>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," MONROE COUNTY'S JUSTICE CENTER HAS BEEN CLOSED AT TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS FOR MOLD REMEDIATION.

>> ALL OF THE LEVELS HAVE BEEN READING ACCEPTABLE BY LABORATORY STANDARDS, BUT THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> IT'S LATEST ISSUE AT THE JUSTICE CENTER, WHICH THE COUNTY HAS BEEN ORDERED TO REPLACE.

>> THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM OPENS A NEW SEASON THIS WEEKEND WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND A NEW/OLD MASCOT.

>> THE MASCOT CAN BE MONETIZED TO KEEP I.U.

ATHLETICS MONETIZED IN THIS NEW ERA AND WORLD OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS.

>> HOOSIER THE BISON A REIMAGINED MASCOT USED IN THE LATE 1960s.

>>> AND A BLOOMINGTON NORTH HIGH SCHOOL TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

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

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, MONROE COUNTY JUSTICE BUILDING HAS CLOSED AT TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS FOR MOLD REMOVAL.

PRISONERS WERE MOVED INTO COURTROOMS AS THE BUILDING WAS CLEANED.

CONDITIONS IN THE JAIL HAVE LONG BEEN A CONCERN, BUT AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, RECENTLY COUNTY WORKERS ELSEWHERE IN THE BUILDING HAVE WORRIED FOR THEIR SAFETY TOO.

>> COUNTY COMMISSIONER JULIE THOMAS SAYS THE BUILDING HAS HAD ROOF AND SEWAGE LEEKS BEFORE BUT ON AUGUST 6th, THE WORKERS NOTICED CONDENSATION IN THE HVAC SYSTEM.

>> BECAUSE OF THIS HUMILITY, THIS CONDENSATION WAS ALMOST LIKE RAINING ABOVE THE CEILING TILES.

>> THEY EXPERIENCED HEADACHES, SORE THROATS AND BURNING EYES WHILE IN THE OFFICE.

THEY SHARED IMAGE OF WATER DAMAGE ON CEILING TILES AND CRASH CANS USED TO -- AND TRASH CANED TO COLLECT THE WATER.

>> A LOT OF MOLDS THAT WE FOUND ARE MOLDS THAT CREATE ALLERGIES IN HUMANS.

SO YES, JUST YOUR COMMON SNIFFLES, SNEEZES, HEADACHES, ITCHY EYES, THINGS OF THAT ARE VERY NORMAL WITH THOSE TYPES OF MOLD.

>> THEY FOUND SEVERAL SPECIES GROWING IN THE BUILDING, BUT NOT MUCH HIGHER THAN OUTDOOR LEVELS.

>> ALL OF THE LEVELS HAVE BEEN READING ACCEPTABLE BY LABORATORY STANDARDS, BUT THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> COUNTY OFFICES WERE CLOSED TORE CLEANING WEDNESDAY AS THEY WERE LAST WEEK ON TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY.

THE WORK SUSPENDED OPERATIONS AT OFFICES OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, PROSECUTOR, PUBLIC DEFENDER, AND PROBATION.

COURT HEARINGS WERE RESCHEDULED IN.

A PRESS RELEASE, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAID PRISONERS WERE KEPT IN COURTROOM AREAS OF THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR A CLEANUP.

A FULL EVACUATION WOULD BE COMPLICATED IT SAID AND CAUSE LENGTHY AND UNNECESSARY DISRUPTIONS, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DECLINED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

>> WE TREATED THE JAIL SITE EXACTLY AS WE TREATED THE OFFICE SIDE WITH GREAT CARE AND COMPASSION FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THOSE ENVIRONMENTS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO TRY TO MITIGATE AS MUCH OF THIS AS WE CAN.

>> THIS SUMMER'S MOLD SCARE RESULTED FROM A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, SOME STRUCTURAL AND SOME ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> THE DESIGN OF THE BUILDING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN IDEAL.

THE HVAC SYSTEM IN THAT BUILDING IS VERY LARGE, VERY COMPLEX, AND WE KIND OF HAD UNPRECEDENTED HEAT, HUMIDITY AND PRECIPITATION THIS YEAR.

>> THE COMMISSIONER AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE USED THE IS DENT TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF A NEW JAIL AND JUSTICE FACILITY WHICH HAS BEEN AN ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR THE COUNTY.

THE COUNTY SHARED RENDERINGS THIS WEEK BY AN INDIANAPOLIS FORM OF WHAT A 400 BED NORTH OF FACILITY WILL LOOK LIKE.

THEY HOPE THEY CAN BREAK GROUND BY NEXT SUMMER, ASSUMING THEY CAN NAVIGATE LEGISLATIVE HURDLES.

>> SOME OF THE OBSTACLES WE ARE FACING RELATE SPECIFICALLY TO SENATE ENROLLED ACT ONE AND THE LIMITATIONS IT HAS PUT ON COUNTY GOVERNMENTS TO CREATE BONDS AND FUNDING MECHANISMS.

>> THOMAS SAYS THE COUNTY EXPECTS TO HAVE A FULL REPORT ON THE LAST STAGES OF VET'S FOGGING AND TESTING A WEEK FROM FRIDAY.

>>> SO ETHAN IS JOINING US LIVE NOW FROM THE NEWSROOM.

ETHAN, I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A COUNTY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AND THEY DISCUSSED PLANS FOR THE NEW JAIL.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE COUNCILORS WENT OVER A PLAN FOR WHAT THE NEW 400-BED JAIL BETWEEN BLOOMINGTON AND ELLETTSVILLE WOULD LOOK LIKE.

THEY TALKED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE COST SAVINGS MEASURES IT INCLUDES INSTALLING MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ON THE ROOF INSTEAD OF IN ISOLATED ROOMS.

THERE WAS ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT BUILDING THE JAIL COULD TAKE LONGER AND COST MORE DUE TO THE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.

>> DID THE PUBLIC HAVE A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN TODAY.

>> THE FEW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WERE THERE ON FRIDAY, OBJECTED DUE TO THE COST AND GENERAL OPPOSITION TO EXPANDING INCARCERATION.

>> SO NOW THERE IS A TIMELINE FOR THE NEW JAIL?

>> THE BONDING PROCESS IS EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY, WITH CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER OF 2026.

COMPLETION IS PROJECTED TO BE JUNE OF 2029.

>> ALL RIGHT, ETHAN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING.

>>> WELL, WITH STATE CUTS TO WITH THE ON MY WAY PRE-K PROGRAM, PROVIDERS ARE CONCERNED AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE CHILD CARE WILL BE LESS ATTAINABLE FOR CHILDREN FROM LOWER INCOME FAMILIES.

REPORTER ISABELLA VESPIRINI HAS MORE ON HOW DAY CARES ARE ADJUSTING.

>> BUT I TRIPPED AND FELL.

UH-OH.

>> THERE'S SIX KIDS IN THE ON MY WAY PRE-K.

THEY'RE COMBINED TUITION IS $38,000 FOR THE YEAR.

BUT THE SIX 4-YEAR-OLDS GET TO ATTEND FOR FREE.

THE RECENT LEGISLATION LIMITS THE CHILDREN WHO ARE ELIGIBLE.

EVEN THOUGH THEY ALREADY OPERATE IN A DEFICIT, IT SAYS THOSE FAMILIES WON'T HAVE TO PAY.

>> WE WILL FUND RAISE FOR THEM.

THEY WILL BE PLACED ON OUR -- WELL, IF THEY ARE ON MY WAY PRE-K, THEY WILL STILL PAY ZERO DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET FOR THE COST OF THEIR CARE, AND WE WILL FUND RAISE AND MAKE UP THAT DIFFERENCE.

>> ABOUT AN HOUR NORTH OF BLOOMINGTON IN SPEEDWAY, THE WESTON SCHOOL IS OPENING THE FIFTH LOCATION THIS FALL TO HELP MAKE CHILD CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE AMID STATE CUTS.

>> IN THE CITY OF SPEEDWAY, IT'S ACTUALLY CONSIDERED A CHILD CARE DESERT WHERE THERE'S NOT PROGRAMS OF THIS FACILITY IN MAGNITUDE BEING INSTILLED THERE, THAT HAVE SUCH AN ENORMOUS FACILITY WITH ALL THE AMENITIES AND THE CLASSROOMS WITH THE TEACHERS OF THIS CALIBER TO BE ABLE TO OFFER THE CHILD CARE.

>> BUT THEY STILL WON'T BE ABLE TO ENROLL AS MANY KIDS IN THE PROGRAM AS THEY COULD HAVE, BECAUSE STUDENTS WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR STATE ASSISTANCE NO LONGER ARE.

>> WE ARE GETTING PHONE CALLS FROM SINGLE MOMS, SINGLE PARENTS, FOSTER FAMILIES, FAMILIES THAT COMMUTE TO THIS AREA TO WORK OR BYPASS IT ON 465 AND WANT TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN HERE BUT THEY CAN'T BECAUSE IT'S JUST NOT ATTAINABLE AT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF COST.

>> A TOTAL OF 2,500 KIDS ACROSS STATE ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM.

LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 6,000 KIDS PARTICIPATED.

OTHER CHANGES INCLUDE ADJUSTING THE FAMILY INCOME ELIGIBILITY FROM 150% TO 140% OF THE POVERTY LINE AND LIMITING VOUCHER MONEY.

>> WE'RE GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN ON OUR END TO PROVIDE THIS HIGH-QUALITY, BUT WE NEED THE COMMUNITY AND THE STATE TO PAY ATTENTION AND INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FUTURE, NOT MAKE CUTS.

>> A RECENT U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT FOUNDS THAT INDIANA LOSES ABOUT 4.2 BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY DUE TO LOST JOB PRODUCTIVITY, ABSENTEEISM AND INCOME TAX.

OFFICIALS STRESSED THAT INVESTING LESS IN CHILD CARE TIES INTO THIS BIGGER ECONOMIC ISSUE.

>> IF INVESTED IN PROPERLY, IT CAN HELP SUPPORT THE WORKFORCE OF SO MANY COMPANIES THAT ARE WAITING TO COME TO INDIANA, BUT DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE FOR THEIR WORKFORCE TO HAVE CHILD CARE.

>> WHAT DO YOU NEED?

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

>>> THE FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE CUTS WILL HELP KEEP THE PROGRAM ACCESSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.

>> WELL, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY ALIVIA WILSON FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW, ALIVIA.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

I'M VERY HAPPY TO BE BACK.

>>> INDIANA REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS VISITED THE WHITE HOUSE TUESDAY AMID A PUSH FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR MORE FAVORABLE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AHEAD OF NEXT YEAR'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

JIM LUCAS, A REPUBLICAN FROM SEYMOUR ATTENDED THE WHITE HOUSE MEETINGS WITH ABOUT 60 TO 70 OTHER INDIANA LAWMAKERS.

BEFORE HIS VISIT, LUCAS SAID ON THE NOON EDITION SHOW THAT HE WAS A HARD NO ON REDISTRICTING.

>> IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

YOU ARE GOING TO PUT A LOT OF REALLY GOOD STATE PEOPLE IN JEOPARDY TO TRY AND GET ONE CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

>> AFTER HEARING PRESENTATIONS AT THE WHITE HOUSE, ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES, LUCAS NOW SAYS REDRAWING ELECTION LINES TO ACCOMPLISH THE TRUMP AGENDA MIGHT BE WORTH IT.

>> ALL OF THESE POLICY GOALS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO ENACT, HE HAS TO HAVE BACKING, WHICH THE DEMOCRATS WILL NOT GIVE HIM.

YOU KNOW, IF THEY TAKE THE HOUSE BACK.

>> LUCAS SAYS HE'S STILL NOT A YES ON REDISTRICTING IN INDIANA.

AND HE WANTS TO SEE ELECTION MAPS OF DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED STATES.

>>> INDIANA DEMOCRATS SAY REPUBLICANS TRYING TO REDRAW THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL MAP ARE GREEDY CHEATERS DISMANTLING THE BEDROCK PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY.

BRANDON SMITH REPORTS DEMOCRATS RALLIED AT THE INDIANAPOLIS AIRPORT ON TUESDAY AS REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE VISITED THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> IF REPUBLICANS REDRAW INDIANA'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS TO TRY TO OUST THE STATE'S TWO DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMEN, DEMOCRATS SAY LEGAL ACTION WILL FOLLOW.

REPRESENTATIVE MITCH GORE SAYS THAT'S BECAUSE REDRAWING THE MAP WILL REQUIRE CARVING UP COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> DILUTING THEIR POWER, THEIR REPRESENTATION, THEIR ABILITY TO FIGHT FOR SCHOOLS, HEALTH CARE, HOUSING AND JUSTICE.

>> SENATOR ANDREA HUNLEY ASKED FOR THEM TO FORGO PAY.

>> WHEN OUR STATE BUDGET IS ALREADY CRUNCHED, THIS IS SO IRRESPONSIBLE FOR OUR TAXPAYERS TO FOOT THE BILL.

>> IT WOULD LIKELY COST BETWEEN $150 AND $250,000.

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

>>> COUNT U.S.I.N.

SURVEY FOUND 52% OPPOSE REDISTRICTING THIS YEAR.

COMPARED TO 34% WHO SUPPORT IT.

>>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON UTILITIES WANTS TO INCREASE THE WATER RATES BY AROUND 20%.

CBU SAYS THE MONROE WATER TREATMENT PLANT'S INFRASTRUCTURE IS AGING AND RATE INCREASES WILL BE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE RELIABLE SERVICE IN THE FUTURE.

>> ANOTHER LARGE ASPECT OF RAISING RATES IS THE FACT THAT OPERATING COSTS HAVE SIMPLY GONE UP.

AND WE NEED TO KEEP UP WITH THAT.

>> FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS, THE PROPOSED INCREASE IS FROM $4.38 PER 1,000 GALLONS OF WATER TO $5.31.

>>> A NEW CONTRACT FOR CENTRAL INDIANA KROGER EMPLOYEES INCREASED AND SHORT-TERM DISABILITY AND MORE HOURS FOR WORKERS.

UNION WORKERS APPROVED THE NEW THREE-YEAR DEAL THIS WEEK.

WHILE IT DOESN'T INCLUDE EVERYTHING THE WORKERS WANTED, IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

KROGER DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

>>> THE I.U.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES NOMINATING COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR BOARD OFFICES, INCLUDING NEW TRUSTEE DAVID HORMUTH AS CHAIR.

MONDAY'S MEETING WAS OVER ZOOM.

IT'S FIRST COMMITTEE SESSION TO BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN A NUMBER OF YEARS.

>> I WANT TO COMPLEMENT YOU ON MAKING THOSE SIGNIFICANT STEPS TOWARD OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY, WHICH, OF COURSE, GOVERNOR BRAUN HAS CALLED FOR.

HORMUTH'S SUCCEED QUINN BUCKNER AS BOARD CHAIR.

HE HAD SERVED AS THE CHAIR SINCE 201.

>>> COLLEGE STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY NEW ONES FACE A HIGHER RISK OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS BETWEEN THE TIME OF MOVE-IN AND THANKSGIVING BREAK.

IT'S THE PERIOD WHEN ABOUT HALF OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULTS THAT WILL OCCUR DURING THE ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR HAPPEN.

THAT CAN BE DO TO AN INCREASE OF SOCIAL EVENTS AND NEW STUDENTS BEING UNFAMILIAR WITH THE COLLEGE AREA AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM.

>> I THINK IF MORE PEOPLE ARE AWARE THAT THIS IS A TIME WHEN HARM IS CAUSED, IF MORE PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION, MORE PEOPLE WILLING TO STEP IN, THEY SEE A PROBLEMATIC SITUATION, THEY KIND OF INTERVENE AND MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T GO TOO FAR.

>> SHE SAYS WHEN NEW STUDENTS ATTEND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES ESPECIALLY WHERE CONTROL MAY BE INVOLVED THEY OFTEN DON'T HAVE AN ESTABLISHED FRIEND GROUP TO HELP THEM WHEN A HARMFUL SITUATION ARISES.

>>> INDIANA'S STATE'S FRESHMAN CLASS IS THE LARGEST SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FIVE YEARS AGO.

THE UNIVERSITY SAYS 1,602 FRESHMEN ENROLLED THIS FALL.

A 13% INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR.

AND JOE, INDIANA STATE ALSO HAD A FRESHMAN TO SOPHOMORE RETENTION RATE OF 70%, THE HIGHEST RETENTION RATE IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

>> THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR INDIANA STATE.

THEY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH DECLINING ATTENDANCE.

>>> A BLOOMINGTON SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE HAS EARNED A SPOT ON TEAM U.S.A. FOR NO MONTH'S WORLD PARA TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS.

>>> AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY WILL UNVEIL A NEW OLD-VERSION OF ITS MASCOT AT THIS WEEKEND'S SEASON OPENER.

>>> THOSE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

MONROE COUNTY IS SIGNING OFF ON A MULTIMILLION DOLLARS TAX ABATEMENT TO EXPAND PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING IN BLOOMINGTON.

AS GEORGE HALE REPORTS, THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE DEAL WITH SIMTRA BIOPHARM THIS WEEK.

>> SIMTRA MAKES STERILE INJECTABLE PRODUCTS FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES.

THE TEN-YEAR, $20 MILLION AGREEMENT COVERS BOTH ITS CURRENT FACILITY ON NORTH CURRY PIKE AND A NEW FACILITY ACROSS THE STREET ON A FORMER GENERAL ELECTRIC SITE.

>> SO I THINK WE ARE ALL VERY EXCITED TO SEE SOMETHING COME OUT OF THIS PROPERTY.

AND COULDN'T THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO USE IT.

>> SIMTRA SAYS IT'S INVESTING NEARLY $250 MILLION IN THE NEW FACILITY.

IT'S ALSO EXPECTED TO CREATE ABOUT 90 NEW JOBS.

>> MORE TARGETED PRODUCTS, MORE TARGETED THERAPIES.

AND IT ALLOWS US TO BECOME THE ONLY NORTH AMERICAN COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURER FOR THESE TYPES OF PRODUCTS.

>> THE AGREEMENT IS DEPENDENT ON THE COMPANY MEETING ITS COMMITMENTS AND ADDING NEW PRODUCTION LINES.

>> THE FIRST LINE WOULD HAVE TO BE IN PLACE BY 2030, AND THE SECOND LINE WOULD BE IN PLACE, I BELIEVE, BY 2033.

>> COMMISSIONERS PRAISED COMPANY OFFICIALS FOR WORKING WITH THE COUNTY.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT TAX ABATEMENTS ARE BASICALLY CORPORATE GIVEAWAYS AND THEY ARE NOT.

THEY ARE REALLY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO TAKE AND INVEST A LOT OF MONEY IN OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M GEORGE HALE.

>> NEXT MONTH BLOOMINGTON SOUTH SENIOR, VIOLET HALL WILL PART IN THE PARATRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS.

SHE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE LOWER PART OF HER RIGHT ARM.

>> VIOLET HALL NEVER THOUGHT SHE WOULD START HER SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL TRAINING FOR A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.

SHE STARTED IN PARAATHLETICS AFTER HER COACHES ENCOURAGED HER TO LOOK AT THE FINISHING TIMES NEEDED TO COMPETE NATIONALLY.

>> I THOUGHT, HEY, MY TIMES ARE REALLY CLOSE TO THAT.

I CAN DEFINITELY REACH THOSE IF I WORK AT THIS.

>> SHE COMPETED IN EUGENE, OREGON THIS MONTH, WINNING THE 200 METERS, AHEAD OF THE TWO-TIME SILVER MEDALIST IN THE EVENT AT THE OLYMPICS.

SHE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> I WAS THE VERY LAST NAME TO BE LISTED AND, LIKE, I -- ONCE THEY ANNOUNCED MY NAME, I LOOKED AT MY MOM, I WAS LIKE, WHY DID THEY HAVE TO DO THAT TO ME?

I GO OUT IN THE HALLWAY AND I TOOK A BIG SIGH.

I ACTUALLY STARTED TEARING UP.

>> SINCE THEN HALL HAS BEEN PRACTICING THREE TIMES A WEEK, WORKING ON SPRINT DEALS.

>> WITH ONLY ONE HAND TO PUT ON THE GROUND AT THE START OF THE RACE, HER TECHNIQUE HAS TO BE UNCONVENTIONAL.

>> I KEEP MORE MY FRONT FOOT, FLATTER THAN OTHERS.

>> WE'RE WORKING VERY SPECIFICALLY ON GETTING HER OUT OF THE BLOCKS MORE EFFICIENTLY, MORE POWERFULLY.

THAT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR HER.

HER PARTICULAR LIMITATION REQUIRES US TO MAKE SOME COMPROMISES WITH HER POSITIONING IN THE BLOCK.

AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIND THE BEST WAY TO GET THE MOST FORCE OUT OF THE BLOCKS SO SHE CAN GET INTO A GOOD ACCELERATION POSITION QUICKER THAN SHE HAS BEEN.

>> HALL STARTED COMPETITIVE RUNNING IN 4th GRADE ON THE St. CHARLES CATHOLIC TRACK TEAM.

IN HIGH SCHOOL SHE'S BEEN A LONG JUMPER AND HIGH JUMPER, AS WELL AS A SPRINTER.

>> NOBODY HERE THINKS OF HER AS SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY THAT SHE'S GETTING SPECIAL ATTENTION FOR.

SHE IS QUITE LITERALLY ONE THE BEST ATHLETES IN THE SCHOOL.

SO COACHING KIDS THAT HAVE A TON OF NATURAL ABILITY IS -- I MEAN, IT'S SUPER ENJOYABLE.

IT'S A CHALLENGE.

HOW DO WE GET KIDS TO MOST FULLY EXPRESS THE NATURAL ABILITY THAT THEY HAVE WITHIN WHATEVER LIMITATIONS THEY HAVE.

>> AT 6'1", SHE ALSO PLAYS AS A FORWARD FOR SOUTH'S BASKETBALL TEAM.

HER COACH THINKS SHE'S TALENTED ENOUGH TO PLAY AT AN NCAA DIVISION ONE SCHOOL IN COLLEGE.

HALL SAYS PEOPLE UNDERESTIMATE HER MORE IN BASKETBALL THAN IN TRACK.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE ONE ARM, I WOULDN'T BE GOOD AT BASKETBALL.

WHEREAS IN TRACK, I HAVE BOTH MY LEGS.

THEY CAN SEE MY RESULTS ONLINE.

>> SHE PRAISES HER FOR BEING FLEXIBLE BY NOT HAVING PART OF HER RIGHT ARM.

>> SHE'S LIVED HER LIFE WITH THIS DISABILITY AND SHE HAS FOUND A WAY TO ADAPT AND BE ABLE TO DO VIRTUALLY ANYTHING.

I MEAN, SHE'S ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS ON OUR BASKETBALL TEAM.

SO TRACK AND FIELD, PHEW, THAT'S A BREEZE COMPARED TO PLAYING A BALL SPORT WITH ONE ARM THAT'S HALF THE LENGTH OF THE OTHER.

IT'S PRETTY AMAZING.

>> AS THE BIGGEST MEET OF HER YOUNG LIFE APPROACHES VIOLET FOCUSES ON PREPARATION.

>> ALL I CAN GIVE IS ALL THAT I HAVE.

AND SO WHETHER THAT'S MAYBE 70% ON ONE DAY BUT IT FEELS LIKE 100 THAT DAY, I JUST GIVE EVERYTHING THAT I CAN FOR THAT DAY, AND THAT'S ALL I CAN DO.

>> SET.

GO!

FAST.

FAST.

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

>>> HALL WILL RUN THE 100 AND 200 METERS IN THE T-46 CATEGORY WHICH IS FOR ATHLETES WHO HAVE A SINGLE ARM AMPUTATION ABOVE OR BELOW THE ELBOW AND NORMAL LEG FUNCTIONS.

>>> AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S FOOTBALL SEASON OPENS THIS WEEKEND.

THE FANS ARE ANXIOUS TO GET A LOOK AT THIS YEAR'S HOOSIERS.

THERE WILL BE ANOTHER HOOSIER ON THE FIELD TO SEE.

THAT'S HOOSIER THE BISON, A REIMAGINED RETURN OF I.U.

'S MASCOT FROM THE 1960s.

>> NICK'S ENGLISH HUT HAS LONG BEEN A FAVORITE FOR HOOSIER FANS.

THIS FOOTBALL SEASON, PATRONS ARE IN A MOOD TO SPEND AND NOT JUST FOR THE BEER.

IT'S FOR THE BISON.

>> WE'VE GOT OUR MERCHANDISE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, ALL OVER THE WORLD FROM INDIANA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI.

IT'S SO ENGRAINED ON THE FABRIC.

>> NICK SELLS T-SHIRTS, HATS, SWEATSHIRTS AND MORE WITH THE BOVINE LOGO.

AS I.U.

GEARS UP FOR A GRAND REVEAL ON SATURDAY, HOOSIER THE BISON COULD BE A CASH COW!

>> I GUARANTEE YOU FOR AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OUR STUFF WILL BE UP BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THE BISON AS OUR LOGO.

>> DOWN STREET THE NEWLY OPENED TRACKS ON KIRKWOOD IS SEEING THAT SAME DEMAND.

>> IT'S THE BEST SELLER ON THE WEBSITE.

IT'S A PRETTY GOOD SELLER IN HERE AS WELL AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.

>> HOMEFIELD HAS EMBRACED BRINGING THE BISON BACK SINCE 2018.

TODAY, IT'S STILL THE NUMBER ONE DESIGN.

>> THIS SPARKED ALL THESE OTHER BISON Ts -- OR ITEMS, HATS, WHATEVER YOU MIGHT SEE HANGING AROUND THE STORE.

AND BASICALLY FORCED THE I.U.

'S HAND TO BRING THE BISON BACK.

>> REGARDLESS OF I.U.

ATHLETICS MOTIVATIONS, IT WILL PROFIT TOO.

ACCORDING TO A SPORTS ECONOMIST.

BETWEEN MERCHANDISING, LICENSING AND SPONSORSHIPS, A LOVABLE MASCOT COULD ATTRACT FANS OF ALL AGES.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE MASCOT IS A NEW ASSET THAT CAN BE MONETIZED TO KEEP I. U.

ATHLETICS COMPETITIVE IN THIS NEW ERA AND WORLD OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS.

>> A FAR LESS REFINED BISON MASCOT MADE ITS DEBUT AT I.U.

IN 1965.

THE BROODISH, CLUNKY BEAST, IT MADE A ROSE BOWL APPEARANCE IN 1967.

TODAY, THE HOOSIERS ARE COMING OFF AN HISTORIC SEASON WITH COACH CURT CIGNETTI.

>> IF I THINK OF THAT BISON MASCOT, MY IMMEDIATE THOUGHT WAS, WOW, THAT WAS USED IN THAT VERY BRIEF WINDOW TIME WHERE I.U.

WAS RELEVANT NATIONALLY.

HOPEFULLY WE ARE ENTERING AN ERA WHERE WE ARE DOING THAT AGAIN.

>> EVEN AFTER I.U.

DITCHED THE BISONS SINCE THE 1970s, NICK HAS KEPT IT ALIVE.

>> WE ARE TRUE TO INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND NICK'S ENGLISH HUT.

>> AS FANS CROWD KIRKWOOD ON SATURDAY, BUSINESSES LIKE TRACKS HOPE THEY WILL STOP IN FOR HOOSIER THE BISON.

>> WE FELT LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING AND IT'S A GREAT STORY AND CONVERSATION STARTER FOR MOST PEOPLE TO COME IN HERE.

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

>> THE HOOSIERS ENTER THE SEASON RANKED 20th IN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL.

THERE WILL BE MORE THAN THREE TOUCHDOWN FAVORITE IN SATURDAY'S GAME AGAINST OLD DOMINION.

KICKOFF IS AT 2:30 ON FS1.

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