>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," SOBER LIVING HOMES ARE MEANT TO HELP PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

MOST OF THE ONES IN BLOOMINGTON ARE NONPROFIT, BUT ONE MALIBU HOUSE IS A FOR-PROFIT ENTERPRISE THAT'S RECEIVING TAX DOLLARS AND RAISING SOME RED FLAGS.

>> IF ANYBODY EVER COMES UP AND ASKS US ABOUT THAT, I'M VERY CLEAR THAT WE ARE A FOR-PROFIT COMPANY.

>> WITH THE BIRD FLU AFFECTING CHICKENS AND EGGS, SOME ARE TURNING TO RAISING THEIR OWN CHICKENS.

IT'S NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS.

>> IT'S VERY FEASIBLE.

IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CAN GO BUY SOME BIRDS AND YOU HAVE EGGS IN THE HOUSE.

>> AND IN BLOOMINGTON, A PERMIT IS ALSO NEEDED TO RAISE CHICKENS ON YOUR PROPERTY.

>> AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAS TURNED TO A FAMILIAR FACE TO BE THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHANCELLOR OF ITS BLOOMINGTON CAMPUS.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

SOBER LIVING HOMES ARE MEANT TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE RECOVERING FROM ADDICTION.

ONE SUCH BUSINESS IN BLOOMINGTON OPENED ITS FIRST HOUSE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND IT'S ALREADY STARTED FOUR MORE.

WTIU LOOKED INTO THE ORGANIZATION AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND MALIBU HOUSE.

BENTA BOUTHIER JOINS US FROM THE NEWSROOM.

HOW DID THIS GET YOUR ATTENTION.

>> I DID A STORY A FEW YEARS BACK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FINDING HOUSING WHEN YOU HAVE A FELONY.

ONE OF MY SOURCES FOR THIS STORY CONTACTED ME LAST MONTH.

HE SAID HE STAYED AT A MALIBU HOUSE AND HAD A NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE, REFERENCING CROWDED LIVING CONDITIONS AND FAST GROWTH.

I DECIDED TO LOOK THEM UP AND LEARN MORE.

THE FOR-PROFIT STATUS, BUSINESS OWNER GOING BY TWO NAMES AND HIS LONG RECORD OF ARRESTS SUGGESTED THIS WAS MORE TO LEARN.

WE SPOKE LAST WEEK WITH MALIBU COFOUNDER MAX MEKISS.

>> LAST SPRING, MAX OPENED HIS FIRST SOBER LIVING HOUSE, LESS THAN THREE YEARS AFTER HIS LAST DRUG-RELATED ARREST.

YOU WON'T FIND THAT NAME ON THE ARRESTS OR COURT RECORD.

HIS LEGAL NAME IS KYLE SHEPHERD.

MAX IS A LONG-TIME NICKNAME.

HE GOES BY A DIFFERENT LAST NAME NOW BECAUSE OF A FALLING OUT WITH HIS DAD'S FAMILY.

>> I DO HAVE A PAST.

I'VE BEEN -- YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN IN ACTIVE ADDICTION FOR A LONG TIME AND MY PAST IS, WELL -- WHAT UNIQUELY QUALIFIES ME TO BE SO RELEVANT IN THIS FIELD, THAT I'M ABLE -- THAT I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH WHAT THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH NOW AT MALIBU HOUSE THAT I'M ABLE TO SHARE WITH THEM WHAT -- YOU KNOW, I CAN RELATE WITH THEM ON THE SAME FIELD.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT SINCE WE STARTED MALIBU HOUSE, YOU WON'T FIND ANYTHING NEW.

>> MEKISS' PAST STILL FOLLOWS HIM.

HE'S ON PROBATION UNTIL 2029 BECAUSE OF SEPARATE FELONY CONDITIONS.

AND HE HAS ACE FACE WHERE HE STOLE 51 BOTTLES OF ALCOHOL AND A TOTE WORTH $1,700.

AND OFFENSES INCLUDE CHILD NEGLECT IN 2015 AND POLICE RECORDS SAY HE LEFT 9 AND 11-YEAR-OLDS ALONE IN A CAR AT A LUKE BRYAN CONCERT AND HE WAS ARRESTED IN ALABAMA AND PENNSYLVANIA FOR SELLING STOLEN WRIST BANDS OUTSIDE OF A CONCERT.

>> MY ARREST IS HORRENDOUS.

I HAVE DONE ALL KINDS OF STUPID THINGS.

I'M EASY TO COME AT, BUT I'M DOING WHAT I CAN RIGHT NOW TO TRY TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE, AND TAKE MYSELF OUT OF THE EQUATION.

>> BUT MEKISS AND HIS COFOUNDER, AMANDA CECIL CAMPBELL ARE IN THE EQUATION.

THEY CALL THEMSELVES A CHARITY ORGANIZATION ON FACEBOOK.

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT HAS SOLICITED DONATIONS OF CASH AND MERCHANDISE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

TAXPAYER MONEY AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM SALVATION ARMY HAVE GONE TO SUPPORTING RENT AND BED FEES FOR MALIBU RESIDENTS BUT UNLIKE ADDICTION SERVICE PROVIDERS IN BLOOMINGTON, SUCH AS OTHERS, THEY ARE A BUSINESS, NOT A NONPROFIT.

IT'S A DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP.

IT'S RECENTLY REDESIGNED WEBSITE DOES NOT DISCLOSE THE BUSINESS STATUS.

>> IF ANYBODY EVER COMES UP AND ASKS US ABOUT THAT, I'M VERY CLEAR THAT WE ARE A FOR-PROFIT COMPANY.

>> BUT CHRISTIAN CASTRO, EXECUTIVE MINISTRIES DIRECTOR AT HEALING HANDS ONLY LEARNED LAST MONTH THAT MALIBU HOUSE WAS FOR PROFIT.

THE HEAD OF THE BLOOMINGTON SALVATION ARMY ALSO SAYS HE FIRST LEARNED OF MALIBU'S FOR-PROFIT STATUS LAST MONTH.

ANTHONY GRIMES, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RECOVERY RESIDENCES SAYS GROUPS SUCH AS HEALING HANDS AND THE SALVATION ARMY SHOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD MUCH SOONER ABOUT MALIBU HOUSE'S FOR-PROFIT STATUS.

>> I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT ON THE FRONT END, SO TO SPEAK.

YOU KNOW WHEN WE -- BECAUSE WE HAD TALKED A LITTLE EARLIER ABOUT TRUTH IN ADVERTISING AND MARKETING MATERIALS AND THE STANDARDS THAT BECOME EXPECTATIONS THAT THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE MEASURED BY.

>> MALLEY -- MALIBU HOUSE OPENED FOUR MORE HOUSES.

>> IT RUNS FROM THEM FROM PENDRAGON PROPERTIES BASED ON THE PROPERTY LISTINGS, IT COSTS THEM $1,500 TO $2,500 EACH FOR MONTHLY RENT FROM THAT AND A ONE-TIME BED FEE, IT CAN TURN A PROFIT.

MEKISS SAYS THE COMPANY'S RAPID GROWTH SAYS BECAUSE HE'S ADDRESSING A COMMUNITY NEED.

>> I PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO THIS AND IT PROVES IT WAS GOD'S FAVOR.

>> HE SAYS OVERCROWDING WAS A PROBLEM, WITH AS MANY AS SIX PEOPLE IN ONE BEDROOM, AND A BATHROOM THAT DIDN'T WORK.

>> JUST TOO MANY PEOPLE IN ONE PLACE.

AND YOU'RE DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL PROBLEMS AND ADDICTION PROBLEMS AND YOU JUST SHOVE 'EM IN A HOUSE WITH AS MANY AS IT WILL TAKE.

>> THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RECOVERY RESIDENCES SAYS THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST 50 SQUARE FEET PER PERSON IN A BEDROOM.

MEKISS DID NOT RESPOND TO FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ON OVERCROWDING.

HE POINTS TO NUMEROUS SUCCESSES, INCLUDING RECOVERING PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES.

GRIMESACCOUNTABILITY IS IMPORTANT.

MEKISS DOES NOT HAVE ANY TRAINING IN FORMAL ADDICTION RECOVERY AND MALIBU HOUSE IS NOT STATE CERTIFIED.

IN INDIANA, A FACILITY DOESN'T NEED STATE CERTIFICATION UNLESS IT WANTS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR STATE SUPPORT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO THROUGH PROFESSIONALIZING OUR SPACE, YOU KNOW, IS TO -- IS TO REALLY HOLD OPERATORS ACCOUNTABLE TO MEETING THE STANDARDS.

>> WOLF SAYS MALIBU HOUSE RESIDENTS DID UNCOMPENSATED MANUAL LABOR FOR THE COMPANY, SUCH AS MOVING ITEMS INTO HOUSES.

ALTHOUGH MALIBU HOUSE IS FOR PROFIT, MEKISS SAYS DENATIONS FROM NONPROFITS AND MANUAL LABOR FROM HIS RESIDENTS ARE PART OF COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS HOW -- THIS IS HOW SOCIETY SHOULD BE, RIGHT?

IF WE ALL HELP EACH OTHER, IF WE'RE OUT THERE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS, LIKE, THIS WORLD COULD BE SUCH A BETTER PLACE.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO.

>> THANKS FOR YOUR REPORTING ON THIS BENTE.

WHAT ARE YOUR BIG TAKEAWAYS FROM THE STOREY.

>> WE GATHERED THAT SOBER LIVING IS A RELATIVELY UNREGULATED INDUSTRY IN INDIANA.

IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO SEEK STATE SUPPORT FOR YOUR BUSINESS, STATE INSPECTIONS ARE PERFORMED IF YOU APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION.

BUT WHETHER A FACILITY IS CERTIFIED OR NOT, YOU CAN FILE GRIEVANCES ON THE FSSA WEBSITE.

>> OKAY, THANKS, BENTE.

>> PURDUE VICE PRESIDENT DAVID REINGOLD WILL BE I.U.

BLOOMINGTON'S FIRST CHANCELLOR IN ALMOST 20 YORES.

HIS APPOINTMENT COMES NINE MONTHS AFTER THE UNIVERSITY TRUSTEES ANNOUNCED THE NEW POSITION TO ALLOW PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN TO STEP BACK FROM BLOOMINGTON.

>> AN EXTERNAL SEARCH FIRM AND INTERNAL SEARCH COMMITTEE WERE ASKED TO FIND A CANDIDATE FAMILIAR WITH I.U.

BLOOMINGTON.

REINGOLD STARTS JUNE 2nd, A DECADE AFTER HE LEFT HIS POSITION AS DEAN OF I.U.

'S O'NEILL SCHOOL FOR PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS.

REINGOLD WORKED AT I.U.

BLOOMINGTON FROM 1997 TO 2015.

SINCE THEN, HE'S WORKED AT PURDUE AS DEAN OF ITS COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS.

>> WHEN I LEFT IN 2015, YOU KNOW, I HAD A ONE-WAY TICKET.

I DID NOT THINK THERE WAS A RETURN TRIP.

>> FACULTY WERE INITIALLY CONFUSED BY TRUSTEES' ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE NEW POSITION, ASKING HOW IT WOULD DIFFER FROM THE PROVOST AND WHY A NEW LEADER WAS NECESSARY.

AT A LISTENING SESSION WITH THE SEARCH COMMITTEE LAST FALL, RESPONDENTS PUSHED FOR AN INTERNAL HIRE, SAYING THEY WANTED SOMEBODY WHO COULD PROTECT CAMPUS VALUES.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE US SIMILAR TO EVERYONE ELSE AND THAT MAKES US A STRONG INTEREST.

WE NEED SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE HISTORY.

>> THE CHANCELLOR WILL HAVE TO NAVIGATE A NEW POLITICAL LANDSCAPE.

RECENT LAWS PASSED IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS HAVE WEAKENED UNIVERSITIES.

AT A LISTENING SESSION WITH REINGOLD, ONE ASKED FOR HIS THOUGHTS ON A LAW PASSED LAST YEAR, ALLOWING TENURE TO BE REVOKED.

DESPITE MANY FACULTY TESTIFYING AGAINST THE LAW AT THE STATEHOUSE, REINGOLD DEFENDED THE LAW.

>> I THINK IT WAS DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE THAT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS NEITHER BECAME AN ECHO CHAMBER.

I THINK SOME PEOPLE INTERPRETED IT AS POTENTIALLY MOVING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION ON THE SURVEILLANCE STATE SIDE.

ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY EVIDENCE.

>> UNTIL NOW, THE UNIVERSITY'S FLAGSHIP BLOOMINGTON CAMPUS WAS THE ONLY ONE ADMINISTERED BY A PROVOST.

RATHER THAN THE CHANCELLOR.

UNDER THE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE, THE PROVOST RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE LIMITED TO ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, WHILE THE CHANCELLOR ASSUMES LEADERSHIP OF ALL CAMPUS MATTERS, INCLUDING ENROLLMENT, RESEARCH AND STUDENT LIFE.

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

>> THE HAD A HEADS OF INDIANA'S UNIVERSITIES ARE MAKING THEIR CASES FOR MORE FUNDING.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN LAID OUT HER REQUEST TO THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE TUESDAY.

>> I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE APPRECIATE THE SCARCE RESOURCES THIS YEAR AND WHAT A CHALLENGE THIS WILL BE.

WE STILL, OF COURSE, HAVE PRIORITIES.

>> AND THOSE MAIN PRIORITIES INCLUDE RENOVATIONS FOR BLOOMINGTON'S BIOLOGY BUILDING AND LABS.

WHITTEN SAYS I.U.

ALREADY INVESTED ABOUT $60 MILLION INTO THE PROJECT.

THE UNIVERSITY ALSO WANTS $5 MILLION FOR THE I.U.

POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND SHE ASKS FOR MONEY TO GROW I.U.

INNOVATES A PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS ENTREPRENEURS.

>>> NOW, MORE HEADLINES FROM THIS WEEK AT THE STATEHOUSE.

MEMBERS OF THE INDIANA LATINO DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS GATHERED AT THE STATE HOUSE ON THURSDAY TO PUSH BACK AGAINST A WAVE OF ANTI-IMMIGRANT LEGISLATION.

WHILE MOST OF THE 20 BILLS THEY CITE AREN'T MOVING FORWARD, CAUCUS MEMBERS SAY THE PROPOSED MEASURES ARE NOT HOOSIER HOSPITALITY.

>> THIS IS REALLY NOT A QUESTION OF LEGAL AND ILLEGAL.

THIS IS ABOUT THE CLIMATE THAT WE'RE CREATING HERE IN INDIANA.

>> FIVE OF THE MEASURES FLAGGED BY THE CAUCUS ARE STILL MOVING FORWARD IN THE LEGISLATURE.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PROVIDERS PRIMARILY TRANSFERRED PATIENTS TO EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS EVEN IF THAT ISN'T THE MOST APPROPRIATE FACILITY FOR CARE.

THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY WAY THEY ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S ABIGAIL RESUME ENREPORTS A HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE THAT.

>> THE BILL WOULD ALLOW E.M.S.

PROVIDERS TO BRING PATIENTS TO NONEMERGENCY FACILITIES INCLUDING URGENT CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES.

IT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE PROVIDERS TO ESTABLISH PROTOCOLS TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE FACILITY FOR EACH PATIENT.

TONY MARIA IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS UNION OF INDIANA.

HE WAS ALSO A PARAMEDIC FOR 28 YEARS.

HE WOULD BRING PATIENTS TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHO JUST NEATED A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION.

>> I WOULD COME BACK, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT HOURS LATER AND THAT PATIENT IS STILL THIS WAITING FOR A CONSULT, AND, YOU KNOW, JUST ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, LITERALLY IS A STAND ALONE MENTAL HEALTH OR ADDICTION FACILITY.

>> MARIE SAYS THE BILL WOULD HELP THE PATIENTS GET NECESSARY CARE FASTER AND ADDRESS OVERCROWDING IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS AND HELP E.M.S.

PROVIDERS.

I'M ABIGAIL RUMEN.

>> THE MINIMUM PAY FOR INDIANA TEACHERS COULD RISE TO $45,000 A YEAR, UNDER A PROPOSAL THAT RECEIVED SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE WEDNESDAY.

THE $5,000 A YEAR INCREASE IS AIMED AT ATTRACTING AND RETAINING TEACHERS.

MANY STATE EDUCATION LEADERS SAY THEY SUPPORT HIGHER TEACHER PAY, BUT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW DISTRICTS WILL PAY FOR SALARY INCREASES WITHOUT ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING.

>> I THINK WE ARE PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE, IF WE HAVEN'T GIVEN THE FUNDING FOR IT AND WE'RE MAKING IT MANDATORY, AND YOU HAVE SOME SCHOOL CORPORATIONS THAT -- THAT ARE JUST NOT THRIVING.

>>> SECRETARY OF EDUCATION KATIE JENNER SAYS THE MOVE WOULD COST LESS THAN HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE, EXCEPT ONE, AND SOME DISTRICTS ALREADY HAVE STARTING SALARIES GREATER THAN THE PROPOSED $45,000.

>> AND LEGISLATION ALLOWING SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES TO DECLARE A POLITICAL PARTY ARE ON THE BALLOT, HEADED TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS SESSION.

THE HOUSE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE CHANGED A SENATE BILL SO THAT THERE'S NO MANDATE TO DECLARE A PARTY AND RUN IN THE PRIMARIES BUT CANDIDATES STILL MUST CHOOSE A LABEL FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT, EITHER A LITTLE PARTY, INDEPENDENT, OR NONPARTISAN.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE TRIED TO MAKE SCHOOL BOARD RACES PARTISAN FOR YEARS BUT NO SUCH MEASURE HAS EVER COME UP FOR A VOTE BY THE FULL HOUSE.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WITH THE BIRD FLU IMPACTING COMMERCIAL FLOCKS AND EGG PRICES, PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO RAISING THEIR OWN CHICKENS.

AND MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IS LOOKING FOR CITIZENS TO JOIN A COMMITTEE TO STUDY REDISTRICTING.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY OLIVIA WILSON FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, OLIVIA.

>> HI, JOE.

THANK YOU.

THE MOORESVILLE STUDENT ACCUSED OF PLOTTING A SCHOOL SHOOTING THE UNDERGO A PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION AFTER ALL.

TRINITY SHOCKLEY APPEARED BEFORE MORGAN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT MONDAY.

HER LAWYERS AGREED TO THE EVALUATION, BUT ASKED THE RESULT NOT BE USED AGAINST HER FOR NOW.

THE JUDGE ALLOWED THE GOOD HEMENT AND ORDERED A -- AGREEMENT AND ORDERED A $1 MILLION BOND AND $500,000 IN CASH.

SHE FACES FELONY CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MURDER AND A THREAT TO COMMIT TERRORISM.

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S PAY RAISE PROPOSAL HAS BEEN TABLED INDEFINITELY BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

SHERIFF RUBEN MARTE HAD REQUESTED A $9,400 FLAT RAISE ACROSS THE BOARD FOR MERIT DEPUTIES, BRINGING THE STARTING ANNUAL SALARY TO JUST OVER $82,000.

FIRST-YEAR DEPUTIES ARE CURRENTLY PAID JUST OVER $75,000.

COUNCILMEMBERS SAY THEY MUST ADDRESS POTENTIAL PROPERTY TAX IMPACTS BEFORE COMMITTING TO A PAY RAISE.

>> I ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT IN REGARDS TO HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

>> OFFICERS OF SIMILAR RANK WITH THE BLOOMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT MAKE $87,000.550 A YEAR.

THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON WILL ASK THE INDIANA SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW AN APPEALS COURT RULING AGAINST THE CITY ON ANNEXATION.

THE CASE'S CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE OVER PETITION WAIVERS PROHIBITED THEM FROM CHALLENGING ANNEXATION IN EXCHANGE FOR SERVICES A 2017 STATE LAW INVALIDATED THOSE NOR THAN 15 YEARS OLD MEANING THEY COULD CHALLENGE ANNEXATION.

A CIRCUIT COURT RULED AGAINST THE SUMMER LAST SUMMER.

AN INDIANA APPEALS COURT UPHELD THAT RULING.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAS REPRIORITIATED HUMAN REMAINS.

THE UNIVERSITY RECEIVED THE DONATED REMAINS IN THE 1990s FROM A DESCENDANT OF U.S. ADMIRAL GEORGE COOK.

HE VISITED THE ISLANDS IN THE LATE 19th CENTURY TO COLLECT STONE SCULPTURES FOR THE I.U.

SMITHSONIAN.

THEY WORKED WITH FRANCISCO NAHOY FOR RECOVERY AND REPARATION.

>>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON PLANS TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC BARRIERS ON EAST THIRD STREET NEXT WEEK.

THE NEW BARRIERS WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN SOUTH ROSE AVENUE AND SOUTH INDIANA AVENUE AND THE SEPARATE STREETS DESIGNATED BIKE LANE FROM THE REST OF THE STREET.

THE CITY SAYS IT WANTS TO PROTECT CYCLISTS AND PREVENT DRIVERS FROM USING THE LANES FOR DROPOFFS.

I.U.

DIVESTMENT COALITION MEMBERS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE MONROE COUNTY COURTHOUSE TUESDAY AS TO PROTESTERS WHO WERE RESTED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT APPEARED IN COURT.

ANA S ALKA IS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS AND CAMERON TUGGLE ONE COUNT OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT FOR PROTESTING A FACULTY MEETING.

THEIR COURT APPEARANCE FOLLOWS THE SATURDAY DETAINMENT BY I.C.E.

OF A COLOMBIA UNIVERSITY GRADUATE STUDENT WHO WAS THE LEADER OF THE UNIVERSITY'S PROPALESTINIAN RALLIES.

>> WE'RE CERTAINLY WEARY ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF REPRESSION ON THIS CAMPUS.

THIS CAMPUS AND ADMINISTRATION HAVE NO I AM IN SAFEGUARDING THE PEOPLE PROTESTING PALESTINE AND NO REGARD FOR THE ISSUES WE ARE FRYING TO BRING TO LIGHT -- TRYING TO BRING TO LIGHT.

>> LAST YEAR, INDIANA STATE POLICE ARRESTED 55 PEOPLE IN DUNN MEADOW AGAINST I.U.

'S FINANCIAL TIES TO THE WAR IN GAZA FOR CRIMINAL TRESPASS, ALTHOUGH NO CHARGES WERE FILED.

>> AND FINALLY, THE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION IS LOOKING FOR INTERESTED CITIZENS TO JOIN A COMMISSION TO STUDY SCHOOL REDISTRICTING.

FIVE MEETINGS ARE PLANNED DURING WEDNESDAYS IN APRIL AND MAY, BOUGHT EACH MEETING WILL BUILD UPON INPUT FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS, MCCSC IS ASKING THAT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO JOIN THE COMMISSION BE ABLE TO ATTEND THEM ALL.

TO JOIN THE COMMISSION APPLICANTS CAN FILL OUT A FORM ON MCCSC'S WEBSITE.

THAT'S ALL FOR HEADLINES.

BACK TO YOU, JOE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> WELL, FOLKS ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SAVE MONEY AS THE BIRD FLU CONTINUES TO IMPACT THE PRICE OF EGGS AND IN SOME CASES BUYING FRESH EGGS CAN BE CHEAPER THAN GOING TO THE GROCERY.

THAT'S PROMPTED SOME HOOSIERS TO CONSIDER GETTING THEIR OPE CHICKENS.

-- THEIR OWN CHICKENS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE COMMITTING TO A BACK YARD FLOCK.

AMONG THEM IS THAT IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO RECOUP YOUR INVESTMENT IF YOU DO.

>> NICKY GUESSLER CONSIDER THE 13-ACRE PLOT A HOMESTEADER'S DREAM.

EVERY DAY IS A BUSY ONE AND INVOLVES FEEDING COWS, GOATS, DUCKS, CHICKENS, DOGS, A CAT AND PIGS, INCLUDING THE LITTLE PIGLET NAMED WAPPO.

>> I GET UP EARLY AND MILK MY GOAT.

I HAVE A PIGLET THAT I'M TAKING CARE OF TOO BECAUSE HE HAD SOME TROUBLE WITH HIS LITTER MATES.

SO I MILK THE GOAT, TAKE THE MILK TO HIM, GIVE HIM HIS MILK.

>> AND ALONG WITH THEIR GARDEN AND BEE LIVES THEY LIVE OFF OF THINGS THEY GROW IN THEIR YARD.

GUESSLER WAS RAISED ON A FARM.

THEY PRIMARILY RAISED CHICKENS.

>> MY GRANDPARENTS HAD CHICKENS AND OUR PROPERTY WAS NEXT TO THEIRS AND WE HAD CHICKENS.

WE HAD 100 TO 200 CHICKENS BETWEEN US.

WHY DID WE HAVE THAT MANY?

I DON'T REMEMBER.

THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A DOZEN OF EGGS HIT $5.42.

SURE, THE GUESSLERS HAS HEARD OF THE SOARING PRICES.

>> WE HAVEN'T BOUGHT EGGS SINCE WE MOVED HERE.

IN FACT, RIGHT NOW, EVEN -- EVEN IT BEING EARLY MARCH, WHICH IS THE HUNGRY TIMES, IF THE GROCERY STORES CLOSE, WE WOULD BE FINE.

>> AND AS GUESSLER SAYS WITH A LITTLE RESEARCH AND SOME AREA TO PUT THEM, ANYONE CAN TAKE ON THEIR OWN FLOCK.

>> LEARN IT ALL.

THERE'S NOT MUCH TO LEARN.

THEY'RE PRETTY EASY.

THEY ARE KIND OF THE CATS OF LIVESTOCK.

THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES PRETTY WELL.

>> THE PURDUE EXTENSION SAYS THERE'S OTHER BENEFITS AS WELL LIKE THE PEACE OF MIND KNOWING EXACTLY WHERE YOUR FOODS ARE COMING FROM.

>> YOU MAY HAVE KIDS AND THIS GIVES THEM A PET BEYOND A CAT AND A DOG THAT THEY CAN INTERACT WITH, THEY HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CARING FOR THOSE BIRDS, COLLECTING THOSE EGGS.

>> SO THERE ARE SOME OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT THAT CAN BE A BENEFIT THAT WE CAN'T QUANTIFY FROM AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE.

>> BUT GETTING TO THE POINT THE GUESSLERS ARE AT NOW WITH THEIR FLOCK TAKES TIME AND MONEY.

YOU HAVE TO INVEST MONEY TO BUILD A COOP, PURCHASE CHICKENS AND BUY FEED.

IT'S A LOT OF UP FRONT COST AND IT WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR EGG PRODUCTION TO OFFSET THAT INVESTMENT.

>> IT'S VERY FEASIBLE.

IT'S GONNA TAKE SOME WORK.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN JUST GO OUT AND BUY SOME BIRDS AND TOMORROW YOU HAVE EGGS IN THE HOUSE.

>> THEN YOU NEED TO CONSIDER LOCAL LAWS AND ORDINANCES.

IN BLOOMINGTON ANYONE WHO WANTS TO OWN CHICKENS IN THE CITY LIMITS NEEDS A PERMIT FROM THE ANIMAL CONTROL AND CARE DEPARTMENT.

AND THEY MUST PROVIDE A SHELTER AND SOME SORT OF ENCLOSURE TO KEEP THEM ON THE PROPERTY.

PEOPLE ALSO CAN'T HAVE MORE THAN FIVE BIRDS.

THERE ARE ALSO LAWS TO CONSIDER AT THE STATE LEVEL IF YOU WANT TO SELL YOUR EGGS.

>> YOU WOULD NEED TO CONTACT THE INDIANA STATE EGG BOARD AND ASK THEM ABOUT WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE LICENSE THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO SECURE.

IT IS NOT REQUIRED BUT I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO THE BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE, AND REGISTER YOUR PREMISES.

>> THE BIGGEST QUESTION IS BIRD FLU, THE THING DRIVING UP THE EGG PRICES IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT COULD AFFECT YOUR NEW FLOCK.

HE SAYS IT'S A REAL RISK YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER BEFORE GOING ALL?

>> SMALL FLOCK PRODUCERS, AS WELL ARE BEING IMPACTED.

IN FACT, IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE NUMBERS, I COULD ARGUE THAT THE SMALL FLOCK PRODUCERS ARE PROBABLY IMPACTED AS MUCH, IF NOT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> IN FACT, BIRD FLU HAS MADE BUYING CHICKS A CHALLENGE.

THIS TIME OF YEAR, YOU CAN USUALLY FIND THEM IN A VARIETY OF FORM SUPPLY AND HARDWARE STORES BUT BLOOMINGTON HARDWARE SOLD OUT WITHIN A WEEK AND NOW THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE NEXT SHIPMENT TO ARRIVE.

THERE ARE DELAYS GETTING CHICKS TO THE MARKET BECAUSE SOME HATCHERIES EXIST IN BIRD FLU CONTAINMENT ZONES AND REQUIRE EXTRA TESTING BEFORE THEY CAN BE SOLD.

>> WE HAVE SOME HATCHERIES WHO HAVE ED MA THE DECISION AT THIS POINT -- MADE THE DECISION AT THIS POINT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL THE CONTAINMENT ZONE ARE LIFTED.

>> THEY WILL FIND A FULFILLING HOBBY.

>> EVERY DAY I COME OUT HERE AND CHECK ON THEM AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE ALREADY, GIVE THEM WHAT THEY NEED.

MY DAY REVOLVES AROUND THEM.

I REALLY DO CARE FOR THEM.

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

>> SINCE 2022, OVER 7 MILLION BIRDS IN 18 INDIANA COUNTIES HAVE BEEN LOST TO BIRD FLU.

THAT NUMBER INCLUDES BOTH COMMERCIAL AND HOBBY FLOCKS.

>> THE PAIRINGS FOR THE NCAA MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SUNDAY EVENING.

AFTER LOSING THURSDAY IN OREGON IN THE BIG TEN TOURNAMENT, THE INDIANA MEN ARE ON THE BUBBLE.

THE HOOSIER WOMEN ARE PROTECTED TO BE IN THE FIELD AS A 10 SEED.

>>> 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 POSSIBLE IN PART BY: