOW LEVEL CRIMES.

THE DEADLINE FOR MONROE COUNTY TO REPLY TO ROKITA'S AMENDED COMPLAINT IS FEBRUARY 28th.

>> INDIANA'S EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ARE IN A STATE OF CRISIS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO STATE SURVEYS SHOWING CITY AND COUNTIES UNABLE TO STAFF AMBULANCES WITH A FULL CREW.

ETHAN SANDWEISS TAKES A LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND INVESTIGATES WHAT COUNTIES DO WHEN E.M.S.

SERVICES COLLAPSE.

>>> IMAGINE THIS INTERSECTION AT NIGHT.

IT'S NOVEMBER AND I.U.

STUDENTS ARE CELEBRATING THEIR TEAM'S VICTORY OVER UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.

A CAR GOING 40 MILES PER HOUR STRIKES FOUR WOMEN, ALL OF THEM STUDENTS AS THEY ARE CROSSING 17th STREET.

AT LEAST TWO OF THEM GO AIRBORNE.

>> WE HAVE ONE WITH HEAVY HEAD TRAUMA, ONE POSSIBLY BORDERLINE UNCONSCIOUS AND ONE CRITICAL.

>> MONROE COUNTY'S MAIN AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDER, I.U.

LIFELINE HAD FOUR ACTIVE TRUCKS BUT ALL WERE BUSY.

MONROE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT SENT ONE FOR BACKUP, BUT THERE WERE STILL TWO GIRLS WHO NEEDED HELP.

THEY CALLED THE NEIGHBORING COUNTIES BUT THE ONLY ONE WITH A FREE AMBULANCE WAS BROWN COUNTY.

BEFORE THE BROWN COUNTY AMBULANCE ARRIVE.

TWO LIFELINE AMBULANCES FINISHED THEIR RUNS AND WERE ABLE TO COME TO THE SCENE.

THE SYSTEM HELD, BUT THIS IS A CLOSE CALL.

>> WE HAVE SEEN SOME LOCAL COUNTIES WHERE THE LOCAL SYSTEM FAILED AND WITH JUST A FEW DAYS NOTICE.

>> ONCE AN E.M.T., KENNY TRACKS THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.

HE SAYS A CRISIS HAS BEEN BREWING FOR YEARS.

>> WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE EITHER NEED TO FIX E.M.S.

>> MANY ARE LEAVING FOR HIGHER PAYING DEPARTMENTS OR GETTING OUT OF THE FIELD ENTIRELY.

A STATE SURVEY SHOWS THAT LOW PAY IS THEIR TOP CONCERN.

MONROE COUNTY USED TO GIVE BLOOMINGTON HOSPITAL AMBULANCE SERVICE $100,000 PER YEAR.

SMALL FRACTION OF THE OVERALL BUDGET.

E.M.S.

CAN OVERWHELM PRIVATE SERVICES LIKE LIFELINE BECAUSE IT'S NEARLY UNPROFITABLE.

MANY EMERGENCY PATIENTS ARE UNINSURED OR UNABLE TO COVER AN AMBULANCE BILL.

THAT LEADS TO COST CUTTING MEASURES SUCH AS LOWER SALARIES AND FEWER TRUCKS.

>> I LEFT I.U.

HEALTH BECAUSE I GOT SICK AND BURNT OUT.

I MEAN, THE AVERAGE E.M.S.

CAREER IS, WHAT, TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE LIKE THAT PEOPLE WILL BURN OUT QUICKLY.

>> ABOUT THE ONLY WAY FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES TO MAKE MONEY IS TRANSFERS.

SHUFFLING PATIENTS BETWEEN HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, THAT'S IMPORTANT BUT IT DIVERTS RESOURCES FROM EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

>> SO IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO GO FROM I.U.

HEALTH BLOOMINGTON TO METHODIST FOR TREATMENT.

THE SAME AMBULANCES THAT DO 911 WILL DO THE TRANSFERS.

>> WHEN ONE COUNTY'S E.M.S.

SYSTEM COLLAPSED, LOCALS SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO REBUILD.

TODAY, IT'S ONE OF THE STRONGEST PROVIDERS IN THE STATE.

PRIVATE SERVICE CARE AMBULANCE PULLED OUT OF MARTINSVILLE IN 2017 AND THEY LOST THE MAIN E.M.S.

PROVIDER.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STEPPED IN WITH AMBULANCES, OFFERING BASIC LIFE SUPPORT, AND ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT.

>> THAT WAS VERY SCARY, BECAUSE IT WAS JUST THROWN TOGETHER AS A BAND-AID WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON.

I THINK IT OPENED EVERYONE'S EYES UP AND LIKE WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

>> MORGAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT APPROVED A SMALL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE TO FUND A PUBLIC E.M.S.

SERVICE.

ALTHOUGH MORGAN COUNTY HAS HALF THE POPULATION OF MONROE COUNTY IT NOW HAS MORE FULL TIME DEVOTED TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

IT DOESN'T DO TRANSFERS.

>> I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT IN THE SERVICE THAT THE COMMUNITY IS GETTING, NOW THAT WE HAVE SIX AMBULANCES TO COVER LIKE WHAT WE USED TO NOT EVEN KNOW IF WE HAD AN AMBULANCE TO COVER.

>> SMITH STILL LIVES IN MONROE COUNTY AND COMMUNITIES FOR THE JOB.

>> IT'S A LOT BETTER WORKING FOR THE COUNTY BECAUSE I'M AN ACTUAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE.

I HAVE BETTER PAY AND BENEFITS.

WE TEND TO BUY THE BEST STUFF.

>> WHEN ALL THE TRUCKS ARE BUSY, THE TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENTS CAN STEP IN, BUT MORGAN COUNTY DOESN'T SEEK HELP FROM NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

>> SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE, WE HAVE NEVER CALLED IN ANOTHER SERVICE TO ASSIST.

>> DESPITE ITS SUCCESS, MUNICIPAL E.M.S.

ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MORGAN COUNTIES REPRESENT JUST 11% OF PROVIDERS STATEWIDE.

THEY ARE OUT NUMBERED BY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE E.M.S.

>> WELL, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A THIRD SERVICE IN MONROE COUNTY THAT WOULD REQUIRE INVESTMENT, THAT WOULD REQUIRE TAX FUNDERS TO PAY FOR IT, LIKE WE HAVE DONE HERE.

>> NOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AN OUTBREAK OF THE BIRD FLU AT A FARM IN JACKSON COUNTY HAS LED TO NEARLY $3 MILLION EGG-LAYING HENS BEING DESTROYED.

AND DESIGN PLANS FOR THE MONROE CONVENTION PLAN EXPANSION PROJECT ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES WITH CONSTRUCTION SET TO BEGIN THIS SUMMER.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

ALMOST THREE MILLION EGG-LAYING HENS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED AFTER A BIRD FLU OUTBREAK IN JACKSON COUNTY.

AS CLAYTON BAUMGARTH REPORTS, IT'S THE LARGEST APPEARANCE OF THE INFECTIOUS AVIAN INFLUENZA, SINCE IT WAS FIRST SPOTTED IN 2022.

>> ROSE ACRE FARMS FIRST CONFIRMED OUTBREAK TO HOOSIER AG TODAY IN A STATEMENT ON SATURDAY, SAYING THAT THE FLOCK TESTED POSITIVE AND THE COMPANY IS WORKING WITH THE STATE BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH TO COMBAT THE SPREAD.

A BOARD REPRESENTATIVE SAYS IT'S THE WORST OUTBREAK SINCE THIS STRAIN OF BIRD FLU APPEARED IN INDIANA.

>> THERE'S 2.8 MILLION BIRDS AT THAT SITE WHICH IS THE LARGEST WE HAD TO DATE.

SINCE THEN, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE FARM FAMILY -- THE FARMERS WHO OWN THE PROPERTY, MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE GOT PROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN.

SIX TURKEY AND EGG LAYING HAVE NOW BEEN AFFECTED BY BIRD FLU SINCE THE BEGINNING OF YEAR.

IT AFFECTS MORE THAN 400,000 BIRDS.

IN SUCH CASES, THE ENTIRE FLOCK IS EUTHANIZED AND THE FACILITIES ARE SANITIZED AND REPOPULATED.

SPEARS SAYS IT WILL TAKE QUITE SOME TIME FOR THE FLOCK AND THE LAYOUT OF THE OPERATION.

>> THE DISPOSAL SITUATION AND WHAT HAPPENS THERE IS TRICKY AND IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT OUTDOORS, OBVIOUSLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS, THAT'S HARDER TO DO BECAUSE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THOSE COMPOST PILES TO GET UP TO A TEMPERATURE WHERE IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO COOK AND KILL THAT VIRUS.

>> SPEARS BELIEVES THAT LOSING THIS FLOCK WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO AFFECT THE EGG INDUSTRY AT LARGE.

>> WHILE THIS IS BIG FOR US, OVERALL IN THE BIG SCHEME OF THINGS AND WITH THE POULTRY SECTOR IN GENERAL AND WHERE ALL OF OUR EGGS COME FROM, THIS -- THIS ISN'T GOING TO -- JUST ONE FACILITY ISN'T GOING TO MAKE THE WHOLE INDUSTRY TUMBLE.

>> THE STATE BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH HAS SAID OUTBREAKS POSE NO RISK TO HUMAN SAFETY AND THAT ALL EGGS ON STORE SHELVES ARE SAFE TO EAT.

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

>> NOW FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

AN I.U.

ALUMNI WAS AMONG THE 67 PEOPLE KILLED WHEN A PLANE COLLIDED WITH AN ARMY HELICOPTER.

ASRA HUSSEIN WAS A 2020 GRADUATE OF I.U.

BLOOMINGTON IN 2020.

SHE WENT ON TO EARN A MASTER'S DEGREE IN HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT.

HER HUSBAND, HAMAD RAZA, SHE WAS RETURNING FROM A WORK TRIP WHERE SHE WAS, QUOTE, HELPING IMPROVE A HOSPITAL THAT REALLY NEEDED HELP.

>>> ADVOCATES AND LGBTQ HOOSIERS GATHERED AT THE STATE HOUSE TO SHARE RESOURCES AND RESPOND TO LEGISLATION AIMED AGAINST THEM.

THEY CITED A RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP THAT SEEMS TO BAN GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR MINORS NATIONALLY.

>> OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE NOT PROTECTED OUR RIGHTS.

THEY HAVE CALLOUSLY STRIPPED THEM AWAY AND ACCUSED US OF BEING HORRIBLE PARENTS WHO MUTILATE THEIR CHILDREN.

THIS IS A LIE!

>> STATE SENATOR FADY QUADDUORA SAYS THE CURRENT STATE AND THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION, PAVES A DIFFICULT ROAD.

>> AND DEMYSTIFYING THE IMPACT ON HOOSIERS LIVES ON HER 2025 STATE OF THE JUDICIARY ADDRESS.

SHE EMPHASIZED WORK TO IMPROVE COURT EFFICIENCY, INCLUDING EXPLORING EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES.

ONE COURT IS USING A.I.

TO PRODUCE VITAL TRANSCRIPTS.

>> WHAT USED TO TAKE WEEKS OR MONTHS AT GREAT COST TO GET A RECORD, IT WAS REDUCED TO MINUTES.

YOU HEARD ME, MINUTES INSTEAD OF MONTHS.

>> IT AIMS TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES INCLUDING THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES IN MORE THAN THREE DECADES.

>> AND CITY OF BLOOMINGTON IS EYEING A BUILDING ON SOUTH ROGERS STREET AS A NEW HOME FOR THE STATE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IT'S IDEAL BECAUSE IT HAS ROOM FOR EXPANSION.

IT'S LOCATED ALONG PUBLIC TRANSIT AND HAS THE SUPPORT OF POLICE STAFF AND UNION MEMBERS.

>> THIS IS THE BUILDING THAT IS LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION, AND HAPPENS TO HAVE ALL OF THE SUBSTANTIVE CONCRETE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> THE INTERIOR WILL STILL NEED -- STILL NEEDS TO BE DEMOLISHES AND BROUGHT TO CURRENT BUILDING STANDARDS.

THOMPSON SAYS FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT HAS YET TO BE ADDRESSED.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT, PAMELA WHITTEN, STATE LEADERS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS ANNOUNCED A COMBINED INITIATIVES IN INDIANAPOLIS.

THE I.U.

LAUNCH ACCELERATOR FOR BIOSCIENCES, ALSO CALLED I.U.

LAB OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED MONDAY AFTERNOON.

THE LAB HOUSED IN A SIX-STORY BUILDING THAT WILL OPEN IN 2027, THANKS TO A $138 MILLION GRANT FROM THE LILLY ENDOWMENT.

>> TODAY, WE ARE GOING TO CREATE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR INDIANA, ONE THAT IS MARKED BY INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, AND IMPROVED HUMAN HEALTH.

>> I.U.

LAB AND ITS STAFF WILL RESEARCH CANCER, DIABETES, AND OBESITY, NEUROSCIENCE, RARE DISEASES AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE.

>>> SEASON TICKET PRICES FOR INDIANA FOOTBALL ARE RISING IN 2025 DUE TO A NEW PERSONAL SEAT DONATION PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM REQUIRES FANS TO MAC A DONATION OF -- MAKE A DONATION OF UP TO $250 DEPENDING ON LOCATION WITH EACH SEASON TICKET PURCHASE.

I.U.

IS FOLLOWING MANY OTHER POWERFUL UNIVERSITIES THAT ARE LOOKING FOR FRESH REVENUE STREAMS TO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS, MAINTENANCE AND REVENUE-SHARING INITIATIVES.

>>> AFTER DECADES OF PLANNING, YEARS OF FINDING FUNDING AND A LOT OF CONTROVERSY, THE EXPANSION PROJECT AT THE MONROE CONVENTION CENTER IS MOVING QUICKLY.

THE PROJECT IS NOW IN THE FINAL DESIGN PHASE AND CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN JUNE.

>> THE DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER SITS TWO BLOCKS FROM COUNTY COURSE.

OFFICIALS SAY IT'S WORK, TURNING AWAY EXHIBITORS AND CONFERENCES EVERY YEAR.

CONVENTION CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TALISHA COPPOCK SAYS IT WILL ALLOW FOR NEW TYPES OF EVENTS FROM PICKLE BALL TO FENCING.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY INTERESTED IN USING THAT SPACE, AND WE HAVE BEEN THIS CONTACT WITH THEM, THAT WE'RE SAYING IT'S STARTING TO HAPPEN.

I USED TO HAVE ONE TEACHER THAT WOULD CALL EVERY FOUR YEARS AND ASKED IF WE HAVE EXPANDED YET.

>> THEY PURCHASED LAND ACROSS STREET FROM THE CURRENT CENTER IN 2010, ANTICIPATING THE EXPANSION.

IT TOOK 20 YEARS FOR THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO VOTE ON A 1% FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX INCREASE TO FUND.

IT NARROWLY PASSED WITH A 4-3 VOTE AFTER FIVE HOURS OF PUBLIC COMMENT AND DISCUSSION IN 2017.

>> YES.

>> JONES.

>> NO.

>> MOTION PASSED.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THE CONTROVERSY OF WHETHER TO EXPAND THEN BECAME HOW TO EXPAND.

CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS CAME TO A STALEMATE ON HOW TO MOVE THE PROJECT FORWARD.

THEN COVID-19 SHUT THE PROCESS DOWN.

IN 2023, STATE LEGISLATORS CRITICIZED MONROE COUNTY AND BLOOMINGTON'S LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX SPENDING.

THE CAPITAL IMPROVEth BOARD WAS FORMED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO AND SINCE THEN, PRESIDENT JOHN WHIKEHART SAYS IT'S MOVING QUICKLY.

>> IT'S MOVING AT WARP SPEED.

>> ARCHITECTS PRESENTED UPDATED RENDERINGS AND FLOOR PLANS AT A RECENT C.I.B.

MEETING.

IT HELPED TO GET THE PROJECT WITHIN BUDGET.

THE MORE THAN $52 MILLION COST ESTIMATE INCLUDES THE EXPANSION AND RENOVATION.

CURRENT BUILDING.

THE EXPANSION AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 61,000 SQUARE FEET.

A FEW THOUSAND SQUARE FEET LARGER THAN A FOOTBALL FIELD.

THE EXISTING CONVENTION CENTER IS 40,000 SQUARE FEET.

AND DOOR IS LOOKING AT THE BUNGER AND ROBERTSON PROPERTY NORTH OF THE EXISTING CENTER.

IT INCLUDES A 5,000 SQUARE FOOTBALLROOM, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE OFF THE B LINE TRAIL AND A FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT, AND ROOF TOP BAR AND A LEVEL OF BELOW GRADE PARKING.

WILL THAT BE ENOUGH PARKING?

DURING A RECENT MEETING THE C.I.B.

IS NOT CHARGED WITH PARKING.

>> I'M SURPRISED THAT IT HASN'T COME UP MORE OFTEN.

IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE THINK ABOUT, ALL THE TIME.

>> MUCH OF THE SURFACE PARKING AROUND THE CURRENT CENTER WILL BE USED FOR THE EXPANSION AND HOTEL.

THE MAIN BALLROOM COULD SEAT AROUND 2,000 PEOPLE FOR DINNER AND THE CURRENT CENTER COULD HOST ANOTHER 800 PEOPLE WITH THE PROPOSED 210-ROOM HOTEL ACROSS THE STREET.

BLOOMINGTON MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SAYS THE PARKING GARAGE IS FILLED MOST OF THE WEEK.

>> WE WILL NEED SIGNIFICANT PARKING AND I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE ALL TAKEN CARE OF WITH THE FOURTH STREET GARAGE.

>> SHE SAYS THE UNDERGROUND PARKING LEVEL AT THE HOTEL WOULD HELP BUT NOT THE ANSWER.

THE CURRENT CENTER'S DEBT BEING PAVED OFF.

THE FINAL DESIGN PHASE LEADS TO A CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT PHASE IN FEBRUARY, BIDDING IN MARCH AND CONSTRUCTION IN JUNE.

THE EXPANSION PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO BE DONE IN JANUARY OF 2027.

AND MOST MUSICIANS LEARN MUSIC BY READING SHEET MUSIC, BUT I.U.

PIANIST DAVID LIE WHO BECAME BLIND SHORTLY AFTER BIRTH LEARNS MUSIC COMPLETELY BY EAR.

HE WAS FEATURED THIS WEEK NATIONALLY IN AN EPISODIC PERFORMANCE IN NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO.

KATIE SZPAK SPOKE WITH HIM.

>> DAVID LIE LIVES IN A WORLD OF SOUND.

HE WAS DRAWN TO MUSIC IN A YOUNG AGE AND BEGAN PIANO LESSONS WHEN HE WAS 4.

>> THIS WAS EITHER POP SONGS OR CHINESE FOLK MUSIC OR WESTERN CLASSICAL MUSIC AT HOME, ALTHOUGH MY PARENTS ARE NOT MUSICIANS.

THEY WERE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF ALL THE THINGS THAT I LISTENED TO.

>> LIE WAS CHOSEN TO BE A YOUNG ARTIST IN RESIDENCE FOR PERFORMANCE TODAY.

HE DESCRIBED AN ECLECTIC TASTE IN MUSIC FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN SONG BOOK AND BROADWAY AND MOVIE SCORES.

>> BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF IT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN RELIVE THE FILM IN YOUR MIND WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THIS MUSIC OUTSIDE OF THE MOVIE.

>> LIE IS IN THE LAST SEMESTER OF HIS DOCTORAL PROGRAM AT THE JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC AT I.U.

HE SAYS HIS TIME TEACHING AS AN ASSOCIATE INSTRUCTOR HAS INSPIRED HIM TO PURSUE A PROFESSORSHIP WHEN HE GRADUATES.

>> I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE MUSIC, BOTH IN THE CLASSROOM WITH STUDENTS AND ON STAGE WITH THE AUDIENCE.

TORE "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M KATIE SZPAK.

>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE