>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE STATE WANTS TO WIDEN AND PAVE A BACK ROAD IN BROWN COUNTY THAT LEADS TO A STATE FOREST BUT THOSE WHO LIVE ALONG IT ARE OPPOSED.

>> THEY WANT 6 ACRES ON A 4,000-FOOT STRETCH.

THE MAJORITY IS ON OUR SIDE AND IT JUST MAKES NO SENSE.

>> PUMPKIN RIDGE ROAD IS A ONE-LANE GRAVEL ROAD THAT HAS NOT BEEN MAINTAINED FOR YEARS.

>>> THOSE LOOKING TO GET INTO THE COSMETOLOGY FIELD ARE FINDING INTERNSHIPS ARE MORE PRACTICAL THAN A LICENSE.

>> YOU GO TO COSMETOLOGY SCHOOL TO GET YOUR LICENSE BUT YOU LEARN EVERYTHING YOU KNOW WHEN YOU START YOUR CAREER.

>> THERE ARE MORE THAN 60,000 LICENSED COSMETOLOGISTS IN INDIANA.

>>> AND THE GOP OPENED A NEW PARTY HEADQUARTERS IN BLOOMINGTON LAST WEEK, HOPING TO MAKE INROADS IN A DEMOCRATIC STRONGHOLD.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M JOE HREN.

A CONTROVERSIAL PLAN BY THE STATE TO PAVE THE GRAVEL ROAD IN BROWN COUNTY HAS HOMEOWNERS CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, INCREASED TRAFFIC, AND THE $7 MILLION PRICE TAG.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI SPOKE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS ABOUT WHY THEY DON'T WANT THE ROAD LEADING TO THE MOUNT T STATE FOREST ROAD PAVED.

>> WHEN JOHN AN COLIN MUELLER WENT TO SCHOOL, THEY DROVE THROUGH BROWN COUNTY, HOPING ONE DAY THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO PURCHASE A FEW ACRES OF LAND.

EIGHT YEARS AGO, THEY DID JUST THAT.

>> WE WORKED VERY HARD OUR WHOLE LIVES TO SETTLE DOWN HERE AND RETIRE DOWN HERE.

>> LIVING IN A CABIN ABOUT A MILE FROM MOUNTAIN T STATE FOREST, THE MUELLERS HAVE ENJOYED THE PEACE AND DIET.

>> WE -- AND QUIET.

>> WE CAME DOWN HERE TO LEAVE EVERYBODY ELSE ALONE.

>> THE INDIANA D.O.T.

PROPOSES WIDENING PUMPKIN PARK ROAD.

THE ROAD HASN'T BEEN PUBLICLY MAINTAINED FOR YEARS.

>> THE CURRENT ROADWAY DOESN'T MEET CONTEMPORARY STANDARDS EVEN FOR LOW-SPEED RECREATIONAL ROAD TODAY.

THE AREA IS VERY WOODED.

AND EXISTING ROADWAY HAS A LOT OF CURVES TO IT THAT WILL NEED TO BE BROUGHT UP TO MODERN STANDARDS.

>> CURRENTLY, PUMPKIN RIDGE ROAD IS ABOUT 16 FEET WIDE.

>> WHEN DOING THIS VIDEO WE ACTUALLY ENCOUNTERED ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING THE OTHER WAY.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE CHALLENGES WITH TRYING TO PASS.

>> THE CURRENT PLAN PROPOSED A 22-FOOT TWO-LANE ROAD WITH TWO-FOOT SHOULDERS ON EACH SIDE.

THE PROJECT COULD ALLOW THE STATE TO EXERCISE EMINENT DOMAIN WHICH ALLOWS THE GOVERNMENT TO USE PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC USE, ONLY IF THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES JUST COMPENSATION TO PROPERTY OWNERS.

FOR MUELLER, OVER 5 ACRES OF 235 HE OWNS COULD BE TAKEN AWAY.

>> WHAT IS EVEN MORE GROTESQUE ABOUT THIS IS, YOU KNOW, IT -- IT'S A CASUAL USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN.

THEY WANT TO TAKE 6 ACRES ON A 4,000-FOOT STRETCH.

AND THE MAJORITY OF THAT IS ON OUR SIDE.

AND IT JUST MAKES NO SENSE.

>> BUT MUELLER IS MORE WORRIED ABOUT CAMPERS POTENTIALLY TRESPASSING ON HIS PROPERTY, WHICH BORDERS MOUNTAIN T STATE FOREST.

THEY HAVE PRIMITIVE PARKING.

>> WE PICK UP THE TRASH THAT'S LEFT BEHIND.

YOU PUT THIS BIG ROAD IN AND YOU DIRECT MORE PEOPLE BACK THERE AND WHEN HAVE TO USE THE FACILITY AND WHEN THEY HAVE TO CLEAN UP AND HAVE WASTE WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH IT.

>> CHRIS TUTTLE WHO LIVED ON PUMPKIN RIDGE ROAD SAYS HE'S OPEN TO CHANGE BUT DOESN'T MIND HAVING A GRAVEL ROAD.

>> IT'S PART OF MATURING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

WE LOVE IT BACK HERE.

WE WOULDN'T LET THE BLACKTOP BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD NECESSARILY BOTHER US.

WE LIKE THE GRAVEL, ONLY BECAUSE WE CAN MAINTAIN IT.

WE CAN SCULPT IT AND IT'S EASIER IN THE WINTERTIME TO COME UP THESE STEEP HILLS.

>> TUTTLE IS CONCERNED PART OF HIS LAND COULD POTENTIALLY BE TAKEN AWAY TO EXPAND THE ROAD.

HE'S AFRAID THE COUNTY MIGHT TAKE MORE LAND THAN ANTICIPATED FOR THE PROJECT.

>> IT STEALS THE RIGHT OF THE LANDOWNER.

IT'S NOT A NECESSITY TO HAVE THIS.

IT IS USED GENERALLY THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AS SOMETHING FOR A NECESSITY TO MAKE CHANGES WITHIN A LOCAL COMMUNITY.

NOW THIS ISN'T A NECESSITY THIS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN A WOMAN CHOOSING A DIFFERENT ROUGE.

>> THE PROCESS HAS LACKED TRANSPARENCY FROM STATE.

CLARK IS WORKING ON AN EMAIL LIST TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT UPDATES AND WHEN THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS OCCUR.

>> WE WILL DO MEETINGS.

IF WE DO NOTHING BUT CONCENTRATE ON WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED AND ALL ISSUES SURROUNDING IT.

THERE'S NO REFRESH.

THERE'S NO DEADLINE.

WE ARE HERE TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS WE NEED TO GET THE RIGHT DECISION FOR EVERYBODY.

>> OFFICIALS AND CITIZENS HAVE DEBATED THE PLAN AT BROWN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONER MEETINGS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

APPROVING THE PROJECT HAS BEEN TABLED.

THE MUELLERS AND TUTTLE THINK A PAVED ROAD WILL TAKE AWAY THE RURALNESS THAT BROWN COUNTY OFFERS.

>> YOU ARE GOING FROM ONE PAVED ROAD, ON TO ANOTHER PAVED ROAD, AND YOU TAKE AWAY THE ADVENTURE.

IF YOU ARE TAKING KIDS BACK THERE, IT'S KIND OF NEAT TO GET ON A GRAVEL ROAD AND BE LIKE, OH, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SEE, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO EXPLORE TODAY.

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

>>> STATE HAS SINCE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT CAN REDUCE THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT AND WILL SEND NEW PROPOSALS TO THE COUNTY.

>>> HOOSIERS GOT A CHANCE WEDNESDAY TO WEIGH IN ON WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD REQUIRE ALL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS TO MOVE TO PRESIDENTIAL OR CONGRESSIONAL MIDTERM ELECTION YEARS.

PART OF THE MEETING COVERED THE POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS AND VOTER TURNOUT IMPACT OF MOVING MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS STATEWIDE IN 2023, COST ABOUT $18 MILLION WITH VOTER TURNOUT OF JUST 20%.

>> THE TIMES WE HAVE FOR VOTING, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT THERE'S PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE AROUND EVEN LONGER WITH THE LENGTH OF THE BALLOT THAT IT'S GOING TO BE.

>> SECRETARY OF STATE DIEGO MORALES SAYS HE'S HEARD DIFFERENT VIEWS AS HE TRAVELS THE STATE.

HE SAYS ELECTED LEADERS IN LARGER COUNTIES WANT MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS TO STAY WHERE THEY ARE.

>>> SOME ORDER, SMALLER CITIES THEY WANT TO SAVE SOME MONEY AND THEY ARE WILLING NO MOVE THEIR ELECTIONS.

>> THERE ARE MORE PUBLIC MEETINGS IN COMING WEEKS IN JEFFERSONVILLE, LAKE COUNTY AND EVANSVILLE.

>>> WELL, WE ARE JOINED NOW BY OLIVIA WILSON FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

I HAD ALIVIA.

>> HI, JOE THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

THE INDIANA CITIZEN, A NONPROFIT NEWS OUTLET IS SUING INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA AND SECRETARY OF STATE DIEGO MORALES OVER A LIST OF VOTERS THEY SENT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR.

ROKITA AND MORALES ASKED U.S.

CITIZENSHIP TO VERIFY THE CITIZENSHIP STATUS OF MORE THAN 585,000 REGISTERED VOTERS LAST OCTOBER.

THE INDIANA CITIZENS SOUGHT ACCESS TO THE LIST LAST YEAR UNDER THE STATE PUBLIC RECORDS LAW.

AFTER PREVIOUSLY BEING TOLD IT SHOULD HAVE ACCESS, THEY RESCINDED THE OFFER, PROMPTING THE LAWSUIT.

>>> THE STATE OF INDIANA WILL DELIVER MORE THAN $27 MILLION THROUGH THE SCHOOL SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS ON WHAT THE MONEY IS USED FOR.

>> LAWMAKERS INCREASED SCHOOL SAFETY GRANT FUNDING IN THE NEW STATE BUDGET BY 10%, UP TO JUST OVER $27 MILLION.

STILL THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING REQUESTS EXCEEDED THAT TOTAL AMOUNT.

THE INDIANA SECURED SCHOOL SAFETY BOARD, WHICH OVERSEES THE PROGRAM, SAYS IT PRIORITIZED SCHOOLS WHO HADN'T RECEIVED SAFETY GRANTS BEFORE.

A MAJORITY OF THE SCHOOLS USED THE MONEY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON CAMPUS TO THE TUNE OF NEARLY $20 MILLION.

$5.5 MILLION WENT TOWARDS SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND HARDWARE UPGRADES.

SEVEN SCHOOLS SPENT A TOTAL OF $32,000 COMBINED ON FIREARM TRAINING FOR STAFF.

THE BOARD DOESN'T RELEASE HOW EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL WILL USE THE MONEY, SAYING IT KEEPS THAT PRIVATE FOR SECURITY REASONS.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> THE MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION KICKED OFF WITH A NEW ONLINE LEARNING CURRICULUM.

THE CORPORATION IS PARTNERING WITH EDMENTUM TO OFFER OVER 300 COURSES, INCLUDING ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS.

MORE THAN 50 CHILDREN HAVE ENROLLED IN THE ONLINE SCHOOL OPTION.

>> THE MAJORITY OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT PARTICIPATING OR ENROLLED IN OUR SCHOOLS LAST SCHOOL YEAR.

SO WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE NEW STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM WHO DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN MCCSC.

>> THIS SCHOOL YEAR MCCSC HAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000 STUDENTS ENROLLED, INCLUDING THOSE ONLINE.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND COOK MEDICAL ARE TEAMING UP FOR A FIVE-YEAR PARTNERSHIP, FOCUSING ON RESEARCH AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

THE UNIVERSITY SAYS THE PARTNERSHIP SHOULD REMOVE ADMINISTRATIVE BARRIERS FOR COLLABORATION.

>> ULTIMATELY, IT'S GREAT FOR INDIANA UNIVERSITY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT'S GREAT FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA.

>> THE I.U.

LAUNCH ACCELERATOR FOR BIOSCIENCES IN INDIANAPOLIS KNOWN AS I.U.

LAB WILL BE THE MAIN POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE PARTNERSHIP.

>> NEPON STEEL PLANS TO RELINE A BLAST FURNACE AT U.S. STEEL GARY WORKS NEXT YEAR.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCAST'S REBECCA THIELE SAYS IT'S A MAJOR INVESTMENT BY THE COMPANY THAT COULD LOCK IN DECADES OF HARMFUL POLLUTION.

>> PEOPLE LIVING NEAR STEEL PLANTS ARE AT A GREATER RISK FOR LUNG AND HEART PROBLEMS, AS WELL AS CERTAIN CANCERS.

AT A RECENT COMMUNITY MEETING, GARY COUNCILMAN AT LARGE, GARY WHISENTON SAYS HE WAS IN SOUTHWEST INDIANA AND DIDN'T NEED TO USE HIS INHALER AT ALL.

IN GARY, HE USES IT EVERY DAY.

>> GROWING UP HERE, THE COMMON MISCONCEPTION IS THAT AIR QUALITY IS A LUXURY, NOT A RIGHT.

>> BLAST FURNACES USE COLE.

THE LINERS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 5 TO 15 YEARS.

THEY WANT NEW DIRECT REUSED IRON, INSTEAD OF COKE AND COAL.

>> WHEN WE HEAR THE STEEL INDUSTRIES ARE NOT INTERESTED IN MAKING LONGER TERM INVESTMENTS THAT WE KNOW WOULD TRANSITION THE STEEL MAKING PROCESSES INTO SOMETHING MORE SUSTAINABLE, THAT'S A SIGNAL MAYBE THEY AREN'T PREPARING TO STAY.

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

>>> NO ONE AT U.S. STEEL WAS AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT.

>>> COLUMBUS MAYOR MAYOR FERDON SAYS THE CITY IS ADDRESSING CONCERNS WITH TENANTS AT NEXUSPARK AFTER LAST MONTH'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

ONE RETAILER TOLD THE CITY COUNCIL THAT FOOT TRAFFIC HAS BEEN NONEXISTENT DUE TO LACK OF PROGRAMMING AT THE FIELD HOUSE LOCATED ON THE NEXUSPARK CAMPUS.

>> THE CITY IN COLUMBUS REGIONAL HEALTH CONVERTED THE EMPTY SHOPPING MALL INTO A HEALTH AND RECREATION FACILITY.

MOTHER BEAR SAYS SINCE INITIAL WALK THROUGH TWO YEARS AGO, ONLY ONE BUSINESS HAS OPENED.

>> WHERE'S OUR VOICE?

WHERE'S OUR VENUE?

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY AND NCRH INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN NEXUSPARK.

WITHIN ALL DUE RESPECT WE INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THIS FACILITY.

FERDON LOST A BIG CONTRACT LAST YEAR BUT MORE EVENTS ARE BEING BOOKED.

>> WE ALWAYS KNEW IT WOULD BE A THREE TO FIVE-YEAR WINDOW BEFORE WE WERE FULLY ACTIVATED.

>> THE FIELD HOUSE OPENED IN MARCH OF 2024.

FERDON SAID THEY HAVE BETTER TRAFFIC STRATEGIES FOR BIG EVENTS.

NOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M JOE HREN.

>>> AND JOE, THE FIELD HOUSE AT NEXUSPARK SERVES AT HOME FACILITY FOR I.U.

COLUMBUS' MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAMS.

>> HOPEFULLY THEY CAN FIGURE IT OUT.

IT'S REALLY A BEAUTIFUL FACILITY.

THANK YOU, ALIVIA.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE MONROE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY OPENED A NEW GOP HEADQUARTERS IN BLOOMINGTON LAST WEEK AND ASPIRING COSMETOLOGISTS CAN EARN A LICENSE THROUGH INTERNSHIPS RATHER THAN GOING THROUGH A SCHOOL.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE MONROE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY MOVED FROM ITS OFFICE FOR LAST SIX YEARS IN ELLETTSVILLE TO DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON LAST WEEK.

AND AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, PARTY HAS A NEW CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR WHO HOPE THE NEW LOCATION WILL INSPIRE FRESH ENERGY FOR THEIR PARTY IN A DEMOCRATIC STRONGHOLD.

>> MEMBERS OF THE MONROE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY, GATHERED IN DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON TO OPEN ITS NEW HEADQUARTERS.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE!

ALL RIGHT!

>>> FOUR YEARS AGO, LOCAL GOP LEADERS TOLD THE HERALD-TIMES THAT THE INDIANA GOP WAS NOT INVESTED IN MONROE COUNTY.

BUT NOW THE TONE IS DIFFERENT, AS THE OPENING ATTRACTED STATE AND LOCAL POLITICAL HEAVY HITTERS.

>> LOTS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS HERE.

I SEE STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVE HALL AND STATE SENATOR ERIC COOK AND DIEGO MORALES, TOWN COUNCILMAN.

>> MORALES, A REPUBLICAN WHOSE OFFICE OVERSEES ELECTIONS FOR INDIANA SAYS HE REGARDS MONROE COUNTY AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH OF THE GOP AND A PLACE OF FOCUS FOR THE VOTING EFFORTS.

>> I WANT AS MANY STUDENTS TO BE PART OF THE ELECTION PROCESS.

>>> MONROE COUNTY AND BLOOMINGTON ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS A BLUE DOT IN INDIANA'S SEA OF RED AND AT A LOCAL LEVEL THAT'S LARGELY THE CASE.

BLOOMINGTON HAS HAD A DEMOCRATIC MAYOR SINCE 1972.

THE LAST TIME IT HAD A REPUBLICAN ON CITY COUNCIL WAS 2011.

THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL'S SEVEN MEMBER BODY HAS ONE REPUBLICAN.

THE LAST TIME MONROE COUNTY ELECTED A REPUBLICAN COMMISSIONER WAS 2008.

THE MONROE COUNTY GOP ELECTED NEW LEADERSHIP LAST YEAR.

VICE CHAIR NOEL CONYER SAYS THE NEW OFFICE LOCATION IS A GOOD START FOR GARNERING NEW SUPPORT, AND NEXT ELECTIONS.

>> I HOPE THAT WE AS A COUNTY PARTY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM CANDIDATES IF THEY ARE UNHAPPY WITH THE THINGS HAPPENED UP TO DATE.

>> AT A NATIONAL LEVEL, THOUGH, MONROE COUNTY HASN'T VOTED FOR A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT SINCE GEORGE BUSH IN 2000.

IT DIVERGED WITH JOHN KERRY.

THE NARROWEST MARGIN THE COUNTY HAS HAD FOR A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN THE LAST 25 YEARS.

THE CANDIDATE TO WIN BY THE WIDEST MARGIN WAS OBAMA IN 2012.

ELLETTSVILLE HASN'T ELECTED A DEMOCRAT TO TOWN COUNCIL SINCE 2024.

STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 64, COVERING A LARGE PART OF MONROE CONSISTENTLY VOTES FOR REPUBLICANS.

>> I WAS FOR SURE AN UNDERDOG IN 2022.

I THINK THAT'S WATT REPUBLICANS IN MONROE COUNTY, YOU KNOW, REGARDLESS OF WHAT TOOLS THEY BRING.

IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF WORK TO GET PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR THEM AND TO EARN THAT TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO I THINK THIS IS A GREAT START.

>> HALL SAYS GOOD CANDIDATES AND POLICY WILL BE KEY MOVING FORWARD.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO JUST STAY FOCUSED ON THE THINGS THAT YOU CAN CONTROL, AND, YOU KNOW, LET THEM KNOW THAT ARTHUR NOT -- THAT YOU ARE NOT HERE TO SOLVE ALL THE FEDERAL ISSUES BUT BE A BETTER ELECTED OFFICIAL FOR THEM.

>> THIS IS A NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION OVER LOCAL BUSINESS.

IT PARTICIPATED IN THE RIBBON COUNTY BECAUSE THE MONROE COUNTY GOP IS A MEMBER.

TO MAKE HEADWAY, SPOON MOORE SAYS THE LOCAL GOP AND REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES NEED VISIBILITY.

>> MORE COMMON SENSE POLICIES IN PLACE THAT WILL HELP ORDINARY EVERYDAY PEOPLE ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF PROSPERITY THAT THEY HAVE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS NECESSARILY A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN THING.

>> CONYER SAYS THE MONROE COUNTY VOTERS LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO WILL WORK ON FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH TAXES AND BUDGETS ALONG WITH CRIME.

>> THE THE MONROE COUNTY VOTERS ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON THE CRIME THAT HAS RISEN IN MONROE COUNTY.

IF YOU'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO CERTAIN THINGS, THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE IN THAT, AND SO I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING I KNOW PERSONALLY THAT I'M LOOKING AT.

I'M ALSO LOOKING AT MAKING SURE THAT THE SERVICES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN THE COUNTY ARE MAINTAINED.

>> SHE SAYS THE STATE GOP HAS BEEN HELPFUL, INVESTING IN TRAINING AND TOOLS TO HELP THE MONROE COUNTY GOP CONNECT WITH PEOPLE.

>> AND SO I THINK THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE IT TRANSLATE DOWN HERE IN MONROE COUNTY, ESPECIALLY WITH NEW LEADERSHIP.

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

>> THERE ARE MORE THAN 60,000 LICENSED COSMETOLOGISTS IN INDIANA, MANY OF THEM ARE EDUCATED ONLY IN COSMETOLOGY SCHOOLS BUT SOME PROFESSIONALS ARE RETHINKING TRAINING.

AUBREY WRIGHT REPORTS ON HOW EDUCATION MIGHT BECOME MORE ACCESSIBLE IN THE BEAUTY TRADE.

>> AFTER LEAVING COLLEGE LUNA ROGERS WASN'T PLANNING ON WORKING IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY.

>> THE PLAN WAS I WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE TO WORK FULL-TIME FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS IN ORDER TO SAVE UP TO EVEN GO TO COSMETOLOGY SCHOOL.

>> THAT WAS UNTIL SHE WAS ACCEPTED AS AN APPRENTICE AT ALCHEMY BOUTIQUE.

>> YOU ARE NOT GOING INTO DEBT.

>> THERE'S STILL TEXTBOOKS AND EXAMS BUT ROGERS IS GETTING HANDS ON EXPERIENCE EVERY DAY.

SHE LOVES IT!

>> YOU'RE WORKING ONE-ON-ONE WITH A STYLIST AND YOU GET TO SEE HOW THE SALON BUSINESS WORKS.

YOU GET TO FORM GREAT BONDS WITH THE CLIENTS AND THE STAFF HERE AND IT REALLY JUST PUSHES YOU TOWARDS SUCCESS.

>> ROGERS AND ANOTHER APPRENTICE WILL WORK FOR ALCHEMY OWNER MARTA ROBINSON FOR ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE BECOMING LICENSED.

>> IF YOU WANTED TO GET AWAY FROM THE BLEACH AND DO SOMETHING THAT WAS REALLY NATURAL.

>> INDIANA LEGALIZED THIS PATHWAY LAST YEAR AND ROBINSON HAS ALREADY GRADUATED TWO APPRENTICES.

>> THIS APPRENTICESHIP SITS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

SO OUR APPRENTICESHIPS ARE W-2 EMPLOYEES.

>> THEY GOT PUSHED BACK IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SOME INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT FEDERAL OVERSIGHT AND PROTECTIONS TORE CLIENTS.

>> WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM HOWEVER, WE DO BELIEVE MORE TIME AND ATTENTION IS NEEDED TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF INDUSTRY ALONG WITH HOOSIERS ON STATE LEVEL.

>> THERE IS A SAYING IN OUR INDUSTRY THAT YOU GO TO COSMETOLOGY SCHOOL TO GET YOUR LICENSE, BUT YOU LEARN EVERYTHING YOU KNOW WHEN YOU START YOUR CAREER.

>> FOR ROBINSON, APPRENTICESHIPS ARE A BETTER OPTION THAN HIRING STYLISTS FRESH OUT OF BEAUTY SCHOOL.

>> THEY WEREN'T PREPARED AND THEIR LACK OF EDUCATION WAS CUTTING.

>> A LOT OF THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TIME THAT I NEEDED FOR THEM WHEN THEY WERE COMING INTO MY SALON.

>> THESE ARE ALL ISSUES THAT MARGARET FERGUSON KNOWS WELL.

>> I ACTUALLY WENT UP TO THE SENATE AND MET SENATOR HENLEY TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE BEAUTY EDUCATION REFORM.

>> I WAS FIRST PERSON IN MY FAMILY TO BECOME A BEAUTY PROFESSIONAL.

SO I HAD NO REFERENCE FOR HOW THE INDUSTRY WORKED.

>> TODAY SHE SPENDS HER TIME AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BEYOND THE CHAIR, BUT BEFORE THAT, SHE SPENT A DECADE IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY AND SHE SAYS SHE WAS PRIVILEGED.

SHE HAD SCHOLARSHIPS TO PAY FOR SCHOOL AND A JOB SHE LOVED.

>> BUT BY 2017, MY BODY HAD OTHER PLANS FOR ME AND A BECAME VERY ILL THIS WAS MY FIRST INTERACTION WITH SOME OF THE UNJUSTICES IN THE INDUSTRY.

>> FERGUSON WAS EVENTUALLY DIAGNOSED WITH A SYNDROME FORCING HER TO LEAVE THE INDUSTRY AT 29 YEARS OLD.

>> IT REALLY MADE ME RECOGNIZE HOW AT A DISADVANTAGE YOU ARE WHEN YOU GO INTO A VOCATIONAL PROFESSION AND YOU DON'T HAVE ANY HIGHER EDUCATION TO FALL BACK ON, JUST IN CASE YOU MAY NEED IT.

>> ROBINSON RECOGNIZES THAT NEED TOO, ESPECIALLY AS SHE AND HER MENTORS GET OLDER.

>> IT'S VERY DIFFICULT WITHOUT A HIGHER EDUCATION FOR US TO BE ABLE TO WORK OURSELVES INTO SOMETHING ELSE WHEN PHYSICALLY WE CAN'T STAND BEHIND THE CHAIR FOR 40 HOURS A WEEK ANY LONGER.

>> WITH RESEARCH CONDUCTED AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY, FERGUSON FOUND JUST 5% OF COSMETOLOGISTS HAD A BACHELOR'S DEGREE, THOUGH MANY WANTED TO GO TO COLLEGE AND SOME HAD SIGNIFICANT DEBT AND A LOW-WAGE INDUSTRY.

>> WE FOUND THAT 25% OF COSMETOLOGY STUDENTS HAD UP TO 20 TO $25,000 IN STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

>> WITH BEYOND THE CHAIR, FERGUSON IS ADVOCATING FOR UNION PROTECTIONS AND APPRENTICESHIPS.

APPRENTICES GENERALLY FAIR BARE THAN BEAUTY SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> IT'S ACTUALLY MORE ABOUT CREATING ECONOMIC STABILITY AND FINANCIAL STABILITY FOR YOUNG STYLISTS.

>> FERGUSON WANTS TO TAKE IT ONE STEP FURTHER.

>> THEY HAVE THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS WHERE THEY ACTUALLY ATTAIN AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.

IT'S JUST ABOUT CREATING PATHWAYS.

IT'S ABOUT CREATING THE OPPORTUNITIES, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, IT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE.

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

>>> AND THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM LOOKS TO GO 2-0 SATURDAY WHEN THEY HOST KENNESAW STATE AT MEMORIAL STADIUM.

INDIANA WAS LESS THAN IMPRESSIVE IN ITS SEASON OPENING WIN OVER OLD DOMINION AND DROPPED TWO SPOTS IN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL TO NUMBER 22.

LIKE LAST WEEK, HEAD COACH CURT CIGNETTI SAYS INDIANA CAN'T OVERLOOK KENNESAW STATE WHICH LOST ITS OPENER BY JUST ONE POINT.

>> BRAND NEW COACH.

HIGH TEMPO OFFENSE, THEY CAN GO AT WARP SPEED AND THEY CAN SLOW IT DOWN.

DEFENSE, GUYS RUN AROUND GOOD, HELD WAKE FOREST TO NINE POINTS.

>> THE HOOSIERS ARE A LITTLE MORE THAN A FIVE TOUCHDOWN FAVORITE AGAINST THE OWLS.

SATURDAY'S GAME KICKS OFF AT NOON AND WILL BE BROADCAST ON FS1.

>>> WELL, 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