>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," FREE SPEECH HAS BEEN A HOT BUTTON TOPIC ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES RECENTLY AND I.U.

HAS NOT BEEN IMMUNE.

AFTER CANCELING AN EXHIBIT BY A PALESTINIAN ARTIST LAST YEAR, THE UNIVERSITY HOSTED A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SLAIN CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK SUNDAY NIGHT.

>> WE HAVE NOT MET THE CHALLENGE OF INSTITUTIONAL NEUTRALITY ON THIS CAMPUS, WHEN YOU HAVE THESE TWO THINGS HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY.

>> NEW CDC GUIDELINES FOR WHO CAN GET THE COVID VACCINE IS CONFUSING FOR PEOPLE AND CONCERNING FOR MEDICAL SPECIALISTS.

>> PARENTS WANT TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT TO GIVE THIS VACCINE TO THEIR CHILDREN AND THEY ARE WORRIED THAT THAT CHOICE WILL BE TAKEN AWAY.

>> THE GOVERNMENT NOW RECOMMENDS THE VACCINE ONLY FOR THOSE OVER 65 OR WHO HAVE A HIGH-RISK HEALTH CONDITION.

>>> AND A LANDMARK RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE IS CLOSING AFTER ALMOST A HALF CENTURY IN OPERATION.

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

>>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE ISSUE OF FREE SPEECH HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC ON UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES ACROSS THE U.S.

RECENTLY AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAS NOT BEEN IMMUNE.

THE SCHOOL STANCE ON FREE SPEECH HAS BEEN CALLED INTO QUESTION OVER ITS HANDLING OF ENCAMPMENTS, CANCELING GUEST SPEAKERS AND TREATMENT OF PROTESTERS.

AND AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, THE ISSUE CAME TO A HEAD AGAIN THIS WEEK AFTER I.U.

HOSTED A MEMORIAL SERVICE ON CAMPUS FOR SLAIN CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK.

>> STUDENTS GATHERED AT THE INDIANA MEMORIAL UNION'S ALUMNI HALL SUNDAY NIGHT TO MOURN CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK.

THE EVENT WAS ORGANIZED BY I.U.

'S CHAPTER OF TURNING POINT U.S.A., THE NONPROFIT KIRK FOUNDED.

>> WHY CAN WE NOT HAVE THOSE OPTIONS IN THOSE SITUATIONS EITHER?

NO ONE IS GOING OUT HEYING I JUST WANT TO KILL BABIES.

>> MAYBE YOU SHOULD LOOK AT A PLANNED PARENTHOOD AD THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.

>> KIRK DEBATED STUDENTS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

HE WAS SCHEDULED TO COME TO I.U.

ON OCTOBER 21st, FOR HIS AMERICAN COMEBACK TOUR, BUT INSTEAD REPUBLICAN AND CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS SUCH AS ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA, SENATOR TODD YOUNG AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MICAH BECKWITH CAME TO SPEAK AT I.U.

FOR KIRK'S VIGIL.

>> I REMEMBER HIM HAVING A LOT OF ENERGY.

AND I REMEMBER HIM -- I REMEMBER THINKING MY LORD, DO WE NEED THAT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

[ LAUGHTER ] [ APPLAUSE ] >> I.U.

PROVIDED A LIFESTREAM OF THE EVENT, A SERVICE USUALLY RESERVE FOR OFFICIAL AND UNIVERSITY SANCTIONED EVENTS, UNIVERSITY SAYS THE STREAM WAS USED FOR OVERFLOW ATTENDEES TO WATCH THE VIGIL FROM THE ALUMNI, IT INCLUDED METAL DETECTORS, I. U. POLICE AND STATE POLICE.

AT THE VIGIL, SPEAKERS HAILED KIRK'S DEDICATION TO OPEN DIALOGUE.

>> AS AMERICANS, WE CAN ENSURE THE IDEA THAT WE BELIEVE IN, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO DEFEND THE ABILITY OF OUR OPPONENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR IDEAS AND NO ONE SHOWED US HOW TO DO THAT BETTER THAN CHARLIE KIRK.

>> BECKWITH TOLD ATTENDEES KIRK HAD HIGH REGARD FOR INDIANA.

>> HE SAID, WHEN I WAS STARTING THIS ORGANIZATION, A DECADE AGO, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT LEGALLY I WAS PROTECTED SO WE FOUND A STATE THAT WE KNEW WOULD PROTECT OUR RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH.

>> BUT INDIANA'S DEDICATION TO FREE SPEECH IS NOT CLEAR CUT.

KIRK'S DEATH CAME JUST A DAY AFTER THE FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION RANKED I.U.

THE WORST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY FOR FREE SPEECH, CITING CANCELLATION OF CONTROVERSIAL SPEAKERS AND ITS HANDLING OF PRO PALESTINIAN ENCAMPMENTS IN DUNN MEADOW.

FOR DAVID McDONALD, THE I.U.

BLOOMINGTON CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS, IT WAS THIS AND THE CANCELLATION OF SAMIA HALABY'S EXHIBIT IN 2024 THAT MARKED A TURNING POINT FOR I.U.

McDONALD SAYS THE UNIVERSITY WENT AGAINST INSTITUTIONAL NEUTRALITY, WHICH HE BELIEVES SHOULD BE THE POSITION OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

HE PARTNERED WITH ANOTHER PROFESSOR TO TAKE STUDENTS TO MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY TO VIEW THE ART EXHIBIT THERE.

>> WHEN WE LEFT FOR EAST LANSING, THERE WAS NO SECURITY PROVIDED TO US.

NO ONE FELT THERE WOULD BE SECURITY NECESSARY.

WHICH IS INTERESTING BECAUSE WE WERE, OF COURSE, ATTENDING AN ART EXHIBITION THAT WAS DEEMED TOO DANGEROUS TO TAKE PLACE HERE IN BLOOMINGTON.

>> THE I.U.

PROVOST COVERED TRAVEL EXPENSES FOR HIM AND OTHER FACULTY STUDENTS TO SEE HALABY'S WORK BUT THEY DIDN'T EXPLAIN THE EXPLICIT CONCERNS FOR CANCELING AN ALUMNA'S WORK.

MARK BODY WOULD NOT WORK ON WHY KIRK'S EVENT SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER WAS CONSIDERED SAFE ENOUGH TO BE SCHEDULED ON CAMPUS, YET AN ART EXHIBIT THAT EVENTUALLY WENT OFF WITHOUT A PROBLEM AT MICHIGAN STATE WAS CONSIDERED TOO DANGEROUS.

FIRE'S REPORT SAYS MORE THAN HALF OF I.U.

'S STUDENTS REPORTED SELF-CENSORING ON CAMPUS.

McDONALD SAYS THIS DOESN'T SURPRISE HIM AND THAT IT'S A UNIVERSITY'S JOB TO CREATE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FACULTY AND STUDENTS TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND OPINIONS.

>> I ACTUALLY THINK THE UNIVERSITY SHOULD BE COMPLETELY OPENED TO CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS AND CONTROVERSIAL SPEAKERS, AS LONG AS IT IS A CRITICAL DEBATE OR DISCOURSE THAT ACCOMPANIES THEIR PRESENCE ON CAMPUS.

WE CAN'T SIMPLY PLATFORM IDEAS FOR THE SAKE OF THE IDEAS THEMSELVES.

>> BUT I.U.

'S PLATFORMING OF SOME ORGANIZATIONS LIKE KIRK'S VIGIL, OR PETE BUTTIGIEG, AND DEPLATFORMING OF OTHERS REMOVES OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIALOGUE.

>> WE HAVE NOT MET THE CHALLENGE OF INSTITUTIONAL NEUTRALITY ON THIS CAMPUS, WHEN YOU HAVE THESE TWO THINGS HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY.

>> WFIU/WTIU REACHED OUT TO ANOTHER PROFESSOR WHO DECLINED TO BE INTERVIEWED OUT OF FEAR OF REJECTION.

TWO BALL STATE EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN REPORTED, ONE OF WHOM THE UNIVERSITY FIRED WEDNESDAY.

ANOTHER PROFESSOR WAS FRANKLIN COLLEGE'S REPORTED.

STANDS IN CONTRAST TO KIRK'S MISSION.

>> CHARLIE BELIEVED IN THIS COUNTRY, HE BELIEVED IN THE STRENGTHS OF THIS COUNTRY.

FREE SPEECH WAS HIS SIGNATURE CAUSE, HIS SIGNATURE ISSUE.

HE MODELED FREE SPEECH ON A DAILY BASIS, AND HE COULD NOT DESCEND ON BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA AND DEMONSTRATE WHAT FREE SPEECH REALLY LOOKED LIKE.

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

>>> McDONALD WANTS TO SEE I.U.

ADOPT THE CHICAGO PRINCIPLES WHICH IS A COMMITMENT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION USED BY MORE THAN 100 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

PURDUE WAS ONE OF THE EARLIEST ADOPTERS.

FORMER U.S.

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG URGED TO HAVE REPUBLICANS RESPONSIBLE IF THEY REDREW THE STATE MAP.

STATE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS APPEAR LIKELY TO REDRAW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LINES THIS YEAR TO GAIN MORE SEATS FOR THE GOP.

>> BUTTIGIEG, A FORMER SOUTH BEND MAYOR CAME HOME TO INDIANA TO URGE CITIZENS TO TALK TO THEIR NEIGHBORS AND PUSH STATE LAWMAKERS NOT TO REDISTRICT.

RATHER THAN CHANGE THEIR UNPOPULAR POLICIES, NATIONAL REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO CHANGE DISTRICT MAPS.

>> THEY KNOW THAT ON A FAIR MAP, IF THEY GET CAUGHT TAKING ALL THE MONEY THEY TOOK OUT OF MEDICAID AND GIVING IT TO TAX CUTS TO BILLIONAIRES THEY WILL LOSE.

>> GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN THIS WEEK SAID THERE COULD BE NEGATIVE SEQUENCES FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IF INDIANA DOESN'T REDRAW ITS MAP.

>> GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN SHOULD BE LESS WORRIED ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS WITH POLITICIANS IN D.C.

AND BE MORE CONCERNED WITH MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR HOOSIERS.

>> HE SAID REDISTRICTING SPECIAL SESSION WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN IN NOVEMBER.

I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>>> AFTER THE RALLY, BUTTIGIEG MADE HIS WAY TO BLOOMINGTON WHERE HE SPOKE BEFORE A SOLD OUT CROWD AT THE I.U.

AUDITORIUM.

BEFORE THE EVENT ON CAMPUS, HE STOPPED BY THE MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS WHICH WAS CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF THEIR NEW COMMUNITY SPACE.

BUTTIGIEG SHOOK HANDS WITH LOCAL PARTY MEMBERS AND GIVING A BRIEF SPEECH, ECHOING WHAT HE SAID AT THE RALLY EARLIER ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

>> WHATEVER THEY WIND OF DOING AT THE STATEHOUSE, WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT CHEATERS NEVER WIN IN THE LONG RUN, AND THAT WE HAVE BETTER ANSWERS FOR PEOPLE'S EVERYDAY LIVES.

>> AT HIS AUDITORIUM SPEECH, BUTTIGIEG TOUCHED ON GROWING UP GAY IN INDIANA, HIS TIME IN POLITICS, AND SERVICE IN AFGHANISTAN, AND THE KILLING OF CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY ALIVIA WILSON WITH MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

>> HI, JOE THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

AFTER BACKLASH FROM RESIDENTS BROWN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE DISCUSSING NEW PROPOSALS FOR PUMPKIN RIDGE ROAD.

THE ORIGINAL PLAN CALLED FOR WIDENING AND PAVING THE ROAD TO IMPROVING ACCESS TO MOUNTAIN TEE STATE FOREST, BUT THAT COULD DISRUPT THE ENVIRONMENT AND BRING ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC TO A QUIET AREA.

BROWN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENTED TWO NEW OPTIONS AT THEIR MEETING WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

>> YOU GUYS ARE ALL GOING TO BE INVOLVED.

WE'LL DO THE WALK THROUGH THIS WEEK.

WE'LL DO ADDITIONAL MEETINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO AND SO, YEAH, IT'S AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S ACCEPTABLE, AND THEN HOW MUCH, IF ANY, THE LAND IS GOING TO BE NEEDED AND WHAT THE IMPACT WILL BE.

>> ONE NEW OPTION WOULD REDUCE TOTAL WIDTH FROM THE ORIGINAL PLAN.

THE SECOND OPTION WOULD KEEP THE ROADS GRAVEL BUT WIDEN IT WITH NO SHOULDERS.

BOTH PLANS WOULD ALSO REDUCE THE SPEED LIMIT.

>> MAYORS IN BOTH TERRE HAUTE AND BLOOMINGTON SAY A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESS IN THEIR CITIES ARE COMING FROM OUTSIDE THEIR COMMUNITIES.

TERRE HAUTE MAYOR BRANDON SAKBUN SAID LAST WEEK AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION FOUND 40 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN HIS CITY WERE NOT FROM TERRE HAUTE.

BLOOMINGTON'S KERRY THOMSON SAID THE SAME IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF "ASK THE MAYOR."

>> IF WE WANT TO SOLVE HOMELESSNESS, WE REALLY NEED TO SOLVE IT ONE PERSON AT A TIME, IN A COORDINATED WAY AND THAT MEANS PUTTING A STOP TO HAVING PEOPLE THINK BLOOMINGTON IS THE PLACE TO COME FOR SERVICES.

>> THOMSON SAYS THE CITY HAS HAD SUCCESS ENFORCING DRUG LAWS, ARRESTING DEALERS WHO PREY ON THE HOMELESS.

SHE SAID POLICE PRESENCE DOWNTOWN AND ALONG THE B LINE TRAIL HAVE BEEN INCREASED.

>>> INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE DIEGO MORALES SAYS HIS OFFICE PROVIDED THE PERSONAL INFORMATION OF THE STATE'S REGISTERED VOTERS, NEARLY 5 MILLION HOOSIERS TO THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

HE'S COMPLYING WITH A LETTER FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SENT IN RECENT WEEKS.

>> EVERYTHING WE DO HAS ONE PURPOSE, TO SAFEGUARD HOOSIER ELECTIONS AND ENSURE ONLY U.S.

CITIZENS ARE VOTING IN OUR ELECTIONS.

>> THE INFORMATION INCLUDES NAMES, ADDRESSES, DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBERS AND THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF VOTERS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS.

IT DOES NOT INCLUDE VOTING HISTORY.

OTHER STATES HAVE REFUSED TO TURN OVER THE INFORMATION, CITING PRIVACY CONCERNS.

>> PEOPLE IN THE U.S.

ARE BREATHING IN FOUR TIMES AS MUCH WILDFIRE SMOKE ON THE AVERAGE THAN WHAT THEY DID IN THE PAST 14 YEARS, THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND REPORTING COLLABORATION CLIMATE CENTRAL.

AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, ALL OF THAT SMOKE CAN AFFECT THE HEALTH OF HOOSIERS.

>> WILDFIRE SMOKE PUTS HARMFUL PARTICLE POLLUTION TO THE AIR, EXPOSURE CAN LEAD TO HEART AND LUNG PROBLEMS AND IF YOU ALREADY HAVE THOSE ISSUES EVEN SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE CAN BE DANGEROUS.

>> IT CAN CAUSE SOMEBODY WHO HAS BREATHING ISSUES TO HAVE MORE BREATHING ISSUES AND THAT CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE DEATH.

>> MOST OF INDIANA EXPERIENCED 40 TO 60 DAYS OF WILDFIRE SMOKE OVER THE PAST DECADE AND A HALF AND WILL LIKELY EXPERIENCE MORE AS THEY BECOME MORE FREQUENT, LARGER AND MORE INTENSE.

WILDFIRE SMOKE IS UNHEALTHY FOR EVERYONE, BUT PARTICULARLY FOR CHILDREN, PREGNANT PEOPLE, THOSE WHO ARE IMMUNO COMPROMISED.

>> IT ACTUALLY AFFECTS HOW THEIR LUNGS AND THE REST OF THEIR ORGANS DEVELOP AND IT MAKES THEM MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DEVELOPING SOME OF THESE DISEASES.

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

>>> CORN PRICES ARE RISING, EVEN THOUGH A RECORD HARVEST OF NEARLY 17 BILLION BUSHELS IS PROJECTED THIS FALL.

AND CORN GROWERS CAN THANK ETHANOL FOR KEEPING PRICES STRONG.

THE ETHANOL EXPORTS ARE UP 36%, WITH A GROWING DEMAND FROM COUNTRIES INCLUDING CANADA, INDIA AND JAPAN.

EXPORTS ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY 800 MILLION BUSHELS OF CORN.

>>> INDIANA HAD 28 FARM-RELATED DEATHS LAST YEAR.

MORE THAN DOUBLE THE DEATHS IN 2023.

AND THE HIGHEST TOTAL IN FIVE YEARS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO PURDUE UNIVERSITY'S AGRICULTURAL SAFETY PROGRAM.

TRACTORS WERE THE LEADING CAUSE, INVOLVED IN 12 CASES.

CHILDREN UNDER 18 AND ADULTS OVER 60 MADE UP TWO-THIRDS THE VICTIMS.

TRACTOR AND OVER MACHINERY REMAIN THE MOST COMMON HAZARDS ON INDIANA FARMS.

>>> SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL CHILDHOOD OBESITY AWARENESS MONTH AND NEW DATA FROM THE INDIANA YOUTH INSTITUTE SHOW ONE IN FIVE ARE LEAVING WITH OBESITY.

AMONG CHILDREN 2 TO 5 HAS RISEN 83%.

IT'S LED TO CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH TYPE TWO DIABETES WITH YOUNGER AGES AND GREATER FREQUENCY.

>> THEY ALSO ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, AS WELL AS THERE ARE SOME ORTHOPEDIC ISSUES BECAUSE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT ON GROWING BONES AND JOINTS CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT COMPLICATIONS.

>> THEY ENCOURAGE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO HELP CHILDREN LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES, INCLUDING SHARING HEALTHY MEALS, LIMITING SCREEN TIME AND ENSURING DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

>> THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS STOPPING FUNDING FOR DOZENS OF LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

THE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE PROGRAMS DO NOT ADVANCE AMERICAN INTEREST OR VALUES, AND THEY DON'T ALIGN WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S PRIORITIES.

A BROAD RANGE OF CENTERS WILL LOSE TITLE 6 FUNDING INCLUDING CENTERS FOR MIDDLE EASTERN, RUSSIAN, LATIN AMERICA AND ASIAN STUDIES AND I.U.

'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS PROGRAM THE FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND AREAS FELLOWSHIP.

>>> THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION IS SUING INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY, IT COMES AFTER I.S.U.

ENDED A THREE-YEAR PARTNERSHIP TO COMPENSATE STUDENTS AT THE PRIDE CENTER IN AUGUST.

STUDENTS HAD BEEN PAID THROUGH FEDERAL WORK STUDY AND SYCAMORE COMMUNITY WORK PROGRAM FUNDS WHICH HAVE BEEN CUT.

AND JOE, THE UNIVERSITY SAYS IT'S FOLLOWING GUIDANCE FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ITS LAWYERS TO AVOID POTENTIAL DISCRIMINATION.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU SO MUCH, ALIVIA.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," DOCTORS AND HEALTH EXPERTS SAY THE CDC'S NEW COVID VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS SEW DISTRUST IN VACCINES IN GENERAL.

>>> AND A LOCAL RESTAURANT IS CLOSING AFTER A NEARLY HALF CENTURY IN OPERATION.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE ICONIC HOBNOB CORNER RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY IN A FACEBOOK POST THAT IT WAS CLOSING NEXT MONTH.

NATALIE FITZGIBBONS VISITED THE LONG-TIME ESTABLISHMENT TO FIND OUT WHY.

>> THANKS, JOE THE HOBNOB CORNER RESTAURANT THIS AFTERNOON IS ALREADY PACKED AND PEOPLE ARE WAITING IN LINE TO BE SEATED.

PATRONS ARE CONTINUING TO SHOW THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT FOR THIS RESTAURANT AND ARE SAD TO SEE IT GO.

THE HOBNOB HAS BEEN IN NASHVILLE FOR ABOUT 26 YEARS AND BECOME A STAPLE OF THE TOWN.

IT'S OWNED BY WARREN AND BETSY COLE, WARREN SAYS THE RESTAURANT IS HIS LIFE.

>> IT'S OVER HALF MY LIFE AT THIS POINT.

A LOT OF WORK.

A LOT OF ASSOCIATION WITH PEOPLE COMING, IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOVED THE PLACE, GREAT STAFF.

>> WARREN SAYS THE RESTAURANT'S LEASE HAS NOT BEEN RENEWED AND THE BIRD'S NEST CAFE, ALSO LOCATED IN NASHVILLE WILL BE MOVING IN.

IF THE RESTAURANT REMAINS SUFFICIENTLY STAFFED HE HOPES FOR IT TO REMAIN OPENED THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER.

HOBNOB HAS BEEN A DRAW FOR HOOSIERS BUT ALSO PEOPLE FROM OUT OF THE STATE.

>> WE'RE FROM CHAMPAIGN, URBANA, THE U. OF I. CAMPUS AREA.

>> THESE TWO HAVE BEEN GOING TO HOBNOB SINCE 2004.

THEY COME TO NASHVILLE FOR THE SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS.

THEY SAID HOBNOB OFFERS A HOME-LIKE ATMOSPHERE AND IT FEELS LIKE TALKING TO YOUR BEST FRIEND WHEN INTERACTING WITH EMPLOYEES.

>> THIS RESTAURANT IS WHAT THIS TOWN IS ABOUT FOR 46 YEARS.

>> YEAH.

>> WE WERE TOLD THEY HAVE BEEN GOING 46 YEARS.

HOW CAN YOU CUT A RESTAURANT OFF LIKE THAT?

IT'S NOT RIGHT.

>> DAVIS RECALLED VISITS IN LATE SEPTEMBER WITH PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE OUTSIDE BY 10:30 A.M., WAITING FOR HOBNOB TO OPEN AT 11 A.M.

THAT'S WHAT HOBNOB MEANT TO ITS CUSTOMERS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M NATALIE FITZGIBBONS.

>>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE COVID-19 VACCINE IS ONLY APPROVED FOR THOSE OVER 65 AND PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK.

REPORTER ISABELLA VESPIRINI HAS MORE ON HOW THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE CREATING CONFUSION AND HESITATION.

>> WHEN JIM HEALEY'S 18-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19 LAST MONTH, HE HEALEY WAS THANKFUL SHE HAD AT LEAST GOTTEN THE VACCINE BEFOREHAND.

>> HOW MUCH WORSE COULD IT HAVE BEEN IF SHE DIDN'T RECEIVE THE VACCINE THE FIRST TIME?

>> UNDER THE NEW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S GUIDELINES SHE'S NOT ELIGIBLE TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE ANYMORE.

THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING FOR HEALEY WHO THINKS VACCINES ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT AGAINST SEVERE ILLNESS.

>> YOU ARE TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE VIRUS ITSELF AND IF WE CAN'T GET THOSE VACCINES, YOU CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE VIRUS.

>> IN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST LAST MONTH, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR., SAID THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 65 WITH WITHOUT A HIGH-RISK HEALTH CONDITION MUST CONSULT WITH A DOCTOR TO BE RECOMMENDED TO GET THE VACCINE.

THIS COMES AFTER THE CDC HAS RECOMMENDED FOR YEARS THAT MOST PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 18 AND THOSE AT HIGH-RISK GET THE VACCINE TO BE BETTER PROTECTED FROM STRAINS AND DECREASE THE RISK OF LONG COVID.

AS A RESULT, DEMAND FOR THE VACCINE HAS RISEN.

>> PARENTS WANT TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT TO GIVE THESE VACCINE TO THEIR CHILDREN AND THEY ARE WORRIED THAT CHOICE WILL BE TAKEN AWAY.

>> EVEN THOUGH THE CDC RECOMMENDATIONS HAS CHANGE.

THE DOCTOR'S HAVEN'T.

SHE WILL HELP THOSE WHO WANT THE VACCINE GET IT.

>> KNOWING THAT THOSE AGE GROUPS ARE HIGHER RISK FOR HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH, THOSE ARE THE CHILDREN THAT WE'RE REALLY GOING TO WORK WITH TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN HAVE ACCESS.

AND THEN WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT ANY PARENT WHO WANTS TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEIR CHILD FROM COVID, REGARDLESS OF THEIR MEDICAL CONDITIONS SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THAT.

>> EXPERTS SAY THESE NEW RESTRICTIONS ARE CONFUSING AND COULD MAKE PEOPLE MORE HESITANT TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> WE SEE AN EROSION OF TRUST OR WE HAVE UNCERTAINTY, USUALLY THAT LEADS TO DECREASED UPTAKE AND OUR CONFIDENCE IN VACCINES.

>> VACCINATION RATES ARE ALREADY LOW WITH JUST UNDER 15% OF PEOPLE AGES SIX MONTHS TO 17 YEARS GETTING A BOOSTER IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

AND AS OF MAY LAST YEAR, ONLY 13.3% OF PREGNANT WOMEN AGES 18 TO 49 GOT THE SHOT.

IF FEWER PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO GET VACCINATED THAT CAN MEAN HIGHER INFECTION RATES AND DECREASE IN IMMUNITY THIS WINTER.

>> AND OVER TIME, JUST THAT NATURAL IMMUNITY WANES AND THEN THE VIRUS ALSO CHANGES AND THEN WE'RE SUSCEPTIBLE AGAIN.

>> A SURVEY FOUND NEARLY 40% OF ADULTS CHOSE NOT TO GET THE 2023-24 COVID VACCINE BECAUSE OF CONCERNS ABOUT SERIOUS OR UNKNOWN SIDE EFFECTS.

ABOUT 34% HAD A LACK OF CONCERN ABOUT GETTING SICK.

26% BELIEVED THE VACCINE CAN'T PREVENT INFECTION AND 24% REPORTED THEY DON'T TRUST THE GOVERNMENT.

>> WHEN VACCINES WORK, AND WHEN THEY WORK WELL, THERE'S NOTHING TO SEE.

SO PREVENTION, WHICH IS OUR PRIMARY CARE BUSINESS, IT'S INVISIBLE.

SO NO ONE GETS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T SEE.

WHAT HAPPENS IS PEOPLE GET ABOUT THINGS LIKE MEASLES BECAUSE WE DON'T SEE THEM ANYMORE.

AND SO THEN THEY THINK, WELL, WAIT A MINUTE.

WHY DO WE EVEN CARE ABOUT THE VACCINE THEN?

IT'S NOT -- MEASLES ISN'T A PROBLEM.

AND SO IT'S EASY TO JUST SORT OF THING, AH, I'LL JUST SKIP IT.

>> AMID THESE CHANGES, SHE DOESN'T THINK THAT COVID-19 VACCINE RATES WILL RECOVER ANY TIME SOON.

>> WE NEED A CONCERTED EFFORT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION ABOUT THE BENEFIT OF THESE AMAZING TOOLS THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE THEY DO WORK.

>> AS A SCIENTIST WHO WORKED WITH VACCINES BEFORE.

HEALEY SEES THESE RESTRICTIONS AS AN ATTACK ON SCIENCE.

>> MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT COVID-19 VACCINE IS JUST THE START OF A LONG TIRADE THAT WILL BE A FIGHT AGAINST SOME OF THE BEST WEAPONS, I WOULD SAY, WE HAVE AGAINST ILLNESS.

THESE ARE VERY WELL STUDIED ASPECTS OF MEDICINE, AND SO THE FACT THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY LOSE OUT ON THAT HAS ME A LITTLE NERVOUS.

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

>>> AND AFTER ROLLING THROUGH THE NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE, THINGS GET TOUGHER THIS WEEKEND FOR THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM.

THE HOOSIERS PLAY HOST TO NUMBER 9 ILLINOIS SATURDAY NIGHT IN THE MATCH-UP OF 3-0 TEAMS.

IT'S ALSO THE BIG TEN OPENER FOR BOTH.

>> THE SUCCESS THEY HAD LAST YEAR, RETURN A GOOD NUCLEUS OF GUYS, ADDED SOME NEW ONES, VERY MUCH KIND OF LIKE US.

>> INDIANA, WHICH MOVED UP THREE SPOTS THIS WEEK TO NUMBER 19 IN THE A.P.

POLL IS A SIX POINT FAVORITE.

SATURDAY'S GAME KICKS OFF AT 7:30 P.M.

ON NBC.

>>> AND 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