>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," MASSIVE CUTS IN FUNDING AND ELIMINATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ARE BEGINNING TO AFFECT UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS.

>> I REFUSE TO ACCEPT A WORLD WHERE THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE IS DICTATED BY POLITICAL AGENDAS RATHER THAN FACTS.

>> SCHOLARS AND SCIENTISTS ARE URGING INDIANA UNIVERSITY TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE CUTS.

>> WITH REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMEN AND WOMEN CANCELING TOWN HALLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, CONSTITUENTS OF ERIN HOUCHIN STILL TURNED OUT FOR ONE CALLED OFF EVENT IN BEDFORD.

>> IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE, ALTHOUGH IT WASN'T REALLY "THE" EXPERIENCE BECAUSE OUR REPRESENTATIVE CHOSE NOT TO SHOW UP AND THAT WAS REALLY TERRIBLE.

>> THE PROTESTERS URGED HOUCHIN TO HEAR THEM OUT.

AND DESPITE THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THE WEATHER, WARMER TEMPERATURES MEAN IT'S TIME TO START PLANTING FLOWERS.

AT I.U., THE ANNUAL BEAUTIFICATION HAS BEGUN.

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

♪ >> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M PERRY METZ SITTING IN FOR THE VACATIONING JOE HREN.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN CONGRESS HAVE BEEN CANCELING TOWN HALLS.

THAT COMES AFTER CONSTITUENTS HAVE DISRUPTED THE MEETINGS, ATTACKING POLICIES AND CUTS BEING MADE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AS CLAYTON BAUMGARTH REPORTS, CONSTITUENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE ERIN HOUCHIN'S 9th DISTRICT TURNED UP AT ONE CANCELED EVENT TO PROTEST WHAT THEY SEE AS THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S LACK OF AVAILABILITY.

>> ABOUT 30 PEOPLE HELD A TOWN HALL IN BEDFORD ON TUESDAY WHERE THE CHAIR SAT AT THE FRONT SYMBOLIZING THE ABSENCE OF ERIN HOUCHIN AND ANY OF HER REPRESENTATIVES.

THE CHAIR HELD AN RUBBER CHICKEN AND A PICTURE OF HOUCHIN.

>> IT WAS A WAY TO VOICE OUR FRUSTRATIONS TO ANYTHING.

IF WE HAVE TO TALK TO AN EMPTY CHAIR, WE HAVE TO TALK TO AN EMPTY CHAIR, AND WE ARE ALSO COMMUNING WITH EACH OTHER.

I FEEL LIKE IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT IN THIS DAY AND AGE FOR US TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE COMMUNITY AND KNOW WE'RE NOT SCREAMING TO THE VOID.

>> RETIRED BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCILWOMAN IMPLORED HOUCHIN TO ACT.

>> PLEASE, I BEG YOU NOW TO STAND AGAINST THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND INHUMANE ACTIONS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AND CITIZEN MUSK AND FOR THE WELL BEING AND THE FAIR TREATMENT OF OUR AMERICAN WORKERS.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO DO THIS.

>> -- HOUCHIN'S HAD A MEETING SCHEDULED.

THEY SAID MOBILE OFFICE HOURS WERE BEING PUT ON PAUSE.

HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON SUGGESTED THAT REPUBLICAN MAKERS STOP DOING UP TO HALLS.

>> IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE, ALTHOUGH IT WASN'T REALLY THE EXPERIENCE BECAUSE OUR REPRESENT ENVIRONMENT CHOSE NOT TO SHOW UP.

AND THAT WAS REALLY TERRIBLE.

>> PEOPLE IN BEDFORD SHOWED UP ANYWAY WITH PROTEST SIGNS SAYING WHERE IS HOUCHIN HIDING AND MISSING ERIN HOUCHIN.

MANY ASKED HOUCHIN TO LISTEN TO HER CONSTITUENTS.

>> ERIN, I WILL TELL YOU WHAT HOOSIERS WANT.

WHAT THEY WANT IS A WORKING GOVERNMENT.

A GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR THEM.

THEY DON'T WANT TO WORRY ABOUT WHETHER THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY OR MEDICAID OR MEDICARE IS GOING TO BE TAKEN AWAY.

>> AFTER ABOUT TWO HOURS, SOME PROTESTERS MARCHED AROUND THE BEDFORD TOWN SQUARE.

OTHERS CAME OUT OF NEARBY BUSINESSES TO SHOUT THEIR SUPPORT FOR TRUMP AND MUSK.

HOUCHIN'S OFFICE DID NOT RESPOND TO WTIU'S QUESTIONS.

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

>> INDIANA SENATOR TODD YOUNG IS SCHEDULED TO SPEAK AT A BLOOMINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENT ON APRIL 15th AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

THE EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND COSTS $50 FOR NON-CHAMBER MEMBERS.

MASSIVE CUTS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE TRICKLING DOWN TO UNIVERSITIES.

AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY, CONFUSION IS SPREADING AS AGENCIES CUT PEOPLE AND GRANTS.

HIGHER EDUCATION REPORTER AUBREY WRIGHTS DIGS INTO THE ISSUE AND HOW SOME SCIENTISTS ARE PUSHING BACK.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> STUDENTS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM FOR CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE INDIANA STATE HOUSE.

AND ONE OF THEM, ELENA KRUEPER SAYS CLIMATE RESEARCHERS AND SCIENTISTS ARE FACING A DEFINING MOMENT.

>> WE WILL NOT ALLOW SCIENCE CENSORED TO BE DEVALUED OR IGNORED.

>> THREATS TO SCIENCE ARE NOT THEORETICAL OR DISTANT.

THEY ARE HERE.

FUNDING IS BEING CUT OR FROZEN AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS ARE BEING DISMANTLED.

>> I REFUSE TO ACCEPT A WORLD WHERE THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE IS DICTATED BY POLITICAL AGENDAS RATHER THAN FACTS.

>> ON INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS, KRUEPER AND THE ADVOCATES FOR SCIENCE AND STUDENT GROUP ARE GETTING READY.

KRUEPER IS USED TO POLITICAL PUSHBACK BUT NOW, IT'S SPREADING.

>> AND SO SEEING OTHER SCIENCES NOW BEING POLITICIZED IS VERY SCARY TO ME, BECAUSE I -- I JUST NEVER THOUGHT THAT THAT COULD HAPPEN.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING MASSIVE CUTS TO FEDERAL AGENCIES.

AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES COULD LOSE BILLIONS IN GRANT MONEY FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, AND THE U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

THESE AGENCIES ARE ALSO CUTTING JOBS.

>> IT'S PLACED A DEEP CLOUD OVER EVERYTHING WE DO, AND PARTICULARLY CONCERNING FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE SEEKING CAREERS AND OPPORTUNITIES AND A FUTURE RELATED TO THEIR INTEREST IN SCIENCE.

>> HAMBURGER HAS WORKED WITH I.U.

'S GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY GROUP, CONCERNED SCIENTISTS.

HE SAYS THE BIGGEST THREAT IS A DISTRUST OF THE SCIENCE.

>> IT'S A MOMENT FULL OF UNCERTAINTY, FEAR AND CONCERN ON A LOT OF FRONTS.

AMID ALL OF THESE CHANGES AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AS KRUEPER SAYS SCIENTISTS AND STUDENTS ARE TRYING TO ADJUST.

SHE SAYS SOME DATA IS MISSING.

A TOOL SHE USED LAST SEMESTER, THE GOVERNMENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SCREENING TOOL, NO LONGER EXISTS.

>> I THINK THAT THE CENSORSHIP OF DATA IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THAT'S GOING ON.

>> AND SOME MAY WORK AROUND TOUCHY TOPICS AND CERTAIN TERMS IN GRANT PROPOSALS.

>> I'M GOING TO BE USING -- OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN USING WORDS LIKE "CLIMATE CRISIS" OR "SUSTAINABILITY" AND THOSE ARE FLAGGED NOW AS THE ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE THEY ARE SEEN AS DIRTY WORDS, WHICH IS COMPLETELY INSANE TO ME.

TO KRUEPER, POTENTIAL CUTS TO THE D.E.I.

PROGRAMS MEANS STUDENTS FROM MINORITY COMMUNITIES CAN'T CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION IN THE SCIENCES.

>> WITHOUT THOSE SCHOLARSHIPS, THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY THAT THEY NEED TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES FOR HOUSING, AND TO SUPPORT THEIR EDUCATION.

>> THE PROBLEM STRETCHES BEYOND CLASSROOMS AND LABS.

FOR EXAMPLE, HAMBURGER STUDIES EARTHQUAKES AND RELATED NATURAL HAZARDS, PREVENTING THESE DISASTERS HAS RECEIVED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE PAST.

BUT NOW, THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS BEING DISMANTLED.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLY SHORT SIGHTED AND IT UNDERMINES EVERYTHING FROM THE ECONOMY TO HEALTHCARE TO SECURITY, AND KIND OF EVERY OTHER ISSUE THAT WILL AFFECT AMERICANS IN THE DECADES TO COME.

>> CONCERNED SCIENTISTS ADVOCATES FOR SCIENCE AND THE WONDERLAB MUSEUM OF SCIENCE WROTE TO I.U.

AND ASKED THEM TO SPEAK UP IN A CONFUSING TIME.

>> THROUGH ALL OF THE LAST 30 YEARS, THAT WONDERLAB HAS BEEN MANY EXISTENCE, WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCIENCE FACULTY.

NUMEROUS RICH, VARIED PARTNERSHIPS.

>> THE UNIVERSITY DIDN'T RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATION ON WHERE THEY STAND AND OUR STUDENTS WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THEM.

THEY ARE IN THE MOST VULNERABLE POSITION THAT THEY HAVE BEEN IN IN DECADES.

>> IN HER SPEECH AT THE STATE HOUSE, KRUEPER SAYS SHE BELIEVES THEY CAN CHANGE THE TIDE.

SHE MAY HAVE TO REASSESS HER CAREER, BUT STILL, SHE SAYS SHE'S GRATEFUL FOR HER COMMUNITY AND MENTORS AT I.U.

>> I'M SO THANKFUL TO BE A PART OF A COMMUNITY THAT -- THAT VALUES SCIENCE, AND THAT IS WILLING TO FIGHT BACK AND USE THEIR VOICES TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

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

>> GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN WAS AT THE WHITE HOUSE THURSDAY, WHEN PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO START ELIMINATING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

IN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST, BRAUN SAID HE SUPPORTS TRUMP'S PLAN TO RETURN AUTHORITY OVER EDUCATION TO THE STATES.

SAYING IT WILL, QUOTE, PUT PARENTS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, UNQUOTE.

IT'S UNCLEAR HOW THE ORDER WILL EVENTUALLY IMPACT INDIANA.

THE STATE'S K-12 SCHOOLS RECEIVE AROUND $1.8 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING EACH YEAR.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY CLAYTON BAUMGARTH FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

CLAYTON?

>> PERRY, THANK YOU.

GOVERNOR BRAUN SPOKE TO A CROWD OF A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE AT THE STATE HOUSE ON MONDAY WHO WERE RALLYING FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, OR IN MANY CASES THE ELIMINATION OF THE PROPERTY TAXES ALL TOGETHER.

IN INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS IT WAS LED BY CONSERVATIVE LOCAL RADIO HOSTS WHO REPEATEDLY CALLED ON THE CROWD TO VOTE OUT THOSE WHO DIDN'T BACK SIGNIFICANT RELIEF.

>> FIGHT!

FIGHT!

FIGHT!

FIGHT!

>> BRAUN TOLD THE CHEERING CROWD DOWN THE HALLWAY FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO GET THEIR MINDS RIGHT ABOUT REAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

>> THEY SAY THEY'RE NOT HEARING IT.

WELL, THEY'RE GOING TO BE HEARING IT AFTER TODAY, IF THEY HAVEN'T BEFORE.

THE RALLY FEATURED THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR STATE LAWMAKERS AND LOCAL OFFICIALS LIKE MARSHALL COUNTY COMMISSIONER, JESSIE BOHANNON WHO HAD A MESSAGE FOR HIS FELLOW LOCAL LEADER.

>> WE CANNOT FIGHT THIS.

IT IS INEVITABLE.

LET'S GET BEHIND IT AND HELP IT GET DONE RIGHT.

>> LEGISLATIVE DEBATE OVER PROPERTY TAX RELIEF WILL CONTINUE THE REST OF SESSION.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BRANDON SMITH, AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS WANT TO REMOVE THE INCOME CAP ON INDIANA'S SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM.

PARENTS WHO CHOOSE VOUCHERS SAY THEY WOULD MAKE THE SYSTEM MORE SIMPLER AND MORE EQUITABLE, BUT PUBLIC SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY THE COST OF EXPANDING VOUCHERS PUTS THE LOCAL SCHOOLS AT RISK, FOR SAFETY AND MENTAL HEALTH.

>> WITH FUTURE FUNDING AND QUESTION, AND RISING OPERATIONAL COSTS SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION, UTILITIES AND INSURANCE, SCHOOLS ARE BEING FORCED TO MAKE DIFFICULT FINANCIAL DECISIONS.

I FEAR WITHOUT SUSTAINED FUNDING THESE PROGRAMS WILL BE AT RISK.

>> THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY ESTIMATES THE VOUCHER EXPANSION WOULD COST ABOUT $138 MILLION OVER TWO YEARS.

>> THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OFFERED NEW GUIDANCE TO LOCAL AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO STOP ACCEPTING THE GENDER CHANGE.

IT'S TO COMPLY WITH THE GOVERNOR'S MARCH 4th EXECUTIVE ORDER.

THE PROCESS FOR AMENDING A AMERICAN'S GENDERS, BUT IT'S THE OFTEN THE FIRST STEP IN DOCUMENTING TRANSGENDER AMERICANS.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS ELIMINATED TWO PROGRAMS.

AS ISABELLA VESPIRINI REPORTS IT COULD BE PUT KIDS IN JEOPARDY.

>> OVER $1 BILLION IN FUNDING HAS BEEN CANCELED.

INDIANA WOULD HAVE RECEIVED $21 MILLION FROM THESE TWO PROGRAMS COMBINED.

APPROXIMATELY 60% OF THE MEALS BLOOMINGTON'S COMMUNITY KITCHEN PREPARES GOES TO AT-RISK KIDS.

THE KITCHEN PROVIDES FOOD TO KIDS THROUGH THE BACKPACK BUDDIES PROGRAM AND ALSO DISTRIBUTES FOOD TO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

CHILDREN ALSO RECEIVE FOOD DURING THE SUMMER WHEN SCHOOL IS NOT IN SESSION.

THE USDA CUTS WILL MAKE IT HARDER TO PROVIDE COMPLETE MEALS TO KIDS WHO NEED IT.

>> THE LESS FUNDING WE GET THROUGH THE USDA AND U.S. PROGRAMS, THE LESS KIDS WE WILL BE ABLE TO REACH.

THE LESS PEOPLE WE WILL BE ABLE TO FEED.

>> CLOUGHER IS WORRIED THAT FUTURE BUDGET KIDS, HE'S ALREADY PREPARING FOR SUCH CUTS AND LOOKING TO FIND A SOLUTION THAT CAN PROVIDE CONSISTENT FUNDING.

>> IF WORST CAME TO WORST, WHAT PARTS OF THE PROGRAM WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE SUMMER, IF WE PROVIDE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AT ONE OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS, DOES THAT MEAN WE WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE LUNCH AND NOT THE BREAKFAST?

>> HE'S ALREADY PREPARING FOR SUCH CUTS AND IS LOOKING TO FIND A SOLUTION THAT CAN PROVIDE CONSISTENT FUNDING.

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

>> THE MONROE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, IS PROMOTING MULTI FAMILY HOME.

THE COMMISSION SUPPORTED REZONING MORE THAN 200 PROPERTIES IN THE SUNSET HILL AND MAPLE GROVE BABY FORMS NEIGHBORHOOD FROM HIGH DEVELOPMENT TO RESIDENTIAL ONE.

THE GOAL IS PRESERVING NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER VERSUS LAND OWNER DISCRETION AND OVER DEVELOPMENT.

>> I MEAN, WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING ALMOST EVERYTHING BUT SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

SO I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING TO PRESERVE.

IT'S A WAY OF LIFE.

>>> THE ISSUE NOW GOES TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

>> THE MONROE COUNTY WATER TREATMENT PLANT IS GETTING AN UPGRADE.

BLOOMINGTON UTILITIES SAYS NEW CHEMICAL FEEDLINES ARE BEING INSTALLED WHICH WILL HELP TO DISINFECT THE WATER SUPPLY.

>> WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME FAILURES IN THE LINES RECENTLY, BUT WE HAVE BACKUP LINES FOR THIS REASON WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE NOT HAD AN INTERRUPTION IN SERVICE.

>> THE PLANT WILL ALSO RECEIVE NEW BACKWASH PUMPS TO HELP CLEAN WATER FILTERS, NEW L.E.D.

LIGHTS WILL CONSERVE ENERGIES.

OLD SYSTEMS WHICH WERE OVERDUE FOR UPGRADES WILL NOT BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY SO THE PLANT CAN AVOID SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS.

AND FINALLY, THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS IT WILL INSTALL A NEW ROUNDABOUT AT THE INTERSECTION OF STATE ROADS 46 AND 43, NEAR McCORMICK'S CREEK STATE PARK.

THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED FOR SPRING 2028 AND IS MEANT TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT THE INTERSECTION WHICH HAS A HIGH CRASH RATE.

TRAVELING FROM BLOOMINGTON TO SPENCER WOULD REQUIRE A DETOUR THROUGH MARTINSVILLE.

AND PERRY, THE STATE IS ALSO INSTALLING A NEW ENTRANCE TO THE PARK FROM THE ROUNDABOUT.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

THANKS, CLAYTON.

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

>> SPRING COMES EARLY TO I.U.

'S CAMPUS AS WORKERS HAVE STARTED PLANTING OVER 25,000 FLOWERS AROUND CAMPUS.

I SPOKE WITH LAND CAPERS ABOUT WHAT THE PRO -- LANDSCAPERS ABOUT WHAT THE PROCESS LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THE I.U.

COMMUNITY.

>> AND I.U.

'S COMMUNITY WASTED LITTLE TIME.

HIRING WEST VIRGINIA'S DARIAN DEVRIES.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

INDIANA'S NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION APPROVED A BOBCAT TRAPPING SEASON IN 47 SOUTHERN INDIANA COUNTIES THIS WEEK, ALLOWING UP TO 250 BOBCATS TO BE HARVESTED PER YEAR.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH HAS MORE.

>> THE SUBPOENA -- SEASON RUNS FROM NOVEMBER 8th TO JANUARY 31st AND ALLOWED LICENSED HARVEST TRAPPERS TO TRAP ONE A YEAR.

IT WAS APPROVED EVEN AFTER THE N.R.C.

RECEIVED 3,000 PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE MATTER.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF US SUPER EXCITED ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING TO RELEASE THESE ANIMALS FOR YEARS.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS MANDATED IN 2024 THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ESTABLISH RULES FOR A BOBCAT TRAPPING BY JULY OF THIS YEAR.

MANY PUBLIC COMMENTERS HAD HOPED THE SEASON WOULD BE ESTABLISHED WITH A TOTAL STATEWIDE BAG LIMIT OF ZERO.

THE CURRENT BOBCAT COULD SUPPORT THE SEASON.

AND THEY ARGUE THEY HAVEN'T PROVIDED ENOUGH EVIDENCE.

SHE SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE DECISION TO ALLOW THE TRAPPING OF BOBCATS WITHOUT ADEQUATE POPULATION DATA CONTRADICTS SCIENCE-BASED WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.

ERNIE SAYS ONCE THE SEASON STARTS THE TRUE PICTURE OF HOW LARGE THE STATE'S BOBCAT POPULATION IS WILL COME INTO FOCUS.

>> WHETHER IT'S REPRODUCTION, FOOD SOURCES, YOU KNOW, JUST ACTUAL COUNTS WHERE THE POPULATION TRULY LIES THE HEAVIEST, THIS IS THE SIMPLEST WAY TO COLLECT ACCURATE DATA.

>> ERNIE ALSO BELIEVES THE POPULATION NUMBERS ARE SO HIGH THAT THE BAG LIMIT WILL BE RAISED IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.

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

>> AS WEATHER OUTSIDE GETS WARMER AND DAYS LONGER, PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO TEND TO THEIR GARDENS AND FLOWER BEDS.

IT'S NO DIFFERENT AT I. U., WHERE FLOWERS ARE PLANTED AROUND CAMPUS TO WELCOME THE START OF SPRING.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI JOINS US FOR MORE.

>> DECIDING WHAT TO PLANT IS A YEAR-LONG PROCESS.

SEVEN FULL-TIME STAFF WORK FULL-TIME PLANTING PANSIES WHILE THE STUDENTS OR ON SPRING BREAK.

>> THEY LEAVE FOR SPRING BREAK AND THEY COME BACK AND SPRING HAS SPRUNG.

FLOWER AND PLANT SEEDLINGS COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

I.U.

'S LANDSCAPE GETS TULIP BULBS FROM THE NETHERLANDS AND SEEDS ARRIVE IN JANUARY FOR I.U.

TO PLANT AND NURTURE IN THE CAMPUS' TWO GREEN HOUSES.

>> EVERY FLOWER THAT YOU SEE ON CAMPUS GETS GROWN RIGHT HERE ON SITE.

>> JOHNSON SAYS THEY GROW APPROXIMATELY 55,000 PLANTS AND FLOWERS PER YEAR.

THOUGH THEY ORDER ABOUT 80% OF THE FLOWERS THAT CONSISTENTLY DO WELL, AND EXPERIMENT WITH THE OTHER 20%.

THIS SURVIVED WELL, BUT PANSIES HAVE.

>> CAN BE SO WEIRD IN INDIANA, IT CAN BE FREEZING ONE DAY AND 57.

THE PANSIES CAN STAND UP TO THE REALLY COLD TEMPERATURES.

THEY ARE AN IDEAL SPECIES TO GIVE THAT EARLY COLOR POP THAT EVERYBODY REALLY WANTS TO SEE.

THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING ALL WINTER TO SEE IT.

>> FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, I.U.

BUDGETED $3.7 MILLION FOR LANDSCAPE SERVICES WHICH INCLUDES SNOW REMOVAL, EQUIPMENT AND PAYROLL.

A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS IN THE ONLY ATTRACTS STUDENTS BUT SOME LANDSCAPERS SAY IT ALSO HELPS TO REDUCE STRESS AND ENHANCES PRIDE IN THE UNIVERSITY.

A TEAM MEETS A YEAR IN ADVANCE TO DECIDE WHAT PLANTS AND FLOWERS TO ORDER AND WHERE TO PUT THEM.

THE GOAL IS TO EMPHASIZE I.U.

'S NATURAL WOODLAND ENVIRONMENT.

>> WE WORK AS A GROUP TO DETERMINE WHAT TYPES OF PLANTS WILL BE TOUGH ENOUGH TO SURVIVE LIFE ON A CAMPUS, AND HAVE THAT VISUAL IMPACT THAT WILL ENGAGE PEOPLE, AND CAUSE PEOPLE TO MAYBE SMILE OR, YOU KNOW, HAVE A BETTER DAY ON A TOUGH DAY OR JUST HAVE A MOMENT OF RELAXATION.

>> WILLIAMS BASES HER DESIGNS ON WHAT HER PROVIDER SAYS ABOUT THE PLANT, SIZE AND COLOR.

SHE ALSO CONSIDERS HOW MUCH WATER AND SUNSHINE A FLOWER NEEDS AND TRIES TO GROUP FLOWERS WITH SIMILAR NEEDS TOGETHER.

>> WE USE THAT TO BUILD A BED THAT GROWS, LIKE SAMPLE GATES, YOU NOTICE WE ALWAYS HAVE HEIGHT IN THE CENTER OF BED, AND THEN IT SORT OF CASCADES DOWN AND THEN WE HAVE TRAILERS THAT KIND OF SPILL OUT OF THE BEDS.

SO WE ALWAYS WANT A COMBINATION OF THOSE FACTORS IN OUR DESIGNS.

>> FLOWERS WILL THEN BE COMPOSTED OVER THE PAN OF THREE YEAR -- SPAN OF THREE YEARS.

>> RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE TOP DRESSING THE BEDS WITH THE FLOWERS FROM THREE YEARS AGO.

SO THERE'S A CYCLE.

SO -- SO -- AND THEY REALLY GROW WELL IN THAT COMPOST.

SO THERE'S NOTHING REALLY GOING TO WASTE HERE.

>> AROUND GRADUATION TIME IN MAY, THE PANSIES WILL BE REPLACED WITH SUMMER ANNUALS, SUCH AS BEGONIAS THAT LAST UNTIL FALL.

REPORTING FROM OUTSIDE THE I.U.

AUDITORIUM.

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

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY WASTED LITTLE TIME FINDING A SUCCESSOR TO MIKE WOODSON.

AS PAT BEANE REPORTS, JUST THREE DAYS AFTER THE SEASON OFFICIALLY ENDED FOR THE HOOSIERS, I.U.

INTRODUCED DARIEN DEVRIES.

HE WAS MAKING THE JUMP FROM THE MID-MAJOR COACH TO THE BIG LEAGUES TAKING THE JOB AT WEST VIRGINIA.

HE LED THE MOUNTAINEERS TO A 19-10 RECORD THIS YEAR BUT LIKE I.U., WAS ONE OF THE FIRST FOUR TEAMS LEFT OUT OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

DEVRIES WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO BUILDING ON THAT FOUNDATION NEXT SEASON.

>> HOWEVER, THE OPPORTUNITY CAME ALONG TO BE THE -- POSSIBLY BE THE HEAD COACH AT INDIANA.

A DREAM JOB FOR ANYONE, BUT ESPECIALLY SOMEONE THAT GREW UP IN THE MIDWEST, WATCHING THE OLD BIG 8 AND BIG TEN BASKETBALL.

THE CHANCE TO LEAD ONE OF THE BIGGEST BRANDS IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL WAS SOMETHING I COULD NOT PASS UP.

>> AND ON WEDNESDAY, DEVRIES WAS INTRODUCED AS THE MEN'S HEAD BASKETBALL COACH.

SCOTT DOLESON SAYS HE EMERGED FROM A NATIONAL SEARCH THAT HE DESCRIBED AS DELIBERATE.

>> IT SEVERAL CANDIDATES AND IT BECAME CLEAR THAT WE FOUND OUR PERSON.

AND WE WENT AFTER HIM AND WE GOT HIM.

WE COULDN'T BE MORE THRILLED ABOUT THAT.

>> DEVRIES WAS IN THE BACK OF DOLESON'S MIND.

HE SAYS THEIR PATHS HAD CROSSED A COUPLE OF TIMES INCLUDING AT THE BATTLE FOR ATLANTA'S TOURNAMENT IN THE BAHAMAS.

>> I HAD NO IDEA THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR A COACH.

MORE AS A BASKETBALL, I WATCHED THE GONZAGA, WEST VIRGINIA GAME.

WE SAT THERE AFTER THAT GAME, WOW SO IMPRESSIVE HOW WEST VIRGINIA PLAYED.

>> I.U.

IS HOPING DEVRIES CAN BRING THAT TO SIMON SKJODT.

HIS ROSTER IS LIKELY TO NOT LOOK LIKE THIS YEAR.

HE SAYS WHICH HOOSIERS RETURN NEXT SEASON DEPENDS ON THEIR FIT.

>> WE HAVE SOME GUYS OPEN THE CURRENT ROSTER THAT STILL WOULD LOVE TO BE HERE AND IT SEEMS TO MAKE SENSE FOR BOTH OF US, LET'S DO THAT.

YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S SOME GUYS THAT FEEL LIKE THEY COULD, YOU KNOW, FIND A BETTER CONNECTION SOMEWHERE ELSE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO HARD FEELINGS THERE.

>> HE'S TASKED TO GETTING BACK TO CHALLENGING FOR BIG TEN AND NCAA FINALS.

BUT THE HOOSIERS HAVEN'T MADE THE FINAL FOUR IN TWO DECADES AND HAVE GONE SEVERAL YEARS WITHOUT AN NCAA PLAYOFF BERTH.

>> NOW, OUR JOB IS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> NOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>> BEFORE HIS ONE-YEAR AT WEST VIRGINIA, DEVRIES MADE HIS NAME AT DRAKE WHERE HE LED THE BULLDOGS TO THREE MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE TITLES AND THREE NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES IN SIX SEASONS.

>>> 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