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

>>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA LEADERS SAY THE STATE'S WORKFORCE NEEDS TO BECOME MORE SKILLED AND EDUCATED, AND THE NEXT LEVEL JOBS PROGRAM IS DOING JUST THAT.

>> THERE'S JOB OPENINGS BUT WE NEED TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO WORK IN THOSE AREAS WITH THOSE CAREERS.

>> THE STATE COVERS COST OF THE PROGRAM, WHICH IS FOR ADULTS WHO GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL BUT HAVE NO COLLEGE DEGREE.

A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE I.U.

JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS HELPS KIDS TURN MUSICAL IDEAS INTO PERFORMABLE PIECES.

>> I KIND OF WENT OVER TO THE XYLOPHONE AND STARTED, LIKE, TAPPING NOTES AND JUST FIGURED OUT WHAT SOUNDED GOOD.

>> WINNERS OF A COMPETITION HAD THEIR WORKS PERFORMED IN CONCERT.

AND THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVED A CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR EMBATTLED PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN.

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

>>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS GIVING PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN A $200,000 RAISE, AND EXTENDING HER CONTRACT UNTIL 2031.

THE VOTE CAME WITHOUT PUBLIC NOTICE AND WAS NOT ANNOUNCED BY THE UNIVERSITY.

ETHAN SANDWEISS HAS MORE FROM THURSDAY'S TRUSTEES MEETING IN INDIANAPOLIS.

>> A CONTRACT AMENDMENT THAT WILL MOVE HER FROM THE 50th PERCENTILE TO THE 70th PERCENTILE OF OUR BIG 10 AND S.E.C.

PEERS IN TERMS OF TOTAL COMPETITION.

>> WHITTEN'S NEW SALARY WILL BE $900,000 AND THE EXTENSION ADDS ANOTHER FIVE YEARS TO HER CONTRACT.

TRUSTEES SAY THEY LIKE THE JOBS SHE'S DOING AND BETTER COMPENSATION IMPROVES THEIR CHANCES OF KEEPING HER BUT WHITTEN HAS BEEN UNPOPULAR ON CAMPUS.

MASS ARREST OF STUDENT PROTESTERS LAST SPRING, THE CANCELLATION OF A PALESTINIAN ARTISTS SHOW AND A NEW EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY LIMITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROTESTS ON CAMPUS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO WHAT SOME FACULTY AND STUDENTS DESCRIBE AS AN ENVIRONMENT HOSTILE TO ACADEMIC FREEDOM.

WHITTEN GOT A 93% OF NO CONFIDENCE FROM I.U.

BLOOMINGTON FACULTY LAST SPRING AND OTHER VOTES FROM ACADEMIC UNITS AND CAMPUSES.

>> BOARD CHAIR QUINN BUCKNER RESPONDED WITH THESE COMMENTS.

>> WE DO THE THINGS THE RIGHT WAY AND WHEN PEOPLE GO LOW, WE GO HIGH.

>> THE BOARD PASSED A VOTE 8-1 ON THURSDAY, WITH ONLY TRUSTEE VIVIAN WINSTON DISSENTING.

SHE SAID SHE WOULD HAVE APPROVED THE RAISE WITHOUT THE EXTENSION.

>> REAPPOINTMENT OF A UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT SHOULD BE DONE WITH TRANSPARENCY AND ONLY AFTER GETTING INPUT FROM A VARIETY OF STAKEHOLDERS.

A REAPPOINTMENT SHOULD NOT BE DONE UNTIL WE HAVE CONDUCTED THE OUTSIDE INDEPENDENT REVIEW.

>> WINSTON DESCRIBED THE CULTURE THAT SHE PERCEIVED ON THE BLOOMINGTON CAMPUS AND COULD NOT VOTE UNTIL THEY GOT MORE STAKEHOLDER INPUT.

THE BOAR PROMISED A CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY LAST SUMMER BUT SO FAR HAS NOT INITIATED ONE.

TRUSTEE LUCHESE THINKS THINGS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER.

>> WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS APRIL AND MAY, WHEN ALL OF THOSE ISSUES WERE GOING ON.

I VIEW THAT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES AND THEY ARE ALL POSITIVE THAT HAVE HAPPENED POST THAT.

>> WHITTEN'S RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS HAVE VALIDATED SOME SUPPORTERS.

LAST WEEK I.U.

INDIANAPOLIS EARNED AN R1 CLASSIFICATION, PUTTING IT ON PAR AS A TOP TIER RESEARCH CAMPUS THEM HAVE EXPANDED THE BIOSCIENCE, DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OFFERINGS PUTTING ITS WAY ON MEETING THE GOALS IN I.U.

'S STRATEGIC PLAN.

STILL, WHITTEN'S REAPPOINTMENT CAME AS A SURPRISE.

THE TRUSTEES DID NOT ANNOUNCE THAT THEY WOULD VOTE ON EXTENDING HER CONTRACT.

STATING ON THE AGENDA THAT THEY WOULD BE CONSIDERING A CONTRACT AMENDMENT.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> THE BOARD DECLINED TO RESPOND TO MULTIPLE VOICE MAILS EMAILS SEEKING COMMENT.

I.U.

'S PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE MEETING DID NOT INCLUDE MENTION OF THE RAISE OR EXTENSION.

>> A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF OF ALL HOOSIERS HAVE EARNED A COLLEGE DEGREE OR CREDENTIAL AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

AUBREY WRITE REPORTS ON A STATE PROGRAM THAT HELPS ADULT WORKERS EARN CERTIFICATION OF NEW SKILLS FOR FREE.

>> THE NEXT LEVEL JOBS PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE.

INDIANA LEADERS ESTIMATE THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS HOOSIERS CAN FILL WITH A LITTLE MORE TRAINING.

TO GET THE PEOPLE THE SKILLS, THE STATE COVERS THE COST.

>> IT WAS -- IT'S BASICALLY JUST A SWITCH OF THE LAMP, BUT THIS IS ONE OF THE, LIKE, SIMPLE CIRCUITS THAT THEY WILL HAVE YOU SET UP IN YOUR ELECTRICAL CLASS.

>> COLTON MARTIN KNOWS HIS WAY AROUND THIS CIRCUIT BOARD.

>> YOU HAVE YOUR D.C. POWER RUNNING THROUGH THE POSITIVE OUTLET INTO YOUR SWITCH.

>> HE SAYS IT'S A SIMPLE SWITCH AND A LAMP, JUST LIKE THE ONES HE SET UP IN HIS IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE BLOOMINGTON CLASSES.

>> AND YOU WILL GET MORE ADVANCED AS YOU GO ALONG, OF COURSE.

>> MARTIN WANTS TO DO THIS KIND OF HANDS ON WORK, AND HE'S ON HIS WAY TO BECOMING AN ELECTRICIAN.

>> I LIKE TO WORK, I GUESS.

I WANT TO DO SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY AS I -- AS I GET OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, AND OUT OF COLLEGE, IF I CAN.

>> WITH THE WORKFORCE READY GRANT FROM THE STATE, HE'S TAKING CLASSES AND EARNING A TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE FOR FREE, WHILE WORKING PART TIME.

>> IVY TECH AND OTHER INDIANA COLLEGES ARE PARTNERING WITH THE STATE FOR THE NEXT LEVEL JOBS PROGRAM.

IT'S SPECIFICALLY FOR ADULTS WHO GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL, BUT HAVE NO COLLEGE DEGREE.

>> THE NEXT LEVEL JOBS PROGRAM, IS YOU KNOW, UP THERE, I WOULD SAY, AS ONE THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO LEARN ABOUT THE TRADES AND COLLEGE.

>> INDIANA LEADERS HAVE SAID FOR YEARS THAT THE STATE'S WORKFORCE NEEDS TO BECOME MORE SKILLED AND EDUCATED.

THE NEXT LEVEL JOBS PROGRAM HELPS FILL GAPS IN NURSING, TRADES, MANUFACTURING, COMPUTER SCIENCE AND OTHER INDUSTRIES AND IN THAT PROGRAM, INDIANA SETS ASIDE MONEY FOR THE WORKFORCE READY GRANT, A SCHOLARSHIP THAT COVERS SHORT-TERM CERTIFICATES TOO WE HAVE A LOT OF HIGH-WAGE OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN INDIANA, AND THERE'S JOB OPENINGS, BUT WE NEED TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO WORK IN THOSE AREAS WITH THOSE CAREERS.

>> IN YEAR GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN'S PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES MORE THAN $20 MILLION FOR THE NEXT LEVEL JOBS PROGRAM.

>> ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE'RE TAKING A NEW APPROACH, FOCUSED ON BUILDING SKILLS FOR HOOSIERS CURRENTLY IN THE WORKFORCE, TO MATCH HIGH VALUE, HIGH WAGE JOBS, THAT EMPLOYERS NEED TO FILL.

>> TO GET THE GRANT, PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS COMPLETE PAY SHORT SURVEY, SHOWING WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AND WHEN THEY CAN TAKE CLASSES.

LOCALS MIGHT BE MATCHED TO A PROGRAM AT IVY TECH BLOOMINGTON.

>> ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKFORCE READY GRANT OR ANY OF OUR OTHER PROGRAMS, SHOULD KNOW FIRST OF ALL, IVY TECH IS A VERY SUPPORTIVE PLACE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> CODY SAYS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DEPENDENT STUDENTS AND INDEPENDENT STUDENTS LOOK DIFFERENT.

AT IVY TECH, STUDENTS DEPENDENT ON THEIR PARENTS MAY HAVE TO TAKE FOUR CLASSES PER SEMESTER.

BUT IT'S MORE FLEXIBLE FOR INDEPENDENT STUDENTS, WHO ARE USUALLY OLDER ADULTS.

>> AT IVY TECH, THE MAJORITY OF OUR CLASSES ARE NOW EIGHT WEEKS.

WE RUN TWO EIGHT-WEEK TERMS IN A SEMESTER, THEY CAN TAKE ONE CLASS AT A TIME AND STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE WORKFORCE READY GRANT.

>> SOME IVY TECH CERTIFICATES REQUIRE INTERNSHIPS OR JOB SHADOWING, BUT CODY SAYS ALL STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO GET REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE.

SHE SAYS ALL IVY TECH PROGRAMS ARE DEVELOPED WITH ADVISORY BOARDS, MADE UP OF INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND SOME PROGRAMS ARE EVEN DESIGNED FOR THOSE PARTNERS.

THE GOAL FOR ALL STUDENTS IS TO MOVE ON AND START A CAREER.

>> WE HAVE A VERY STRONG CONNECTION WITH OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS.

WE KNOW WHERE THE NEEDS ARE.

WE KNOW WHERE THE JOBS ARE AVAILABLE.

>> THE STATE REPORTS MORE THAN 30,000 HOOSIERS HAVE EARNED CERTIFICATES THROUGH THE WORKFORCE READY GRANT.

SOME STUDENTS, LIKE MARTIN CAN BUILD ON THEIR CERTIFICATES AND EARN COLLEGE DEGREES.

>> ONLY A COUPLE MONTHS OF NEXT YEAR AND THEN I WILL HAVE MY TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE IN THIS PROGRAM.

AND THEN I WILL BE STARTING MY ASSOCIATE'S AFTERWARDS.

>> INDIANA REPORTS THAT WORKFORCE READY GRANT RECIPIENTS GO ON TO EARN MORE MONEY.

THERE ARE ABOUT 200 QUALIFYING PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE.

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

>> NOW, FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE AREA.

A MOORESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ACCUSED OF PLOTTING A SCHOOL SHOOTING ON VALENTINE'S DAY REMAINS IN A MORGAN COUNTY JAIL.

A JUDGE ON THURSDAY DENIED 18-YEAR-OLD TRINITY SHOCKLEY BOND PENDING THE COMPLETION OF AN EVALUATION BY TWO COURT-APPOINTED PSYCHOLOGISTS.

THE JUDGE SAYS SHOCKLEY, QUOTE, PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT RISK AND IS A THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY, HERSELF OR OTHERS.

SHOCKLEY IS CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MURDER AND TWO COUNTS OF INTIMIDATION, THREAT TO COMMIT TERRORISM.

>>> THE MORGAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED A ZONING CHANGE FOR 390 ACRES IN MONROVIA FOR A CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSED DATA CENTER.

DESPITE INTENSE OPPOSITION FROM MONROVIA COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THE BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY FOR THE REZONING.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

[ CHORUS OF AYES ] MOTION CARRIES 3-0.

>> RESIDENTS HAVE SEVERAL CONCERNS, INCLUDING NOISE LEVELS, HIGH-ENERGY AND WATER USE, POTENTIAL FOR PROPERTY TAX AND HOME VALUE DISRUPTION, AND OVERALL SECRECY SURROUNDING THE PROJECT.

THE BOARD REITERATED AT THE MEETING THAT EVEN WITH THESE CONCERNS FROM WOULD-BE NEIGHBORS OF THE PROJECT, THEY HAD TO CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF THE 65,000 COUNTY RESIDENTS AS WELL.

>>> BLOOMINGTON'S ANNEXATION QUEST HAS HIT ANOTHER ROADBLOCK AS THE INDIANA APPEALS COURT HAS RULED AGAINST THE CITY IN FIVE OF THE SEVEN ANNEXATION AREAS.

NOW, THOSE ARE THE SOUTHEAST AND ISLAND AREAS 1C, 2, 3, 4 AND 5 THAT VOIDED ANNEXATION WITH 65% OF RESIDENTS SIGNING A PETITION.

NOW, THE CITY CHALLENGED SOME OF THE PETITIONS OVER WAIVERS SIGNED BY PROPERTY OWNERS, BUT SPECIAL MONROE CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE NATHAN G. NIKIRK RULED AGAINST THE CITY LAST JUNE AND THIS WEEK THE INDIANA APPEALS COURT AGREED.

THE CITY SAYS THE LEGAL TEAM IS EVALUATING POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS.

>> EGG PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE DUE TO THE BIRD FLU, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE FEELING THE IMPACT.

ABRAHAM CARNY OF BRIGHT SIDE CAFE SAYS HIS BUSINESS GOES THROUGH ABOUT 3,000 EGGS A MONTH.

THE RECENT PRICE HIKE HAS ADDED NEARLY $600 TO THEIR COSTS.

>> WE HAVE TO, LIKE, FIGURE OUT WHERE THAT MONEY COMES FROM AND HOW TO CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN THE BUSINESS.

>> BRIGHTSIDE CAFE HAS RAISED PRICES SLIGHTLY ON SOME ITEMS BUT HAS KEPT THE COST OF CORE EGG-BASED ITEMS LIKE MUFFINS BROWNIES AND COFFEE CAKES STEADY.

BAKERIES ARE FACING SIMILAR CHALLENGES AT BAKED, CO-OWNER SAYS THEY ARE LIMITED TO 15 TO 30 DOZEN EGGS A DAY.

>> WE HAVEN'T LOOKED AT ANY SUBSTITUTE PROJECTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WE THINK THAT THE REAL EGG IN ITS SHELL REALLY IS THE TOP QUALITY INGREDIENT AND WE NEED THAT TO MAKE THE BEST COOKIES WE CAN.

>> AN ESTIMATED 7 MILLION COMMERCIAL BIRDS HAVE BEEN INFECTED IN INDIANA SINCE JANUARY.

>>> THE HISTORIC BRIDGETON MILL WHICH HAS OPERATED SINCE 1823 IN PARKE COUNTY IS FOR SALE WITH AN ASKING PRICE OF $3.5 MILLION.

MIKE ROE AND HIS WIFE BOUGHT IT FOR A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS AND HAVE REPAIRED IT.

THEY HAVE BECOME A TOURIST DESTINATION, PARTICULARLY DURING OCTOBER'S COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL, WHICH DRAWS UP TO 3 MILLION VISITORS TO THE COUNTY.

THE 73-YEAR-OLD ROWE SAYS THE HEAVY LIFTING AND LONG HOURS NEEDED TO RUN THE BILL WERE THE REASONS HE MADE THE HARD DECISION TO SELL IT.

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

THE MONROE COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION HAS BEGUN INFORMING TEACHERS ON WHAT TO DO IF A DEPORTATION THREAT IS IMMINENT.

AND A COLLABORATION BETWEEN I.U.

'S JACOB SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS IS HELPING KIDS COMPOSE THEIR OWN MUSIC.

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

>> WELCOME BACK THIS "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

LAWMAKERS ARE THINKING OF HUGE POTENTIAL CUTS IN FEDERAL FUNDING AS THEY WRITE THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS THE HOUSE ADVANCED THE TWO-YEAR $46 BILLION SPENDING PLAN ON THURSDAY AS THE FIRST HALF OF THE, LEGISLATIVE SESSION COMES TO A CLOSE.

>> THEY RAISE EDUCATION, 2% AND CUTS MOST STATE AGENCIES BY 5% AND REDUCES LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING AND DOES NOT ELIMINATE WAIT LISTS FOR CARE THERE ARE MEDICARE.

LAWMAKERS KNOW THEY MAY FACE FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS.

AND THAT WILL RESULT US HAVING TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS BUT WE'RE IN A REALLY GO POSITION BECAUSE THE BUDGET DOESN'T OVEREXTEND.

>> BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE SEEN SO FAR, WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT STATE IS GOING TO HAVE TO STEP UP TO HELP HOOSIERS.

>> THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE SENATE, I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> HOUSE REPUBLICANS ALSO APPROVED A BILL ON THURSDAY TO ENHANCE INDIANA'S ROLE IN ENFORCING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW.

THE BILL WOULD GIVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE MORE AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE BUSINESSES THAT MIGHT BE EMPLOYING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND CREATES PENALTIES FOR THOSE THAT DO.

THE MEASURE ALSO GIVES THE GOVERNOR THE POWER TO WITHHOLD STATE FUNDING FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT FAIL TO COOPERATE WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS.

DEMOCRAT SAYS THAT OVERBURDENS COMMUNITIES.

>> WE ARE FORCING AGENCIES TO DIVERT THEIR FUNDS FROM VIOLENT CRIME PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

CRITICAL FUNCTIONS THAT KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE CURRENTLY.

>> THE HOUSE ADVANCED THE BILL TO THE SENATE ALONG PARTY LINES.

>> AND WITH THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT RAMPING UP ENFORCEMENT OF IMMIGRATION LAWS, MANY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THAT WILL AFFECT COMMUNITIES.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI REPORTS, THE MONROE COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN INFORMING MONDAY ROPE COUNTY -- MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS HOW TO HANDLE DEPORTATION THREATS.

>> MCCSC'S SUPERINTENDENT MARKAY WINSTON EMAILED PARENTS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO SAYING THE SCHOOL CORPORATION DOES NOT ASK FOR STUDENT'S IMMIGRATION STATUS WHEN THEY ENROLL IN SCHOOL.

THE CORPORATION ONLY REQUIRES PROOF OF RESIDENCE WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> THE SCHOOLS CAN ASK FOR A BIRTH CERTIFICATE SO WE CAN APPROPRIATELY PUT A STUDENT INTO THE APPROPRIATE GRADE LEVEL, BUT IF THIS THERE IS NO BIRTH CERTIFICATE, WE'RE STILL GOING TO ENROLL THEM.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE FREE AND ACCESSIBLE.

>> THE MONROE COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION HAS BEGUN INFORMING TEACHERS ON WHAT TO DO IF A DEPORTATION THREAT IS IMMINENT.

MCCSC MUST COMPLY WITH THE FAMILY EDUCATION PRIVACY RIGHTS ACT.

WHICH PROTECTS THE STUDENTS' OWE EDUCATIONAL RECORDS.

>> THEY WILL NEED TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF A WARRANT OR A DOCUMENT THAT ESSENTIALLY SAYS WE ARE HERE TO PICK UP THESE PEOPLE.

>> CONCERNS ABOUT STUDENTS POTENTIALLY BEING TAKEN AWAY ARE BASED ON A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ARE LEARNING ENGLISH AS THEIR SECOND LANGUAGE.

>> WE LOVE OUR STUDENTS.

AND THE THOUGHT OF THEM BEING TAKEN AWAY BECAUSE OF AN UNCONFIRMED SUSPICION THAT THEIR PAPERWORK MAY OR MAY NOT BE IN ORDER IS ANATHEMA TO WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY.

>> THEY HAVE MESSAGES ON HOW TO NAVIGATE THE UNCERTAIN TIMES.

>> DON'T ASK BECAUSE WE DON'T -- IT'S NOT REQUIRED OF US TO ASK, AND WHY WOULD WE?

IT'S IRRELEVANT.

>> ON OF THE LAST WEEK'S NEW ADDITION, WINSTON SAID SHE'S COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.

>> IN THE EVENT THAT THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, WE WOULD IMMEDIATELY BE IN CONVERSATION WITH OUR -- WITH OUR ATTORNEYS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ADHERING TO THE LAW, BUT THAT AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE KEEPING OUR STUDENTS FRONT AND THE CENTER IN TERMS OF SAFETY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN PLAN AND SUPPORT THEM IN WHATEVER WAY IS NECESSARY, PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY.

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

>> AND INDIANA LAWMAKERS WANT TO ADDRESS RISING MEDICAID COSTS IN THE STATE, BUDGET BY OVERHAULING THE STATE'S MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING ISABELLA RUBEN SAYS THE SENATE APPROVED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD MAKE SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE HEALTHY INDIANA PLAN.

>> FEDERAL FUNDS PAY FOR 90% OF HIP THE REST IS COVERED ON A FEE BY HOSPITAL AND CIGARETTE TAXES, MEANING HIP IS NOT FUNDED BY THE STATE BUDGET.

THE ENROLLMENT REMAINS TOO HIGH AFTER COVID AND DECREASING ENROLLMENT COULD REDIRECT THAT FUNDING TO OTHER PROGRAMS.

>> MEDICAID HAS GROWN BY $5 BILLION OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

THE RATE OF GROWTH IS HIGHER THAN OUR ENTIRE REVENUE, OUR RATE OF REVENUE INCREASE.

>> THE BILL REINTRODUCES INDIANA'S PREVIOUSLY HALTED WORK REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITED ENROLLMENT TO 500,000 PEOPLE.

>> AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS, THE BILL UNDER THE GUISE OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY COULD RESULT IN WORKING HOOSIERS AND RURAL HOSPITALS BEING HARMED THE MOST.

>> FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M ABIGAIL RUHMAN.

>> KIDS COMPOSE A COLLABORATION BETWEEN INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND THE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION, GIVES KIDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TO COMPOSE THEIR OWN MUSIC.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI AND DEVON RIDGEWAY FOLLOWED THE PROCESS FROM CLASSROOM TO CONCERT HALL AND HAS THE STORY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> BUT MAYBE INSTEAD I JUST GO... >> THE IDEA WAS TO GIVE THE MUSIC TEACHERS IN THE AREA A REASON TO FOCUS ON MUSIC COMPOSITION, JUST AT LEAST ONE POINT IN THE YEAR, AND TO SUPPORT THEM AND TO HIGHLIGHT THAT, AND WHAT THEY WERE DOING WITH THEIR KIDS AND THEN GIVE AWAY FOR THE STUDENTS TO SHINE.

>> ALL RIGHT SO FRIENDS, I HAVE -- IF YOU HAVE ONE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO -- >> WE STARTED WITH A REALLY SIMPLE MUSICAL IDEA, AND THEN WE TALKED ABOUT ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT YOU WOULD PLAY WITH IT, AND SO MUCH OF COMPOSITION IS THAT REFLECTIVE COMPONENT WHERE YOU HEAR AN IDEA, DO I LIKE THAT?

CAN I CHANGE IT A LITTLE BIT?

WHAT HAPPENS IF I REPEAT THIS, BUT MAYBE I CHANGE IT THIS WAY INSTEAD?

>> MINE SOUNDS LIKE A MINECRAFT VIBE.

>> I LOVE THAT.

♪ >> AND THEN THERE'S... ♪ >> I WANTED TO BE A HANDS ON EXPERIENCE FIRST AND FOREMOST SO I KNOW THAT A LOT OF COMPOSITION ASSIGNMENTS MIGHT START WITH, LIKE, THE PENCIL AND PAPER, AND I DO THE OPPOSITE.

I WANT THEM TO HAVE THE MUSIC COME FROM THEM, AND I WANT IT TO BE A MUSICAL IDEA THAT THEY LOVE AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY CREATED AND THEN WE GET IT ON TO PAPER.

♪ >> WE SELECT FINALISTS THAT GO ON TO THE JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC COMPOSITION FACULTY AND THEN CHOOSE EIGHT WINNERS.

SO THEN THE EIGHT WINNERS ARE PAIRED UP AND EACH OF THOSE FOUR PAIRS ARE GIVEN TO A JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC COMPOSITION STUDENT.

WHO THEN USES THEM AS AS THE BASIS TO COMPOSE AND ARRANGE A PIECE FOR EITHER ORCHESTRA OR BAND.

WHICH IS THEN PERFORMED ON ONE OF THE MCCSC CONCERTS.

♪ >> THIS IS TERESA AND TERESA, WHERE DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

[ APPLAUSE ] >> I SEE TERESA BROUGHT HER FAN CLUB WITH HER TODAY.

>> WHEN I THINK OF MUSIC, I LIKE TO THINK OF KIND OF LIKE HAPPY TUNES.

I HAVE KIND OF THOUGHT ABOUT THAT AND, LIKE, I THOUGHT OF A RHYTHM, AND THEN I KIND OF WENT OVER TO A XYLOPHONE AND STARTED, LIKE, TAPPING NOTES AND KIND OF -- JUST FIGURED OUT WHAT SOUNDED GOOD.

♪ >> IT STARTED OUT WITH SOMETHING SMALL THAT, LIKE, SOUNDED GOOD, BUT, LIKE, AT FIRST IT WASN'T, LIKE, AMAZING, BUT WHEN I HEARD IT, IT'S JUST LIKE...

I FEEL LIKE IT SHOULD BE IN A MUSIC OR SOMETHING.

>> HELLO THIS.

>> MY NAME IS ESME COOPER.

>> AND WHERE DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

>> UNIVERSITY.

>> WONDERFUL.

>> I BASICALLY JUST PUT ON RANDOM THINGS AND FOUND OUT WHAT SOUNDED GOOD.

♪ >> IT WAS CRAZY.

I DID NOT EXPECT TO WIN THIS THING.

I KNOW, LIKE, NOTHING ABOUT MUSIC.

SO WHEN I SEE IT PLAYED LIKE THAT, I'M LIKE, WOW!

I'M JUST MIND BLOWN.

>> I ALWAYS WATCH THE CHILDREN WHO ARE UP THERE HEARING THEIR MELODY, AND THEN HEARING THEIR MELODY BEING EXPANDED ON TO BECOME SOMETHING BIGGER AND BE A PART OF THAT AND THE SMILES.

IT JUST GIVES ME CHILLS TO THINK ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT'S INCREDIBLE TO SEE THEM REALIZE WHAT THEIR CHOICE, WHAT THEIR IDEAS CAN GROW INTO.

♪ [ APPLAUSE ] >> 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