>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," TARIFFS HAVE BEEN IMPOSED ON ALMOST ALL GOODS COMING INTO THE U.S. FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND FORMERS, THE ADDED COSTS CAN BE CRIPPLING.

>> THE TRADE WAR DOESN'T GET TAKEN CARE OF BY THAT TIME, WE'RE GOING TO SEE A HUGE INCREASE IN PRICE, I'M SURE.

>> TARIFFS ON CHINA WERE LOWERED FROM 145% TO 30% THIS WEEK.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO MOVE COMMUTED FEDERAL DEATH ROW PRISONERS FROM TERRE HAUTE TO A SUPER MAX FACILITY IN COLORADO.

>> THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT THEY WERE COMMUTED.

>> THE ACLU IS SUING THE BUREAU OF PRISONS TO STOP THE PRISON TRANSFERS.

>> AND THE FELINE RESCUE CENTER HAS TAKEN IN MORE THAN 50 ANIMALS FROM A DILAPIDATED FACILITY IN OHIO.

WE'LL HAVE THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS PLACED AT LEAST A 10% TARIFF ON ALL IMPORTS TO THE U.S., THE TARIFFS VARY FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY, BUT AS CLAYTON BAUMGARTH REPORTS, THE IMPACTS ARE ALREADY BEING FELT AS SMALL BUSINESSES AND RURAL FARMERS WOULD RELY ON FOREIGN GOODS ARE FACING HIGHER COSTS.

>> BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN 2025 ISN'T EASY.

THERE'S COMPETITION FROM LARGER OPERATIONS ON ALL FRONTS.

>> AMAZON HAS THIS FOR $10 LESS THAN WHAT I CAN SELL IT AT.

WE RUN INTO THAT.

I DON'T SELL A WHOLE LOT OF BOOKS ANYMORE BECAUSE AMAZON ALWAYS HAS THEM ON SALE AND THEIR SALE PRICES IS WHAT I GENERALLY BUY THEM AT, YOU KNOW.

I CAN'T JUST MARK EVERYTHING DOWN AND BE LIKE, OKAY, WELL, I WILL MATCH AMAZON.

>> SHE RUNS A CHRISTIAN MERCHANDISE STORE IN WASHINGTON, INDIANA.

SHE AND HER HUSBAND BOUGHT IT IN 2019 AND IMMEDIATELY HAD TO CONTEND WITH THE PANDEMIC.

WHILE THEY CONTINUE MEETING WITH AMAZON, THEY ARE ALSO ABOUT TO CONTEND WITH TARIFFS ON SOME OF THEIR BIGGEST SELLERS.

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO THINK THEY ARE U.S. MADE BUT THEY ARE PRINTED IN CHINA.

SO WITH OUR -- EVEN OUR KIDS' BIBLE IS ABOUT $40 TO $60, I'M IMAGINING THEY ARE ALL GOING TO GO UP.

SO IT'S JUST -- IT'S GONNA MAKE TIMES HARDER.

>> BIBLES AND BIBLE HOLDERS ARE ABOUT TO GO UP IN PRICE AT HER STORE.

AND WHILE THOSE INCREASED PRICES MAY HURT SALES, SHE BELIEVES IN THE IDEA OF BRINGING MANUFACTURING BACK TO THE U.S. SHE RECOGNIZES THE CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH THAT.

>> I SEE THE POINT OF TRYING TO GET THINGS TO BE U.S.-MADE, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THINGS U.S.-MADE, BUT, AGAIN, WHEN WE DO U.S. MADE, IT'S NOT AS AFFORDABLE.

>> NEXT DOOR TO HER, ANOTHER BUSINESS OWNER ALSO CONTENDS WITH TARIFFS AND THE HIGHER COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS.

>> WE MANUFACTURE A LITTLE BIT.

WE STARTED RECENTLY AND THEY ALREADY MESSAGED ME SAYING IT WILL BE $3 OR $4 HIGHER BECAUSE OF THE TARIFF.

>> DAVIESS COUNTY VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY FOR TRUMP.

DAVIESS IS THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF VOTERS IN INDIANA WHO VOTED FOR TRUMP AT 81.5%.

AND ACCORDING TO ASSOCIATED PRESS POLLING THE BIGGEST ISSUE ON VOTERS' MIND WAS THEIR WALLETS.

40% OF THE VOTERS SAID THE ECONOMY WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM FACING THE COUNTRY.

NOW VOTERS ARE WATCHING AS TWO OF THE LARGEST ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD WRESTLE OVER TARIFFS AND THE IMPACT THAT IS HITTING THE MOIST REMOTE PARTS OF INDIANA.

>> WE'RE JUST LITTLE OLD FARMERS OUT HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, INDIANA, AND IT'S A HUGE THING GOING ON, YOU KNOW, TWO OF THE BIGGEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, THE MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE IN THE WORLD ARE DECIDING THESE THINGS FOR US.

>> LUDWIG FARMS CORN, SOYBEANS AND WHEAT.

WHILE HE BOUGHT THE INPUTS IN THE FALL OF THE LAST YEAR, HE WORRIES ABOUT MAKING THE SAME PURCHASES LATER THIS YEAR.

>> ALL THE SUPPLY THAT WAS THERE IS GOING TO BE ELIMINATED.

WE WILL HAVE TO IMPORT NEW STUFF AND SO IT'S -- IF -- IF THE TRADE WAR DOESN'T GET TAKEN CARE OF BY THAT TIME, WE WILL SEE A HUGE INCREASE IN PRICE, I'M SURE.

>> LUDWIG SAYS HE'S ALREADY SEEN PRICE INCREASES IN SOME CHEMICALS NEEDED FOR PLANTING SEASON.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF AG COMPANIES THAT ARE CHINESE OWNED.

SO WE'RE SEEING SOME OF THOSE FERTILIZERS AND CHEMICALS, ESPECIALLY THAT WE'RE SEEING TAKE A PRETTY GOOD HIT.

>> THE SOYBEAN MARKET WILL AFFECT HOOSIER FARMERS MOST.

CHINA IS THE NUMBER ONE IMPORTER OF SOYBEANS IN THE WORLD.

FOR A WEEK THERE WAS A 145% TARIFF BETWEEN CHINA AND THE U.S. NOW THEY STAND AT 30% ON CHINESE GOODS AND 10% ON U.S. GOODS.

THE SOYBEAN INDUSTRY WILL NEED TO FIND NEW BUYERS OR RISK WASTE.

>> THINGS LIKE BEAN AND CORNS ARE TRADED ON GLOBAL MARKET.

SO WE CAN SEE DEMAND FOR THAT GO DOWN, AND SOFTENING PRICES THAT WILL HURT FARMERS AND AGRICULTURE IN INDIANA.

>> OTHER COUNTRIES FACE SIGNIFICANT TARIFFS IN EARLY APRIL BUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, ALSO PUT THOSE ON A 90-DAY PAUSE ALLOWING THE POSSIBILITY MORE TARIFFS HANGING OVER BUSINESS OWNERS.

THAT UNCERTAINTY IS CAUSING FEAR FOR INVESTORS.

>> IT'S REALLY CREATING A PROBLEM NOT ONLY FOR ECONOMISTS BUT REALLY FOR ALL -- YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

THEY DON'T -- BUSINESS MANAGERS DON'T KNOW HOW TO PLAN FOR THIS.

THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> LAWSUITS AND THE COURTS INTRODUCE OTHER VARIABLES.

>> IT'S NOT CLEAR THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS HASN'T EXCEEDED THE AUTHORITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO LEVY THESE, WHICH MEANS IT'S GONNA PLAY OUT IN THE COURTS, AND THAT ADDS UNCERTAINTY TO WHAT WILL HAPPEN AND THE TIMING OF EVERYTHING.

>> HE FURTHER SAYS THAT FOR TARIFFS TO DO WHAT TRUMP INTENDS, THEY NEED TO STAY IN PLACE LONG ENOUGH FOR STATESIDE MANUFACTURING TO BUILD UP AND BECOME PROFITABLE FOR LONGER THAN HE WILL BE IN OFFICE.

>> IT WILL TAKE THREE OR FOUR YEARS TO GET A FACILITY UP AND RUNNING, AND THEN YOU NEED THAT -- THOSE PROFITS FROM TEN OR 15 YEARS FROM NOW.

THERE'S NO REASON TO BE CONFIDENT THAT THESE POLICIES ARE IN NOW WILL BE IN PLACE THAT LONG INTO THE FUTURE.

>> AND WHILE VOTERS LIKE KILO AND LUDWIG RECOGNIZE HOW PRICE INCREASES BROUGHT ON BY TRUMP'S TARIFFS WILL AFFECT THEIR BUSINESSES, THEY BOTH HAVE FAITH THAT THE INITIAL STRUGGLE WILL PAY OFF IN THE END.

>> THEY KEEP SAYING SHORT TERM PAIN FOR LONG-TERM GAIN.

I BELIEVE THAT.

I THINK WE WILL EVENTUALLY GET THERE.

IT'S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE PAINFUL IN THE -- THIS CROP YEAR, WE HAVE HIGH INPUTS AND LOW SALE PRICES.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH.

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

>> CHINA AND THE U.S. SAID IN A MEETING IN GENEVA THIS WEEK THAT THEY WOULD FURTHER WORK TO ESTABLISH A MECHANISM TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATIONS.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING CUTTING A FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO DECARBONIZE HEAVY INDUSTRY.

THAT INCLUDES MORE THAN $700 MILLION TO INDIANA FOR THREE PROJECTS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS ADVOCATES WORRY AXING THE INDUSTRIAL DEMONSTRATIONS PROGRAM WOULD MAKE U.S. INDUSTRIES LESS COMPETITIVE GLOBALLY.

>> IT'S HARD TO AVOID THE CARBON EMISSIONS FROM CEMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE LARGELY IN THE ROCK ITSELF.

THE CARBON INSIDE LIMESTONE GETS RELEASED WHEN IT'S HEATED IN A CEMENT KILN.

THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE NET ZERO CEMENT IS STORING IT IN THE GROUND.

THEY HOPED TO DO IT WITH A $500 MILLION GRANT.

NOW IT'S UNCLEAR IF THAT MONEY IS STILL ON THE TABLE.

>> OUR ONGOING COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATIONS, YOU KNOW, CADENCE CHANGED.

AND SO I THINK WE RECOGNIZED, YOU KNOW, THERE'S CERTAINLY -- CERTAINLY SOME UNCERTAINTY.

>> THE NONPROFIT INDUSTRIOUS LAB SAYS THE DEMAND FOR LOW EMISSION CEMENT IS GROWING PARTICULARLY FOR GROWING THINGS LIKE DATA CENTERS.

CUTTING THE INDUSTRIAL DEMONSTRATIONS FAMILY COULD LEAVE U.S. CEMENT MAKERS BEHIND.

>> I THINK WHAT WE MAY SEE IS COMPANIES BASED IN OTHER GEOGRAPHIES AND OTHER NATIONS START TO PULL AHEAD.

AND I THINK THAT'S LIKE A REAL MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

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

>> AND JOINED NOW BY CLAYTON BAUMGARTH FOR THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, CLAYTON.

>> HEY, JOE.

INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA HAS SENT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME A LETTER THREATENING A LAWSUIT IF IT DOESN'T STOP THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION EFFORTS.

ROKITA'S FOUR-PAGE LETTER DEMANDS THEY ANSWER TEN QUESTIONS RELATED TO WHAT HE SAYS ARE DEI-BASED INITIATIVES.

NOTRE DAME SAYS IT'S A PREMIER CATHOLIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITY, IT SEEKS TO SERVE AND REFLECT THE BROADER CATHOLIC CHURCH.

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS PROTESTED OUTSIDE THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE OFFICE IN BED FORWARDED AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT'S PLANNED RESTORATION PROJECTS IN HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST.

THE FOREST SERVICE PROPOSES USING CONTROLLED BURNS TO PREVENT THE GROWTH OF NATIVE OAK AND HICKORY TRUES WHILE REMOVING NONNATIVE PINE.

A GOVERNMENT IMPACT STATEMENT SAYS THE PLAN WOULDN'T CAUSE LONG-TERM HARM TO AIR AND WATER QUALITY, BUT PROTESTERS DISAGREE.

>> WHAT HAPPENS, THE QUALITY OF THAT SPRING WATER, WHEN CONTROLLED BURNS ARE DONE AND LOGGING IS DONE AND EROSION IS INCREASED?

THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTIES THAT WE DON'T NEED TO TREAD INTO, WE NEED TO LET IT BE.

>> OTHERS SAY THEY OPPOSE SELECTING LOGGING BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE IMPACT ON BIRD AND BAT SPECIES IN LIVE IN THE SPECIES THAT THEY PLAN TO CUT.

THE U.S. FOREST DECLINED TO COMMENT.

>> THE CREEK AND WILDLIFE AREA IS OFFICIALLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THE AREA CONSISTS OF NEARLY 4,000 ACRES OF PROTECTED LAND IN SULLIVAN COUNTY.

>> THE LAND USED TO BE THE MINNEHAHA FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA FOR OVER 30 YEARS UNTIL THE LANDOWNER DIDN'T RENEW THE LEASE TEN YEARS AGO.

IT WAS LEFT UNUSED UNTIL LAST DECEMBER, ARE WHEN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES PURCHASED IT FOR ABOUT $10.8 MILLION.

>> ONCE WE OFFICIALLY CLOSED ON THE PURCHASE OF BOSARON CREEK, WE INSTALLED PARKING LOTS AND SIGNAGE AND MAPS AND A WEB PAGE SO THE PUBLIC COULD ACCESS INFORMATION ABOUT THE SITE, WHERE IT IS AND THE VARIOUS RULES.

>> FUNDING INCLUDED SEVERAL GRANTS AND SALES OF HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.

PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO HUNT, FISH, AND TAKE HIKES ON THE LAND.

>> IT GIVES PEOPLE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH NATURE.

>> DUNN SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THIS PLACE TO PROVIDE A HABITAT FOR NATIVE SPECIES.

>> THIS PROPERTY IS PRETTY POPULAR FOR DEER, TURKEY, WE'VE SEEN BOBWHITE QUAIL OUT HERE, AS WELL AS RABBITS AND WATERFOWL.

IT'S REALLY A RUN OF GAMUT OF WILDLIFE HABITAT.

WE MARSHLAND AND OTHER HABITATS.

>> DUNN VISITS THE PROPERTY EVERY DAY.

>> I'M GETTING LOTS AND LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FISHING OPPORTUNITIES OUT HERE AND GENERAL EXCITEMENT OF PEOPLE WHO USED TO RECREATE OUT HERE WHEN IT WAS MINNEHAHA AND THEY ARE NOW EXCITED THAT WE HAVE THIS SITE BACK.

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

>> THE AREA IS OPEN 24/7 AND FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

>>> ACCORDING TO A NEW STATE REPORT, ONLY 146 ABORTIONS WERE PERFORMED IN INDIANA, FIRST IN WHICH THE STATE'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN WAS IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE 12 MONTHS.

THAT'S A 98% REDUCTION IN ABORTIONS FROM 2022.

THE REPORT SAYS MOST OF THE ABORTIONS PERFORMED LAST YEAR WERE BECAUSE OF A LETHAL FETAL ANOMALY.

ONLY NINE ABORTIONS WERE PERFORMED UNDER THE RAPE AND INCEST EXCEPTION.

>> WINDFALL DANCERS IS FACING A $10,000 CUT FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FROM THE ARTS.

THE FUNDS WOULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS IN AREA RURAL COMMUNITIES.

THE DANCE COMPANY HAD ALREADY PLANNED TO MATCH THE NEA GRANT WHICH WOULD HAVE BUILT NEW GRANTS IN PLACES THAT LACKED SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS.

>> MOST OF THESE RURAL PLACES DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF FUNDING.

SO THE ACCESS TO THIS KIND OF MEANINGFUL, THOUGHTFUL, ARTISTIC ENGAGEMENT IS -- IS FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

>> THE NEA SAYS WINDFALL'S PROJECT IS NO LONGER ALIGNED WITH TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PRIORITIES.

>>> AND FINALLY AN INTERNATIONAL SNACK SHOP OPENED AT THE COLLEGE MALL LAST MONTH BUT THE RECENT TARIFF CHANGES ARE TOP OF MIND FOR ITS EMPLOYEES.

>> TRAVEL THE WORLD WITHOUT STEPPING ON A PLANE.

THAT'S THE MISSION OF EXOTIC SNACK GUYS WHICH OPENED AT THE COLLEGE MALL IN BLOOMINGTON LAST MONTH.

THE SHOP HAS DRINKS, CHIPS AND DESSERTS FROM 40 COUNTRIES.

IT ALSO CARRIES DIFFERENT TRENDY FOODS SUCH AS DUBAI CHOCOLATE AND MANGO SHAPED ICE CREAM.

HE'S SEEN SOME PRICE CHANGES DUE TO THE TARIFFS IMPOSED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> WE NOTICED A LOT OF CHANGE BECAUSE OF THE TARIFFS.

SO THAT'S WHY WE -- YOU CAN SEE A LITTLE BIT OF PRICE, BUT IT'S WORTH IT BECAUSE OF THE TASTE.

>> THE PRICE OF IMPORTED FOODS HAS INCREASED 13.4% THROUGH APRIL 2nd THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO YELE'S BUDGET LAP ESTIMATES.

DESPITE THIS, THE SHOP MAKES AROUND $1,800 IN SALES EVERY DAY, EVEN IF THE ITEMS ARE A BIT PRICIER NOW.

>> AND MOST OF THE CUSTOMERS, YOU KNOW, THEY SEE EVERYTHING, AND IT'S LIKE THE FIRST TIME SEEING ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF STUFF RIGHT HERE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M KATY SZPAK.

>> AND THE CHAIN STORE STARTED IF CHICAGO AND NOW HAS 32 STORES IN NINE STATES.

>> IT LOOKS TASTY.

WE HAVE TO TRY IT OUT.

>> MM-HMM.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," OVER 50 ANIMALS WERE RESCUED FROM A FARM IN OHIO WITH EXTREMELY POOR CONDITIONS.

I SPOKE WITH KEEPERS FROM EXOTIC FELINE RESCUE CENTER ABOUT HOW THEY ARE MANAGING WITH LIMITED STAFF AND FUNDING.

>> AND AFTER FEDERAL DEATH ROW PRISONERS RECEIVED COMMUTATIONS, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO MOVE THEM OUT OF TERRE HAUTE.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PLANNING TO MOVE FEDERAL DEATH ROW PRISONERS FROM TERRE HAUTE TO A SUPERMAX FACILITY IN COLORADO, AFTER THEIR SENTENCES WERE COMMUTED BY FORMER PRESIDENT BIDEN.

BUT AS GEORGE HALE REPORTS, MANY IS CALLING THE RELOCATION OF PRISONERS PUNITIVE.

ON A RECENT TUESDAY, I RODE WITH REVEREND BILL BREEDEN FROM HIS HOME IN SPENCER TO TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.

BREEDEN IS MINISTER OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH WHERE HE PREACHES TO HUNDREDS.

THESE DAYS, HE MINISTERS TO JUST ONE MAN.

CHADRICK FULTZ WHO IS AMONG FEWER THAN 40 MEN HOUSED AT TERRE HAUTE'S SPECIAL CONFINEMENT UNIT, AMERICA'S DEATH ROW.

HE STARTED VISITING FULTZ ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO.

IN 2002, FULTZ AND ANOTHER MAN CARRIED OUT A SPREE OF VIOLENT CRIMES INCLUDING THE KIDNAPPING AND MURDER OF A WOMAN NAMED ALICE DONOVAN IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

FEDERAL JURORS SENTENCED BOTH OF THEM TO DEATH.

APPEALS OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME HAVE BEEN REJECTED OVER THE YEARS.

>> I GOT A LETTER IF HIM, VERY CHILDISH WRITING.

HE HAD PLANNED TO KILL HIMSELF.

HE SAID I WANT TO DIE.

AND I NEED TO TALK TO A MINISTER.

HE SAYS I'M NOT AFRAID OF DYING, BUT AFRAID OF GOING TO HELL.

I SAID, WELL, I THINK I CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR FEAR OF GOING TO HELL.

AND IF YOU WANT TO DIE, ALL I'M ASKING IS THAT YOU DON'T DO IT YET BECAUSE I SAID IT WILL TAKE ME A WHILE TO GET INTO FEDERAL PRISON.

>> 18 YEARS LATER, BREEDEN SAYS FULTZ IS LIKE A SON TO HIM.

>> I'M HIS FAMILY, BASICALLY.

NONE OF HIS FAMILY COMES TO VISIT HIM.

AND SO WE HAVE BECOME VERY CLOSE OVER THE YEARS.

AND THAT'S HOW I GOT STARTED.

>> BREEDEN SAYS FULTZ HAS MADE STRIDES IN THE YEARS SINCE ARRIVING IN TERRE HAUTE AND HE THINK HIS MONTHLY VISITS ARE HELPING HIM COPE WITH THE ISOLATION OF DEATH ROW.

BUT THIS MONTH'S VISIT COULD BE THE LAST MEETING THEY EVER HAVE, AT LEAST IN INDIANA.

THAT'S BECAUSE FULTZ IS NO LONGER SENTENCED TO DEATH AND HIS FINAL WEEKS IN OFFICE, FORMER PRESIDENT BIDEN COMMUTED DEATH SENTENCES OF 37 OF THE 40 LIVING PRISONERS WHO WERE SERVING FEDERAL DEATH SENTENCES AT THE TIME.

WHEN SOMEONE RECEIVES A PRISON SENTENCE IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM THEY ARE EVALUATED FOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ONGOING THREATS AND THEIR GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY TO LOVED ONES.

THE DEATH PENALTY IS DIFFERENT.

NEARLY ALL END UP IN INDIANA.

THE TERRE HAUTE PRISON IS A HIGH SECURITY PRISON BUT IT'S NOT THE MOST SECURE IN THE SYSTEM.

>> THE FEDERAL PRISON IS BASICALLY A HOLE IN A MOUNTAIN IN COLORADO.

IT IS DESIGNED TO HOLD THOSE PRISONERS WHO POSED THE GREATEST NATIONAL SECURITY RISK AND THE GREATEST RISK IN A PRISON SETTING.

IT'S WHERE TARIFFS HAVE BEEN SENT AND IT'S WHERE PEOPLE ARE SENT WHEN THEY CANNOT SAFELY BE HOUSED ANYWHERE ELSE.

>> NOTES TAKEN DURING ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS AND SHARED WITH WTIU NEWS SUGGEST U.S. PRISON OFFICIALS TO A.D.X.

IN COLORADO.

IN RECENT WEEKS THE BUREAU HAS BEEN HOLDING BACK-TO-BACK HEARINGS WITH PRISONERS TO EVALUATE WITH THEM FOR PLACEMENT AT THE U.S. SUPER MAX FACILITY.

THESE ASSESSMENTS ARE LEADING TO THE SAME RECOMMENDATION, ADX.

THE PATTERN OF A.D.X.

RECOMMENDATIONS SUGGESTS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING GOOD ON THE PRESIDENT'S DAY ONE INSTRUCTIONS TO REVIEW THE CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT FOR THE 37 PRISONERS GRANTED CLEMENCY BY BIDEN.

AND TO MAKE SURE THOSE CONDITIONS REFLECT THE QUOTE MONSTROSITY OF THEIR CRIMES.

>> WHAT IT APPEARS TO BE IS -- IS ESSENTIALLY THAT THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT THEY WERE COMMUTED.

AND SO IT IS TAKING ACTION TO SUBJECT THESE INDIVIDUALS TO HASHER CIRCUMSTANCES.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU ARE ALLOWED TO DO.

>> HE SAYS THE BUREAU COULD HAVE PREVIOUSLY RECOMMENDED A.D.X.

FOR ANY OF THE INDIVIDUAL PRISONERS BUT NEVER DID FOR THE VAST MAJORITY RECEIVING COMMUTATION.

ONE PRISONER HAS BEEN HOUSED AT A.D.X.

ALL ALONG.

HE'S THE SO-CALLED BOSTON BOMBER WHO ALONG WITH HIS BROTHER KILLED THREE PEOPLE AND INJURED MORE.

THE 21 PRISONERS WHOSE SENTENCES BIDEN COMMUTED WERE NOT A RISK TO GUARDS OR INMATES.

>> WE KNOW THAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN A DANGER IN THE PRISON SETTING.

SO THERE IS NO RATIONAL BASIS TO SUBJECT THEM TO MORE RESTRICTIVE HOUSING CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> THAT'S WHAT ATTORNEYS FOR THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION TOLD A U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., LAST MONTH.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS RETALIATION, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

>> THE ACLU AND OTHER GROUPS ARE SUING THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS TO STOP THE TRANSFERS AND WHAT THEY ARE CALLING SHAM ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS.

>> WE FILED THE LAWSUIT AND WE'RE SEEKING A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER TO STOP THEM FROM MOVING THESE PEOPLE.

>> A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS SAYS THE AGENCY DOESN'T COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION BUT LAST MONTH AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TOLD THE COURT THAT NO ONE WOULD BE MOVED TO A.D.X.

UNTIL MAY 16th AT THE EARLIEST.

"INDIANA NEWSDESK" I'M GEORGE HALE.

>> INDIANA IS PLAN TO EXECUTE BENJAMIN RICHIE TUESDAY MORNING AT THE STATE PENITENTIARY IN MICHIGAN CITY.

HE WAS CONVICTED OF 2002 OF KILLING A BEACH GROVE POLICE OFFICER.

>>> NEARLY 400 ANIMALS INCLUDING FOXES, SKUNKS AND RACCOONS WERE FOUND AT A RUN-DOWN FARM IN OHIO EARLIER THIS YEAR.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI VISITED THE EXOTIC FELINE RESCUE CENTER IN CENTER POINT, WHICH HAS TAKEN IN MORE THAN 50 OF THOSE ANIMALS.

>> THIS CENTER RECENTLY TOOK IN OVER 50 ANIMALS FROM A FARM IN OHIO WITH EXTREMELY POOR CONDITIONS.

NORMALLY THEY ALREADY TAKE CARE OF OVER 100 ANIMALS.

SO THEY HAVE HAD TO ADAPT.

>> I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 21 YEARS NOW, AND GOING TO OHIO WAS ONE -- IT WAS BY FAR THE WORST RESCUE I HAVE EVER BEEN ON.

JUST THE CONDITIONS THERE.

THERE WERE DEAD ANIMALS EVERYWHERE, FROZEN TO DEATH.

SOME HAD EATEN OTHER ONES.

I MEAN IT WAS DISGUSTING.

>> GETTING ANOTHER 56 ANIMALS IN THE SPAN OF A COUPLE OF DAY WAS OVERWHELMING ESPECIALLY WITH ONLY 20 STAFF MEMBERS.

>> IT'S ALREADY A CHORE, BUT WE -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A RHYTHM.

WE HAVE A WAY OF DOING EVERYTHING.

AND SO IT'S JUST GETTING INTO A NEW RHYTHM WITH THESE GUYS.

>> STEVENSON SAID WITH 300 ACRES OF SPACE, SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO REPURPOSE OLD TIGER ENCLOSURES TO HOUSE THE FOXES.

STAFF ALSO TURNED VET CLINIC INTO A MIXED SHELTER FOR THE ANIMALS UNTIL OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ARE READY.

THE GOAL IS TO GIVE THE ANIMALS THE ABILITY TO BEHAVE NATURALLY AGAIN.

>> THEY ARE JUST SO OVERSTIMULATED, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

LIKE, THIS IS JUST SENSORY OVERLOAD FOR THEM.

THEY HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF SPACE BEFORE.

>> STEVENSON INTRODUCES FOUR FOXES AT A TIME TO EACH OTHER IN AN ENCLOSURE.

FOXES CAN BE VERY SOCIAL IF INTRODUCED APPROPRIATELY.

>> HE NAMED THEM AFTER BUTTERFLIES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.

SO LIKE THAT'S -- I BELIEVE IT'S MARIPOSA.

WE CALL HER MARI AND THERE'S SCHMUTTERLING AND HE'S LAYING OVER THERE.

THIS IS NAMED AFTER A FRIEND OF HIS.

SO HIS NAME IS STEVE AND THEN THERE'S FLINDER AS WELL.

>> ANOTHER GROUP OF FOUR LIVE NEXT TO THE BUTTERFLIES, ASH, AMBER.

>> AMBER RULES THIS ENCLOSURE.

SHE'S A TINY LITTLE THING BUT SHE RULES THE ENCLOSURE.

>> ASH IS TRYING TO RULE THE ENCLOSURE, BUT IF YOU LOOK UP AT ASH, HE'S JUST STARING UP THERE LIKE HE WILL GO BOTHER SOMEBODY AND THEY ARE JUST MINDING THEIR OWN BUSINESS.

>> THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS NOT TO KEEP THE ANIMALS PERMANENTLY, BUT STEVENSON SAID SHE WOULD HAVE FELT GUILTY IF THEY HADN'T DECIDED TO KEEP THEM.

>> AFTER SEEING STATE THAT THEY CAME IN, AND SEEING THEM ALREADY TURN AROUND, WE WOULD LIKE TO REALLY SEE THESE GUYS THROUGH TO THE END OF THEIR LIFE, YOU KNOW, JUST MAKE IT THE BEST LIFE THEY CAN POSSIBLY HAVE.

WE'RE NOT REALLY -- WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THE HEART TO TEMPORARILY HOUSE ANIMALS HERE.

WE FALL IN LOVE PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> THE CENTER EXPECTS TO TAKE IN MORE ANIMALS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

REPORTING FROM THE EXOTIC FELINE RESCUE CENTER, I'M ISABELLA VESPIRINI FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>> AND THE BEST HARPISTS IN THE WORLD ARE MEETING FOR FAME, PRESTIGE AND A GOLDEN HARP.

THE U.S.A. INTERNATIONAL HARP COMPETITION BRINGS PEOPLE FROM 19 COUNTRIES TO PERFORM.

IT WAS CREATED IN 1989 BY THE FORMER JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC HARP DEPARTMENT AND IT'S HELD AT I.U.

EVERY THREE YEARS.

>> YOU JUST WANT TO BE INSPIRED BY SOMEBODY'S DESIRE TO BE EXCELLENT AT AN INSTRUMENT, AND TO HAVE JOY PLAYING AN INSTRUMENT, COME.

COME AND SEE IF YOUR HEART IS TOUCHED BY THIS MUSIC.

>> THE EVENT BEGAN WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND RUNS THROUGH MAY 24th, PERFORMANCES ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

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