POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A HOMELESS MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED OVER THE WEEKEND IN BLOOMINGTON, AND ANOTHER HOMELESS MAN WAS BADLY BEATEN.

AHEAD, AGGRESSIVENESS TARGETING THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

>>> JOE BIDEN GRANTED MOST PEOPLE ON TERRE HAUTE'S FEDERAL DEATH ROW CLEMENCY BEFORE HE LEFT OFFICE.

COULD THEY FACE EXECUTION IN THE STATES WHERE THEY COMMITTED THEIR CRIMES?

>>> COMING UP, HOW THE LATEST MOVE FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT DOUBLE JEOPARDY.

HIGHER ED IS UNDER ENORMOUS POLITICAL PRESSURE BUT FACING WITH DIFFICULT OR CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS, INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S STRATEGY HAS BEEN TO STAY SILENT.

>> IT SEEMS TO BE SOME BASIC QUESTIONS OF WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHY, WHERE TYPE THINGS THAT SEEM TO BE GOING UNANSWERED SOMEWHAT.

>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

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

WELL, TWO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WERE ATTACKED IN BLOOMINGTON OVER THE WEEKEND, ONE OF WHOM WAS KILLED.

EXPERTS SAY VIOLENCE AGAINST THE UNHOUSED ISN'T NEW, BUT AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, SEPARATE INCIDENTS COULD BE THE SIGN OF A WORRYING TREND IN PUBLIC ATTITUDES.

>> ONE OF THE INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE TOWARDS BLOOMINGTON'S UNHOUSED FRIDAY WAS AGAINST ROBERT BALLARD, WHO GOES BY BOBBY.

HE'S BEEN HOMELESS IN BLOOMINGTON FOR A COUPLE YEARS.

>> I GET ALONG REAL -- I MEAN, REALLY WELL WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FUN TOGETHER.

AND I'M WELL KNOWN.

>> HE WAS ON KIRKWOOD FRIDAY TALKING WITH SOME STUDENTS.

>> AND THAT'S WHEN THE YOUNG KIDS COME BEHIND ME AND SAID, SWING ON ME, I'M GONNA POP YOU, AND PULLED A GUN OUT.

>> HE RISED THEM FROM A GROUP THAT GIVES HIM A HARD TIME.

>> THEY BOTH COME AT ME, SO I JUMPED UP, I THREW MY HANDS UP AND I'M LIKE, I'M NOT GONNA FIGHT YOU, MAN.

I TURNED MY BACK TO WALK AWAY AND THEN I GOT BLIND SIDED, BOOM, KNOCKED MY TEETH OUT.

>> THEY STARTED TO KICK HIM AFTER HE FELL.

BOBBY LOST THREE FRONT TEETH FROM THE BEATING.

>> NOW, YOU DON'T SEE THEM MESSING WITH SOME OF THE COLLEGE STUDENTS THAT'S THEIR AGE OR, YOU KNOW, THEIR SHAPE AND IN SHAPE, WHERE THEY CAN DEFEND THEMSELVES.

THEY'RE TARGETING PEOPLE THEY THINK IS WEAK.

>> ANOTHER MAN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, SEAN ALLEN SULLIVAN WAS KILLED THAT NIGHT AFTER SOMEONE GOT OUT OF THEIR CAR AND SHOT HIM NEAR WEST TOWN AND SOUTH MORTON STREETS.

NO ONE HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR HIS MURDER.

POLICE SAY THERE'S NO REASON TO SUSPECT A CONNECTION BETWEEN THAT AND THIS ASSAULT ON BOBBY.

BEACON'S DIRECTOR SAYS TWO INCIDENTS AGAINST THE UNHOUSED IN ONE EVENING, ESPECIALLY A MURDER IS NOTABLE FOR BLOOMINGTON.

>> THESE ARE PARTICULARLY UNIQUE, BECAUSE BOTH OF THESE WERE KIND OF COMMUNITY ACTIONS THAT OCCURRED WITH -- WITH STRANGERS.

HE'S SEEING MORE AGGRESSIVE COMMUNITY RHETORIC TOWARDS HOMELESSNESS, BOTH IN LINE AND IN PERSON.

>> I DEEPLY CONNECT THE -- THE HARSH AND CRUEL AND VIOLENT RHETORIC WITH THE ACTUAL VIOLENCE.

IT MAY NOT BE PERPETRATED BY THE SAME PEOPLE, BUT THE ACT OF DEHUMANIZING IN ONE PLACE LEADS TO THE CAPACITY IN ANOTHER PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO DO VIOLENCE AGAINST -- AGAINST FOLKS.

>> AT FIRST, BOBBY DIDN'T WANT TO TALK WITH THE POLICE.

>> YOU DON'T TELL ON NOBODY FOR NOTHING, RIGHT?

THAT'S THE CODE OF HONOR.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE RIGHT THING IS THE RIGHT THING; AND WRONG THING IS THE WRONG THING.

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

>>> POLICE HAVE MADE THREE ARRESTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE WEEKEND VIOLENCE.

THEY SAY THEY ARE CONTINUING TO INVESTIGATE, AND THEY'RE ASKING PEOPLE IN THE AREA WHO MIGHT HAVE FOOTAGE OF EITHER ATTACK TO NOTIFY THEM SO THEY CAN REVIEW THE VIDEO.

>>> THE MIAMI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY COULD BE HOUSING AS MANY AS 100I.C.E.

DETAINEES.

THEY STARTED ARRIVING AT THE PRISON ON WEDNESDAY.

OUTSIDE, PEOPLE CONTINUE TO PROTEST AND CALL ON LAWMAKERS TO STOP USING THE PRISON AS A HOLDING FACILITY.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL PAY THE STATE ALMOST $300 A DAY TO HOUSE EACH DETAINEE.

THE STATE'S AGREEMENT WITH I.C.E.

ALLOWS FOR UP TO 1,000 OCCUPIED BEDS.

>>> UNLESS A COURT INTERVENES, THE STATE WILL EXECUTE ROY LEE WARD NEXT WEEK.

THE GOVERNOR ON MONDAY DENIED WARD'S CLEMENCY REQUEST.

WARD WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR THE 2001 RAPE AND MURDER OF STACEY PAYNE.

WARD WILL BE THE THIRD PERSON EXECUTED SINCE INDIANA RESUMED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN DECEMBER.

INDIANA, OF COURSE, IS ALSO HOME TO FEDERAL DEATH ROW THAT'S IN TERRE HAUTE.

WTIU'S GEORGE HALE HAS BEEN FOLLOWING SEVERAL RECENT DEVELOPMENTS LAST WEEK.

NOW, LAST WEEK, THE U.S.

PRISON BUREAU MOVED EIGHT PRISONERS FROM FEDERAL DEATH ROW TO AN EVEN MORE RESTRICTIVE PRISON IN COLORADO.

GEORGE, THANKS FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

SO WHO ARE THEY?

>> SO THESE EIGHT PRISONERS, THEY HAVE, I GUESS, SEVERAL THINGS IN COMMON.

MOST IMPORTANT IS THEY ARE AMONG 37 WHOSE DEATHS SINCE FORMER PRESIDENT BIDEN COMMUTED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

AND THE INCOMING PRESIDENT TRUMP VOWED TO GO AFTER THEM AS SOON AS HE RETURNED TO THE WHITE HOUSE AS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ON INAUGURATION DAY, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY TELLING JUSTICE OFFICIALS TO REVIEW THEIR HOUSING CONDITIONS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE IMPRISONED IN CONDITIONS THAT ARE IN LINE WITH THE MONSTROSITY OF THEIR CRIMES AND THE THREATS THEY POSED.

>> SO NOW YOU HAVE DONE SEVERAL STORIES ABOUT THIS PLACE, THEY ARE HEADING, A.D.X.

SUPER MAX.

>> IT'S SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS THE ALCATRAZ OF THE ROCKIES.

COMMUNICATION IS REALLY RESTRICTED.

INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER PRISONERS IS EXTREMELY LIMITED.

IT OPENED IN 1994.

IT'S TO HOLD THE TINY FRACTION OF U.S.

PRISONERS WHO THEY CONSIDER SO DANGEROUS THEY CAN'T BE HELD ANYWHERE ELSE?

>> IS THAT HOW YOU WOULD DESCRIBE THE PRISONERS.

ONE THING THAT MAKES THEM THEORETICALLY MORE DANGEROUS.

SEVEN OF THEM WERE CONVICTED OF MURDERS IN PRISON.

AND THE EIGHTH ONE WAS A FORMER PRISON GUARD.

THE BUREAU COULD HAVE SENT THEM TO A.D.X.

AT ANY TIME.

SO THE QUESTION IS WHY THEY ARE BEING SENT THERE NOW.

AND THEN EARLIER THIS WEEK, I SPOKE WITH ROBERT DUNHAM, A NATIONAL SPORT AND DIRECTS THE DEATH PENALTY PROJECT.

HE SAYS U.S.

LAW PROHIBITS RETALIATION AGAINST PRISONERS, AS WELL AS PUNISHMENT.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, FOLLOWING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DIRECTIVE IS ATTEMPTING TO RETALIATE AGAINST THESE PRISONERS, SOLELY BECAUSE PRESIDENT BIDEN GRANTED THEM CLEMENCY.

IT'S NOT A LEGITIMATE BASIS TO MORE HARSHLY PUNISH SOMEBODY WHO IS ALREADY INCARCERATED.

>> AND, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING ELSE THAT UNDERMINES THE SECURITY JUSTIFICATION IS THAT TWO PRISONERS HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN AT D.X.

SINCE THEY RECEIVED FEDERAL DEATH SENSES ONE IS THE BOSTON BOMBER.

THERE'S ALWAYS AN OPTION.

FOR ALL OF THESE EIGHT PRISONERS, THE BUREAU DECIDED TERRE HAUTE WAS APPROPRIATE.

IT WAS ONLY SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT THAT CHANGES.

HERE'S ROB DUNHAM AGAIN.

>> CHOOSING A.D.X.

HERE AND ESPECIALLY CHOOSING IT AS THE DEFAULT PLACE TO GO, VIOLATES ALL THE NORMS THAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM THE BUREAU OF PRISONS OVER THE COURSE OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY.

>>> YOU ALSO REPORTED THAT A NINTH PRISONER WAS REMOVED FROM DEATH ROW IN TERRE HAUTE, AND NOW HE'S IN STATE JAIL.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HIM.

>> HE RECEIVED A DOUBLE MURDER IN 2017 FOR AN ARMED BANK ROBBERY.

HIS FEDERAL DEATH SENTENCE THAT BIDEN COMMUTED TO LIFE.

HE'S FACING STATE CHARGES FOR THE EXACT SAME CRIME.

PROSECUTORS IN SOUTH CAROLINA HOPE A JURY WILL IMPOSE A DEATH SENTENCE AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT WILL RESTORE THE SENTENCE THAT BIDEN REDUCED.

IT'S HIGHLY UNUSUAL, ESPECIALLY FOR A PRISONER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON.

>> SOUNDS LIKE DOUBLE JEOPARDY.

>> AS LONG AS THE OFFENSES ARE PROSECUTED UNDER STATE AND FEDERAL LAW, YOU CAN ACTUALLY BE TRIED FOR BOTH.

IT'S JUST REALLY RARE AND COMPLICATED AND, YOU KNOW, RAISES ALL KINDS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MOTIVATION AND SO ROBERT DUNHAM, THE EXPERT WE JUST HEARD FROM, HE SPENT 30 YEARS AS A DEATH PENALTY.

I ASKED HOW THEY MIGHT APPROACH THESE ISSUES.

>> THERE ARE NO TWO WAYS ABOUT THIS.

IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY OTHER BASIS FOR THE PROSECUTION, THEN THE STATE WOULD HAVE PURSUED IT LONG AGO.

BUT SINCE THE STATE DECIDED IT WAS NOT IN THEIR INTEREST TO DO SO AND THE ONLY CHANGED FACT IS THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS CALLED FOR RETALIATION, AGAINST PRISONERS, THAT MAKES THIS RETALIATORY PROSECUTION.

AND THAT KIND OF VINDICTIVE PROSECUTION IS PROHIBITED BY THE DUE PROCESS CLAUSE OF THE 14th AMENDMENT.

>> SO THE OTHER THING THAT CAME UP LAST WEEK IS THE U.S.

SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGGSETH SAID HE WAS COMMITTED TO CARRYING OUT A MILITARY DEATH SENTENCE.

AND THIS IS FOR HASAN, A FORMER ARMY MAJOR WHO CARRIED OUT A MASS MURDER IN 2009, AND WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT BEING CARRIED OUT AND IS THAT IN TERRE HAUTE.

>> THERE HAS NOT BEEN A MILITARY EXECUTION SINCE THE 1960s.

AND THE LAST TIME IT WAS SCHEDULED, TERRE HAUTE WAS THE PLANNED LOCATION.

SO, I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE IT WOULD BE.

>> SO THAT MEANS WE COULD EXPECT A MILITARY EXECUTION?

>> PROBABLY NOT IN THIS CASE ANY TIME SOON.

SO UNLESS HASSAN DROPS HIS APPEALS, THE STATE HE'S AT IN THE APPEALS PROCESS, PRISONERS SIN THE DEATH, IT TAKES YEARS TO COMPLETE AND THERE'S CERTAINLY LONGER THAN THE REMAINDER OF TRUMP'S TERM LEFT IN THAT PROCESS.

BUT ANOTHER THING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER IS WHILE HASSAN HAS THE RIGHT TO PURSUE THOSE APPEALS AND COURT REVIEW, HE HAS NO OBLIGATION TO DO SO AND SOME PRISONERS DO CHOOSE TO DROP THEM BEFORE THEY ARE COMPLETE.

CLASSIC CASE IS THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBER, TIMOTHY McVEIGH DID EXACTLY THAT AND HE BECAME THE FIRST PERSON EVER EXECUTED AT TERRE HAUTE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING, GEORGE.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> INDIANA GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN SAYS REDISTRICTING IS A DAILY TOPIC AMONG STATE LAWMAKERS DESPITE TWO MONTHS OF CONSTANT PRESSURE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, WITH J.D.

VANCE AND TRUMP HIMSELF, NO SPECIAL SESSION OR REDISTRICTING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED.

REPUBLICANS ARE CONTINUING TO TRY TO DRUM UP SUPPORT.

PREVIOUSLY BRAUN FLOATED THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EARLY NOVEMBER SPECIAL SESSION.

BOUNDARIES FOR INDIANA'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS WERE LAST DRAWN IN 2021, THIS MIDTERM REDISTRICTING WOULD TARGET ONE SEAT IN NORTHWESTERN INDIANA AND ONE IN DEEP BLUE MARION COUNTY.

>>> AND A PROPOSED DATA CENTER IN MORGAN COUNTY IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO GETTING APPROVED.

IT CLEARED A HURDLE WITH THE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION THIS WEEK.

>> DOZENS OF RESIDENTS SPOKE AT A PLAN COMMISSION IN OPPOSITION TO THE DATA CENTER.

THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT POSSIBLE SOLUTION IN THE DATE'S CENTER'S WATER CONSUMPTION AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION.

>> I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU GUYS HAVE NOT LISTED THE PEOPLE.

I KNOW ALL THE BOARD MEETINGS HAD EVERYBODY AGAINST THIS.

YOU GUYS ALL SAID, YES.

WHY?

>> DESPITE THE OPPOSITION, THE COMMISSION VOTED 5-2 IN FAVOR OF REZONING 158 MORE ACRES OF FARMLAND FOR THE PROJECT.

THAT'S IN ADDITION TO NEARLY 400 ACRES EVER LAND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR REZONING.

MORGAN COUNTY RESIDENTS TOLD THE PLAN COMMISSION IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO BACK OUT ON THE PROJECT.

AND THAT THEY WOULD RATHER SEE DIFFERENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

PLAN COMMISSION MEMBER BILL RUMBAUGH SAYS HE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE REZONE BECAUSE HE THINKS IT WILL DO MORE NET GOOD THAN BAD BUT IT DOES BOTHER HIM THAT THE BUYER'S IDENTITY SNOT REVEALED.

>> WENT WITH THE TAX ABATEMENTS WE WILL MAKE SOME MONEY HERE IN THE COUNT KNIGHT PLAN COMMISSION GAVE A FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION BUT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON WHETHER TO REZONE THE ADDITIONAL ACREAGE.

THEY MEET ON MONDAY.

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

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAS FACED UNPRECEDENTED GOVERNMENT AND INTERNAL CONFLICT, WHICH AFFECTS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES, BUT THE UNIVERSITY'S LEADERS CONTINUE TO MAKE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN SECRET.

ETHAN SANDWEISS COVERS HIGHER EDUCATION AND JOINS ME NOW.

>> HI, JOE.

WE REVIEWED INCIDENTS FROM THE PAST THREE YEARS OF OUR COVERAGE AND THOSE THAT GENERATED NATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY ONLY PROVIDED WRITTEN STATEMENTS OR REFERRALS TO OLD PRERELEASES IN INN STANCES WHEN THEY RESPONDED TO OUR REQUESTS FOR INTERVIEW.

IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY THE UNIVERSITY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO BE TRANSPARENT AND RESPONSE AS A PUBLIC INSTITUTION AS IT ACCEPTS TAX DOLLARS AND TUITION PAYMENTS.

THEY HIRED PAMELA WHITTEN IN 2021, A PROCESS WHICH WAS NEVER OPENLY EXPLAINED.

SINCE THEN, THE NUMBER OF UNEXPLAINED DECISIONS AND UNANSWERED QUESTIONS HAS CONTINUED TO GROW.

DESPITE THE SILENCE, SCRUTINY HAS MOUNTED.

>> SINCE SHE WOKE WITH WTIU IN JULY OF 2024, PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN HASN'T GIVEN ANY INTERVIEWS THAT MIGHT INCLUDE TOUGH QUESTIONS.

HER MEDIA APPEARANCES HAVE BEEN MAINLY ON INDUSTRY PODCASTS AND SMALL STATIONS SUCH AS THE MORNING SHAKE-UP IN WASHINGTON, INDIANA.

>> GO HOOSIERS, WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE UPCOMING FOOTBALL SEASON.

>> YOU SHOULD BE EXCITED.

WE'RE GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE, I'LL TELL YOU.

>> FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS I.U.

HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY UNDER ATTACKS FROM THE STATEHOUSE AND THE RESPONSE IS TO AVOID COMMUNICATING WITH THE EMPLOYEES AND THE PRESS.

PRESIDENT WHITTEN AND BOARD CHAIR DENIED TO BE INTERVIEWED.

>> THE LEADER IS NOT HEARD FREQUENTLY.

I DON'T THINK IT DOES THE INSTITUTION ANY GOOD.

>> IN 2022, ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA CALLED FOR A PROFESSOR TO HAVE HER LICENSE REVOKED.

IN 2023, A STATE REPRESENTATIVE ACCUSED I.U.

'S KINSEY INSTITUTE OF HARBORING SEXUAL PREDATORS.

I.U.

DEFENDED INSTITUTE AFTER THE STATE STRIPPED ITS FUNDING AND DID NOT REVIEW THE LAWMAKERS UNSUBSTANTIATED, THEY SAID THEY WOULD RECEIVER QUINCY TWO WEEKS INTO ITS OWN NONPROFIT.

RESEARCHERS WERE SHOCKED AND CONFUSED.

>> WE HAVE, MANY MANY QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS THAT THEY ARE NOT YET ABLE TO ANSWER.

>> TRUSTEES POSTPONED VOTE AFTER CAMPUS PROTESTS WHEN WAR BROKE OUT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HARASS, IN 2023, THEY IDENTIFIED SECURITY THREATS WHEREVER ACTIVITIES TO THE WAR TOOK PLACE ON THE CAMPUS THE ESKENAZI MUSEUM ART CANCELED AN ART EXHIBIT SAYING IT COULDN'T GUARANTEE SECURITY.

>> IF THERE ARE SECURITY CONCERNS, THE UNIVERSITY HAS NOT ELABORATED AND HAS NOT TAKEN UP OUR MULTIPLE OFFERS TO DISCUSS THEM.

>> THE SAME MONTH I.U.

SUSPENDED THE FACULTY ADVISOR OF THE PALESTINE SOLIDARY COMMITTEE FOR A ROOM RESERVATION ERROR WHEN HE HELPED TO ARRANGE A TALK BY AN ANTI-ZIONIST AUTHOR.

>> YESTERDAY THE PROVOST REFUSED TO SPECIFY WHAT SAFETY FEARS HE HAD TO CANCEL THOSE EVENTS.

>> BLOOMINGTON FACULTY CITED I.U.

'S FAILURE TO STAND UP PUBLICLY AGAINST STATEHOUSE HAD A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE.

THE VOTE PASSED BY 93%.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUT A STATEMENT OUT SAYING WE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES STAND UNITED IN OUR CONFIDENCE IN PRESIDENT WHITTEN, EXCEPT THEY WERE NOT UNITED.

>> A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER THEY SAID, OH, VIVIAN, I WROTE A STATEMENT.

NO, I DIDN'T.

I'VE BEEN RIGHT HERE.

THEY SAID, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU DID.

AND THEN -- THEN IT WENT DOWNHILL FROM THERE.

>> THINGS CAME TO A HEAD IN APRIL WHEN I.U.

RESPONDED TO A PLANNED PRO GAZA ENCAMPMENT BY CHANGING THE PROTEST RULES THE NIGHT BEFORE.

>> THE STUDENTS WERE COMING TO DUNN MEADOW TO PROTEST AND THEY DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS CHANGED UNTIL THEY GOT TO DUNN MEADOW AND SAID THEY SHOULD GO ONLINE AND READ HOW THE POLICY WAS UNCHANGED.

>> PRESIDENT WHITTEN WOULD SAY IT WOULD BECOME A MAGNET FOR THOSE MAKING A THREAT OF VIOLENCE.

WHITTEN WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.

OVER TWO DAYS THE POLICE ARRESTED MORE THAN 50 PROTESTERS MOSTLY I.U.

STUDENTS AND FACULTY ON TRESPASSING CHARGES THAT THE WERE CALLED UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

WHITTEN HELD LISTENING SESSIONS WHERE PROFESSORS CRITICIZED UNIVERSITY'S DIRECTION.

THE PRESIDENT CANCELED THE REMAINING LISTENING SESSION AFTER A PREVIOUSLY PLANNED EYE SURGERY WAS MOVED EARLIER.

HE HAD NEXT TRUSTEE MEETING SHE ANNOUNCED CHANGES.

>> WE LISTENED MORE INTENTLY TO FACULTY EVEN WHEN THEIR SENTIMENTS WERE EXPRESSED IN DANGER.

WE REALIZED WE NEED TO DO SOME THINGS DIFFERENTLY AND SO WE ARE.

>> THEY CREATED TWO NEW ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS TO SERVE AS INTERMARIES BETWEEN BETWEEN -- INTERIMMEDIATEARIES BETWEEN OTHERS.

DESPITE THE PROMISE OF TRANSPARENCY, THE ADMINISTRATION BECAME MORE SECRETIVE IN 2025.

INDIANA'S NEW REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN TOOK AN IMMEDIATE INTEREST IN HIGHER EDUCATION, ELIMINATING D.E.I.

BY EXECUTIVE ORDER IN JANUARY.

WHEN I.U.

SHUTTERED THE D.E.I.

OFFICE, IT OFFERED A STATEMENT ENSURING EVERY STUDENT'S SUCCESS.

WHEN THE BOARD DECIDED TO EXTEND WHITTEN'S CONTRACT AND RAISE HER SALARY IN FEBRUARY, IT DID SO WITHOUT NOTICE.

WINSTON SAID SHE WAS ONLY TOLD ON THE MORNING OF THE MEETING.

>> I HAD THE FEELING THAT I WAS THE ONE LONE PERSON THERE THAT HAD NOT BEEN TOLD BEFOREHAND.

>> IN MARCH THE UNIVERSITY FIRED TENURED CYBERSECURITY EXPERT, WANG AND HIS WIFE THE DAY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SEARCHED THEIR HOMES.

NEITHER WANG NOR MA WAS CHARGED WITH CRIMES BUT A COLLEAGUE OF WONG'S SAYS I.U.

FIRED HIM BASED ON A RELATIVELY MIRE AND INADVERTENT RESEARCH ON RESEARCH PROTOCOLS.

IT HAS IRREPARABLE DAMAGED HIS REPUTATION.

>> THE REASONS ARE ENTIRELY MYSTERIOUS.

>> THEY TARGETED HIGHER EDUCATION AND I.U.

IN PARTICULAR IN WHEN THE STATEHOUSE ORDERED SCHOOLS TO ELIMINATE HUNDREDS EVER MAJORS WITH LOW NUMBER OF GRADUATES, I.U.

REFUSED TO COMMENT.

THE STATEHOUSE TOOK AWAY I.U.

'S RIGHTS TO ELECT THREE OF THEIR OWN TRUSTEES AND STRIPPED GOVERNING POWER AND BANNED EMERITUS FACULTY FROM SERVING IN THE UNIVERSITY GOVERNMENT.

THEY WOULD NOT SAY WHETHER THEY WERE CONSULTED OR WHERE IT STOOD.

I.U.

'S STATUS AS A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY PUTS ITS LEADERS IN A DIFFICULT POSITION.

>> IT'S HARD TO DISAGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR OF A UNIVERSITY, WHEN YOU ARE A UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY HOLD THE KEYS TO THE FUNDING.

>> BUT I.U.

LEADERSHIP'S SILENCE DIDN'T SPARE THE UNIVERSITY FROM A $60 MILLION CUT IN STATE FUNDING ON WHICH I.U.

DECLINED TO COMMENT.

AND SOON AFTER THE SESSION, GOVERNOR BRAUN QUESTIONED THE WORTH OF AN I.U.

DEGREE.

>> ALL THE OTHER UNIVERSITIES SEEM TO HAVE MORE VALUE IN TERMS OF EDUCATION THEY ARE GIVING US FOR THE COST.

>> I.U.

HAD NO RESPONSE AND IN JUNE, BRAUN EXERCISES HIS NEW POWER TO FIRE I.U.

'S ELECTED TRUSTEES.

THEY CODIFIED MOUNTAIN STATEHOUSE CHANGES IN U.N., REPLACING DOZENS OF FACULTY WRITTEN POLICIES IN A SINGLE VOTE.

BROWN'S TRUSTEE APPOINTEE QUESTIONED THE PROPOSALS FOOT PROPOSALS THAT CAME TO THE TRUSTEES SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC SO THAT PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT THEM, COMMENT, BE ENGAGED, AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE -- AND THEN HAVE A COMMITTEE SYSTEM THAT WOULD CONSIDER THOSE.

>> THE TRUSTEES ALSO PASSED I.U.

'S NEW OPERATING BUDGET, OFFSETTING 100 MERCHANDISE IN STATE AND FEDERAL CUTS WITH REDUCTIONS TO RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER UNSPECIFIED CUTS.

FOR MORE THAN THREE MONTHS, I.U.

WITHHELD THE BUDGET DESPITE THE STATE REQUIRING IT TO BE PUBLIC.

>> DELAYS IN AREAS, YOU KNOW, SUCH AS, YOU KNOW, BUDGET DISCLOSURES AND CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS OR OTHER BOARD DECISION-MAKING OF THE TRUST CREATE UNCERTAINTY ACROSS THE INSTITUTIONS.

>> I.U.

FINALLY RELEASED ITS OFFICIAL BUDGET TUESDAY BUT WITH FAR LESS DETAIL THAN PREVIOUS YEARS.

WE REACHED OUT TO I.U.

TO ASK FOR A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE CHANGES.

SO FAR IT HAS NOT RESPONDED.

>> ALL RIGHT ETHAN, THANK YOU.

WELL, AFTER STRUGGLING TO GROW PUMPKINS THIS SUMMER, THE FOWLER PUMPKIN MUCH DELAYED THE PICK YOUR OWN SECTION BY A WEEK.

PRICES ALSO ROSE SLIGHTLY.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI REPORTS ON HOW GROWING CONDITIONS CHANGED.

>> TOO MUCH RAIN EARLY STUDENTED THE GROWING PROCESS.

IT D.C.

LEAD TO MORE AND THICKER WEEDS MAKING IT HARDER FOR THE BEES TO POLLINATE THE PUMPKINS.

>> BEES LIKE TO FLY IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND THE PUMPKINS ARE AT A LOWER LEVEL THAN THE WEEDS.

THEY FLY ABOVE THE WEEDS AND BEES DON'T DIVE DOWN.

THEY SLOWLY DROP TO IT.

SO ANYWHERE THERE'S WEED PRESSURE, IT'S HARD FOR THEM TO GET TO IT.

IT'S NOT THAT THEY CAN BUT THEY GO TO THE EASY ONES FIRST.

AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM WE'RE HAVING.

>> THE DRY SEASON ALSO ATTRACTED MORE DEER AND TURKEYS, WHICH ATE PARTS OF THE PUMPKINS, EVEN THE # THOUSAND DOLLARS HE SPENT -- $3,000 ON DEER REPELLENT THIS YEAR, COULDN'T HOLD OFF THE DEER.

>> THEY EAT THE PUMPKINS AND SEEDS AND IT'S NUTRITIOUS FOR THEM.

>> THEY ARE NORMALLY PLANTED ON MAY OR JUNE AND DEPENDING ON GROWING CONDITIONS AND PUMPKIN TYPE CAN TAKE AROUND 100 DAYS TO RIPEN AND MOST MATURE BY MIDSEPTEMBER BUT THIS YEAR HE NEEDED EXTRA TIMES FOR THE PUMPKINS TO MATURE.

IT OPENED A WEEK LATER THAN USUAL.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF GREEN PUMPKINS A LOT OF PUMPKINS TO GROW YET.

I WANTED TO GIVE THEM ONE MORE WEEK TO DO THAT.

>> THIS YEAR FOWLER GREW AN 8-ACRE PATCH THE PUMPKINS.

HE GOT MAYBE 1,000 PUMPKINS AN ACRE.

LAST YEAR HE WAS ABLE TO GROW 3,000 PUMPKINS ACROSS TEN ACRES.

>> WE HAVE BOUGHT THREE SEMI LOADS OF PUMPKINS AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE.

>> EACH LOAD CARRIES 2,000 TO 2500 PUMPKINS.

>> I CAN HONESTLY SEE ANOTHER THREE TO FOUR SEMI LOADS IT YEAR THAT WE'LL HAVE TO BRING?

>> FOWLER HAS RAISED PRICES FOR PUMPKINS BY ABOUT $1 EACH.

PRICES VARY DEPENDING ON THE SIZE.

FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS HAYRIDES AND THE CORN MAIZE, PRICES HAVE REMAIN THE SAME.

GOING FORWARD, FOWLER WILL TRY NEW WAYS TO WARD OFF THE DEER.

>> STARTING NEXT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO DO KIND OF OLD SCHOOL LIKE A SCARECROW, ONLY WITH PIE PANS.

>> IF FOWLER WERE STARTING A PUMPKIN PATCH FROM SCRATCH TODAY, IT WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE SUSTAIN.

THE FARM HAS BEEN IN HIS FAMILY SINCE 1969, AND HE TOOK OVER 16 YEARS AGO.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE TO BUY THE PROPERTY AND BUY ALL THE IMPROVEMENTS AND BUY ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO DO THIS, IT'S NOT FEASIBLE.

IT'S REALLY HARD FOR YOU TO GET STARTED IN ANYTHING LIKE, THIS UNLESS YOU INHERIT A LARGE SUM OF MONEY OR A LARGE PIECE OF PROPERTY, THAT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN DO IT AND IT'S KIND OF SAD BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD DO WELL AT IT.

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

>> THE FARM ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF BLOOMINGTON WILL BE OPEN UNTIL NOVEMBER 1st.

>>> 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.

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