>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS PLANNING ON DETAINING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AT THE MIAMI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY NEAR PERU, BUT SOME RESIDENTS ARE WEARY OF HAVING INDIANA'S VERSION OF ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ SO CLOSE.

>> I KNOW THAT IT'S NEEDED, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T WANT IT IN MY BACK YARD.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ASKED GOP-LED STATES TO REDISTRICT THEIR MAPS IN HOPE OF PICKING UP SEATS TO HELP THEM MAINTAIN A MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE.

>> WE WILL NOT ACCEPT OUR STATE BEING CUT AND SPLICED AND MANEUVERS FOR A WANNA BE KING IN DONALD TRUMP.

>> SEVEN OF INDIANA'S NINE HOUSE DISTRICTS ARE ALREADY SOLIDLY RED.

AND A COURT DATE IS SET FOR OCTOBER AS THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON PURSUES ACTION AGAINST THE OWNERS OF CRAWFORD APARTMENTS.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PLANS TO USE 1,000 BEDS IN AN INDIANA PRISON FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM GAVE IT THE NICKNAME SPEEDWAY SLAMMER, AN INDIANA VERSION OF FLORIDA'S ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ.

>> STAFF PLAY VOLLEYBALL AND BLUE BUBBLES OUTSIDE THE MIAMI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY ON WEDNESDAY, THE MORNING AFTER NOEM BRANDED THEM WITH A COLORFUL MONIKER.

THEY ARE NOT EXPANDING THE PRISON.

THEY ARE USING EXISTING OPEN BEDS.

THE MIAMI PRISON HAS STRUGGLED WITH VIOLENCE AND LOW STAFFING.

ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE STATE A HIGH, MEDIUM SECURITY PRISON HAS CAPACITY FOR 3,100 INMATES BUT IT'S ONLY USING ABOUT 60% OF THOSE BEDS.

THERE'S 185 STAFF VACANCIES IN.

NEARBY PERU, INDIANA, RESIDENTS ARE DIVIDE.

>> I KNOW IT'S NEEDED BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T WANT IT IN MY BACK YARD.

>> IT'S A SECURE FACILITY, FOR SURE.

>> PERU NATIVE SAYS MIAMI HAS EARNED A REPUTATION FOR CHAOS.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S A PLACE THEY SHOULD BE PUTTING IMMIGRANTS.

I DON'T THINK THAT MOST PRISONERS SHOULD BE, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

THEY SHOULD BE GETTING HELP AND THAT PLACE AIN'T HELPING NOBODY.

>> STATES CAN ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAW THROUGH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEY HOLD UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AFTER FLORIDA'S ALLAH GATOR ALCATRAZ.

THEY HAVE GONE ON A HUNGER STRIKE TO PROTEST CONDITIONS SUCH AS MAGGOTS IN THEIR FOOD, AND FLOODING AND BEING HELD WITHOUT CHARGES.

SOME PERU RESIDENTS SAY SUPPORT TRUMP'S TOUGH APPROACH TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

>> THESE ARE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL THEM.

THEY BROKE THE LAW TO GET HERE.

AND YOU BREAK THE LAW, THERE'S CONSEQUENCES TO IT.

>> HEINZ'S GRANDSON IS THE CHILD OF AN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT FROM HONDURAS.

HE SAYS EVEN IF PEOPLE BREAK THE RULES, HE THINK THEY SHOULDN'T BE PUNISHED FOR SEEKING A BETTER LIFE.

>> THEY AIN'T GUILTY REALLY OF NOTHING.

SO THEY REALLY AIN'T SUPPOSED TO BE -- I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD BE LOCKING THEM UP LIKE THIS.

>> KRISTI NOEM'S SPEEDWAY SLAMMER MONIKER FOR THE INDIANA FACILITY HAS IRKED INDYCAR OFFICIALS WHO OBJECT TO THE GOVERNMENT'S REFERENCES TO AN HISTORIC RACETRACK AND ITS RACE CARS.

HOMELAND SECURITY OFFENDED INDYCAR'S ONLY MEXICAN DRIVER, PATO O'WARD FOR SHARING A RACE CAR WITH HIS NUMBER AND EMBLAZONED WITH A N.I.C.E.

LOGO.

I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> NOEM THANKED GOVERNOR BRAUN.

HE SAID THEY WOULD BE HOUSE I.C.E.

DETAINEES LAST FRIDAY.

VICE PRESIDENT J.D.

VANCE MET WITH GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN AND REPUBLICAN STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ON THURSDAY TO DISCOVER REDRAWING INDIANA'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LINES TO BENEFIT REPUBLICANS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS, DEMOCRATS RALLIED AT THE STATE HOUSE IN RESPONSE, RAILING AGAINST WHAT THEY CALLED A MORAL VIOLATION OF DEMOCRACY.

>> BRAUN CONFIRMED THAT THE VICE PRESIDENT DISCUSSED REDISTRICTING IN THEIR MEETING AT THE STATEHOUSE.

THEY LISTENED BUT THEY WOULDN'T SAY MORE THAN THAT.

DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN ANDRE CARSON, WHO WOULD BE AT RISK UNDER REDISTRICTING CALLED THE FIGHT A CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE.

>> WE WILL NOT ACCEPT OUR STATE BEING CUT AND SPLICED AND MANEUVERED FOR A WANNA BE KING IN DONALD TRUMP.

>> IN STATEMENTS, BOTH STATEHOUSE SPEAKER AND STATE SENATE LEADER SAID THEY APPRECIATED MEETING WITH VANCE BUT NEITHER MADE COMMITMENTS ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

>> WE ARE JOINED BY INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATEHOUSE BRANDON SMITH.

WELCOME.

THERE'S THIS NATIONWIDE PUSH FOR STATES TO REDISTRICT THEIR CONGRESSIONAL MAPS.

GIVE US A LITTLE BACKGROUND.

WHAT STARTED THIS?

>> WELL, THIS STARTED WHEN PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP URGED TEXAS LAWMAKERS TO REDRAW THEIR STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IN ORDER TO BOOST REPUBLICANS' CHANCES OF PICKING UP TO FIVE MORE SEATS THERE.

THAT LED TO SOME DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED STATES INCLUDING CALIFORNIA, ILLINOIS AND NEW YORK, CONSIDERING SOMETHING SIMILAR AND FROM THERE, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS NOW PUSHING OTHER GOP-CONTROLLED STATES LIKE INDIANA TO ENGAGE.

>> SO NOW IN TEXAS, DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS FLED THE STATE TO TRY TO STIFLE THE REDISTRICTING EFFORTS.

COULD THAT HAPPEN IN INDIANA?

>> NO.

IT ABSOLUTELY COULD NOT.

SO REPUBLICANS IN INDIANA HAVE A SUPER MAJORITY IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

AND THAT MEANS REPUBLICANS CAN CONDUCT THEIR BUSINESS, PASS LEGISLATION WITHOUT DEMOCRATS EVEN BEING PRESENT, WHICH ISN'T TRUE IN TEXAS.

>> NOW, SEVEN OF INDIANA'S NINE DISTRICTS ARE PRETTY RED.

COULD THE STATE REDRAW THE MAP TO GUARANTEE ANOTHER REPUBLICAN HOUSE SEAT?

AND WHAT WOULD THAT DO TO ALREADY RED DISTRICTS?

>> SO WITH THE WAY THAT THE TECHNOLOGY AROUND THIS HAS DEVELOPED OVER THE LAST KIND OF TWO DECADES, INDIANA REPUBLICANS CAN ABSOLUTELY REDRAW THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL MAP TO LIKELY WIPE OUT BOTH OF THE DEMOCRATS WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN OFFICE.

BUT THERE IS SOME WHO BELIEVE THAT DOING SO WOULD MAKE SOME OF THE CURRENT REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS LESS SOLIDLY CONSERVATIVE, LESS RED AND THAT POTENTIALLY MAKES THEM A LITTLE MORE COMPETITIVE.

>> SO WHAT WOULD REDISTRICTING ENTAIL IN INDIANA?

>> SO THE GOVERNOR COULD CALL A SPECIAL SESSION FOR LAWMAKERS TO REDRAW THE MAPS WHICH WOULD COST TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

THE TWO-WEEK SESSION IN 2022 OVER ABORTION COST ABOUT $250,000.

LAWMAKERS COULD ALSO TRY TO WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE BACK IN THEIR REGULAR SESSION IN JANUARY, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PASS THAT NEW MAP INCREDIBLY QUICKLY BECAUSE THE FILING DEADLINE TO RUN FOR THOSE SEATS WOULD BE UPON THEM.

>> YOU KNOW MAPS ARE USUALLY REDRAWN EVERY TEN YEARS AFTER THE CENSUS.

WE'RE HALFWAY BETWEEN CENSUSES NOW.

ARE THERE LEGAL CHALLENGES THAT COULD BE MADE?

>> THERE WILL LIKELY BE LEGAL CHALLENGES TO ANY OF THE STATES THAT TRY TO REDRAW THEIR MAPS THIS YEAR OR IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS CYCLE.

HERE IN INDIANA, THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE UNDER STATE LAW BECAUSE THE STATE CONSTITUTION STOPS LAWMAKERS FROM REDRAWING THE STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS, EXCEPT FOR RIGHT AFTER THE CENSUS.

BUT STATE LAW SAYS THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS MUST BE DRAWN ONLY DURING THE FIRST REGULAR SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AFTER A FEDERAL CENSUS, BUT BECAUSE IT'S ONLY STATE LAW, REPUBLICANS CAN EASILY CHANGE THAT LAW AS THEY CAN PASS A NEW MAP.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COVERAGE.

APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS MEETING TODAY FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION THAT'S ONLY OPEN TO THE TRUSTEES AND INVITED PARTICIPANTS.

THE MEETING IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

SEVERAL PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING BOARD CHAIR QUINN BUCKNER DECLINED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OR SAY WHAT THEIR MEETING WAS ABOUT AS THEY WALKED IN BRYAN HALL FRIDAY MORNING.

>> CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THIS MEETING IS ABOUT.

>> GOOD MORNING, HOW ARE YOU?

>> GOOD.

>> GOOD.

>> ON WEDNESDAY AN I.U.

SPOKESPERSON SAID TRUSTEES WERE PLANNING TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS WITH AN ATTORNEY, EXEMPTING THE MEETING FROM INDIANA'S OPEN DOOR LAWS.

THE BOARD IS DEALING WITH A VARIETY OF CHALLENGES AND LEGAL CASES OVER ISSUES INCLUDING THE ROLLBACK OF ITS D.E.I.

INITIATIVES AND ITS EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITIES POLICY.

>>> WE'RE JOINED BY ELYSE PERRY WITH HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

>> MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION'S 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR OFFICIALLY BEGAN WITH WEDNESDAY, WITH MORE THAN 10,000 STUDENTS HEADING BACK TO CLASS.

MCCSC'S SUPERINTENDENT SAYS SHE WANTS TO FOCUS ON KEEPING STUDENTS SAFE AND IMPROVING LITERACY AND NUMERACIES SKILLS FOR STUDENTS.

>> ACADEMICALLY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE PREPARED, THEY ARE WELL PREPARED AND READY FOR LEARNING, AND THAT WE GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO -- TO MAXIMIZE THEIR LEARNING SKILLS.

>> SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE ADJUSTING AFTER AT LEAST 60 HEALTH AID FOOD SERVICE AND CUSTODIAL STAFF WERE ELIMINATED LAST YEAR DUE TO STATE FUNDING CUTS.

SHE'S WORKING WITH HER H.R.

TEAM AND SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO FILL SOME POSITIONS.

>> WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE DO WE NEED ADDITIONAL STAFF AND LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS OF STAFFING.

SO WE'RE FEELING VERY OPTIMISTIC, VERY POSITIVE AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO STAFF AS APPROPRIATELY AS POSSIBLE.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RECENTLY UNFROZE OVER $6 BILLION IN EDUCATIONAL FUNDING, ABOUT $100 MILLION WAS ALLOCATED FOR INDIANA.

WINSTON SAYS THAT WILL HELP TO SUPPORT THEIR EXTENDED DAY PROGRAMS.

>>> TWO NEW INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PROGRAMS HAS GAINED ACCREDITATION TO START TRAINING STUDENTS NEXT YEAR.

THE EMERGENCY AND INTERNAL MEDICINE, AIMED TO ADDRESS PHYSICIAN SHORTAGES IN RURAL AREAS OF STATE.

71 OF INDIANA'S 92 COUNTIES ARE CONSIDERED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREAS.

STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE TRAINING IN BLOOMINGTON, AS WELL AS MORE RURAL AREAS LIKE PAOLI AND BEDFORD.

>> WE KNOW THERE'S DATA THAT SHOWS THAT THAT IS -- THAT MAKES THEM MUCH MORE LIKELY TO STAY IN BLOOMINGTON LONG TERM FOR THEIR CAREERS.

>> SHE SAYS THE EMERGENCY MEDICINE PROGRAM WILL ACCEPT SIX STUDENTS PER CLASS AND INTERNAL MEDICINE WILL ACCEPT EIGHT STUDENTS PER CLASS.

>>> A STATEWIDE ELECTRIC VEHICLE INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED LOCATIONS FOR 36 NEW E.V.

CHARGING STATIONS IN INDIANA THIS WEEK.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS MONEY FOR THE CHARGERS COME FROM REMAINING FUNDS IN INDIANA'S SETTLEMENT WITH VOLKSWAGEN OVER THE CAR MAKER'S AIR VIOLATIONS.

>> HALF OF THE E.V.s WILL BE AT GAS STATIONS AND SHOPPING CENTERS ALONG MAJOR HIGHWAYS AND CAN CHARGE IN AS LITTLE AS 20 MINUTES.

AND THE OTHERS ARE CITY PARKS, LIKE THE INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY AND THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PAUSED A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR E.V.s, INCLUDING $100 MILLION FOR FAST CHARGERS ALONG INDIANA'S INTERSTATES.

RYAN LISEK IS THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR DRIVE CLEAN INDIANA, THOUGH IT SLOWED, HE SAYS ELECTRIC VEHICLE ADOPTION IS STILL ON THE RISE AND MANY MANUFACTURERS ARE STILL MAKING E.V.s.

>> WE ALSO WANT TO KEEP THOSE E.V.s IN THE STATE.

SO THAT'S REALLY THE BIG EMPHASIS IS NOT TO LOSE TRACTION WHEN OUTSIDE -- OUTSIDE ISSUES ARE GOING ON.

>> LISEK SAYS HE EXPECTS THE CHARGERS WILL BE RUNNING BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> THE MIDWESTERN REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER HAS LAUNCHED THE G CLIMATE DASHBOARD.

A CENTRALIZED BOARD FOR PRODUCERS, ADVISORS AND PURCHASERS.

THE ZARB BOARD USES TOOLS DEVELOPED BY PURDUE UNIVERSITY, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL SOURCES.

IT PROVIDES HISTORIC AND CURRENT WEATHER DATA, CLIMATE PREDICTIONS AND OUTLOOKS TOOLED FOR MONITOR CROP GROWTH AND PEST THREATS AND MORE.

>> WE ARE TAKING ALL OF THESE PUBLICLY FUNDED TOOLS ACROSS THE WEB AND TRYING TO PUT THEM IN ONE PLACE.

AND SO THAT WILL ELIMINATE FARMERS FROM HAVING 12 DIFFERENT PRODUCTS THAT ARE SAVED IN THEIR FAVORITES.

>> PEARSON SAYS THE IDEA FOR THE DASHBOARD STEMMED DIRECTLY FROM FARMERS.

>>> INDIANA DRIVERS NOW HAVE A NEW OPTION AT THE LICENSE BRANCH.

THE STATE'S FIRST ALL-BLACK LICENSE PLATE.

BEGINNING TODAY, THE BLACKOUT PLATE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL DRIVERS REGISTER A PASSENGER CAR, TRUCK.

IT WILL CARRY AN ANNUAL FEE OF $45.

THEY CAN SWAP TO THE BLACKOUT PLATE EARLY FOR AN ADDITIONAL $9.50.

>>> THE GRADUATE HOTEL ON KIRKWOOD AVENUE IN BLOOMINGTON IS NOW SELLING BEER, WINE AND CANNED COCKTAILS.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON FACEBOOK CAME TO A SURPRISE TO MANY AS THE HOTEL HAS BEEN SEEKING AN ALCOHOL LICENSE FOR YEARS.

AS JOE HREN REPORTS, INDIANA LAW DOESN'T ALLOW ESTABLISHMENTS WITHIN 200 FEET OF A CHURCH FOR SCHOOL TO OBTAIN LIQUOR LICENSES.

>> HOTEL OFFICIALS TRIED A YEAR AGO TO BE RECOGNIZED AS PART OF A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT, BUT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED DOWN BY THE CITY'S PRESERVATION COMMISSION.

HOTEL GENERAL MANAGER ANDREW HARRIS SAYS THE HOTEL WORKED OUT A DEAL WITH FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

>> THROUGH A SERIES OF NEGOTIATIONS AND THAT KIND OF THING, WE WERE ABLE TO KIND OF MAKE NICE, YOU KNOW, AND SHOW OUR NEIGHBORLY INTENT WITH THE CHURCH NEXT DOOR AND FINALLY, THEY WERE ABLE TO SIGN OFF AND SAY YES.

>> PASTOR LISA SCHUBERT SAYS THE CHURCH HAS BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE HOTEL FOR MORE THAN SIX YEARS.

SHE SAID BOTH SIDES AGREED NOT TO DISCLOSE SPECIFICS OF THE PARTNERSHIP.

FOR NOW A POP-UP BAR IS SECTIONED OFF IN THE MAIN LOBBY.

RESERVATIONS OFF POINTDEXTER CAFE SHOE BE COMPLETE BY I.U.

PARENTS WEEKEND IN SEPTEMBER.

>> WE HOPE TO SEE MORE WEDDINGS AND THAT KIND OF THING, EVENTS THAT ARE HOSTED UPSTAIRS IN OUR SPACE AND THEN WE HOPE TO DRIVE A LOT OF FOLKS?

>> HARRIS SAYS HOTELS ARE NOT TIED TO THE SAME QUOTA LIMITATIONS THAT SOME BARS AND RESTAURANTS HAVE.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M JOE HREN.

>>> AND, JOE, AS YOU KNOW, SERVICE WILL SHIFT FROM A WAKE-UP COUNTER, TO WAITER SERVICE IN THE EVENING.

>> AND THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO HAVE THAT BY FOOTBALL SEASON.

>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON IS MOVING FORWARD WITH ACTIONS AGAINST CRAWFORD APARTMENTS, A PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING COMPLEX.

AND STATE UNIVERSITIES ARE WORKING TO ELIMINATE OR MERGE PROGRAMS THAT DON'T MEET STATE'S NEW DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON IS INCREASING ITS LEGAL PRESSURE ON CRAWFORD APARTMENTS WITH A BREACH OF CONTRACT LAWSUIT FILED THIS WEEK IN MONROE CIRCUIT COURT.

AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORT, MAYOR KERRY THOMSON'S OFFICE SAYS THERE MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR CRAWFORD WHICH PRIORITIZES HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HOMELESS.

>> THE LAWSUIT SEEKS TO RETURN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THAT THE CITY PROVIDED FOR THE PROJECT.

ABOUT A THIRD OF THE 61 APARTMENTS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF BLOOMINGTON WERE NOT UP TO CODE.

THE CITY SAID EARLIER THIS SUMMER.

WTIU OBTAINED IMAGES AND VIDEOS TAKEN LAST YEAR DURING CODE INSPECTIONS THAT THE CITY'S CASE REFERENCES.

THE LAWSUIT SAYS CRAWFORD'S OWNERS, ITS FACILITY MANAGERS AND CASE MANAGER, LOCAL NONPROFIT BEACON FAILED REPEATEDLY OVER 22 MONTHS TO CORRECT NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS.

DESPITE ACKNOWLEDGING SOME IMPROVEMENTS, THE CITY SAID CRITICAL VIOLATIONS REMAIN.

IN JUNE, THE CITY ISSUED A FORMAL NOTICE OF DEFAULT TO CRAWFORD WITH A DEADLINE OF AUGUST 1st TO CORRECT VIOLATIONS.

>> I THINK THAT EVERYBODY HAS TRIED FOR A REALLY LONG TIME TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT IF WE ARE NOT ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSE, WE WILL NEVER REACH COMPLIANCE.

>> MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SAID HER OFFICE CAN NO LONGER SEPARATE CRAWFORD'S CONDITIONS FROM THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

BEACON PROVIDES CRAWFORD RESIDENTS WITH SERVICES LIKE HELP GETTING MEDICAL CARE, OBTAINING I.D.

CARDS AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

IT ISSUED A STATEMENT THAT THE APARTMENTS HAVE MADE INCREDIBLE PROGRESS AND IT'S DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CITY'S DECISION TO SUE.

WTIU VISITED THE APARTMENTS TO ASK RESIDENTS FOR THEIR PERSPECTIVE.

SEVERAL SAID THEY DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE THEIR HOUSING, BUT DECLINED TO INTERVIEW.

DAKOTA COLINS WAS ACROSS THE STREET.

SHE WAS EVICTED FROM THE CRAWFORD APARTMENTS LAST YEAR AND STAYS AT A CAMP NOW.

>> THINGS NEEDED TO BE DONE AROUND THERE.

I UNDERSTAND THE CITY'S STANDPOINT ON WHY THEY CRACKED DOWN AND EVERYTHING, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S HAD A MAJOR IMPACT ON US THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS OR RESOURCES.

>> THE OWNERS DID NOT RETURN REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BENTE BOUTHIER.

>>> UNDER PRESSURE, INDIANA'S PUBLIC COLLEGES AGREED TO MERGE, CUT OR SUSPEND ABOUT 20% OF THEIR DEGREE PROGRAMS.

AUBREY WRIGHT REPORTS ON THE TRANSITION THAT COLLEGES WILL MAKE IN THE NEXT YEAR.

>> FEWER HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE GOING TO COLLEGE SO THE COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION CAME ONE A PLAN TO REVAMP HUNDREDS OF DEGREES.

>> INDIANA'S COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IS FACING A TOUGH REALITY.

>> THE ACTIONS, THEY ARE LISTED IN YOUR BOOK.

>> ITS RESEARCH SHOWS MOST HOOSIERS WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE, BUT ONLY ABOUT HALF OF HIGH SCHOOLERS ENROLLED.

AT A JULY MEETING, COMMISSIONER CHRIS LOWERY SAYS HE'S FOUND ONE REASON FOR THAT GAP.

>> THEY LACK THE CAREER COACHING AND LEADERSHIP.

>> THEY WANT TO ALIGN HIGHER EDUCATION WITH THE WORKFORCE, BUT LOWERY SAYS THERE'S STILL ANOTHER PROBLEM.

THE NUMBER OF DEGREE PROGRAMS LEAVES STUDENTS OVERWHELMED.

>> THIS DEGREE PROGRAM REVIEW PROCESS IS AN EXCELLENT COMMENT TO THAT, SO THE STUDENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE AND WE CAN DRIVE BETTER EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYERS IN INDIANA.

>> STARTING IN JULY, THEY HAD TO REQUEST APPROVAL TO CONTINUE DEGREES THAT DON'T MEET THRESHOLDS SET BY LEGISLATORS.

THAT WOULD INCLUDE 15 GRADUATES FOR A BACHELOR'S DEGREE AND SEVEN FOR A MASTER'S DEGREE.

MORE THAN 400 PROGRAMS WILL BE CHANGED NEXT YEAR.

>> THESE ARE ZERO -- PAUSE, ZERO TO LOW, VERY LOW ENROLLMENT COMPLETION PROGRAMS, BUT THEY ARE OUT THERE AS CHOICES TODAY.

>> SO WHAT'S NEXT?

101 PROGRAMS WILL BE SUSPENDED AND SLOWLY FADE OUT.

74 WILL BE OUTRIGHT ELIMINATED.

ALMOST ALL OF THOSE PROGRAMS HAD NO STUDENTS INVOLVED.

229 WILL BE MERGED OR CONSOLIDATED.

MERGED DEGREES WILL BE ABSORBED BY AN EXISTING PROGRAM AND CONSOLIDATED DEGREES WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A NEW ONE.

>> SUSPENDED AND MERGED, CONSOLIDATED PROGRAMS WILL REQUIRE AN ORDERLY TEACH OUT, ENABLING THE CURRENTLY ENROLLED STUDENTS TO COMPLETE THEIR ORIGINAL PROGRAM OF STUDY OR THEY COULD TRANSFER TO THE NEWEST CONSOLIDATED ONE OR THEY CAN CHANGE THEIR MAJORS ENTIRELY IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

>> MANY OF THESE PROGRAMS ALSO OFFER MINORS OR CONCENTRATIONS, AND BUTLER SAYS THOSE WILL PROBABLY STAY.

SOME COLLEGES, LIKE INDIANA UNIVERSITY, MADE PLANS TO GIVE FACULTY MORE INPUT THIS YEAR.

>> AND THEREFORE, IN THIS OPPORTUNITY THEY ARE COMMITTING, WE WILL MERGE AND CONSOLIDATED X, Y AND Z DEGREES DOWN THE LINE.

>> COLLEGES CAN CONTINUE SOME PROGRAMS, EVEN IF THEY DON'T MEET THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF GRADUATES.

BUT THAT EXCEPTION COMES WITH MORE WORK.

THEY NEED TO PROVE TO THE COMMISSION THOSE DEGREES ARE VALUABLE, STRESS WORKFORCE NEED AND SHOW THEY LEAD TO GOOD CAREERS.

AFFECTED STUDENTS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FINISH THEIR DEGREES.

SOME COLLEGES HAVE ALREADY INFORMED STUDENTS OF THE CHANGES.

>> THERE'S NO DEGREES SAVED.

IT'S BEEN MOVED HERE OR, ET CETERA.

>> AND MOST INDIANA COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE IN UNAFFECTED PROGRAMS.

BUTLER SAYS MOST OF THESE CHANGES WILL TAKE FULL EFFECT NEXT YEAR, UNLESS A COLLEGE DECIDES IT'S PART OF A ROUTINE REVIEW.

>> SOME OF THE ROUTINE STAFF ACTIONS OR PROGRAMS LIKE THE ELIMINATIONS THAT COULD HAPPEN QUICKLY OR SUSPENSIONS THAT COULD HAPPEN QUICKLY, YES, THE INSTITUTION WILL TAKE IT OFF THEIR APPLICATION PROCESS FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> LOWERY SAYS SPECIFIC CHANGES AND CUTS DEPEND ON THE COLLEGE.

BUT HE DOES BELIEVE THERE WILL BE A CLOSER CONNECTION TO CAREER ADVISING AND BETTER ORGANIZATION.

>> THE HOPEFULLY FOR THE STUDENTS SHE OR HE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO GET A DEGREE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE EXPERTISE OR SOME LEGAL OF EXPERTISE.

IT'S TO MINIMIZE EFFECTS ON CURRENT STUDENTS BUT THE EFFECTS FOR OTHERS ARE LESS CLEAR.

THE COMMISSION COULDN'T ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE IMPACTS ON STAFFING.

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

>>> AND THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM IS WRAPPING UP ITS SECOND WEEK OF PRACTICES IN PREPARATION FOR THE SEASON OPENER.

IN PRESEASON COACHES POLL RELEASED EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE HOOSIERS WERE RANKED 19th.

THEY FINISHED LAST SEASON RANKED 10th IN BOTH THE COACHES AND A.P.

POLLS.

I.U.

'S COACH SAYS THE HOOSIERS ARE LOOKING TO BUILD OFF THAT SUCCESS, BUT IT'S A NEW SEASON.

>> EVERY TEAM, REGARDLESS OF YOUR RECORD THE YEAR BEFORE, YOU GOTTA START AT GROUND ZERO IN JANUARY.

AND WE'RE VERY PROCESS-ORIENTED, BUY INTO THE PROCESS, IMPROVE DAILY, NO LIMITATIONS ON WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH.

>> I.U.

IS ONE OF THE SEVEN BIG TEN TEAMS RANKED IN THE TOP 25.

THAT INCLUDES NUMBER 2 OHIO STATE AND NUMBER 3 PENN STATE.

THE HOOSIERS OPEN AGAINST OLD DOMINION AT MEMORIAL STADIUM IN JUST THREE WEEKS.

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