>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY MEDIA SCHOOL FIRED THE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA FOR NOT ENFORCING A DIRECTIVE ON NEWS CONTENT.

>> I'M IN A POSITION WHERE I CAN TELL MY EDITORS THAT THIS IS THE THING THAT'S BEEN SAID TO ME, BUT THEN IT FALLS UNDER THEIR, YOU KNOW -- THEIR WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO IS WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO.

>> THE SCHOOL ALSO ANNOUNCED IT WAS ENDING ALL PRINT PUBLICATIONS OF THE INDIANA DAILY STUDENT.

>>> CHILDREN BORN DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC ARE NOW FIVE, AND SOME ARE STILL LAGGING BEHIND IN SOCIAL AND READING SKILLS.

>> FOR 18 TO 24 MONTHS OF THEIR LIVES, THEY WERE IN KIND OF LIKE ISOLATED ENVIRONMENT.

>> AT ONE EARLY-LEARNING FACILITY, TEACHERS ARE WORKING MORE ONE-ON-ONE WITH KIDS TO HELP THEM CATCH UP.

AND A NEW POLL SHOWS HOOSIERS ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE DIRECTION OF THE STATE AND ITS POLITICAL LEADERS.

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

>>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

FOR FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 150 YEARS, INDIANA UNIVERSITY WILL NO LONGER PRINT THE INDIANA DAILY STUDENT.

IT WASN'T THE ONLY SHAKE-UP AT I.U.

'S MEDIA SCHOOL ON TUESDAY, AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME ON THE SAME DAY THE SCHOOL FIRED ITS DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA.

>> THE NEWSROOM WAS AS BUSY AS EVER DESPITE THE NEWS.

REPORTERS HAD BEEN RUSHING TO MEET A DEADLINE FOR THE SPECIAL HOMECOMING DEADLINE, A PAPER THAT WILL NO LONGER BE PICKED UP.

>> IT'S NOT THE HOMECOMING GUIDE.

THEY CAN FIND HOMECOMING CONTENT ANYWHERE.

THEY WILL PICK UP THE PAPER WHEN THEY SEE ON THE NEWSSTAND AND SEE A REALLY GOOD STORY THEY CAN'T FIND ANYWHERE OTHER PLACES.

>> AND THAT MAY BE WHY THERE'S NOT A COPY OF THE I.D.S.

DAVID TOLCHINSKY DECIDED THAT CAMPUS LEADERSHIP DECIDED TO END PRINT EDITIONS IT WAS MADE TO OFFER, EXPERIENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES MORE CONSISTENT WITH FUTURE MEDIA.

HE ANNOUNCED THAT AFTER HE FIRED THE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA JIM RODENBUSH.

RODENBUSH REFUSED TO ENFORCE A MEDIA SCHOOL DIRECTIVE THAT THAT THOSE SPECIAL EDITIONS CONTAIN NO NEWS UNRELATED TO THE THEME.

HE TOLD HIGHER UPS THAT AMOUNTS TO CENSORSHIP.

>> I CAN TELL THE EDITORS THAT THIS IS THE THING THAT WAS SAID TO ME BUT IT FALLS UNDER THEIR -- YOU KNOW, THEIR WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO IS WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO.

>> AFTER I.U.

PAID ALMOST $1 MILLION OF THE I.D.S.

'S DEBT IT LIMITED PRINTING TO SEVEN THEMED EDITIONS PER SEMESTER.

GOAL WAS TO CUT PRINTING COSTS AND STAUNCH THE PAPER'S DEFICIT.

RODENBUSH SAYS HE STILL DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE MEDIA SCHOOL LEADERS CHOSE TO ENFORCE RULES ON WHAT NEWS COULD BE PRINTED.

LEADERSHIP FIRST GAVE HIM THOSE DIRECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER.

>> THAT WAS REALLY THE FIRST TIME THAT IT WAS COMMUNICATED TO ME THAT THIS -- THERE CAN'T BE NEWS, AND THAT THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT, BUT THIS IS, LIKE, A THING.

>> HE RELAYED THOSE ORDERS TO I.D.S.

EDITORS IN CHIEF LAST WEEK.

>> WE HAD HEARD ALMOST LIKE RUMORS THAT WE WOULD SOON BE DIRECTED TO STOP PUBLISHING NEWS IN OUR PRINT PAPER, BUT THE OCTOBER 7th WAS KIND OF THE FIRST OFFICIAL THING IN WRITING WE RECEIVED.

>> COEDITOR IN CHIEF ANDREW MILLER SAYS MEDIA SCHOOL OFFICIALS NEVER SPOKE TO THE EDITORS DIRECTLY.

>> WE TRIED, BUT WE HAVEN'T -- WHENEVER WE BROUGHT UP THE ISSUE OF THE SPECIAL EDITIONS, IT'S KIND OF BEEN DANCED AROUND.

>> NEITHER THE MEDIA SCHOOL DEAN OR CAMPUS LEADERSHIP RESPONDED TO WFIU'S REQUEST FOR A STATEMENT.

DAVID REINGOLD SAID IT WAS A FINANCIAL DECISION, QUOTE, CONCERNING THE MEDIA OF DISTRIBUTION.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF JOURNALISM SUZANNE COMFORT DISAGREES.

>> WE HAVE THE I.D.S.

CHARTER, AND IT'S CLEARLY INDEPENDENT.

YOU CAN'T HAVE JOURNALISM WITHOUT EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE, AND I THINK THAT OUR LEADERSHIP HERE KNOWS THAT.

I'M NOT SUSPICIOUS THAT THEY ARE CENSORING A SPECIFIC NEWS ARTICLE OR A SPECIFIC SUBJECT TO ME, THAT'S -- THEY KNOW THAT'S A BRIGHTLINE.

>> DEMANDING THE PAPER STOPPED PRINTING NEWS CREATED A STIR ON CAMPUS.

STUDENT MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS WIUX AND WIUS TV ISSUED STATEMENTS OPPOSING RODENBUSH'S FIRING AS HAS THE I.U.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT.

FREE SPEECH ORGANIZATION FIRE, THE FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION, DESCRIBED IT AS QUOTE, PATENTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

PROMINENT I.U.

ALUMNI SUCH AS CELEBRITY BUSINESSMAN MARK CUBAN SAY THEY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH I.U.

HE DONATED TO I. U. TO HELP KEEP THE PAPER AFLOAT.

LISA SORG SAYS SHE FEELS ASHAMED OF HER ALMA MATER.

>> WHAT I WAS TAUGHT WAS THE PRESS AND THE FREEDOM TO EXPOSE AND HOLD INSTITUTIONS ACCOUNTABLE IS A SACRED RIGHT AND WE SHOULD NEVER BACK DOWN.

>> MILLER SAYS THE MEDIA SCHOOL KNOWS WHAT IT DID IS CENSORSHIP, DESPITE WHAT IT SAYS.

>> JIM EXPLAINED TO THEM SO MANY TIMES THAT THIS WOULD BE BREAKING THE LAW, ESSENTIALLY.

AND, I MEAN, I REALLY SEE NO WAY THAT THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE.

>> THE I.D.S.

CONTINUES TO PUBLISH NEWS ONLINE.

ITS CHARTER GUARANTEES EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE AND A FULL-TIME DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA.

I.U.

HAS NOT SAID WHETHER RODENBUSH WOULD BE REPLACED FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>>> BLOOMINGTON POLICE RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF A FIGHT NEAR UPSTAIRS PUB BETWEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE IN AND AN UNHOUSED MAN LAST SATURDAY NIGHT.

AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, IT'S THE LATEST AGGRESSION TOWARDS UNHOUSED PEOPLE.

>> BY THE TIME THE OFFICERS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE ON SATURDAY NIGHT, THE CROWD HAD DISPERSED.

OFFICERS SPOKE WITH THE UNHOUSED MAN ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED, ROBERT BALLARD BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYONE ELSE INVOLVED.

IT'S THE SECOND INCIDENT BALLARD HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN RECENTLY.

THREE YOUNG MEN AND A MINOR WERE ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING BALLARD ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

BLOOMINGTON MAY MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SAYS SOME OF IT ESCALATED AFTER THE VICTIM INSTIGATED.

>> I WANT TO TALK TO ALL OF BLOOMINGTON AND SAY, YOU KNOW, IT IS -- FIRST OF ALL, IT'S NOT KIND AND IT'S NOT POLITE TO EVER TEASE ANYONE.

AND ONE OF THESE ALTERCATIONS SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF THAT.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE TREAT EVERYBODY WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

>> LAST WEEK, POLICE ARRESTED STEVEN DIXON FOR THE SHOOTING DEATH OF SEAN ALLEN SULLIVAN, ANOTHER UNHOUSED MAN.

AND LAST MONTH, RANDLE DeBOER, A SECURITY GUARD PATROLLING PUBLIC PARKS WAS CHARGED WITH ASSAULT FOR A DEADLY WEAPON FOR STRIKING AN UNHOUSED MAN ON THE HEAD WITH A BATON.

HE'S SINCE BEEN FIRED.

>> IT'S TRUE THAT SEVERAL OF THESE VICTIMS HAVE BEEN UNHOUSED.

WE DON'T BELIEVE, HOWEVER, THEY ARE BEING TARGETED.

>> SHE SAYS PEOPLE SHOULD NOT RESPOND VIOLENTLY TO SOMEONE THAT DOES NOT POSE A PHYSICAL THREAT OR GOAD SOMEONE WHO IS IN CRISIS.

>> RATHER THAN TAUNTING SOMEONE, THE KIND THING TO DO WOULD BE TO CALL FOR HELP AND YOU CAN GET MEDICAL ATTENTION OR YOU CAN CALL STRIDE, THAT'S OUR 24-HOUR CRISIS LINE HERE IN THE CITY.

AND, OF COURSE, IF THINGS ARE REALLY ESCALATING, CALL THE POLICE.

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

>>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON CONTRACTS WITH M.S.I.

SECURITY TO PATROL ITS PARKS AT NIGHT.

THE MOST RECENT CONTRACT FOR M.S.I.

SERVICES IS FOR $370,000.

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

WELCOME ALIVIA.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, JOE.

I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE.

A POLL CONDUCTED FOR THE INDIANA INDEPENDENT RELEASED THIS WEEK SHOWED 53% OF INDIANA VOTERS SAID THE STATE WAS ON THE WRONG TRACK, AND AS PAT BEANE REPORTS, SUPPORT FOR BOTH PARTIES IS WANING.

>> IN THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION PRESIDENT TRUMP WON BY 53%.

NUMBERS ARE MUCH WORSE FOR BRAUN.

>> WHILE GOVERNOR BRAUN IS AT 24%.

THAT'S A FOUR ALARM FIRE NUMBER.

>> 63% OF REPUBLICANS SAY STATE IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK BUT AS A RED STATE THAT HELD AS MAJORITY IN THE STATEHOUSE FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES, SAYS THAT NUMBER IS CONCERNING.

>> WE HAD REPUBLICAN DOMINANCE FOR YEARS.

I THINK WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS THERE ARE A GOOD NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS WHO ALSO DON'T LIKE THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING.

>> DESPITE THE LOWER POLL NUMBERS FOR REPUBLICANS, GOTSCH DOESN'T EXPECT THAT TO HAVE A BIG IMPACT IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS ONLY 25% VIEW THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FAVORABLY.

>> THE NUMBER FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ARE NOT GOOD.

IN FACT, THEY ARE WORSE.

IT'S ONE THING TO SAY THAT PEOPLE DON'T LIKE REPUBLICANS BUT IT'S ANOTHER TO GET PEOPLE TO START VOTING FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> HOOSIERS ARE AGAINST THE MIDCYCLE REDISTRICTING.

J.D.

VANCE HAS VISITED THE STATE TWICE FOR THIS MATTER.

WHILE SOME ARE VOCALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA, GOTSCH SAYS THE RISK OF REDRAWING IT MAY NOT BE WORTH IT TO MANY MEMBERS.

>> I THINK THEY ARE MORE LIKELY SLOW FOOT THIS AND RUN OUT THE CLOCK.

AT A CERTAIN POINT THE DEADLINE PASSES AND SAYS, WELL, WE TRIED.

WE COULDN'T GET IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> THE REALITY REMAINS THAT DESPITE THE POLL NUMBERS, INDIANA IS LIKELY TO REMAIN A STATE DOMINATED AT THE STATEHOUSE BY ONE PARTY, GOTSCH WHO RAN FOR AN INDEPENDENT HOUSE SEAT IN 2022 WOULD LIKE TO SEE DEMOCRATS OR INDEPENDENTS MAKE SOME INROADS IN THE STATE.

>> COMPETITION CREATES THE FORCES AT PLAY THAT MAKE OUR DEMOCRACY BETTER AND WHEN WE DON'T HAVE, THAT OUR DEMOCRACY GETS WORSE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> THE POLL OF 604 RESPONDENTS WAS CONDUCTED BY THE REPUBLICAN RESEARCH FIRM, NORTH STAR OPINION, WHICH ALSO DOES WORK FOR THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVED A $131 MILLION BUDGET TUESDAY NIGHT.

IT INCLUDES SIGNIFICANT CUTS AS THE COUNCIL HAD TO ADAPT TO MASSIVE REDUCTIONS FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS.

THE COUNCIL WAS FACING AN $8 MILLION SHORTFALL AT THE START OF THE BUDGET SEASON.

NOW IT HAS A SURPLUS OF ABOUT $400,000.

>> WE WORKED ALONGSIDE YOU, TAKING ROBUST PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE HEARD YOU THROUGH EMAILS, PHONE CALLS, TEXT MESSAGES.

AND IT WAS ONLY THROUGH THIS TEAM WORK THAT WE ROSE TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF MONROE COUNTY.

>> COUNCILMEMBER MARTI HAWK WAS THE ONLY VOTE AGAINST THE BUDGET.

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY TEACHERS UNION IS OPTIMISTIC THEY ARE CLOSE TO A NEW CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION.

ON WEDNESDAY, TEACHERS ACROSS THE COUNTY GATHERED OUTSIDE THEIR SCHOOLS, INCLUDING AT BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL NORTH TO SHOW SOLIDARITY TORE TEACHERS AND THE UNION, AND TO PROTEST STATE FUNDING CUTS.

TEACHERS HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A NEW CONTRACT SINCE THIS SUMMER.

>> I FEEL HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL REACH A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS WITH OUR ADMINISTRATION.

>> ONCE THERE IS AN AGREEMENT, BOTH SIDES MUST VOTE TO RATIFY.

NOBLE-KUCHERA SAYS IT'S POSSIBLE AN AGREEMENT COULD BE VOTED ON AT THE NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

>> FOUNDATION AND UNDERGROUND WORK WORKS ON THE BLOOMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION SITE, BUT THE SITE OF THE HOTEL SITS IDLE AS THE CITY NEGOTIATES TERMS.

THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD PROPOSED A 60 DAY DEADLINE FOR WITH A PATH FORWARD OR SEEK ALTERNATE DEVELOPERS.

>> SO TWO PARTIES ARE NOT PREPARED TO MAKE THIS REPORT BY THE DECEMBER C.I.B.

REGULAR MEETING, THE C.I.B.

WILL CONSIDER THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO IT, TO ITS FULFILL ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO SELECT A HOST HOTEL.

>> THE CITY BOUGHT THE LAND NORTH OF THE EXISTING CONVENTION CENTER FOR $7 MILLION, AS AN OPTION FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION OR HOTEL.

>>> THE HEAD OF THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SAYS THE FEDERAL LAW THAT REGULATES AIR POLLUTION IN THE U.S.

DESPERATELY NEEDS TO BE UPDATED, AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, CLINT WOOD SPOKE AT A RECENT HOUSE HEARING ABOUT THE CLEAN AIR ACT.

>> WOOD SAYS THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OFTEN SECOND GUESSES INDIANA'S DECISIONS LIKE PERMIT IT'S GRANTS FOR FACILITIES THAT POLLUTE.

HE SAYS IT CAUSES DELAYS.

FORM EPA DIRECTOR SAYS IT'S THE AGENCY'S JOB TO MAKE SURE THINGS LIKE PERMITTING ARE DONE PROPERLY AND CONSISTENTLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> ESPECIALLY WHEN MEMBERS.

PUBLIC HAVE BROUGHT QUESTIONS TO EPA ABOUT EITHER -- WHETHER THINGS ARE PROPERLY EXPLAINED, WHETHER INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN RESPONDED TO.

>> WOOD SAYS THE CLEAN AIR ACT ALSO NEEDS TO DO MORE TO ENSURE THAT STATES LIKE INDIANA ARE NOT PENALIZED FOR POLLUTION THAT'S OUT OF ITS CONTROL, LIKE WILDFIRE SMOKE FROM CANADA.

SHE SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WILDFIRE ARE THE CAUSE OF EXCESS POLLUTION AND MAKE THAT PROCESS MORE EFFICIENT.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> 20 NATIVE TREES WILL BE ADDED AROUND KIRKWOOD AVENUE AND THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

THE $8,500 PROJECT CALLS FOR SIX TREES TO BE REPLACED AND 14 NEW TREES TO BE PLANTED.

THE TREES WILL INCLUDE REDBUDS, AWE THORNS, YELLOWWOOD AND AMERICAN HORNBEAM.

>> EVENTUALLY WITH THE CANOPY IT WILL REDUCE THE HEAT ISLAND EFFECTS AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, BUT AS WELL AS BEAUTIFICATION.

PEOPLE LIKE TREES.

PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO THEM.

>> ANOTHER PROJECT UNDERWAY IS BICENTENNIAL TREE PLANTING ROUND THREE.

THAT INVOLVES PLANTING 380 NEW TREES IN THE BLOOMINGTON AREA.

>>> BECAUSE OF THE WARM AND DRY WEATHER THIS FALL, YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE PEAK FOLIAGE NEARLY A YEAR LATER THIS YEAR.

SASSAFRAS AND TULIP HAVE STARTED TO CHANGE COLORS SLIGHTLY BUT MOST ARE BEHIND IN CHANGING COLOR.

>> A LOT OF THESE VERY LIGHT GREENS WOULD BE -- IT WOULD BE JUST A FEW SHADES DARKER IN A LOT OF COLORS.

SO I MEAN, RIGHT NOW, SOME SPECIES, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF OAKS AND HICKORIES AREN'T -- HAVEN'T CHANGED AT ALL YET.

>> AND JOE, MAJOR EXPECTS PEAK FOLIAGE COMING AROUND THE LAST WEEK OF OCTOBER AND FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER.

>>> AND THE CHANGE IN COLORS ALSO MEANS PEAK TOURIST SEASON IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, ESPECIALLY THERE IN BROWN COUNTY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH ALIVIA.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A BLOOMINGTON LINE WORKER FOR DUKE ENERGY IS HEADING TO KANSAS CITY TO COMPETE IN THE INTERNATIONAL LINEMENS RODEO.

>>> AND CHILDREN BORN DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF DECREASED SOCIAL AND READING SKILLS IN SCHOOL.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

FIVE YEARS AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, SOME CHILDREN ARE STILL BEHIND IN THEIR ABILITY TO SOCIALIZE AND READ WHEN THEY GET TO SCHOOL.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI HAS MORE ON WHAT TEACHERS ARE DOING TO HELP KIDS CATCH UP.

>> AT THE COMPASS EARLY LEARNING CENTER IN BLOOMINGTON, KIDS HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SOCIALIZE BUT SOME ARE STILL BEHIND IN THIS SKILL FROM THE PANDEMIC PERIOD.

>> FOR 18 TO 24 MONTHS OF THEIR LIVES, THEY WERE IN KIND OF LIKE ISOLATED ENVIRONMENTS, WHERE IT'S JUST MOM AND DAD AND MAYBE A FAMILY SOMETIMES FOR BIRTHDAYS, HOLIDAYS OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT REALLY BIG SOCIAL COMPONENT WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO SOCIALIZE WITH OTHERS OR EVEN AROUND KIDS THEIR AGE.

>> A STUDY FROM NATURE SHOWS THAT KIDS SPENT MORE TIME IN FRONT OF SCREENS DURING THE PANDEMIC, INCREASED SCREEN TIME CAN RESULT IN SHORTENED ATTENTION SPANS.

HAS SEEN THESE EFFECTS IN THE CLASSROOM.

KIDS HAVE A HARDER TIME TRANSITIONING BETWEEN ACTIVITIES AND CONTRIBUTING TO LARGE GROUP DISCUSSIONS.

>> IT'S HARD TO GET THEM TO SIT AND PICK A CHOICE AND PAY ATTENTION TO THAT CHOICE, PAY ATTENTION TO SOMETHING FOR A LONGER THAN 3 SECONDS.

>> TO HELP, MOORE AND PAXTON WORK WITH KIDS MORE ONE ON ONE TO GIVE THEM MORE TIME TO RESPOND.

HELPING THE KIDS REMEMBER THE WORDS THEY NEED IN A SPECIFIC CONTEXT CAN HELP IMPROVE COMMUNICATION.

>> THEY ARE POINTING AND TRYING TO COMMUNICATE THEIR WANTS AND NEEDS BY POINTING, JUST GIVING THEM THE WORDS OH, I SEE YOU ARE POINTING AT THE MILK.

WOULD YOU LIKE MILK?

>> THE BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE TO PARENTS IS TO LET KIDS HAVE A CHOICE NOT MAKE THE CHOICES FOR THEM.

>> SOMETIMES FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH, LIGHTNING, -- LIKE, GETTING THEIR CHILDREN TO DO CERTAIN THINGS AND THEN IT TURNS INTO AN ARGUMENT AND A FIGHT, AND THEY GIVE THEM THE TABLET TO GET THEM TO STOP CRYING.

LETTING YOUR CHILD CHOOSE BETWEEN POSITIVE CHOICES THAT YOU ARE OKAY WITH AS AN ADULT, INSTEAD OF SAYING WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR BREAKFAST BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO SAY PIZZA AND YOU ARE GOING TO SAY NO AND YOU HAVE A FIGHT WHERE THEY ARE UPSET AND YOU ARE UPSET AND -- >> EXPERTS SAY LEARNING HOW TO REGULATE EMOTIONS CAN THEN HELP KIDS DO BETTER ACADEMICALLY.

>> THE CHILD WILL NOT MEET ANY ACADEMIC STANDARDS IF THEY CAN'T BE REGULATED IN THE CLASSROOM AND SO THEY ARE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME RECOGNIZING THAT EMOTION REGULATION REALLY IS THE PRECURSOR TO SOCIAL -- YOU KNOW, SOCIAL SKILLS OF ALL KINDS, BUT THEN ALSO THE ACADEMIC SKILLS.

>> A RECENT STUDY FROM CURRICULUM ASSOCIATES FOUND THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO ENTER KINDERGARTEN WITH READING SKILLS HAS DECREASED 8%.

OF PAXTON'S KIDS ARE BEHIND IN THEIR READING SKILLS AND ABILITY TO HANDLE BOOKS.

>> BEING ABLE TO SEE YOUR NAME AND KNOW THAT THAT'S YOUR NAME IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE PRACTICE AT SCHOOL.

PAXTON AND MOORE REVIEW THE FEATURES OF BOOK WITH THEIR KIDS AND THEN THEM SOUND OUT WORDS.

PARENTS SHOULD TRY TO READ WITH THEIR KIDS FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES A DAY.

>> AS A PARENT, I THINK 20 MINUTES, IT'S NOT THAT MUCH TIME, BUT IT'S HAD A TO FIT THAT TIME IN -- IT'S HARD TO FIT THAT TIME IN, UNLESS YOU ARE REALLY INTENTIONAL ABOUT IT.

I THINK OUR KIDS ARE KIND OF GETTING LESS AND LESS PRACTICE, PARTICULARLY WITH PHYSICAL BOOKS.

>> PAXTON AND MOORE SAY IT'S WORTH OF EXTRA TIME TO TEACH KIDS HOW TO SOCIALIZE AND KEEP THEM ENGAGED.

>> IT'S A LOT OF WORK FOR US, FOR TEACHERS TO PLAN AND DO ALL THE THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING THEIR INTERESTS AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE MATERIALS AVAILABLE.

BUT THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE.

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

>> A LOCAL DUKE ENERGY WORKER IS ONE OF 12 PEOPLE FROM INDIANA WHO IS GETTING READY TO COMPETE IN THE INTERNATIONAL LINESMEN RODEO THIS WEEKEND.

ISABELLA HAS MORE ON HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS.

>> JESSE ORR, A DUKE ENERGY LINE WORKER BASED IN BLOOMINGTON HAS SPENT FOR THIS WEEK PRACTICING FOR THE COMPETITION AFTER BREAKING HIS ANKLE FIVE MONTHS AGO.

IT SIMULATES LINE WORKER TASKS, SUCH AS CLIMBING UP AND DOWN POLES AND STRINGING WIRE.

THIS WILL BE ORR'S SECOND TIME COMPETING.

>> A LOT OF GUYS THEY GO TO HIGH SCHOOL AN THEY PLAY IN SPORTS.

HERE I AM A GROWN ADULT AND I STILL GET TO COMPETE.

AND THAT'S FUN TO ME.

IT'S GONNA KEEP ME COMING BACK TO DOING THE RODEO.

>> AS A FOURTH YEAR APPRENTICE, ORR WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE FIVE EVENTS INCLUDING TWO MYSTERY EVENTS AND A POLE CLIMB.

HE NEEDS TO CLIMB UP AND DOWN THE POLE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT CRACKING THE EGG'S REQUIRED TO HOLD IN HIS MOUTH.

IF HE CRACKS THE REGULAR, HE LOSES POINTS.

>> IMAGINE IF YOU ARE RUNNING, YOU ARE DOING SOME CARDIO AND YOU NEED TO BREATHE REALLY GOOD, YOU ARE PROBABLY BREATHING THROUGH YOUR MOUTH, YEAH.

SO YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

>> ORR IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MYSTERY EVENTS THE MOST.

HE FINDS OUT WHAT THOSE ARE THE NIGHT BEFORE HE COMPETES.

>> I ENJOY THE NIGHT BEFORE KIND OF GOING THROUGH THE PAMPHLET AND COMING UP WITH A GAME PLAN.

TO ME, THAT'S FUN.

>> AS AN APPRENTICE LINEMEN AT DUKE, IT CONSISTS OF CHANGING POLES BUT THERE'S OVERLAP BETWEEN HIS WORK AND THE COMPETITION.

>> EVEN THOUGH THERE'S DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OUR DAY WORK AND RODEO AND THIS IS A SPORT, WE ARE STILL DOING THE SAME THINGS.

WE'RE STILL CLIMBING POLES.

WE'RE STILL STRINGING WIRE, MOVING THINGS AROUND AND SO JUST BEING FAMILIAR WITH THE TOOLS, BEING FAMILIAR WITH OUR EQUIPMENT AND WE MAY BE GOING AT IT WITH MORE SPEED THAN ANYTHING ELSE, BUT WE'RE STILL STAYING FAMILIAR WITH THE JOB.

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

>> AND THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM'S RISE TO A NATIONAL POWER HAS PAID OFF FOR CURT CIGNETTI.

THE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED THURSDAY IT AGREED TO A NEW CONTRACT WITH THE SECOND YEAR HEAD COACH.

PAT BEANE HAS THIS REPORT.

>> YOU CAN CROSS CURT CIGNETTI'S NAME OFF THE WISH LIST, SUCH AS PENN STATE THAT JUST FIRED ITS COACH.

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAS TORN UP THE CONTRACT AND UP THE ANTE FOR THE REIGNING NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR.

THE NEW EIGHT-YEAR DEAL WILL PAY HIM AN ANNUAL BASE SALARY OF $11.6 MILLION.

>> I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD TO BE A HOOSIER, AND I PLAN ON RETIRING AS A HOOSIER.

AND THE WAY THAT THIS STATE HAS EMBRACED US AND OUR SUCCESS IN FOOTBALL HAS MEANT MORE TO ME THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE "U.S.A.

TODAY" DATABASE OF COACHING SALARIES IT WOULD MAKE CIGNETTI THE THIRD HIGHEST, BEHIND GEORGIA'S KIRBY SMART AND OHIO STATE'S RYAN DAY.

CIGNETTI TOOK OVER A TEAM THAT WENT 3-9 IN 2023 AND LED THEM IN AN 11-2 RECORD AND THE FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS LAST SEASON.

HE WAS NAMED THE BIG TEN AND NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR.

THIS SEASON INDIANA IS OFF TO A 6-0 START AND RANKED NUMBER THREE IN THE NATION, THE HIGHEST RANKING EVER.

>> WE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT HERE IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME BUT STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>> IT'S HOMECOMING FOR THE HOOSIERS THIS WEEKEND.

I.U.

HOSTS MICHIGAN STATE AT MEMORIAL STADIUM ON SATURDAY.

SPARTANS ARE 3-3 OVERALL BUT 0-3 IN THE BIG TEN.

KICKOFF IS AT 3:30 P.M.

ON PEACOCK.

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