>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA EXECUTED 44-YEAR-OLD ROY LEE WARD IN THE EARLY HOURS THIS MORNING, MAKING HIM THE THIRD PERSON PUT TO DEATH BY THE STATE SINCE DECEMBER.

>> THIS NEEDS TO BE THE LAST EXECUTION THE STATE IS PERMITTED TO CARRY OUT EVER.

WE NEED TO STEP BACK AND REALLY LOOK AT WHAT'S BEEN DONE.

>> WARD WAS CONVICTED OF RAPING AND MURDERING 15-YEAR-OLD STACEY PAYNE IN 2001.

VIGO COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO ADDRESS YEARS OF DECLINING ENROLLMENTS AND CRUMBLING BUILDINGS.

>> WE WILL GO FROM 15 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO 10 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, FROM 5 MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO FOUR AND FROM THREE HIGH SCHOOLS TO TWO.

>> BUT PARENTS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE IMPACT CLOSING SOME RURAL SCHOOLS WILL HAVE ON STUDENTS.

>>> AND LOCAL FOOD BANKS ARE DEALING WITH SHORTAGES FROM LOST FUNDING DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

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

>>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, EARLY THIS MORNING OFFICIALS CARRIED OUT THE EXECUTION OF AN INDIANA PRISONER.

AS GEORGE HALE REPORTS, ROY LEE WARD IS THE THIRD STATE PRISONER TO DIE BY LETHAL INJECTION SINCE INDIANA LIFTED A MORATORIUM LAST YEAR.

>> OPPONENTS OF THE DEATH PENALTY GATHERED OUTSIDE OF MICHIGAN CITY.

THEY PRAYED FOR WARD AND HIS 15-YEAR-OLD VICTIM STACEY PAYNE WHO HE STABBED TO DEATH AFTER RAPING HER IN 2001.

>> I WANT TO GIVE SPACE TO STACEY PAYNE AND THE FAMILY OF STACEY PAYNE.

SHE IS THE VICTIM OF MR.

WARD'S CRIMES AND FOR WHICH HE'S PAYING WITH HIS LIFE TONIGHT.

BUT, AGAIN, I HOPE THAT IN INDIANA ROY LEE WARD IS THE LAST PERSON WE PUT TO DEATH.

>> GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN DENIED WARD CLEMENCY IN LATE SEPTEMBER AFTER PAYNE'S MOTHER TOLD A PAROLE BOARD OF THE SUFFERING HER FAMILY CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE.

THEY DROPPED TWO LAWSUITS CHALLENGING HIS EXECUTION.

DAVID FRANK ONCE REPRESENTED WARD IN A LETHAL INJECTION CHALLENGE.

NOW HE LEADS THE INDIANA ABOLITION COALITION.

>> IT'S BRUTAL AND IT SOLVES NOTHING.

THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH, BUT IT'S EVEN MORE OUTRAGEOUS THAT WE KNOW NEXT TO NOTHING ABOUT HOW IT'S BEING DONE IN OUR NAMES.

WE DON'T KNOW.

>> INDIANA'S EXECUTION PROCESS IS UNIQUELY OPAQUE, UNLIKE IN EVERY OTHER STATE REGULARLY USING DEATH PENALTY, JOURNALISTS HERE ARE NOT AUTOMATICALLY ALLOWED TO OBSERVE ANY OF THE PROCESS.

THEY HAVE TO RELY ON SECOND OR THIRDHAND ACCOUNTS.

>> THROUGH THE YEARS ROY HAS TAKEN WHAT HE HAS AND GIVEN IT TO OTHERS.

I HAVE WITNESSED HIM HELP OTHERS IN THE SMALL WAYS HE CAN.

IT'S A TRANSFORMATION THAT OUR SOCIETY HOPES TO HAPPEN WHILE ONE IS INCARCERATED.

>> JOINING US FROM OUTSIDE THE STATE PRISON, WARD IS NOW THE THIRD PRISONER TO BE EXECUTED IN LESS THAN A YEAR.

GEORGE, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING SO MUCH MORE OFTEN?

>> SO, UNTIL DECEMBER LAST YEAR, INDIANA HADN'T EXECUTED ANYONE SINCE 2009 AND THAT 15-YEAR GAP IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN PENTOBARBITAL.

AND THEN LAST SUMMER, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA ANNOUNCED THAT INDIANA HAD OBTAINED PENTOBARBITAL AND ASKED THE SUPREME COURT TO SCHEDULE THE FIRST EXECUTION.

>> AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE STATE GOT THE DRUG.

YOU REPORTED THAT NO MEDIA WERE LET INTO THE PRISON LAST NIGHT, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

INDIANA IS ACTUALLY ONE OF ONLY TWO STATES IN THIS WHOLE COUNTRY WHERE JOURNALISTS AREN'T ALLOWED TO WITNESS ANY ASPECT OF THE EXECUTION.

AND SO WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING, WE WAIT OUTSIDE THE PRISON FOR INFORMATION TO BE GIVEN TO US AND TRACKING DOWN -- OR TRACKING DOWN THE WITNESSES WHO WERE THERE, LIKE ATTORNEYS, CAN FILL IN SOME OF THOSE BLANKS BUT WE TYPICALLY PREFER TO FILL IN THOSE BLANKS OURSELVES.

SOMETIMES INFORMATION GETS DELAYED OR CONFUSION.

I GOT A COPY OF WARD'S FINAL STATEMENT AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT TYPICALLY I WOULD HAVE IN THE MOMENT OF AN EXECUTION, NOT, YOU KNOW, THE NEXT MORNING.

>> CAN YOU SHARE PART OF THAT WITH US?

>> YEAH.

SO IN HIS FINAL STATEMENT HE EXPRESSED REGRETS FOR THE CRIME AND SAYS HE WISHES HE COULD CHANGE THINGS.

I ASKED GOD FOR FORGIVENESS.

I HOPE MY EXECUTION GIVES STACY'S FAMILY SOME PEACE.

>> GEORGE, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE LEFT ON INDIANA'S DEATH ROW AND DO YOU EXPECT THE STATE TO CONTINUE CARRYING OUT EXECUTIONS?

>> INDIANA'S DEATH ROW IS DOWN TO FIVE AS OF TODAY.

WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S GOING TO BE ANY IN THE FUTURE IS A LITTLE BIT UNCLEAR.

IT COULD BE A WHILE.

AT LEAST FOUR OF THOSE PRISONERS HAVE APPEALS IN PROCESS AND NO EXECUTIONS ARE CURRENTLY SCHEDULED.

>> ALL RIGHT, GEORGE, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING.

>>> WELL, LOCAL FOOD BANKS ARE BEING STRETCHED THIN BY THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND ARE RUNNING OUT OF RESOURCES.

ISABELLA VESPERINI VISITED TWO FOOD BANKS TO SEE HOW THEY DEAL WITH LESS AID.

>> MOTHER HUBBARD RECEIVES 20% OF THE FOOD FROM TEFAP.

WITH THE GOVERNMENT CLOSED IT CAN'T TAKE NEW FOOD ORDERS FOR AFTER NOVEMBER.

>> THAT'S WHERE ALL THE CANNED PRODUCE THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW HAS COME FROM.

IT'S WHERE THE BULK OF OUR PROTEIN COMES FROM THESE DAYS AND THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SOMETHING THAT OUR PATRONS HAVE COMMENTED ON A LOT.

>> THE PANTRY SERVED BETWEEN 2,500 AND 2,900 INDIVIDUALS A MONTH.

LAST YEAR, IT SERVED ABOUT 2 TO YOU 100 INDIVIDUALS A MONTH.

BETH ATTRIBUTES THE SPIKE IN DEMAND TO INCREASED FOOD INSECURITY AND CUTS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL PROGRAM.

>> THERE'S NOT BACK STOCK IN THE WAREHOUSE TO DRAW FROM.

SO PEOPLE WILL FEEL THAT LOSS PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF TOWN, PANTRY 279 HAS STEADILY BEEN RECEIVING LESS FEW THROUGH THE TEFAP PROGRAM IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND EXPERIENCING A SPIKE IN DEMAND.

IN JUNE THEY SERVED FEWER THAN 9,800 PEOPLE.

AND NOW OVER 11,000 PEOPLE RELY ON THE PANTRIES FOR FOOD.

>> THE HOURS ARE LONG.

THE HOURS ARE LONG.

WE ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH FOOD, AND THE COMMUNITY DONATIONS RUNS A LOT OF OUR PANTRY, STAPLES, ESPECIALLY.

AND WITH THE ECONOMY IN THE STATE THAT IT IS RIGHT NOW, IT'S JUST -- IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GIVE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO GIVE.

>> AYALA WAS SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE OVER 200,000 POUNDS OF FOOD FROM JULY THROUGH DECEMBER THROUGH TEFAP BUT WITH THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, SHE WON'T GET THOSE SUPPLIES.

>> IF IT CONTINUES THE WAY THAT IT HAS BEEN, I WOULD SAY THAT WITHIN SIX MONTHS, WE PROBABLY WILL NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES WE NEED TO KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN AND CONTINUE TO FEED OUR COMMUNITY.

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

>>> MOTHER HUBBARD'S CUPBOARD AND PANTRY 279 ARE REACHING OUT TO LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS AND CONSIDERING FOOD DRIVES TO FIND OTHER RESOURCES.

>>> WELL, WE ARE JOINED BY SHELBY BROWN FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

WELCOME, SHELBY.

>> THANKS, JOE.

VICE PRESIDENT J.D.

VANCE MET WITH INDIANA'S SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN AS REDISTRICTING DELIBERATIONS APPEAR TO BE AT AN IMPASSE.

THE VISIT COMES AS STATE GOP LEGISLATORS WEIGH A SPECIAL SESSION FOR MIDCYCLE REDISTRICTING A MOVE THAT HAS SPLIT SOME MEMBERS OF THE PARTY.

INDIANA'S CURRENT MAP HAS REPUBLICANS WITH A 7-2 STRONGHOLD ON THE STATE.

BLOOMINGTON MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SAYS MAKING HEADWAY ON HOMELESSNESS WILL TAKE YEAR BECAUSE OF LOW LOCAL WAGES AND A TIGHT HOUSING MARK.

SHE SAYS ONE STRATEGY IS UTILIZING RESOURCES LIKE THE STRIDE CRISIS CENTER, A MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICE.

WHEN SOMEONE IS IN CRISIS AND IS NOT A DANGER TO OTHERS, THOMSON SAYS PEOPLE SHOULD CALL STRIDE RATHER THAN POLICE.

>> WHAT MOST PEOPLE NEED IN CRISIS IS NOT AN INTERACTION WITH THE POLICE.

IT IS AN ENTRY INTO CARE THAT ACTUALLY WILL HELP THEM.

>> POINT IN TIME COUNT NUMBERS FROM MONROE COUNTY SHOW THE HEAR HAS JUST OVER 300 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THAT'S A DROP FROM ABOUT 350 LAST YEAR AND PROMPTLY 340 PEOPLE IN 2023.

AND INDIANA HAD MORE WATER QUALITY SUCCESS STORIES THAN ANY OTHER STATE LAST FISCAL YEAR.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY DESIGNATED A RIVER, LAKE OR STREAM A SUCCESS STORY IF THE WATER SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVES AFTER ONCE BEING TOO POLLUTED FOR THINGS LIKE SWIMMING, FISHING OR HOSTING AQUATIC LIFE.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS GETTING THERE IS HARD WORK.

>> CALEB RENNAKER WITH THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FISHES A WATER STRIDER OUT OF JACKSON CREEK NEAR OLCOTT PARK.

IDEM IS WORKING TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THIS STREAM.

>> BY PROTECTING IT, WE ARE SAVING A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT AND MONEY, BY FIXING SOMETHING WHEN WE CAN PREVENT IT FROM BEING POOR QUALITY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> BUT WATER POLLUTION CAN COME FROM SO MANY DIFFERENT PLACES.

WHETHER THAT'S SOIL AND FERTILIZER RUNNING OFF A FARM FIELD, A POORLY MANAGED CONSTRUCTION SITE OR SOMEONE'S FAILING SEPTIC TANK.

AND FOR WATER QUALITY TO IMPROVE, EVERYONE NEEDS TO DO THEIR PART.

RENNAKER SAYS IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO CONVINCE SOME LIKE A FARMER TO CHANGE THINGS ON THEIR LAND.

>> IT'S RISKY FOR THEM.

IT CAN BE COSTLY FOR THEM AND THEIR LIVELIHOODS.

>> WE LOOK FOR THE WIN/WIN SOLUTIONS.

>> THINGS LIKE PLANTING COVER CROPS AND INCREASING YIELDS AND REDUCING WEEDS.

THESE WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS CAN TAKE DECADES OF WORK.

HE SAYS INDIANA DOES A GOOD JOB OF COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL AND FEDERAL PARTNERS AND MAKING MOST OUT OF LIMITED RESOURCES.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> MORGAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED 2-1 THIS WEEK TO RED ZONE 158 ACRES FOR A DATA CENTER NEAR MONROVIA.

THAT'S ON TOP OF THE NEARLY 400 ACRES THEY APPROVED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THEY URGED THE COMMISSIONERS TO NOT REZONE THE LAND.

>> WE ARE UNINFORMED, BUT HOW CAN WE GAIN INFORMATION WHEN THE COMPANY OPERATES UNDER A CLOAK OF SECRECY WITH THINGS LIKE NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS THAT FORCE PEOPLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO DISCUSS ITEMS THAT WILL AFFECT ALL THE PEOPLE SURROUNDING THE IMMEDIATE AREA.

>> THE DATA CENTER'S DEVELOPER IS UNDISCLOSED AND THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE SIGNED NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS RELATED TO THE COMPANY.

AND SATURDAY WILL BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST MATCH-UPS OF THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON SO FAR, NUMBER 7 INDIANA PLAYING NUMBER 3 OREGON IN EUGENE.

BOTH TEAMS ARE 5-0.

AS ALEXANDER HALM REPORTS, IT'S A CHANCE FOR I.U.

TO PROVE THEIR CRITICS WRONG.

>> LAST SEASON INDIANA'S ONLY LOSSES WERE TO TOP TEN TEAMS, OHIO STATE AND NOTRE DAME.

AND NEITHER GAME WAS CLOSE.

SATURDAY THE HOOSIERS FACE THEIR BIGGEST TEST OF THE SEASON, BUT THIS TIME WITH THE ADDED CHALLENGE OF HAVING TO FLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ESPN COLLEGE GAMEDAY PROGRAM WILL BE ON OREGON'S CAMPUS MAKING THE SPOTLIGHT EVEN BRIGHTER.

>> THIS IS A TOP TEN MATCH-UP, BUT WE TREAT THEM JUST AS ANY OTHER GAME.

IT'S STILL A REGULAR SEASON GAME.

SO WE'RE TREATING IT JUST LIKE WE TREATED IOWA, ILLINOIS AND EVERY OTHER TEAM.

SO GO OUT THERE AND JUST CONTINUE TO DO OUR THING.

>> CENTER PAT COOGAN ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE OFFENSIVE LINE MUST PLAY BETTER THAN IT DID IN IOWA.

THEY FAILED TO CONVERT ON MULTIPLE SHORT YARDAGE SITUATIONS AND QUARTERBACK MENDOZA WAS SACKED TWICE.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO WORK MORE COHESIVELY AS A UNIT.

IT WILL NEVER BE ONE GUY.

IT'S A UNIT AND WE HAVE TO DO IT TOGETHER.

IT'S GOT TO BE ALL FIVE OF US OUT THERE.

>> OREGON HAS WON 18 STRAIGHT GAMES AT AUTZEN STADIUM, THE LONGEST HOME WINNING STREAK IN THE NATION.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ALEXANDRA HALM.

>> AND TOMORROW'S GAME KICKS OFF AT 3:30 P.M.

ON CBS.

>> I KNOW HOOSIER FANS ARE EXCITED FOR THIS ONE.

IT SHOULD BE A GOOD ONE.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WE VISIT BUTLER WINERY TO SEE HOW THEY ARE COMPETING AGAINST DESIGNER BRANDS AND A TREND OF FEWER PEOPLE DRINKING ALCOHOL.

AND VIGO COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE PLANNING TO CLOSE AND CONSOLIDATE A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS TO ADDRESS THE DECLINING ENROLLMENTS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

VIGO COUNTY SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE SHAKING UP THE DISTRICT AFTER DECADES OF SHRINKING ENROLLMENT AND DESPAIR.

WHILE TERRE HAUTE LEADERS SAY THE CHANGES ARE NEEDED, AUBREY WRIGHT REPORTS THERE ARE CONCERNS OVER COST AND THE EFFECTS ON STUDENTS.

>> KATHERINE DOWNARDS WANTS HER KIDS TO GROW UP IN A RURAL SCHOOL, JUST LIKE SHE DID.

THAT'S WHY SHE'S SENDING HER KIDS TO HOOSIER PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> THE SMALLER THE SCHOOL, THE MORE IT FEELS LIKE FAMILY.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE A FAMILY, YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE STUDENTS THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL.

>> THIS SUMMER, SHE LEARNED HOOSIER PRAIRIE AND THREE OTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WOULD CLOSE AS PART OF THE PLAN TO MODERNIZE VIGO COUNTY SCHOOLS.

SO SHE LAUNCHED HER OWN PETITION TO SAVE IT.

>> I WAS LIKE SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED THAT PETITION TO KEEP HOOSIER PRAIRIE OPEN.

DOWNARD SAYS VIGO COUNTY SCHOOLS DO NEED TO BE MODERNIZED, BUT SHE'S ALSO AFRAID OF HER KIDS MISSING OUT ON CLOSE CONNECTIONS IN AIL LARGER STUDENT BODY.

>> YES, I THINK THAT CHANGE NEEDS TO HAPPEN, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT CLOSING DOWN ALL OF THESE RURAL SCHOOLS IS GOING TO HELP.

>> BUT THE GEARS ARE ALREADY IN MOTION.

SUPERINTENDENT CHRIS HEN SELL SAYS THE DISTRICT WILL CLOSE, REPAIR AND CONSOLIDATE SCHOOLS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

HE SAYS IT WILL EVEN OUT CLASS SIZES, POOL RESOURCES AND PROVIDE MORE CURRICULAR OPTIONS.

>> WE WILL GO FROM 15 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO 10 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND FROM 5 MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO FOUR AND THREE HIGH SCHOOLS TO TWO.

>> HENSELL SAYS THERE ARE THREE PROBLEMS TO CONSIDER.

VIGO COUNTY HAS LOST THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS.

>> AND THE SECOND IS THE DISTRICT CAN'T AFFORD DISTRICTS AND REPAIRS FOR 23 SCHOOLS.

>> BASICALLY WHAT WE HAVE IS WE HAVE 23 MERCHANDISE OF ANNUAL NEEDS AND THAT'S ASSUMING ALL OF OUR BUILDINGS ARE BROUGHT UP TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL.

AND WE ONLY HAVE $9 MILLION IN WHICH TO DO THAT.

>> THE THIRD PROBLEM IS THAT THERE AREN'T ENOUGH APPLICANTS OR FUNDING TO SUSTAIN TEACHERS, GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AND OTHER STAFF.

>> IF WE WERE TO APPLY THE RATES OF INFLATION FROM 2010 TO 2024, WE'RE ABOUT $10 MILLION BEHIND WHERE OUR FUNDING WOULD BE IF WE DID KEEP UP WITH RATES OF INFLATION.

>> THE WORK WILL BEGIN WITH WEST VIGO HIGH SCHOOL.

IT WILL BE RENOVATED.

THEN A NEW HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT TO REPLACE NORTH AND SOUTH HIGH SCHOOLS.

IDEALLY THE DISTRICT WILL WORK ON NEW HIGH SCHOOLS AT THE SAME TIME.

>> HOW CAN WE GET THE FINANCING PUT TOGETHER SO WE CAN PUT THE SHOVEL IN THE GROUND?

ONCE WE CAN PUT THE SHOVEL IN THE GROUND WE ARE PROBABLY LOOKING AT THREE YEARS OUT BEFORE WE CAN MOVE INTO THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL AT WHICH TIME WE CAN THEN REMODEL THE CURRENT HIGH SCHOOLS AND GET THEM READY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL SPACES.

>> IT'S EXTENSIVE BECAUSE SCHOOLS SHOULD BE RENOVATED BEFORE MOVING KIDS INTO THEM.

HE SAYS IT'S LIKE DOMINOES.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A MINIMUM OF ABOUT FIVE YEARS BEFORE WE CAN FULLY IMPLEMENT EVERYTHING.

>> THE DISTRICT ALREADY LACKS THE FUNDING IT NEEDS.

SO HOW WILL IT PAY FOR ALL THESE CHANGES?

THE VIGO COUNTY GOVERNMENT MIGHT BE A SOLUTION.

>> FROM ALL DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES WE'RE JUST INCREDIBLY HAPPY TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE CONVERSATION.

>> THANKS TO A CHANGE IN INDIANA LAW, THE COUNTY COULD TRANSFER FUNDING TO ANOTHER TAX COLLECTING AGENCY, SUCH AS LOCAL SCHOOLS.

VIGO COUNTY IS SETTING UP A FIVE-MEMBER BOARD BY NEXT YEAR TO DO JUST THAT.

>> WE'LL REALLY GET INTO THE FINER DETAILS OF WHAT THE FUNDING LOOKS LIKE.

>> LOCALS DON'T WANT THEIR TAXES RAISED.

RESIDENTS VOTED AGAINST RECENT REFERENDUMS AND HENSELL SAYS THEY ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH WHAT THEY HAVE.

>> NOBODY LIKES ADDITIONAL TAXATION WHICH IS WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENT GOT INVOLVES TO SUPPLEMENT SOME OF THE SCHOOL'S PROJECTS WITH ALREADY IN PLACE TAXING CAPABILITIES.

>> A RECENT SURVEY SHOWED RESIDENTS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE OF VIGO COUNTY SCHOOLS AND BELIEVED MODERNIZING SCHOOLS ATTRACTS FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES.

SWEITZER SAYS THE PLAN PROBABLY WON'T MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY BUT HE BELIEVES PEOPLE ARE COMING AROUND TO IT.

>> IT'S NOT THAT I AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE ALL THE CHANGES AS WELL BUT SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE.

>> THE SCHOOL BOARD AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT ARE ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO REACH OUT AND ASK QUESTIONS.

WHILE SHE DOESN'T SUPPORT EVENTUALLY CLOSING SCHOOL, DOWNARD AND HENSELL AGREE ON ONE THING.

>> I WANT MY KIDS TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT TO FRIENDS AND I WANT THEM TO FEEL LIKE THEY'RE AT A SCHOOL THAT CARES ABOUT THEM AND THE FUTURE AS WELL.

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

>>> VIGO COUNTY SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED THE TOTAL COST OF THE PLAN.

TRADITIONAL WINE AND BEER MAKERS ARE FACING AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF COMPETITION FROM SPECIALTY DRINKS BEING SUCH AS HARD SELTZERS AND THEY ARE SEEING AN OVERALL DECREASE OF PEOPLE BUYING ALCOHOL.

>> N.I.Q., A GLOBAL CONSUMER INTELLIGENCE COMPANY REPORTS THAT ALCOHOL SALES DECREASED BY ALMOST A PERCENT LAST YEAR.

AND WINE SALES HAD THE STEEPEST DECLINE WITH A 4.4% DECREASE.

>> THE OFFERINGS OF BEVERAGES IS TREMENDOUSLY WIDE.

YOU'VE GOT THE SELTZERS, BEER, WINES, SPIRITS, SELTZERS, SPORTS DRINKS.

THERE'S JUST SO MUCH AVAILABLE NOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF COMPETITION IN THE MARKET.

I THINK THE YOUNGER PEOPLE, IN PARTICULAR, SEEM TO BE DRINKING A LITTLE LESS.

>> AND BUTLER WOULD BE CORRECT.

IN THE SAME STUDY N.I.Q.

FOUND THAT GEN Z IS DRINKING LESS IN GENERAL.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS CONCERNS HAVE A LARGE IMPACT ON ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION ALONG WITH THE RISE OF READY-TO-DRINK AND NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

>> THIS' A SHRINKING SHELF SPACE FOR WINE.

WE HAVE THE CBD BEVERAGES WHICH ARE TAKING UP SPACE.

SO JUST THE COMPETITION FOR SHELF SPACE IS TREMENDOUS.

>> BUTLER WINERY HAS VALUED THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU GET WHEN YOU VISIT THE VINE YARD.

IT'S NOW MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT THIS EXPERIENCE MAKES MEMORIES THAT PEOPLE COME BACK TO THE WINERY.

>> IT'S LOCALLY PRODUCED AND LOCALLY GROWN.

I MEAN, THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

>> BY FOCUSING ON THE EXPERIENCE, AND NOT BEING WHOLESALE DEPENDENT, BUTLER WINERY HAS NOT BEEN HIT AS HARD AS OTHER WINERIES.

>> WE WERE NOT WHOLESALE DEPENDENT AND THERE WERE SOME WHO WERE PRETTY WHOLESALE DEPENDENT AND THEY HAVE TAKEN A BEATING N THAT MARKET.

>> BUT THEY FELT THE DECREASING WINE SALES.

SO BUTLER SAYS THEY WILL STICK THIS THEIR ROOTS.

>> THE PEOPLE COME HERE FOR THE EXPERIENCE.

IT'S REALLY THE EXPERIENCE THAT DRAWS PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GO TO ANY LIQUOR STORE, GROCERY STORE, AND YOU CAN BUY WINE CHEAPER THAN WHAT WE CAN MAKE IT.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE OFFERING, I GUESS WOULD YOU SAY AUTHENTICITY.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ALIVIA WILSON.

>>> WELL, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT A K-9 WITH THE BROWN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WHO HELPED TO TRACK DOWN TWO LOST 11-YEAR-OLDS LAST SUNDAY.

THE KIDS BECAME SEPARATED FROM THEIR MOTHER NEAR SUNDANCE LAKE IN EASTERN BROWN COUNTY.

FIRST RESPONDERS BEGAN THE SEARCH AND THEN KNOX POINTED NEXT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY KNOX AND HIS PARTNER BROWN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY CODY LONKARIK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

WALK US THROUGH WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY.

>> SO ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5th, WE RECEIVED A 911 CALL FROM AN 11-YEAR-OLD JUVENILE FEMALE, STATING HER AND A FRIEND WERE LOST IN THE SUNDANCE LAKE CAMPGROUND.

ONE OF THEM WAS REPORTED TO HAVE ASTHMA AND BE LIGHT HEADED AND DIZZY.

SO WE RUSHED TO THE SCENE AS QUICKLY AS WE COULD.

ONCE WE GOT THERE, I DEPLOYED KNOX AND HE THEN GOT ON TO A SCENT TRAIL WHERE THE JUVENILE FEMALES WERE LAST SEEN BY THE MOTHER'S BOYFRIEND.

HE COMPLETED AN APPROXIMATE 550-YARD TRACK LEADING US TO THE FEMALES.

>> WOW!

SO HOW DID KNOX BECOME PART OF THE BROWN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT?

>> SO I WENT TO MY SHERIFF, TELLING HIM THAT MY DREAM IN THIS JOB WAS TO BE A K-9 OFFICER.

HE APPROVED ME TO HAVE A DOG.

WITH THAT IN MIND, I LOOKED UP PRUDENTIAL RANCH K9.

THEY TAKE SHELTER DOGS AND TRAIN THEM WITH HANDLERS AND GET THEM ON THE DEPARTMENT.

HE WAS ORIGINALLY AT THE SHELBYVILLE ANIMAL CENTER.

>> WHAT OTHER DUTIES DOES KNOX HAVE WITH THE DEPARTMENT?

>> HE IS A SINGLE PURPOSE DOG.

SO HE DOES NARCOTICS AS WELL.

AND HE DOES TRACKING AND ARTICLE SEARCHES FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

>> WHAT'S IT LIKE HAVING A PARTNER, A K9 PARTNER?

>> IT'S GREAT.

IT'S DEFINITELY A FULL-TIME JOB.

THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT.

IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF PATIENCE, BUT IT'S VERY FULFILLING.

I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR THE WORLD.

>> AND EVERY ANIMAL HAS A PERSONALITY.

KNOX SEEMS TO HAVE A PERSONALITY.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE KNOX.

>> HE'S KIND OF SHY AT FIRST, VERY, VERY ENERGETIC.

AND OBVIOUSLY, YOU CAN SEE HE LOVE HIS TREATS.

>> YEAH.

WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING ON THE SHOW TODAY.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> YEAH THANK YOU.

>>> 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