>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM HAS BEEN ON THE RISE ACROSS THE COUNTRY RECENTLY, INCLUDING IN STATEHOUSES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> MORE AND MORE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES ARE PRODUCING LEGISLATORS WHO FEEL THAT THE IDEA OF SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IS EXAGGERATED.

>> IT'S A BELIEF THAT THE LAWS OF THE U.S.

SHOULD REFLECT A SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIANITY.

CHINA HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST FOREIGN BUYER OF U.S.

SOYBEANS BECAUSE AS PART OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TRADE WAR, THEY HELD ALL THE ORDERS FOR THE CROP.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN WEIGHING A $10 BILLION BAILOUT FOR SOYBEAN FARMERS.

AND LAWYERS ARE NOW INVOLVED IN THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE I.U.

MEDIA SCHOOL AND STUDENT MEDIA.

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

>>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, SINCE THE ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK THE LEVEL OF CHRISTIAN NATIONAL RHETORIC IN OUR STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SKYROCKETED, BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR OUR PLURALISTIC SOCIETY?

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A STORY IN INDIANA AND WHAT THE PRESENCE MEANS FOR ALL HOOSIERS.

HE HAS THIS REPORT.

>> ON SEPTEMBER 10th, 2025, A POLITICAL ASSASSINATION SENT A SHOCK WAVE THROUGH THE AMERICAN RIGHT.

>> ON THAT TERRIBLE DAY, SEPTEMBER 10th, 2025, OUR GREATEST EVANGELIST FOR AMERICAN LIBERTY BECAME IMMORTAL.

HE'S A MARTYR NOW FOR AMERICAN FREEDOM.

>> WHEN TURNING POINT U.S.A.

FOUNDER CHARLIE KIRK WAS MURDERED HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS NOT JUST A FUNERAL, BUT RELIGIOUS WAR.

>> THE DAY THAT CHARLIE DIED, THE ANGELS WEPT, BUT THOSE TEARS HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO FIRE IN OUR HEARTS.

AND THAT FIRE BURNS WITH A RIGHTEOUS FURY THAT OUR ENEMIES CANNOT COMPREHEND OR UNDERSTAND.

>> THE LANGUAGE OF MARTYRDOM, OF SPIRITUAL BATTLE POINTS DIRECTLY TO A POLITICAL IDEOLOGY DOUBLING UP FROM STATE HOUSES TO THE NATIONAL STAGE, CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM.

THIS IS THE BELIEF THAT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS LAWS AND GOVERNMENT SHOULD REFLECT A SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIANITY.

THIS PAST INDIANA LEGISLATIVE SESSION, STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOANNA KING INTRODUCED HOUSE RESOLUTION 53, ASKING LAWMAKERS TO HUMBLY SUBMIT TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

>> IT SEEMS AS EACH ELECTION CYCLE GOES BY MORE AND MORE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES ARE PRODUCING LEGISLATORS WHO FEEL THAT THE IDEA OF SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IS EXAGGERATED AND, IN FACT, LEGISLATORS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE THE POWER OF GOVERNMENT TO RE-ENFORCE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES.

>> THE RESOLUTION WAS NOT ADOPTED BUT MORE THAN 20% OF HOUSE MEMBERS COSIGNED IT.

ALSO KEEPING THE MOVEMENT AT THE FOREFRONT IS INDIANA'S SECOND IN COMMAND, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MICAH BECKWITH, A PROUD CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST.

>> WE'RE ACTUALLY JUST SAYING WE SUBMIT TO THE HIGHEST OF ALL AUTHORITY, WHEN WE'RE GOVERNING.

IT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO WORSHIP JESUS, IT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS.

IT JUST MEANS RECOGNIZE HIS AUTHORITY AS BEING THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY AND MAKE SURE OUR LAWS ARE IN LINE WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY, WHICH IS THEN IN LINE WITH GOD'S AUTHORITY.

>> HE SAYS THAT THE NATION SHOULD BASE ITS MORALS ON CHRISTIAN VALUES.

>> I DON'T WANT THE COLLECTIVE DETERMINING THE MORAL TRUTH.

I DON'T WANT MICHAEL BECKWITH OR DONALD TRUMP OR NANCY PELOSI DETERMINING IT.

I DON'T THINK ANY ONE OF US CAN DETERMINE WHAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT.

>> IT'S DOMINION THEOLOGY, THE BELIEF THAT CHRISTIANS ARE MANDATED TO EXERCISE POWER OVER ALL ASPECTS OF SOCIETY.

IT EVEN HAS A MOBILIZATION STRATEGY CALLED THE SEVEN MOUNTAIN MANDATE WHICH TARGETS SEVEN SPHERES INCLUDING GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION AND MEDIA TO BE BROUGHT UNDER CHRISTIAN CONTROL.

>> ACTUALLY TAKING EVERYTHING BACK IN THE WORLD THAT HAS BEEN ROBBED FROM HUMAN BEINGS.

ROBBED BY SIN, ROBBED BY SATAN, THE DEVIL AND SO ON.

>> INDIANA HAS I HISTORY WITH THE INTERSECTION OF RELIGION AND POLITICS.

IN 2015, THEN GOVERNOR MIKE PENCE, SIGNED RFRA INTO LAW.

IT CAUSED NATIONAL HEADLINES FOR HOW IT WOULD EFFECTIVELY ALLOW BUSINESSES TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

>> MICHAEL PENCE, THE GOVERNOR, A DEEP, DEEP CHRISTIAN, A MAN WHO AGAIN AND AGAIN SAID THAT HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH CAME FIRST, NOT HIS FAITH IN THE CONSTITUTION, NOT HIS FAITH IN AMERICAN VALUES, NOT HIS FAITH IN DEMOCRACY, BUT HIS FAITH IN HIS GOD -- HIS GOD.

>> MADISON SAYS NOT ONLY IS CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM CONTROVERSIAL FOR ANYONE WHO ISN'T CHRISTIAN, THE BACKLASH TO RFRA SHOWED IT WAS BAD FOR BUSINESS.

>> YOU WANT TO ATTRACT THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST PEOPLE TO INDIANA TO WORK AT ELI LILLY COMPANY?

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO COME TO A STATE THAT HAS THIS KIND OF LAW ON THE BOOKS.

YOUNG PEOPLE WILL JUST NOT PUT UP WITH IT.

>> MANY FAITH LEADERS ARE SPEAKING, PASTOR DAVID GREENE SAYS HE'S REMINDED OF HIS UPBRINGING IN KENTUCKY, NEAR THE KKK.

>> WHEN I HEAR STUFF LIKE THIS COMING OUT OF THE STATEHOUSE, FOR ME, IT'S ALARMING BECAUSE IT TAKES ME BACK TO THAT.

THE ONLY THING IS WE SWAP ROBES TORE NICE SUITS.

>> HIS AND MANY OTHER FAITH LEADERS FEAR THAT THIS MOVEMENT IS DISTORTING THE TRUE IDEALS OF CHRISTIANITY.

>> WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE DON'T TAKE THE FLAG AND JUST WRAP IT AROUND THE CROSS AND CREATE A LOT OF CONFUSION BETWEEN WHAT IS TRUE RELIGION AND -- AND QUOTE/UNQUOTE CHRISTIANITY LOOKS LIKE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY BOB ZALTSBERG WHO WORKED WITH CLAYTON ON THIS SERIES.

CLAYTON IS A LITTLE BUSY.

HE HAS A 1-DAY-OLD BABY.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE, BOB.

>> WHAT IS BEHIND THE DECISION TO DO THE PROJECT ON CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM.

>> SO SINCE MICAH BECKWITH WAS ELECTED TO BE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I MEAN, HE SAYS HE'S A CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST.

AND THE EVENTUAL FAILURE OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 53 EARLIER THIS YEAR, SOME OF THE NEWSROOM STAFF MEMBERS LED BY CLAYTON PROPOSED A LONGER FORM PIECE ON CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM IN INDIANA, QUESTIONS WE WANTED TO ANSWER INVOLVED DEFINING CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM, SEEING HOW PRESENT IT WAS IN INDIANA AND WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS.

THE POYNTER INSTITUTE WHICH SUPPORTS MEANINGFUL JOURNALISM PROVIDED SOME FUNDING AND THE RESULT IS THIS FOUR-PART WEB AND PODCAST SERIES.

>> SO BOB, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIG TAKEAWAYS AFTER LOOKING AT THIS?

>> WELL, I HAVE TO CHANNEL CLAYTON.

I THINK THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY IS CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST IS ITS OWN CONTROVERSY.

PEOPLE ACROSS THE BOARD HAVE A DIFFERENT IDEA FOR WHAT THAT MEANS.

FOR SOME LIKE BECKWITH SAYS I LOVE BEING CHRISTIAN AND I LOVE MY COUNTRY, AND I'M A CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST, BUT OTHERS OFFER A MUCH MORE POINTED DEFINITION.

>> IT IS THE DESIRE TO SEE A VERY EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIANITY, PRIVILEGED IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE AND FUSED WITH AMERICAN CIVIC LIFE.

AND IT WANTS TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT, AT ALL LEVELS, VIGOROUSLY DEFEND THIS PARTICULAR EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIANITY AS CENTRAL TO NATIONAL IDENTITY AND SOCIAL BELONGING.

>> THE LABEL BEING THROWN ABOUT IS KIND OF ON A SPECTRUM.

WHILE BECKWITH'S VIEW SEEMS TAME WHITEHEAD'S DEFINITION SCARES SOME PEOPLE.

WE SPOKE TO ONE PASTOR IN ELLETTSVILLE.

ALTHOUGH HE AGREES THAT THE COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE A MORE CHRISTIAN MORAL CENTER, HE FAVORS A NONGOVERNMENTAL PATH TO GET THERE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE EVERYONE BECOME A CHRISTIAN BUT I DON'T THINK THAT CAN HAPPEN BY USING THE STATE OR THE GOVERNMENT TO DO THAT.

IT'S BY PREACHING THE GOSPEL AND CHANGING PEOPLE'S HEARTS.

>> SO HOW DOES INDIANA COMPARE TO OTHER STATES AS FAR AS CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES.

ACCORDING TO WHITEHEAD ABOUT 10 TO 12% OF AMERICANS STRONGLY EMBRACE THE IDEA THAT AMERICA SHOULD ELEVATE THIS EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIANITY.

AND ANOTHER 20 TO 25% ARE AT LEAST SYMPATHETIC TO IT.

THAT ONE-THIRD SUPPORTIVE VIEW IS RIGHT ON TRACK WITH THE NATIONAL NUMBERS.

BUT IT'S BELOW MANY OF THE SOUTHERN STATES.

>> THANKS, BOB, FOR COMING IN TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

FOR A DEEPER DIVE INTO CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM, CHECK OUT RED, WHITE AND RIGHTEOUS, A NEW INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT FROM OUR NEWSROOM.

IT'S AT IPM.ORG/RIGHTEOUS OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> THE INDIANA DAILY STUDENT IS STILL MAKING HEADLINES.

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER'S EDITORS HAVE RETAINED LAWYERS TO PUSH BACK AGAINST WHAT THEY SAY IS CENSORSHIP BY THE UNIVERSITY.

AND AS AUBREY WRIGHT REPORTS, THE I.U.

MEDIA SCHOOL IS FORMING A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES WITH STUDENT MEDIA.

>> LAST WEEK, THE I.U.

MEDIA SCHOOL FIRED ITS DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA AND ELIMINATED PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL EDITIONS OF THE INDIANA DAILY STUDENT, ITS ONLY REMAINING PRINT PRODUCT.

THAT LED TO A NATIONAL OUTCRY OVER WHAT THE STUDENTS AND OTHERS CALLED CENSORSHIP BY THE UNIVERSITY.

I.U.

CALLED THE ELIMINATION OF THE PRINT PRODUCT A BUSINESS DECISION, AND THE FIRING OF JIM RODENBUSH A PERSONNEL MATTER.

IT SAYS IT HAS NOT INTERFERED WITH EDITORIAL CONTENT BUT HAS A DUTY TO OVERSEE THE I.D.S.

AFTER THE UNIVERSITY FORGAVE $1 MILLION OF DEBT IT HAD ACCRUED.

>> WE DO, HOWEVER, HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THE FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF STUDENT MEDIA, WHILE HONORING THEIR EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE.

>> THE EDITORS.

I.D.S.

DISAGREE AND HAVE LAWYERED UP.

KRISTOFER CUNDIFF SAYS MATTERS RELATED TO THE I.D.S.

'S EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE HAVE BEEN ON HIS RADAR SINCE THIS SUMMER.

>> WE HAD BEEN IN CONTACT PRIOR TO THIS, BUT THE LAST TWO WEEKS, IT'S -- OBVIOUSLY IT'S BEEN MORE AT THE FOREFRONT BECAUSE SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED.

>> CUNDIFF AND THE I.D.S.

EDITORS ARE REQUESTING A MEETING WITH UNIVERSITY LEADERS.

I.U.

MEDIA SCHOOL DEAN DAVID TOLCHINSKY ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY THEY WERE LAUNCHING A TASK FORCE IN THE COMING WEEKS AIMED AT PROTECTING EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE AND FINANCIAL STABILITY OF STUDENT MEDIA.

IT WILL INCLUDE FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI.

ONE MEDIA SCHOOL PROFESSOR SAYS THE TASK FORCE COULD OFFER SOME OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE, BUT QUESTIONS WHETHER IT WILL ADDRESS PAST CHALLENGES.

>> THE INTENTION, LET ME PUT IT THAT WAY.

BUT I THINK IT'S TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.

IT'S SORT OF LIKE WATCHING YOUR HOUSE BURN DOWN AND THINKING, GEE, MAYBE I SHOULD CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

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

>>> FARGO SAYS THAT DESPITE RECENT CHALLENGES STUDENTS AT THE I.D.S.

CONTINUE TO PRODUCE AWARD-WINNING WORK AND MAINTAIN A STRONG ONLINE PRESENCE.

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

HI, SHELBY.

>> HI, JOE.

THANKS.

THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON IS LOOKING FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO ITS MAJOR NORTH-SOUTH TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR.

ONE PROPOSAL LEAVES COLLEGE AND WALNUT STREETS ONE WAY WHILE THE OTHER WOULD MAKE THEM EACH TWO WAY.

OPEN HOUSES ARE SCHEDULED AT CITY HALL NEXT TUESDAY AND THURSDAY TO VIEW AND LEARN ABOUT THE DESIGNS.

AND COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE ASKED NOT TO PURCHASE THE SITE FOR THE PROPOSED JUST CENTER.

A LETTER DRAFTED BY A COUNCILMEMBER CITES THE LOCATION OF THE JAIL OUTSIDE OF CITY LIMITS WITH NO PLANS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

THE PROPOSED SITE IS OFF STATE ROAD 46 NEAR I-69.

>> THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY OUT TO NORTH PARK TO BOOK PEOPLE IN AND THEN ALL THE WAY BACK TO WHEREVER IT IS THAT THEY ARE STATIONED IN TERMS OF REGION THAT THEY ARE PATROLLING.

>> THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER THE $8 MILLION REQUEST TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY NEXT WEEK.

AND FORMER INDIANA GOVERNOR MITCH DANIELS SAYS IN THE "WASHINGTON POST" SAYS HOOSIER LAWMAKERS SHOULD NOT CHANGE THE DISTRICTS.

THE INDIANA BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SAYS HOOSIER VOTERS OF COLOR WOULD BE MOST DISENFRANCHISED BY GERRYMANDERED DISTRICTS.

>> AND WHEN THAT POWER IS MANIPULATED, IT'S COMMUNITY OF COLORS THAT WILL PAY THE PRICE IN REPRESENTATION, IN RESOURCES AND IN RESPECT.

>> STATE SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAY THEY DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE THE VOTES NEEDED TO PURSUE REDISTRICTING.

>>> AND REPRESENTATIVES FOR GOOGLE RELEASED A STATEMENT WEDNESDAY CONFIRMING THE COMPANY AS THE DEVELOPER BEHIND A PLANNED DATA CENTER NEAR MONROVIA.

MORGAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAD REFUSED TO SAY WHO THE DEVELOPER WAS BECAUSE THEY HAD SIGNED NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS.

DESPITE RESIDENT PROTESTS MORGAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 390 ACRES OF LAND TO BE REZONED FOR THE DATA CENTER IN FEBRUARY AND THEN ANOTHER 158 ACRES THIS MONTH.

>>> IN INDIANA UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING A HAZING INCIDENT NEAR I.U.

'S CHAPTER PHI KAPPA PSI FRATERNITY.

AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE WERE HOSPITALIZED FROM INJURIES IN A HAZING INCIDENT LAST WEEK.

THE FRATERNITY WAS PLACED ON CEASE AND DESIST EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

ALL CHAPTER ACTIVITIES ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

>>> AND CONSERVATIVE MEDIA PERSONALITY, TUCKER CARLSON SPOKE AT AN EVENT HOSTED BY TURNING POINT U.S.A.

IT WAS SET TO FEATURE CHARLIE KIRK WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED LAST MONTH ON A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN UTAH.

CARLSON WAS ASKED ABOUT HOW TO KEEP THE MAGA MOVEMENT UNITED AFTER KIRK'S PASSING.

>> I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF US ARE MORE DIVISIVE OR HOT HEADED THAN WE NEED TO BE.

CHARLIE HAD A LOT OF EMOTIONAL SELF-CONTROL, WHICH HE WAS 20 YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME AND I ADMIRED THAT OPENLY.

>> AND JOE, GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN ALSO ADDRESSED THE CROWD TELLING COLLEGE STUDENTS SPECIFICALLY TO SPEAK OUT ON CONSERVATISM AND MAKE KIRK PROUD.

>>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS SO MUCH, SHELBY.

COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA SOYBEAN FARMERS ARE FEELING THE BRUNT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TRADE WORE WITH CHINA AND A HERD OF BISON IN NORTHWEST INDIANA IS INSTRUMENTAL IN TURNING FARMLAND BACK TO A NATIVE PRAIRIE.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S TRADE WAR IS HURTING INDIANA SOYBEAN FARMERS WHO RELY ON CHINA FOR SIGNIFICANT CHUNK OF THEIR SALES.

AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS THIS YEAR'S DAMAGE COULD LEAD TO LONG-TERM WOES.

>> YOU CAN'T GET MUCH FARTHER FROM CHINA THAN JASON MAXWELL'S FARM IN MORGAN COUNTY, INDIANA.

MAXWELL GROWS SOYBEAN AND CORN, ABOUT 50/50.

HE BUILT A HOUSE HERE FOR HIS SON WHO FIFTH GENERATION FOR THIS LAND.

>> IT SHOULD BE FLATTERING THAT FARMERS BE IN THE MIDDLE OF GEOPOLITICAL ECONOMIC, YOU KNOW, DEALINGS IN THE WORLD, AND IT ALSO SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR PRODUCT.

>> MAXWELL IS THREE-QUARTERS OF WAY THROUGH HARVEST AND CHINA ISN'T BUYING.

IT'S THE WORLD'S LARGEST SOY BUYER, IMPORTING MORE THAN THREE-FIFTHS OF THE GLOBAL SUPPLY, BUT BECAUSE OF RETALIATORY TARIFFS U.S.

SOYBEANS FACE A 20% HIGHER DUTY THAN OTHER EXPORTERS.

THAT'S DRIVING PRICES WAY DOWN.

>> AT NIGHT, WHEN YOU'RE SITTING THERE IN THE QUIETNESS AND YOU START THINKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR YOUR INPUT FOR THE NEXT YEAR?

>> NOW, AT OUR HARVEST, WE SHOULD BE EXPORTING TO CHINA BECAUSE LOWER PRICES, WE SHOULD BE MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE GLOBAL MARKETS.

BUT CHINA HAS NOT PURCHASED ANYTHING FROM US TO DATE.

>> TRUMP PLANNED BAIL OUT AMERICAN FARMERS WITH $13 BILLION IN TARIFF REVENUE, NOT JUST FOR SOYBEANS BUT OTHER EXPORTS AS WELL.

THAT WILL HELP IN THE SHORT RUN, BUT FARMERS HAVE NEXT YEAR TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> I WOULD RATHER THEM TAKE THAT AND EITHER PAY DOWN THE DEBT OR TRY TO HELP FARMERS WITH MORE PRODUCTS TO BE MADE OUT OF CORN AND SOY.

>> THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN DELAYED THOSE CHECKS.

IT ALSO STOPPED THE USDA BEAN COUNTERS WEEKLY REPORTS ON CROP YIELDS.

TRADERS AND IMPORTERS ARE ESSENTIALLY FLYING BLIND.

>> SO YOU HAVE TO RELY ON ANECDOTAL INFORMATION THAT YOU GET FROM TRADE MEDIA.

>> THE SHUTDOWN ISN'T THE ONLY REASON TIMING IS BAD.

>> THIS IS LOOKING LIKE THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF LOSSES, AND SO ANY SORT OF AID THAT IS PROVIDED IS MORE OF A -- A TEMPORARY BAND-AID TO HELP GET US INTO THE NEXT YEAR.

>> IN THE SHORT-TERM TARIFFS COULD DRIVE DOWN SOYBEAN PRICES.

IN LONG RUN THEY COULD DAMAGE THE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINESE BUYERS.

CHINA BUYS HEAVILY FROM BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA WHOSE OUTPUT HAS SKYROCKETED SINCE THE LAST TRUMP TRADE WAR.

>> IT'S NOT THAT CHINA COULD GET ALL OF THEIR SOYBEANS FROM BRAZIL, BUT THEY COULD GET A LARGE SHARE, BECAUSE BRAZIL HAS OVER 40% MARKET SHARE IN WORLD SOYBEANS.

>> SOYBEAN FARMERS WERE IRKED WHEN TRUMP ANNOUNCED A $20 BILLION BAILOUT OF ARGENTINA WHICH ANNOUNCED A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION ON THE SOYBEAN EXPORT TAX.

HE DOUBLED THAT LAST THURSDAY.

CHINESE IMPORTS ARE NOT ONLY ESTABLISHING NEW RELATIONSHIPS WITH SOUTH AMERICA.

THEY SAY AMERICA IS NO LONGER SEEN AS A DEPENDABLE TRADING PARTNER.

MANY THINK THAT TRUMP'S TRADING POLICIES WILL BENEFIT THEM IN THE LONG RUN.

>> IT'S JUST THE SUFFERING RIGHT NOW WITH US, IT'S SOMETHING WE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE DONE A LONG TIME AGO, AND WE DIDN'T AND THINGS -- THE WORLD GOT TO WHERE IT IS NOW, AND WE'RE TRYING TO PLAY CATCH UP.

>> THE AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION SENT TRUMP A LETTER IN AUGUST, URGING HIM TO REACH A DEAL WITH CHINA.

THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU MET WITH TRUMP'S TRADE REPRESENTATIVE JAMISON GREER IN WASHINGTON, D.C., ON THE 8th TO DISCUSS THEIR CONCERNS.

THE PRESIDENT SAID ON TRUTH SOCIAL, IT WILL ALL BE FINE WITH CHINA BUT THREATENED A 155% TARIFF ON CHINESE GOODS LAST SUNDAY.

SOME ARE HEDGING THEIR BETS PLANTING CORN RATHER THAN SOYBEANS.

THAT'S NO GUARANTEE.

>> IT'S NOT ONLY THE SOYBEAN PRICES ARE NOT DOING -- ARE NOT DOING VERY WELL, THE CORN PRICES ARE RELATIVELY LOW.

AND SO IT'S REALLY -- I MEAN, THAT'S PROBABLY ALSO IMPACTED WHEAT PRICES.

>> BUT WHEN THE BEANS GET CHEAP ENOUGH, SOMEONE WILL BUY.

SOYBEANS CAN BE CONVERTED TO VEGETABLE OIL, ANIMAL FEED AND BIODIESEL FUEL.

BY THE END OF THE HARVEST, MAXWELL WILL BE SELLING TO BUNGE GLOBAL AT WHATEVER PRICE THEY PLAN TO PAY.

>> IF THE ECONOMY IS BAD FOR THE FARM, IT'S BAD AT HOME.

AND THERE'S NOTHING -- YOU CAN'T WORK ANY HARDER.

YOU CAN'T -- THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

FARMERS ARE KIND OF AT THE MERCY OF WEATHER AND POLITICIANS THAT DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO RUN A COMBINE.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>>> CHINA IMPORTED $12.8 BILLION WORTH OF SOYBEANS FROM THE U.S.

IN 2024.

IT STOPPED PURCHASING AMERICAN SOYBEANS IN SEPTEMBER.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY ISN'T THE ONLY ONE BRINGING BACK A BISON.

ONE I.U.

ALUMNA HAS BEEN WORKING FOR OVER 20 YEARS TO PRESERVE A BISON HERD IN NORTHWEST INDIANA.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI TELLS US WHAT IT TAKES TO GROW IN HERD.

>>> ALYSSA NYBERG IS NOW THE PRESERVE HERE.

SHE STARTED HERE 20 YEARS.

SHE'S BEEN WORKING EVER SINCE CONVERTING IT TO A PRAIRIE.

>> THAT MEANS PICKING AN AWFUL LOT OF SEEDS AND SOWING THOSE SEEDS ON THE LAND AND THEN AFTER VEGETATING THE AREA, YOU NEED TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT.

SO THAT'S COMING IN TO MANAGE THE INVASIVE PLANT.

>> NYBERG BROUGHT IN THE FIRST 23 BISON IN 2016 FROM SOUTH DAKOTA AND HAS SLOWLY BROUGHT IN MORE OVER THE LAST NINE YEARS.

NOW, OVER 100 BISON GRAZE ABOUT 1,000 OF THE 8400 ACRES THAT MAKE UP KANKAKEE SANDS.

>> BISON ARE KEYSTONE SPECIES OF THE PRAIRIE.

SO THEIR ACTIONS AFFECT SO MANY OTHER SPECIES.

THEY CAN REALLY HELP TO KEEP A PRAIRIE SYSTEM HEALTHY AND THRIVING.

>> BISON ENCOURAGED PLANT DIVERSITY, HELPING BIRDS, REPTILES AND INSECTS TO FLOURISH.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF REALLY TALL, ROBUST GRASSES IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO GROW WITH SOMETHING IN CHECK, THEY COULD TAKE OVER AND MAYBE PUSH OUT SOME OF OUR OTHER NATIVE PLANT SPECIES.

>> WHEN MANAGING THE BISON, SCOUTEN TAKES A HANDS OFF APPROACH GIVING THEM ACCESS TO FOOD, WATER AND SPACE TO ROAM.

>> A LOT OF IT IS WATCHING THEM AND JUST KEEPING AN EYE OUT AND IF WE SEE SOMETHING THAT WE MAYBE NEED TO HELP THEM OUT WITH, YOU KNOW, WE WILL TALK WITH THE VET ABOUT THAT.

BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IF THEY HAVE SPACE, THE ABILITY TO SOCIALIZE WITH EACH OTHER, THEY ARE REALLY HEALTHY AND RESILIENT.

>> NYBERG SAYS SHE FINDS IT IMPORTANT TO RESTORE PRAIRIES AND GET PEOPLE OUT INTO NATURE.

PRAIRIES USE TO COVER ABOUT 15% OF THE STATE, NOW THAT'S DOWN TO 1%.

>> IT JUST FEELS SO GOOD TO BE OUTSIDE, TO BE ABLE TO WITNESS, YOU KNOW, THE BEAUTY OF NATURE AND TO SEE THE POSITIVE IMPACT THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE.

>> NYBERG AND SCOUTEN ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE BISON'S RETURN AS I.U.

'S MASCOT AND HOPE THE INCREASED ATTENTION TO THE ANIMAL WILL BRING MORE PEOPLE OUT TO THE PRAIRIE.

>> IT REALLY DOES, I THINK JUST GO TO SHOW, YOU KNOW, MORE PEOPLE ARE REALIZING AND REMEMBERING THAT BISON ARE PART OF INDIANA'S NATURAL HISTORY.

THEY ARE PART OF THE SCHOOL'S HISTORY AND THE STATE'S HISTORY.

AND SO JUST SEEING THAT IN DIFFERENT PLACES BEING BROUGHT BACK HERE, IS REALLY COOL.

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

>>> THE SECOND RANKED INDIANA HOOSIERS ARE LOOKING TO GO 8-0 FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON WHEN IT HOSTS UCLA ON SATURDAY.

THE BRUINS COME TO THE GAME WITH A 3-4 RECORD, BUT HAVE TURNED THEIR SEASON AROUND AFTER FIRING HEAD COACH DESHAUN FOSTER LAST MONTH, WINNING THEIR LAST THREE GAMES.

SATURDAY'S GAME KICKS OFF AT NOON ON FOX.

>>> AND THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE