>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN WASTED LITTLE TIME EXERCISING HIS POWER OVER INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES, REPLACING THE THREE ALUMNI-ELECTED MEMBERS THIS WEEK.

>> THE RESPONSE WAS OVERWHELMING FOR FOLKS THAT WANTED TO BECOME A TRUSTEE AT I.U.

SO I THINK YOU CAN READ INTO THAT.

>> TWO OF BRAUN'S PICKS HAVE NATIONAL REPUTATIONS FOR THEIR CONSERVATIVE VIEWS.

>> ADVOCATES OF SPECIAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS WORRY ABOUT MEETING STUDENT NEEDS WITH FUNDING CUTS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS.

>> WE ALREADY START OUT IN A FUNDING DEFICIT MODEL AND IF WE ARE GOING TO TAKE MORE FUNDING AWAY FROM THAT, I THINK WE ALL CAN DO THE SIMPLE PATH ON THAT.

>> AROUND 15% OF STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES RECEIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.

AND OFFICIALS FINALLY BROKE GROUND THIS WEEK ON THE BLOOMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.

>>> WE'LL HAVE THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK"!

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

I'M PERRY METZ, SITTING IN FOR JOE HREN.

AFTER NEARLY A DECADE OF DEBATE AND DEVELOPMENT, THE BLOOMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION IS FINALLY UNDERWAY.

LOCAL OFFICIALS HAD A GROUNDBREAKING THIS WEEK, TO KICK OFF THE PROJECT WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

OUR DONNIE BURGESS WAS AT THE EVENT AND HAS THIS STORY.

>> SHOVELS HIT THE DIRT TUESDAY AFTERNOON PUTTING IN MOTION THE LONG AWAITED CONSTRUCTION OF THE 61,000 SQUARE FOOT ADDITION ACROSS FROM THE CURRENT BLOOMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER.

IT'S A PROJECT THAT CIVIC AND COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE ANTICIPATED FOR MANY YEARS.

>> FOR FAR TOO LONG OUR CURRENT FACILITY HAS LIMITED THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF EVENTS THAT WE CAN ACCOMMODATE.

BUT WITH THIS EXPANSION, THAT ALL CHANGES.

WE WILL NOW WELCOME LARGER CONFERENCES, BILL HOTELS DURING THE WEEK AND BETTER SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.

>> THE CONVENTION CENTER RECENTLY RENAMED AS THE BLOOMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER FOR MARKETING PURPOSES WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT IN 1923 AS GRAHAM MOTOR SALES.

THE BILLING WAS RENOVATED INTO A CONVENTION CENTER IN 1991.

LAND FOR EXPANSION WAS PURCHASED IN 2010.

THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL PASSED A FOOT AND BEVERAGE TAX IN 2017 THAT FUNDS THE PROJECT.

THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD WAS CREATED IN 2023 TO MANAGE THE PROCESS AND DESPITE THE PROGRESS, SOME COUNTY LEADERS SAY WORK REMAINS UNFINISHED.

>> ENSURING A SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION CENTER REQUIRE THAT TWO KEY ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

FIRST BEING ADEQUATE PARKING FOR ALL THE ADDITIONAL VISITORS AND A NEW HOTEL TO ACCOMMODATE LARGE CONVENTIONS.

>> DORA HOSPITALITY WAS SELECTED BY THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD TO BUILD THE CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL BUT DORA WASN'T INTERESTED IN BUILDING ON PROPERTY OWNED BY THE BOARD.

INSTEAD, DORA INTENDS TO BUILD AT THE FORMER BUNGER AND ROBERTSON SITE AT COLLEGE SQUARE.

THAT LAND IS OWNED BY THE BLOOMINGTON REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.

NEGOTIATIONS HIT A FEW BUMPS BUT THE HOTEL MOVED FORWARD MONDAY.

>> THE FACT THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION LAST NIGHT APPROVED A $300,000 EXPENDITURE WHICH IS MY UNDERSTANDING IS FOR INITIAL DESIGN WORK FOR THE HOTEL, SHOWS ME THAT BOTH PARTIES ARE SERIOUS ABOUT MOVING FORWARD AND SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THE NEW CONVENTION CENTER IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN JANUARY 1st, 2027.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M DONNIE BURGESS.

>>> PROJECT CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO COST JUST OVER $50 MILLION.

>>> GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN TERMINATED THREE ELECTED INDIANA UNIVERSITY TRUSTEES THIS WEEK.

EXERCISING HIS NEW AUTHORITY FROM A LAST-MINUTE CHANGE TO THE STATE BUDGET.

HE DID SO DESPITE RECENT ASSURANCES THAT HE PLANNED TO LET THEM SERVE UNTIL THEIR TERMS ENDED.

AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, BRAUN REPLACED THEM WITH NATIONALLY KNOWN CONSERVATIVE VOICES.

>> THE GOVERNOR NOTIFIED TRUSTEES THEY WERE TERMINATED IN A ONE-SENTENCE LETTER, BRAUN SAID TUESDAY THEY WERE CLOSE TO FINISHING THEIR TERMS ANYWAY, AND LOTS OF CANDIDATES APPLIED TO REPLACE THEM.

>> WITH THAT KIND OF ENTHUSIASM AND THE FACT THAT IT REALLY DIDN'T MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, DID MAKE THE DECISION TO GO AHEAD AND DO IT.

>> ONE FORMER TRUSTEE, VIVIAN WINSTON, WAS A MONTH AWAY FROM FINISHING HER TERM BUT DONNA SPEARS AND JILL MAURER BURNETT HAD ONE AND TWO YEARS LEFT.

WINSTON, A FREQUENT CRITIC OF THE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION SAID IN A STATEMENT TO WFIU THAT SHE HAS DEEP CONCERNS ABOUT THE BOARD'S INACTION AFTER FACULTY NO CONFIDENCE VOTES LAST YEAR REGARDING PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN.

THE LACK OF RESPONSE TO THESE EVENTS AS WELL AS FREQUENT FIRING TO TRIVIAL MISDEEDs HAS LEFT A CULTURE OF FEAR AMONG FACULTY AND STAFF.

SPEARS DENOUNCED AND CALLED FOR ALUMNI TO STEP UP ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY.

IT INCLUDES JIM BOPP WHO REPRESENTED CITIZENS UNITED IN A COURT CASE THAT OPENED THE DOOR FOR CORPORATE POLITICAL SPENDING.

BOPP SAYS HE APPLIED FOR THE POSITION BUT WASN'T EXPECTING TO START THE JOB UNTIL JULY 1st.

>> INSTEAD I GET A CALL FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYING CONGRATULATIONS, IT'S EFFECTIVE TODAY AND YOU HAVE A MEETING NEXT WEEK.

>> HE'S CHAMPIONED CONSERVATIVE CAUSES THROUGHOUT HIS LEGAL CAREER, INCLUDING OPPOSITION TO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, ATTEMPTS TO OVERTURN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND A LAWSUIT AGAINST I.U.

FOR THE COVID VACCINE MANDATE.

BUT BRAUN AND BOPP SAYS HE'S THERE TO PROTECT FREE SPEECH ON CAMPUS.

>> WE WANT SOMEONE WHO WILL BE RESPECTFUL OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND MAKING IT CLEAR THAT IT OUGHT TO BE A PLACE WHERE ALL VIEWS ARE LISTENED TO.

>> BOPP SAYS AS AN TERN WHO WORKS WITH FIRST AMENDMENT CASES HE'S CONCERNED WITH ISSUES FOR FREE SPEECH, INCLUDING THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION THAT THEY ARE THE TOP TEN IN PUNISHING SPEECH.

>> I'M NOT PREJUDGING IT.

IT'S BEEN RAISED BY PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FREE SPEECH ISSUES AND IT JUST NEEDS TO BE CAREFULLY EXAMINED.

>> GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN HAS ALSO APPOINTED FORMER ESPN ANCHOR SAGE STEELE WHO WAS SUSPENDED FROM THE NETWORK IN 2021 AFTER COMMENTS AGAINST COVID VACCINE MANDATES AND ABOUT FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S RACIAL IDENTITY.

STEELE GAVE I.U.

'S UNDERGRADUATE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS IN 2015.

HIS THIRD APPOINTEE IS INDIANAPOLIS ATTORNEY BRIAN EAGLE.

A BOARD SPOKESPERSON DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

HE ALSO RENEWED THE MEMBERSHIP OF QUINN BUCKNER, DESPITE THE NEW LAW ALLOWS HIM TO SERVE A FOURTH TERM.

>> IT CLEARLY SAID IT'S NOT RETROACTIVE.

THE FACT THAT HE IS A NEW APPOINTMENT THAT'S WHEN IT STARTS.

>> IT'S NOT CLEAR IN THE NEW LAW THAT IT APPLIES TO SITTING TRUSTEES.

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

>>> BRAUN HAS ALSO CALLED FOR A TUITION FREEZE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS FOR IN-STATE STUDENTS AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

>>> DAVID REINGOLD BEGAN HIS POSITION AS THE CHANCELLOR OF I.U.

BLOOMINGTON THIS WEEK.

WE SAT DOWN WITH THE FORMER PURDUE UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT TO TALK ABOUT HIS ROLE IN THE NEWLY CREATED POSITION.

KATY SZPAK HAS THIS REPORT.

>> IN THE NEWLY CREATED ROLE, HE WILL LEAD UNIVERSITY'S FLAGSHIP CAMPUS AND WORK IN PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN'S CABINET.

>> WE SHARE A NUMBER OF COMMON GOALS AND -- AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM TO LEAD THE CAMPUS TO NEW HEIGHTS.

>> THE ROLE WAS CREATED AFTER SIGNIFICANT PROTESTS AND MULTIPLE VOTES OF NO CONFIDENCE AGAINST WHITTEN AND PROVOST RAHUL SHRIVASTAV LAST YEAR.

AS HE WILL TAKE ON SOME OF SHRIVASTAV'S FORMER ACTIVITIES.

WHITTEN SAYS HE WILL BUILD ON GETTING IN TOUCH WITH CAMPUS NEEDS.

REINGOLD LEFT INDIANA UNIVERSITY IN 2015.

>> DURING THAT TIME PASSAGE, THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE NEW CONCERNS, NEW ISSUES, NEW PRESSURES.

>> IT'S ONLY HIS FIRST WEEK, BUT REINGOLD HAS TO CONTENT WITH A LITANY OF PRESSURES.

BUDGET CUTS FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND NEW LAWS THAT COULD FORCE I.U.

TO END OR CONSOLIDATE MAJORS WITH LOW ENROLLMENT.

>> I'M TAKING A CLOSE LOOK ON A REGULAR BASIS IS SORT OF WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE'RE CERTAINLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE -- OF THE STATE'S INTEREST IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> REINGOLD SAYS HE PLANS TO BE TRANSPARENT, OPEN, AND HONEST.

HE'S TOURING THE CAMPUS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO LEARN MORE FROM THE COMMUNITY.

WITH REPORTING BY ETHAN SANDWEISS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK" I'M KATIE SZPAK.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAS ELIMINATED 32 POSITIONS DUE TO BUDGET INCLUDES THAT INCLUDES THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING AND UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR.

IT COMES AFTER INDIANA CUT 5% OUT OF ITS FUNDING FOR ALL STATE HIGHER ED INSTITUTIONS FOR '25-26.

FOR I.S.U., WHICH IS ALREADY TRYING TO RECOVER FROM A SHARP DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT, THAT MEANS A REDUCTION OF ABOUT $3.9 MILLION.

>>> GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN SAYS HE'S OPEN TO A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN INDIANA.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS THE COST OF PURCHASING THE DRUG USED FOR LETHAL INJECTION IS A BIG PART OF WHAT'S PROMPTING THE CONVERSATION.

>> INDIANA USED LAST OF ITS STOCK OF A LETHAL INJECTION DRUG LAST MONTH TO EXECUTE BENJAMIN RICHIE AND BRAUN SAYS HE'S NOT CURRENTLY PLANNING TO PURCHASE MORE.

>> SOMETHING THAT COSTS, I THINK $300,000 A POP, THAT HAS A 90-DAY SHELF LIFE, I'M NOT GOING TO BE FOR PUTTING IT ON THE SHELF AND LETTING IT EXPIRE.

>> BRAUN NOTED THAT SOUTH CAROLINA EXPANDED THE DEATH PENALTY METHOD TO INCLUDE FIRING SQUAD AND ELECTROCUTION.

>> I WILL LISTEN TO THEM, THE COURTS AND THE BROADER DISCUSSION IN GENERAL.

>> THERE ARE SIX MEN CURRENTLY ON DEATH ROW IN INDIANA.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>> A PRISONER AT THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION TERRE HAUTE DIED JUST TEN DAYS AFTER ARRIVING AT THE FACILITY.

THE EMPLOYEES FOUND JAVEN PEDRO UNRESPONSIVE LAST SATURDAY MORNING.

LIFE-SAVING MESSAGES WERE TAKEN BEFORE BEING PRONOUNCED DEAD BY HOSPITAL PERSONNEL.

PEDRO HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF SELLING FENTANYL THAT CAUSED THE OVERDOSE DEATH OF A 15-YEAR-OLD IN OREGON.

>> THE BLOOMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS SWORN IN 35 NEW OFFICERS.

THAT BRINGS THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS IN THE DEPARTMENT TO 93.

B.P.D.

IS AUTHORED TO HAVE 105 OFFICERS.

>> WE TOOK SEVERAL STEPS IN ORDER TO REALLY GIVE THE OFFICERS WHAT THEY NEEDED TO NOT ONLY TO FEEL SAFE, BUT ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE FAIRLY COMPENSATED.

>> SOME OF THOSE STEPS INCLUDE TAKE-HOME VEHICLES WHICH HAVE HELPED WITH RESPONSE TIME.

THOMPSON SAYS WAGES ALSO HAVE INCREASED.

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

>> MILLIONS OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES RECEIVE SPECIAL AVOCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOL.

I SPOKE WITH ADVOCATES WOULD SAY THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR THOSE STUDENTS.

>>> AND A NEW EXHIBIT ON I.U.

'S CAMPUS TELLS THE STORY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THE CITY BY THE RIVER.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

NEARLY 2 MILLION PEOPLE RELY ON HEALTH COVERAGE PROVIDED BY MEDICAID PROGRAMS IN INDIANA, BUT THAT COVERAGE MAY BE AT RISK AFTER STATE LAWMAKERS AND NOW REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS LOOK TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CUTS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S ABIGAIL RUHMAN REPORTS HOOSIERS ARE CAUGHT BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL MEDICAID POLICIES, THAT COULD THREATEN ACCESS TO CARE IN RURAL AREAS.

>> INDIANA'S MEDICAID OVERHAUL INCLUDES POLICY LIKE ESTABLISHING WORK REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HEALTHY INDIANA PLAN FOR H.I.P.

AND INCREASING ELIGIBILITY CHECKS.

BOTH WILL LIKELY RESULT IN PEOPLE LOSING COVERAGE.

NOW CHANGES BEING PROPOSED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL ARE ADDING MORE UNCERTAINTY.

LEO WAS A PURCHASE PROFESSOR AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

HE SAYS FEDERAL LAWMAKERS LOOKING TO CUT MEDICAID, INCLUDING OTHER MEDICAID EX PASSION PROBLEMS.

>> I DON'T THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IT, THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND IT UNTIL THEY LOSE THEIR FEDERAL HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> THE FEDERAL CHANGES ARE TIED TO HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TIED TO EXPENSES.

THEY NEED TO REDUCE FEDERAL SPENDING TO PAY FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TAX CUTS.

BUT IF THE HOOSIERS LOSE HEALTH COVERAGE TO THE CHANGES THAT WILL LIKELY CREATE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE.

FOUNDATIONS FAMILY MEDICINE IS IN AUSTIN, INDIANA, ABOUT 60% OF THE PATIENTS ARE MEDICAID MEMBERS.

DR. WILLIAM COOK SERVES AS THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR.

HE SAYS WHEN PEOPLE LOSE COVERAGE, THEY STOP SEEKING PREVENTATIVE CARE.

HOSPITALS IN THE STATE MAY END UP FOOTING THE BILL FOR THE MORE EXPENSIVE EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT OR A LARGER PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, WHICH IN RURAL AREAS COULD BE ENOUGH STRAIN TO RESULT IN CLOSURES.

>> WE ARE REALLY PUSHING THIS BUDGET DOWNSTREAM AND WE WILL PAY FOR IT IN THE END.

I THINK IT'S A LITTLE SHORT SIGHTED.

>> TERESA HAS BEEN A PATIENT OF COOK'S FOR YEARS.

SHE SAYS MANY FAMILIES IN AUSTIN RELY ON MEDICAID.

>> IN SMALL RURAL PLACES LIKE THIS, IT'S -- IT WOULD BE TRAUMATIC.

IT WOULD AFFECT SO MANY PEOPLE THAT DEPEND ON IT FOR THEIR MEDICAL CARE.

>> FOUNDATIONS FAMILY MEDICINE IS THE ONLY PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER IN AUSTIN.

IF THE CHANGES AFFECT THE PRACTICE, WOODARD AND MANY OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN TRAVELING FURTHER FOR CARE OR NOT SEEKING IT AT ALL.

MEDICAID MEMBERS SAY THEY HAVE TO LIVE FOR THE LIFE OR DEATH SEQUENCES, WHATEVER LAWMAKERS DECIDE.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO DEVASTATE SMALL AREAS LIKE THIS AND OTHERS.

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

>>> ONE LAWRENCE COUNTY ORGANIZATION GATHERED LAST WEEKEND TO PROTEST THESE POSSIBLE BUDGET CUTS TO PROGRAMS HOOSIERS SAY THAT THEY RELY ON.

THAT INCLUDES MEDICAID, MEDICARE, AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR SNAP.

THEY DEMAND THAT INDIANA SENATORS TODD YOUNG AND JIM BANKS COME TO MITCHELL AND MEET CONSTITUENTS WHO WILL BE AFFECTED.

>> THIS IS FOOD OFF OF THE TABLE.

THIS IS PEOPLE WITHOUT CARE.

THIS IS PEOPLE NOT GOING TO THE DOCTOR WHEN THEY NEED TO.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED RIGHT HERE IN LAWRENCE COUNTY.

>> ALBERT SAYS MITCHELL IS A RURAL AREA THAT ALREADY HAS ISSUES WITH CARE AND FOOD DESERTS.

HE SAYS CUTS TO THESE PROGRAMS WILL JUST MAKE BASIC NEEDS EVEN MORE INACCESSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF RURAL INDIANA.

>>> ABOUT 15% OF CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES RECEIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.

MILLIONS OF THESE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ALSO GET FEDERAL FUNDING TO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOL.

BUT WITH CUTS TO EDUCATION FUNDING AT BOTH THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL, OUR AUBREY WRIGHT REPORTS THAT SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATES ARE NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE.

>>> THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITY EDUCATION ACT WAS CREATED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND THAT ACT PROVIDES FEDERAL FUNDING AND ENSHRINED THEIR RIGHT TO APPROPRIATE EDUCATION, BUT AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLEDGES CUTS TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SCHOOLS WITH TIGHT BUDGETS MAY STRUGGLE TO MEET LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.

>> CHRISTIE BROWN LAUGHLIN SAYS THE AUTISM SOCIETY OF INDIANA WANTS TO MAKE IT EASIER ON FAMILIES.

>> IT'S USUALLY DIFFICULT FOR MOST FAMILIES WITH AUTISM.

>> AFTER DIAGNOSIS, BRAUN LAUGHLIN SAYS SOME PARENTS MAY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO NEXT.

>> OFTENTIMES THE PUBLIC DOESN'T UNDERSTAND NECESSARILY ABOUT WHAT KIND OF SERVICES ARE OFFERED TO A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED PROTECTIONS AND FUNDING FOR THESE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH THE I.D.E.A.

BUT SOME BELIEVE THE ACT AND THE RIGHTS IT GUARANTEES ARE THREATENED AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RESHAPES EDUCATION.

>> IT'S GOING TO AFFECT MILLIONS OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AND I THINK THAT'S VERY CONCERNING.

>> IT'S BEEN 50 YEARS SINCE CONGRESS PASSED THE I.D.E.A.

AND CHANGED SPECIAL EDUCATION IN THE U.S.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE EDUCATION BEFORE IT WAS ENACTED.

>> SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ABLE TO KIND OF TAKE FOR GRANTED, AND THAT IS STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES INCLUDED IN TYPICAL CLASSROOMS WITH EVERYBODY ELSE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

THAT'S NOT HOW IT ALWAYS WAS.

>> THE ACT STATES STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MUST HAVE ACCESS TO FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

NORD SAYS THROUGH THE ACT, YOUNG CHILDREN HAVE A RIGHT TO EARLY INTERVENTION THAT IDENTIFIES THEIR DISABILITY BEFORE STARTING SCHOOL.

AND WHEN THEY REACH THE CLASSROOM, THEY HAVE SPECIAL SERVICES TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR DISABILITIES AND HELP THEM LEARN.

HE SAYS THESE CRITICAL SERVICES ARE IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS AND FOR THEIR FUTURES.

>> EDUCATION IS A PROCESS, AND AT THE END OF THAT PROCESS, WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE CITIZENS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY AND UNDERSTAND AND -- AND BE INDEPENDENT, AND BE ABLE TO BE A COMMUNITY MEMBER.

>> MANY STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLANS, AND BROWN LAUGHLIN SAYS THERE'S BEEN A BIG PUSH FOR INCLUSION.

>> IF POSSIBLE, WE WOULD LIKE FOR THAT STUDENT WHO DOES HAVE AUTISM TO BE IN A CLASSROOM WITH HIS NONDISABLED PEERS AND TO BE PRESENTED THE SAME CURRICULUM.

>> NORD SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PARTIALLY FUNDS THIS REQUIRED SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, EQUALLY ABOUT 13% OF SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDS.

AND HE SAYS THERE'S A LOT OF FEAR ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT, IF IT'S LOST.

>> BECAUSE FEDERAL LAW STATES THAT WE CAN'T GO BACK, THAT STUDENTS DESERVE TO BE THERE AND NOT JUST DESERVE, BUT IT IS THEIR RIGHT TO BE THERE.

SO BALANCING THIS OUT, HOW DO WE MAKE THAT HAPPEN WITH FEWER RESOURCES IS A REAL CONCERN.

>> INDIANA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS CAN'T AFFORD ANY MORE CUTS.

>> HOW ARE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS OR STAFF DEALING WITH THESE SHORTAGES UNDER?

>> YEAH, IT IS TOUGH.

>> QUIZ SAYS HE'S SEEN HOW SCHOOLS ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH TEACHER SHORTAGES.

>> WE ALL WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN FOR OUR STUDENTS.

IF THERE ARE SIMPLY NOT PEOPLE TO DO THIS WORK, THERE ARE GOING TO BE THINGS THAT DON'T GET DONE.

>> HE SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY PROMISED TO FUND ABOUT 40% OF MANDATED SERVICES THROUGH THE I.D.E.A.

MORE THAN DOUBLE THE CURRENT FUNDING RATE.

>> WE ALREADY START OUT IN A FUNDING DEFICIT MODEL AND IF WE ARE GOING TO TAKE MORE FUNDING AWAY FROM THAT, I THINK WE ALL CAN DO THE SIMPLE MATH ON THAT REALITY.

>> KWISZ SAYS SPECIAL EDUCATION BUDGETS ARE ALREADY LEAN AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL LIKELY NOT GET ANYMORE MONEY.

IT WILL BE HARDER FOR THEM TO DELIVER CRUCIAL SERVICES AND TO MEET MINUTES REQUIRED FOR I.E.P.s, BUT IT WILL GET DONE.

THEY ARE MAKING THINGS WORK FOR NOW.

>> I HAVE THREE KIDS, MY YOUNGEST WHAT IS AN I.E.P.

FORTUNATELY I WORK IN THIS AREA.

I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 20 YEARS.

SO I KNOW THE INS AND OUTS.

SO I SEE WHAT'S COMING DOWN THE TRACKS.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED MOVING SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, WHICH RECENTLY FIRED THOUSANDS OF WORKERS.

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

>>> A NEW EXHIBIT IN BLOOMINGTON EXPLORES THE CULTURE OF INDIGENOUS CULTURES IN ANGEL MOUNDS.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI HAS THIS REPORT.

>> THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY WILL TELL STORIES FROM THE HISTORIC SITE.

THE EXHIBIT, CITY ON THE RIVER WAS CREATED THROUGH YEARS OF RESEARCH WITH DESCENDANTS THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY.

THEY LIVED AT THE OHIO RIVER BETWEEN ABOUT 1100 AND 1450 A.D.

THEY CREATED EARTHEN MOUNDS TO ALIGN WITH THE SUN, MOON AND STARS.

IT FEATURES ITEMS FROM THE SITE, SUCH AS JEWELRY AND TOOLS.

>> MY FAVORITE PIECE IN THE EXHIBIT IS A SMALL BIRD BONE FLUTE.

I LOVE IT, BECAUSE IT'S JUST SO VERY DELICATE.

IT'S AMAZING THAT IT WOULD HAVE SURVIVED FOR SO LONG BUT IT ALSO SHOWS KIND OF EPHEMERAL AND NATURE OF LIFE THROUGH MUSIC.

>> A BOOTH IN THE EXHIBITION LITS VISITORS LISTEN TO TWO INDIGENOUS WOMEN SHARE THEIR STORIES AS WELL AS A VIRTUAL REALITY DOME.

>> IF YOU WERE UNABLE TO GO TO EVANSVILLE FOR ANY PARTICULAR REASON, AND/OR YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ANGEL MOUNDS THROUGH VIRTUAL REALITY DOME, YOU CAN SEE ANGEL'S MOUNDS FROM A BIRD'S A VIEW.

YOU CAN SEE HOW PEOPLE LIVED AND YOU CAN WALK INTO WHAT A HOME WOULD LOOK LIKE, AND SEE IT AS IF YOU ARE STANDING IN THE FRONT DOOR.

>> THE GOAL IS TO HONOR THE COMMUNITY THAT LIVED AT THE SITE OVER 900 YEARS AGO AND DRAW PARALLELS BETWEEN THEIR LIVES AND CONTEMPORARY LIFE TODAY.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PEOPLE, CONTEMPORARY FOLKS LIVING TODAY, PLAYING STICK BALL AND THEY ARE PLAYING TRADITIONAL SPORTS WITH EACH OTHER AND SEE SOME PIECES THAT WERE MADE THAT WERE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO HISTORICAL GAMES AS WELL AND WE ARE USING THOSE PIECES.

>> IT WAS NAMED ANGEL MOUNDS AFTER THE EURO AMERICAN ANGEL FAMILY THAT OWNED IN THE LAND IN THE 1900s.

IT BECAME A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK IN 1980.

>> IT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT LOCATION FOR A LOT OF INDIGENOUS GROUPS IN THE MIDWEST, AND IT HAS BEEN VERY OPEN FOR DESCENDANT COMMUNITIES TO VISIT AND COLLABORATE IN REGARDS TO ONGOING EXCAVATION.

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

>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE