>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE WANTS TO RESTORE OAK AND HICKORY FORESTS IN INDIANA.

>> THEY ARE GOING OUT OF THE WAY THAT WILL CALL MAJOR IMPACTS.

>> OPPONENTS HAVE THOUGHT AN ALLY IN GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN WHO OWNS THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF TIMBER LAND IN THE AREA.

>>> THE HUNTINGTON FAMILY DONATED A LARGE TRACT OF LAND TO THE COUNTY TO BE USED AS A NATURE PRESERVE, BUT THAT MEANS SOME WILL HAVE TO RELOCATE.

>> THEY HAVE NO INKLING OF WHAT IT TAKES TO LIVE OUT HERE AND WHAT ALL WE'VE DONE TO THIS PLACE SINCE WE HAVE BEEN HERE.

AND THEY DON'T REALLY GIVE A DAMN.

>> THE MONROE NATURE PRESERVE IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 2027.

>> AND WE LOOK AT THE STATE'S PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT REDRAWING ITS U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT MAP.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, HALF DOZEN INDIANA HOUSE DEMOCRATS MET WITH THEIR TEXAS COLLEAGUES WEDNESDAY IN CHICAGO TO OPPOSE MIDCYCLE REDISTRICTING EFFORTS IN THEIR STATE.

IT ALL COMES AFTER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ASKED THE TEXAS STATE LEGISLATURE TO REDRAW ITS U.S. HOUSE MAPS IN AN EFFORT TO PICK UP FIVE REPUBLICAN SEATS IN NEXT YEAR'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

CALIFORNIA PLANS TO REDRAW ITS MAP TO GAIN HOUSE SEATS FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO COUNTER TEXAS' MOVE.

NOW INDIANA IS HAVING ITS OWN INTERNAL DEBATES ABOUT REDISTRICTING ITS HOUSE MAP.

FOR MORE ON WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE STATE HOUSE, WE ARE JOINED BY EDITOR IN CHIEF, NICKY KELLY.

WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM, NICKY.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO VICE PRESIDENT J.D.

VANCE CAME TO INDIANAPOLIS TO ENCOURAGE INDIANA REPUBLICANS TO REDRAW THE STATE MAP.

WHAT'S BEEN THEIR REACTION?

>> WELL, SO FAR, WE'RE HEARING FROM -- I THINK WE'RE UP TO ABOUT 10 NOW, LAWMAKERS, REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO ARE SAYING, NOPE, I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS.

YOU KNOW, DON'T FEEL LIKE WE NEED A SPECIAL SESSION.

OUR MAPS ARE GREAT.

WE SAID THEY WERE GREAT FIVE YEARS AGO.

THEY ARE STILL GREAT.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK A LOT MORE PEOPLE ARE OBVIOUSLY HOLDING THEIR OPINION BACK, BUT A FEW ARE DEFINITELY REACHING OUT AND SAYING, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THEY ARE ON THE RECORD ABOUT IT.

AND NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE PRESSURE COMING FROM OUT STATE ON THESE LAWMAKERS.

>> NOW, IS IT SURPRISING THAT SO MANY REPUBLICANS HAVE COME OUT AGAINST REDISTRICTING WHICH IS WHAT THE PRESIDENT WANTS?

>> I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT SURPRISING, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE POWER THAT DONALD TRUMP HAS WHEN HE DECIDES TO GO AGAINST SOMEONE, ESPECIALLY AN INCUMBENT WHO WOULD NEED TO BE REELECTED IN THE FUTURE.

OBVIOUSLY, THE LEADERS, THE ONES WHO ARE GOING TO MAKE THE DECISION ABOUT CALLING THE SESSION, THEY HAVE STILL REMAINED VERY QUIET.

AND SO I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF BEHIND-THE-SCENES DISCUSSION GOING ON AND NOW WE LEARN TODAY THAT ALL HOUSE REPUBLICANS WERE -- HOUSE AND SENATE REPUBLICANS WERE INVITED TO THE WHITE HOUSE AUGUST 26th.

TO BE CLEAR, THIS MEETING WAS PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED BEFORE, YOU KNOW, J.D.

VANCE CAME HERE TO INDIANA, BUT REDISTRICTING IS OBVIOUSLY GOING TO BE A HOT TOPIC.

>> YEAH BEING AND WE SAW DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE SUPPORTING THEIR COUNTERPARTS FROM TEXAS.

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING ABOUT REDISTRICTING IN THE STATE?

>> YEAH, DEMOCRATS ARE PRETTY SOLIDLY A NO, OBVIOUSLY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A 7-2 MAP FOR CONGRESS HERE IN INDIANA, AND WHILE SOME REPUBLICANS THINK THEY CAN EKE OUT ONE, MAYBE BOTH OF THOSE DEMOCRATIC SEATS, I THINK MORE REPUBLICANS THINK IT HAS INHERENT RISKS AND, YOU KNOW, SHOULDN'T REALLY BE A THING THEY PER.

>> YOU SO REDISTRICTING IS USUALLY DONE AFTER EACH TEN-YEAR CENSUS.

WE ARE ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH THAT CYCLE.

IS THERE PRECEDENCE FOR MIDCYCLE REDISTRICTING?

>> YOU KNOW, I WAS LOOKING BACK THROUGH A HISTORY OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I CAN'T SAY IT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT LOOKING BACK IN THE 1800s AND EARLY 1900s, IT SOMETIMES DIDN'T HAPPEN -- LIKE, THEY WERE ON DIFFERENT CYCLES, EVERY THREE YEARS AT ONE POINT, EVERY FIVE YEARS.

ONCE WE KIND OF GOT INTO THE EVERY DECADE, IT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S WHERE IT HAS STAYED.

THAT'S WHEN THEY SHALL DO IT.

THEY HAVE TO DO IT BY THE INDIANA CONSTITUTION.

NOW, OCCASIONALLY, IN THE PAST, HERE AND ELSEWHERE, THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO AGREE ON THEM.

SO MAYBE IT WOULD PUSH PAST THAT FIRST YEAR, BUT I HAVE NOT SEEN -- NO ONE HAS PROVIDED ME AN EXAMPLE OF A MID-DISTRICT RECYCLING LIKE THIS -- REDISTRICTING LIKE THIS.

>> NICKY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR REPORTING ON THIS.

>> NO PROBLEM.

THANKS!

>> MORE THAN 400 ACRES OF LAND WILL BE AVAILABLE, TURNED INTO A NATURE PRESERVE ON THE EAST SIDE OF BLOOMINGTON OFF STATE ROOT 446, THANKS TO A DONATION OF THE ESTATE OF NANCY HUNTINGTON WHO DIED IN 2023.

AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORT, IT COMES AT AN EXPENSE FOR TWO FAMILIES, ONE OF WHOM HAS RENTED A HOUSE ON THE PROPERTY FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS AND WILL HAVE TO MOVE.

>> A SHORT WALK INTO THE WOODS NEAR HIS HOUSE, DALE HOLLERS KNEELS ON THE GROUND TO CLEAR WEEDS AND ADD A FRESH COAT OF PAINT TO MEMORIAL HE AND HIS WIFE SET UP FOR HIS GRANDSON WHO DIED IN A FOUR-WHEELING ACCIDENT 14 YEARS AGO.

>> I'M JUST PRAYING TO GOD FOR HIM TO MAKE IT AND TO TAKE ME, YOU KNOW.

BUT IT CRUSHED HIS LITTLE HEART.

AND THEY COME THERE AND TOLD HIM HE HAD PASSED.

THAT STILL BOTHERS ME TODAY.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE MOST PAINFUL MEMORIES THEY LIVED THROUGH MORE THAN 20 YEARS SINCE THEY MOVED INTO.

THEY SUNK TIME AND MONEY TO CLEARING THE YARD AND FIXING IT UP WHEN HE AND MARGARET STARTED LEASING THERE.

>> IT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A SHOWER IN IT OR ANYTHING.

>> NOW THE HOLLERS NEED TO FIND A NEW PLACE TO LIVE BY OCTOBER.

THE PROPERTY'S OWNER, NANCY HUNTINGTON DIED IN 2023 AND MADE THE LAND A REVOCABLE TRUST THAT WOULD GO TO THE COUNTY FOR RECREATIONAL USE.

THE COUNTY WAS TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT RECREATIONAL USE IN HUNTINGTON'S WILL MEANT AND WAYS TO MOVE FORWARD.

THE HOLLERS SAY THE COUNTY AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT HADN'T BEEN CLEAR ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THEY WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE.

>> OUR UNDERSTANDING, THAT THE STATE WAS GONNA GET IT AFTER SHE DIED, THE STATE WAS GONNA INHERIT THE PROPERTY AND MAKE AN ANIMAL HABITAT PLACE OUT OF IT, BUT WE COULD STILL STAY HERE.

YOU KNOW?

>> THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY SAYS THAT WAS PROPOSED BUT NO PROMISES WERE MADE.

THE COURT ORDER INTERPRETING USE FOR THE LAND SAYS THE COUNTY CAN LEASE TO THE HOLLERS FOR UP TO TWO YEARS.

BUT THE COUNTY DETERMINED THE HOLLERS HAVE TO LEAVE SOONER TO START PREPPING THE LAND FOR RECREATIONAL USE.

ACCORDING TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, JUSTIN RODDEY.

>> DURING A VISIT TO THE PROPERTY ON MAY 30th, HE TOLD THE HOLLERS INFORMALLY THIS WAS A STRONG POSSIBILITY THEY WOULD HAVE TO MOVE.

THE PROPERTY OFFICIALLY CAME INTO THE COUNTY'S POSSESSION IN JUNE.

THE NEXT MONTH, THEY RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING THEY HAD TO MOVE BY OCTOBER.

DALE SAID THEY HAVE BEEN LOOKING BUT FINDING A NEW PLACE IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE MOST RENTS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE.

HE WISHES COUNTY WOULD GIVE THEM ANOTHER YEAR TO LOOK.

>> THEY HAVE NO INKLING OF WHAT IT TAKES TO LIVE OUT HERE AND WHAT ALL WE'VE DONE TO THIS PLACE SINCE WE'VE BEEN HERE.

AND THEY DON'T REALLY GIVE A DAMN TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

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

>>> GUIDED TOURS OF THE FUTURE MONROE COUNTY NATURE PRESERVE ARE PLANNED TO BEGIN NEXT YEAR, WITH OPEN TRAILS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 2027.

>>> WELL, WE ARE JOINED NOW BY ELYSE PERRY FOR MORE AROUND THE STATE.

>> THE THIRD GRADE READING RATE IS THE HIGHEST BEFORE PANDEMIC.

IT JUMPED NEARLY 5 PERCENTAGE POINTS, THE LARGEST INCREASE FOR THE HISTORY OF THE TEST.

THE GAINS SHOW STATE'S FOCUS ON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LITERACY SKILLS IS PAYING OFF.

>> CELEBRATE THE MOMENT AND TOMORROW WE GET UP AND KEEP OUR FOOT ON THIS GAS PEDAL, BECAUSE IT WAS STATED THE TOUGHEST PART IS NOT JUST MAINTAINING, IT'S CONTINUING TO IMPROVE.

>> MORE THAN 87% OF INDIANA THIRD GRADERS PASSED THE READING TEST.

THAT AS A NEW STATE LAW TIGHTENS THE REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS TO HOLD BACK STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT PASSED THE LAND.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS FORMALLY REPRIMANDING A PROFESSOR.

PROFESSOR BEN ROBINSON WAS REPORTED LAST FALL FOR VIOLATING A RULE.

RICK VAN KOOTEN HAS WARNED HIM ABOUT DISCUSSING ISRAEL AND OTHER THINGS.

>> WHAT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE, IT IS NOT A SHOW TRIAL, IT'S ABOUT SHILLING OTHER FACULTY.

>> PROFESSORS AT PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE REQUIRED TO PROMOTE FREE SPEECH IN THE CLASSROOM.

IT ALSO MANDATES THAT THEY TEACH INTELLECTUALLY DIVERSE IDEAS.

>>> THE CITY OF TERRE HAUTE IS OPERATING UNDER A MODIFIED HIRING FREEZE IT.

WON'T AFFECT PUBLIC SAFETY, TRANSIT AND SEASONAL POSITIONS, BUT THE CITY HAS CONSOLIDATED SIX DEPARTMENTS AFTER STAFF RETIRED.

>> WE DO UNDERSTAND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, WE'RE NOT MAKING THE STATE DECISIONS.

WE'RE NOT MAKING THESE FEDERAL DECISIONS BUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS PLAY WITH THE CARDS THAT WE HAVE BEEN DEALT.

>> SAKBUN SAYS THE REASON FOR THE HIRING FREEZE STEMS FROM THE LOSS OF REVENUE DUE TO THE STATE'S NEW PROPERTY TAX BILL.

HE SAYS THE CITY IS TRYING TO GROW ITSELF OUT OF THE PROBLEM BY INCREASING HOUSING TO INCREASE THE PROPERTY TAX BASE.

>>> 40% OF HOOSIER HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE SKIPPING THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID OR FAFSA.

IT'S A FORM THAT UNLOCKS FEDERAL, STATE AND INSTITUTIONAL FINANCIAL AID TO ATTEND COLLEGE.

A REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL COLLEGE ATTAINMENT NETWORK SHOWS STUDENTS FALSELY ASSUMED THEY WILL GET NOTHING, EVEN THOSE FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

>> THE NUMBER ONE THING WE HEAR ALL THE TIME IS I'M NOT GOING TO GET ANYTHING, AND I'M NOT FILING.

AND MOST OFTEN, THAT'S INCORRECT.

>> WOZNIAK SAYS WEALTHIER STUDENTS USUALLY RECEIVE SOME TYPE OF AID IF THEY TAKE THE TIME TO FILL OUT THE FORM.

>>> A NEW BOUTIQUE HOTEL WILL HOP ON KIRKWOOD AVENUE IN THE FORMER SITE OF THE PEOPLES STATE BANK IN THE NEXT MONTH.

THE POSH BOUTIQUE HOTEL AT THE CORNER OF WASHINGTON AND KIRKWOOD AVENUE WILL FEATURE 45 ROOMS, INCLUDING A SAUNA AND CIGNETTI CLUB ROOM.

THE HOTEL WOULD HAVE BEEN OPENED BY NOW HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE TARIFFS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IMPLEMENTED LAST YEAR.

>> WE WOULD HAVE BEEN OPEN FOR ORIENTATION, PARENT-STUDENT AND MOVE-IN AND FOR FIRST FEW GAMES FOR I.U.

FOOTBALL.

>> A SECOND GABLES BAGELS LOCATION WILL OPEN IN THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE HOTEL.

IT WILL PROVIDE COMPLEMENTARY BREAKFAST FOR HOTEL GUESTS.

OWNER ED SCHWARTZMAN SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR A SECOND CABLES BAGELS LOCATION DOWNTOWN.

>> THEY LOVE THE DESIGN, BUT IT'S A LITTLE SHOE BOX.

THIS ONE WITH THE HIGH CEILINGS AND THE FANCY LIGHTS.

SO IT'S DEFINITELY A STEP UP.

A BIG STEP UP IN CLASS.

SAME GREAT FOOD.

>> THE NEW GABLES BAGELS SHOULD BE OPENED BY AUGUST 21st AND THE HOTEL IS EXPECTED TO OPEN BY SEPTEMBER 15th.

>>> EXHIBIT COLUMBUS, A MODERN ARCHITECTURAL SHOWCASE PUT ON EVERY TWO YEARS RETURNS THIS WEEKEND.

AUBREY WRIGHT GOT A SNEAK PEEK OF SOME OF THE EXHIBITS AND HAS MORE ON THIS YEAR'S THEME.

>> EXHIBIT COLUMBUS ORGANIZERS ARE PREPARING TO SHOWCASE 13 PROJECTS AND THE CITY ITSELF.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A TOWN THAT'S WILLING TO BE CURIOUS, WILLING TO ASK WHAT'S NEXT AND WILLING TO EXPLORE.

>> THIS YEAR'S THEME, YES, AND IS INSPIRED BY IMPROV THEATER.

THEY ARE ENCOURAGING COLLABORATION AND BUILDING UPON THE LEGACY OF THE CITY.

>> I'M EXCITED TO TAKE YOU NEXT TO THE CRUMP THEATER, ONE OF INDIANA'S OLDEST AND MOST HISTORIC THEATERS THAT NEEDS SOME LOVE.

>> AN INSTALLATION AT THE HISTORIC CRUMP THEATER IS HIGHLIGHTING LAYERS AND LAYERS OF TRANSFORMATIONS.

>> THIS WAS A FIRE IN 1978 THAT BURNED DOWN THE BUILDINGS THAT USED TO BE WHERE WE ARE STANDING NOW.

IT'S LETTING PEOPLE SEE THAT FOR FIRST TIME IN 50 YEARS OR SO.

>> ALONG WITH REVAMPING A FORGOTTEN OPERA BOX, VINZ FEATURES PEOPLE CRUCIAL TO THE BUILDING'S PRESERVATION.

>> THERE'S 130 SILHOUETTES OF PEOPLE FROM COLUMBUS WHO HAD SOME ROLE OR SOME PART IN HELPING SAVE THE BUILDING FROM DEMOLITION.

>> THOUGH ARCHITECTURE LOVERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD COME TO COLUMBUS, HE SAYS THE PROJECT IS FOR LOCALS, PEOPLE WHO SEE THE CRUMP EVERY DAY.

>> I'M TRYING TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT -- THAT THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT IS VERY MUCH A LIVING AND BREATHING THING AND IT CHANGES ALL THE TIME.

AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

>> 12 OTHER PROJECTS ARE PLACED AROUND THE CITY.

>> I HOPE THAT PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE, AROUND THE COUNTRY COME LOOK AND SAY WHAT'S NEXT FOR THEIR TOWN.

AND HOW CAN THEY POSITIVELY WORK TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR EVERYONE.

>> EXHIBIT COLUMBUS IS PLANNING FREE AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS FRIDAY NIGHT AND ALL-DAY SATURDAY.

>> WE HAVE FOOD TRUCKS.

WE HAVE BEVERAGE STATIONS, A LIVE BANDS, PAYTON WOMACK FROM INDIANAPOLIS.

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

>> THE EXHIBITS WILL BE ON DISPLAY THROUGH NOVEMBER 30th.

>> IT'S REALLY COOL.

THEY ARE OUTSIDE.

YOU CAN JUST WALK UP AND BE PART OF THE EXHIBITS.

COOL STUFF.

THANK YOU.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," TWO PLANNED PROJECTS BY THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE IN SOUTHERN INDIANA ARE BEING MET WITH RESISTANCE INCLUDING FROM GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN.

>>> AND A NEW ART EXHIBIT CHALLENGES TRADITIONAL VIEWS OF PATRIOTISM AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN AMERICAN.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

FOREST SERVICE CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST OFTEN PIT THE AGENCY'S GOALS AGAINST THE WISHES OF LOCALS.

ONE OF THE LARGEST TIMBER LANDOWNERS IN THE REGION, INDIANA GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN, IS PRESSURING THE AGENCY TO STOP TWO PLANNED PROJECTS, BUFFALO SPRINGS AND HOUSTON SOUTH.

ETHAN SANDWEISS HAS HIS STORY.

>> FORESTER PERRY SEITZINGER TAKES US TO A DEEP PART OF THE FOREST.

THE SUN LIGHT REACHES THE GROUND.

THREE YEARS AGO, THIS AREA WAS CLEAR CUT BY THE FOREST SERVICE.

>> THEY REMOVED ALL THE OVER STORY AND LET THE NATURAL SEED TAKE OFF AND REGENERATE INTO HARDWOOD TREE.

>> THE FOREST SERVICE WANTS TO RESTORE THE OAK AND HICKORY FORESTS THAT ONCE COVERED INDIANA, BEFORE THE SETTLERS CLEAR CUT THE STATE.

IT'S TARGETING TWO AREAS, THE HOUSTON SOUTH PROJECT AND THE BUFFALO SPRINGS PROJECT TO DO SO, THE FOREST SERVICE USES A COMBINATION OF LOW INTENSITY PRESCRIBED FIRE BURNS AND CUTTING DOWN SOME TREES THAT.

CREATES CONDITIONS BENEFITING OAK AND HICKORY OVER OTHER TREES.

>> I MUST ADMIT WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENS, IT IS NOT AESTHETICALLY PLEASING WHATSOEVER.

AND THAT ELICITS AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE IN PEOPLE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT AND WHY WE'RE DOING WHAT WE DO.

>> THE FOREST SERVICE DID NOT GRANT AN INTERVIEW, BUT SEITZINGER EXPLAINED ITS PROCESS.

>> IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY FOREST MANAGEMENT, WE WILL NOT HAVE OUR FOREST AS WE KNOW THEM, BECAUSE OF INVASIVE SPECIES AND CHANGES IN CLIMATE AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

SO A PASSIVE APPROACH TO MANAGING OUR FORESTS IS NO LONGER A VALID OPTION.

>> FOREST SERVICE ECOLOGISTS SAY TAKING NO ACTION WOULD CONTINUE THE TREND TOWARD SHADIER FORESTS DOMINATED BY MAPLE AND BEECH.

>> THE FORESTRY PROJECTS THAT I HAVE REVIEWED AND SEEN, THEY ARE USING ALL OF THAT INFORMATION TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS, AND I THINK IT'S ALL EXTREMELY WELL FOUNDED IN MY OPINION.

>> AN OAK HICKORY FOREST WITHOUT A DENSE CANOPY OF OTHER TREES CREATES A HABITAT FOR TURKEY AND SONGBIRDS THAT PREFERS OPEN FOREST.

IT ALLOWS SUN LIGHT WILDFLOWERS TO FLOURISH.

THEY CAN LIE DORMANT FOR YEARS, BUT WITHOUT THE RIGHT CONDITIONS, THEY CAN DIE.

>> THE TIME WILL RUN OUT ON BRINGING THESE SPECIES OUT OF THE SPEED BANK.

I THINK THEY ARE PROBABLY ON THOSE TYPES OF SITES TRYING TO MAXIMIZE THE SITE POTENTIAL.

>> THE RESTORING ECOSYSTEM IS MESSY.

BURNS AND CUTS COME AT THE SHORT-TERM EXPENSE OF OTHER SPECIES AND THEY'RE OFFPUTTING FOR SOME WHO LIVE BY AND ENJOY THESE FORESTS.

>> THERE'S TREES AND BROOKS AND HILLS AND IT'S JUST NATURE.

AND GOOD FRIENDS TO RIDE WITH, UNTIL YOU GET TO WHERE THEY HAVE CLEAR CUT TIMBER OUT.

AND THEN IT'S AN UGLY MESS.

>> THE INDIANA FOREST ALLIANCE AND THE GIANT PLYWOOD BISON ARE A FREQUENT PROTEST AT THE BUFFALO SPRINGS AND HOUSTON SOUTH PROJECTS ITS MEMBERS ADVOCATE FOR A HANDS OFF APPROACH, WHAT THEY CALL PRESERVATION VERSUS INVOLVED MANAGEMENT OR PRESERVATION.

>> AND NOW THAT LAND HAS SLOWLY HEALED AND WE THINK THAT THEY SHOULD MANAGE THE HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST TO LET THAT TRANSITION OCCUR.

>> STAN HAS FOUGHT FOR THE FOREST FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS SINCE HE HELPED ESTABLISH THE CHARLES DEAN WILDERNESS BUT HIS ORGANIZATION IS OFTEN AT ODDS WITH THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT IT.

>> THEY ARE GOING OUT OF THEIR WAY TO DOT PROJECT IN A WAY THAT IS GOING TO CAUSE MAJOR IMPACTS AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THE THREE SQUARE MILES THAT THEY BURNED AND ALL THE HAZARD TREES THAT THEY CUT DOWN TO KNOW THEY ARE DOING.

>> THE FOREST ALLIANCE AND MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTALIST GROUPS HAVE SUED TO BLOCK ONE OF THE TWO PROJECTS HOUSTON SOUTH NEAR LAKE MONROE BUT THEY HAVE WHAT MIGHT SEEM LIKE AN UNLIKELY POLITICAL ALLY, INDIANA'S REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR, MIKE BRAUN.

HE'S WRITTEN TWO LETTERS TO THE NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE, ASKING THEM TO END THE PROJECTS CITING LOCAL OPPOSITION AND THREATENS THE RECREATIONAL AND ECOLOGICAL VALUE.

HE WROTE A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO OPPOSITION GROUPS.

DESPITE BEING A LIFELONG GROUP, STANT AND HIS WIFE DONATED $66,000 TO BRAUN'S GOVERNOR RUN.

>> I WAS PROUD TO SEE HIM WIN THE PRIMARY.

HE HAS A VISION FOR THE PUBLIC LANDS THAT I DON'T THINK THE DEMOCRATS HAVE EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT YET.

I WAS GLAD TO SUPPORT HIM AS GOVERNOR.

>> BESIDES HIS LOVE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION, HE'S ONE THE LARGEST TIMBER OWNERS IN THE STATE, WITH THOUSANDS OF ACRES NEAR THE FOREST SERVICE PROJECTS COLLECTIVELY WORTH TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THE WOOD ENTERED THE SAME MARKETS AS THE NATIONAL FOREST.

HE SUCCESSFULLY CUT TAXES AND REGULATIONS ON PRIVATE TIMBER.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DIDN'T RESPOND.

>> I DON'T THINK HE HAS A CONFLICT.

HE OWNS PRIVATE WOODLANDS.

HE DOESN'T WANT TO THE GOVERNMENT COMPETING.

I DON'T THINK THE GOVERNMENT SELLING LOGS HURTS HIM AT ALL FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT.

>> BUT WITHDRAWN, A JASPER NATIVE, HUNTERS, HIKERS AND HORSEBACK RIDERS USE THE FOREST AND MANY DON'T WANT TO SEE IT CHANGE.

WHEN IT COMES TO PASSIVE VERSUS ACTIVE MANAGEMENT, STANBAUGH SAYS WHAT SEEMS RIGHT CAN BE IMMENSELY PERSONAL.

>> NO ONE IS RIGHT THERE, RIGHT?

LIKE, IT'S YOUR KIND OF PHILOSOPHY AND IN SOME CASES, IT'S EVEN, LIKE, COMES DOWN TO ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS, LIKE WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG.

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

>> THE PROJECTS AND THE LAND OWNED BY THE GOVERNOR IS AVAILABLE OPEN OUR WEBSITE, WTIUNEWS.ORG.

>>> A NEW ART EXHIBIT AT THE BACK SPACE GALLERY CHALLENGES TRADITIONAL NOTIONS OF PATRIOTISM AND ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT AMERICA DIFFERENTLY.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI SPOKE WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHER BEHIND THE EXHIBIT TO LEARN MORE.

>> SURREALIST PHOTOGRAPHER AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY GRADUATE KATHRYN COERS ROSSMAN HAS BEEN COLLECTING ARTIFACTS FOR THE EXHIBIT, NATIONAL AND PUNK PATRIOTISM.

IT HAS DRESSES FROM 1976, AND SIGNS AND DOLLS.

>> I REALIZE THE CARE THAT PEOPLE PUT INTO THIS CELEBRATION, AND HOW MUCH PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED.

>> ROSSMAN CAPTURED PEOPLE FROM QUEER AND PATRIOTIC COMMUNITY.

>> I TOOK PEOPLE WHO WOULD NEVER BE COMFORTABLE WEARING THE FLAG OUT IN PUBLIC AND DRAPED THEM IN THE FLAG.

IT WAS A CHANGE IN THEIR REALITY.

THEY WERE NOT NECESSARILY COMFORTABLE WITH IT AT FIRST, BUT I WANTED THEM TO KNOW THAT IT BELONGED TO THEM TOO AND THAT IF THEY COULD EMBODY IT, IT WOULD MEAN MORE TO ALL OF US.

>> ONE OF HER PHOTOGRAPHERS, DEAD MALL GOTHIC PORTRAYS TWO PEOPLE STANDING IN FORM OF THE FORMER'S MACY'S ENTRANCE.

IT'S HOW ONLINE CONSUMERISM HAS CHANGED PHYSICAL SPACES.

>> I RECAST THAT IN A DIFFERENT SPACE, ASKING HOW OUR PHYSICAL SPACES MATTER TO US THESE DAYS WHEN WE ARE VERY, VERY ONLINE.

>> THE EXHIBIT INCLUDES A MOTTO OF A BLACK WOMAN DRESSED AS STATUE OF LIBERTY AND THREE MANNEQUINS DRESSED IN MAJORETTE COSTUMES.

>> SHE'S THE PEP BAND LEADER WHO LOST HER PEP.

SHE'S TRYING TO MAKE EVERYONE BE ENTHUSIASTIC, BUT SHE'S COMING UP SHORT BECAUSE SHE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO NEXT AND WITH THE AMERICA.

>> ROSSMAN'S GOAL IS TO SHOW HER AUDIENCE HOW AMERICA HAS CHANGED AND WHAT IT CAN BECOME THROUGH A SURREALIST LENSE.

SHE WANTS PEOPLE TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> HOW THEY CELEBRATE AMERICA AND THE NARRATIVES THAT WE EMBRACE IS A REALLY BIG PART OF THAT.

I TRIED TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE EVERYONE IS WELCOMED REGARDLESS OF THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS AND ASK PEOPLE TO BE INVOLVED IN CIVIL DISCOURSE AND IT'S A LITTLE SILLY AND SURREAL BUT IT CHALLENGES PEOPLE'S BELIEFS, BUT IN A WAY THAT LEAVES THEM OPEN.

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

>>> THE EXHIBIT IS LOCATED IN THE BACK SPACE GALLERY ON THE DOWNTOWN SQUARE.

IT'S FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

OPEN THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST.

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