>>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," INDIANA FOOTBALL FANS ARE CONVERGING ON ATLANTA FOR TONIGHT'S PEACH BOWL GAME AGAINST THE OREGON DUCKS.

>>> TO GET THIS MANY I.U.

FANS TOGETHER OUTSIDE OF BLOOMINGTON, WE NEVER KNOW THAT WE LEFT BLOOMINGTON.

>> THE WINNER ADVANCES TO THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIP GAME JANUARY 19th.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS MOVING FEDERAL DEATH ROW PRISONERS FROM TERRE HAUTE TO A SUPERMAX FACILITY IN COLORADO.

>> BASICALLY TRUMP IS HARNESSING THE FEDERAL PRISONS TO HIS CAMPAIGN OF POLITICAL RETRIBUTION AND HATRED.

>> AHEAD, WE'LL TALK TO REPORTER GEORGE HALE ABOUT THE REASONS BEHIND THE MOVE AND THE EFFECTS ON THE PRISONERS.

>>> AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS BACK IN SESSION AT THE STATEHOUSE FOR A SHORT 2026 TERM.

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

"INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: ♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M PERRY METZ, SITTING IN FOR JOE HREN WHO IS ON ASSIGNMENT IN ATLANTA FOR THE PEACH BOWL.

IT'S AN EXCITING TIME TO BE AN INDIANA FOOTBALL FAN.

THE NUMBER ONE RANKED HOOSIERS ARE ONE WIN AWAY FROM PLAYING FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

IT'S A FAR CRY FOR A PROGRAM THAT JUST TWO YEARS AGO WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BIG TEN.

OUR JOE HREN IS DOWN IN ATLANTA FOR THE GAME, AND HE JOINS US NOW.

>> HI, THANK YOU SO MUCH, PERRY I'M OUTSIDE THE MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM HERE IN ATLANTA.

INSIDE THE TOP RANKED HOOSIERS WILL PLAY OREGON IN THE PEACH BOWL FOR A CHANCE TO MEET THE MIAMI HURRICANES THAT'S JANUARY 19th IN MIAMI FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

LIKE LAST WEEK AT THE ROSE BOWL, HOOSIER NATION IS OUT IN FORCE IN ATLANTA.

YESTERDAY, THERE WERE EVENTS AT THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME AND THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM.

LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA, THE 95,000 SQUARE FOOT MUSEUM HOUSES MORE THAN 1 MILLION ARTIFACTS, CHRONICLING THE 150-PLUS YEAR HISTORY OF THE SPORT.

EACH YEAR THE HALL OF FAME CURATES SPECIAL EXHIBITS TIED TO MAJOR POST-SEASON EVENTS AND THIS SEASON, INDIANA'S COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RUN IS FRONT AND CENTER.

MUSEUM OFFICIALS SAY INDIANA'S APPEARANCE IN THE PLAYOFFS BRINGS A NEW ENERGY TO THE MUSEUM AND A NEW GROUP OF VISITORS.

>> ATLANTA IS SUCH A MELTING POT AND THERE ARE SO MANY INDIANA ALUMNI HERE.

AND THIS GIVES US AN ADDITIONAL REASON TO BRING THEM OUT AND HAVE THEM EXPERIENCE THIS CULTURAL INSTITUTION LIKE NO OTHER.

>> INDIANA'S RUN HAS ALSO PUT ITS HEAD COACH IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT, EVEN FOR MOMENTS OFF THE FIELD AT A PEACH BOWL NEWS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK, I.U.

FOOTBALL COACH CURT CIGNETTI PUSHED BACK ON A FORMER PLAYER'S CLAIM THAT HE'S NEVER HAPPY.

DRAWING LAUGHTER FROM REPORTERS.

>> NO.

THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES I AM HAPPY.

I JUST DON'T SHOW I'M HAPPY.

>> CIGNETTI IS WELL KNOWN FOR HIS STERN LOOK ON THE SIDELINE.

OFTEN STANDING WITH HIS HANDS ON HIS HIPS, EVEN WHEN THE HOOSIERS ARE COMFORTABLY AHEAD.

HE SAID THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT DEMEANOR.

>> IF I'M GONNA ASK MY PLAYERS, RIGHT TO PLAY THE FIRST GAME, THE FIRST PLAY, TO PLAY 150 THE SAME REGARDLESS OF COMPETITIVE CIRCUMSTANCES, THEN I CAN'T BE SEEN ON THE SIDELINE, RIGHT, HIGH FIVING PEOPLE AND CELEBRATING.

>> FANS VISITING THE HALL OF FAME THIS WEEKEND WILL FIND SPECIAL EXHIBITS HIGHLIGHTING INDIANA'S SEASON, ALONG WITH INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS THAT TRACE THE EVOLUTION OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL FROM ITS EARLIEST DAYS TO THE MODERN ERA.

VISITORS CAN ALSO SEE EXHIBITS MARKING THE 90th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HEISMAN TROPHY.

THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM HOSTED INDIANA AND OREGON FANS LAST NIGHT AS ONE THE MANY FESTIVITIES LEADING UP TO THE NATION NATIONAL SEMIFINAL GAME TONIGHT.

I.U.

FANS EXPLORED THE AQUARIUM AND THEN CHEERED ON THE HOOSIERS WITH A PEP RALLY FEATURING THE CHEERLEADERS, HOOSIER THE BISON AND MARCHING HUNDRED.

♪ >> TO GET THIS MANY I.U.

FANS TOGETHER OUTSIDE OF BLOOMINGTON, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW THAT WE LEFT BLOOMINGTON.

IT'S LIKE A HOME GAME.

>> MIKE PETERS FLEW OUT OF CHICAGO WITH HIS FAMILY FROM NORTHWEST INDIANA.

IN THE HOOSIERS WIN TODAY, HE SAYS THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN MIAMI.

>> MIAMI FOR SURE.

THAT'S THE FINAL STOP.

>> ALL OF MY RETIREMENT MONEY WILL BE GONE.

>> WELL, I'M JOINED NOW BY GALAN CLAVIO.

HE RUNS THE CRIMSON CAST PADCAST -- PODCAST.

I THINK HE WAS JOKING ABOUT HIS RETIREMENT, BUT, BOY, IT'S EXPENSIVE TO GO TO THESE BOWL GAMES.

CAN PEOPLE DO IT AFFORDABLE?

IT'S NOT 1990 ANY MORE, RIGHT?

>> IT'S TOUGH BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY I.U.

FANS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THAT DRIVES TICKET PRICES UP, PRETTY MUCH WHEREVER YOU GO, WHETHER IT'S PASADENA OR ATLANTA OR IF INDIANA WINS THE PEACH BOWL GETTING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

THERE'S THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH TRAVEL AND ULTIMATELY, WE'RE SEEING PRICES DROP.

THEY DROPPED QUITE A BIT FOR THIS GAME FROM WHEN PEOPLE FIRST GOT TO ATLANTA A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO.

YOU CAN DO IT SOMEWHAT AFFORDABLY BUT IT WILL BE EXPENSIVE, THOUGH.

>> IT'S ABOUT 600 UP EYE.

-- HIGH.

THAT'S STILL $1,000.

THE ROSE BOWL WAS REALLY EXPENSIVE UP UNTIL THE DAY OF THE GAME.

FOR A LOT OF I.U.

FANS, IT'S A LIFE OF A -- A CHANCE OF A LIFETIME.

WHAT IS IT LIKE DRIVING THROUGH THE COUNTRY AND FINDING I.U.

FANS.

THEY ARE EVERYWHERE.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLE.

IT DRIVES HOME HOW MANY PEOPLE WENT TO I.U.

OR HAVE AN AFFILIATION WITH I.U.

WE FOUND PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA CITY, ARIZONA, WALKING DOWN THE STREET.

WE WERE AT A GAS STATION IN TENNESSEE YESTERDAY, DRIVING DOWN HERE AND LIKE 20I.U.

FANS WERE LEADING EVERYBODY IN CHANTS IN THE PARKING LOT.

THIS IS A HUGE -- THEY CALL IT HOOSIER NATION, JOE.

AND IT IS REALLY A NATION.

>> AND THIS FOOTBALL SEASON HAS THAT CINDERELLA STORY TO IT.

IS THE NATION TAKING HOLD OF THIS?

>> I'VE HEARD FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY JUST IN RANDOM CONVERSATION, THEY WILL TALK TO A STRANGER AND THEY WILL BE LIKE MY SON OR DAUGHTER'S FAVORITE TEAM NOW IS INDIANA BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A GREAT STORY.

I THINK PEOPLE REALLY ADMIRE HOW THIS TEAM PLAYS AND WATCHING CURT CIGNETTI BECOMING A MEDIA CHARACTER THAT PEOPLE GRAVITATE TOWARDS HAS REALLY INCREASED THE INTEREST IN THIS TEAM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> WHAT DOES A GOOD FOOTBALL TEAM DO FOR THE UNIVERSITY?

WE KNOW WHAT IT DOES FOR SPORTS.

>> RIGHT.

>> INCREASES THE VISIBILITY OF YOUR LOGOS, OF THE SCHOOL NAME.

WE SAW THIS WITH BASKETBALL IN THE '70s AND '80s WHEN INDIANA IS WINNING TITLES.

YOU HAD PEOPLE APPLYING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

EVEN IN THE '90s WHEN WE WENT TO SCHOOL, I REMEMBER A GIRL IN MY FRESHMAN YEAR ORIENTATION GROUP FROM CALIFORNIA, SHE'S LIKE AT INDIANA.

WHY ARE YOU AT INDIANA?

OH, BECAUSE THE BASKETBALL PROGRAM.

FOOTBALL DOES EVEN MORE OF THAT BECAUSE SO MANY MORE PEOPLE WATCH IT AND SEE IT.

IT'S A HUGE BENEFIT FOR APPLICATIONS AND JUST FOR PEOPLE BEING INTERESTED AND AWARE OF THE UNIVERSITY.

>> I HAVE TO ASK YOU REALLY QUICK.

I KNOW I'M PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE VERY, VERY FIRST PLAY OF THIS SEASON AT HOME?

>> YES.

>> OLD DOMINION, WHAT HAPPENED?

>> OLD DOMINION SCORED LIKE AN 80-YARD TOUCHDOWN AND THERE WERE PEOPLE WERE IN MY SECTION, SAME OLD INDIANA.

IT WASN'T THE SAME OLD INDIANA.

THE START TO THE SEASON DIDN'T GO THE WAY EVERYBODY HOPED BUT THE WAY THE TEAM CAME TOGETHER AND THE WAY THE COACHING STAFF HAS PUT THEM TOGETHER HAS MADE THIS THE BEST STORY IN SPORTS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>> TONIGHT'S GAME IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THESE TEAMS HAVE PLAYED THIS SEASON.

INDIANA HANDED OREGON ITS OWN LOSS BACK IN OCTOBER.

AS PAT BEANE REPORTS, THE REMATCH IS WHAT MOST HOPED FOR WHEN THE PLAYOFF BRACKET CAME OUT.

>> INDIANA AND OREGON ARE ARGUABLY THE TWO BEST TEAMS REMAINING IN THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS.

THE HOOSIERS ARE 14-0 AND THE NUMBER ONE TEAM IN THE NATION.

OREGON IS RANKED FIFTH AND HAS ONE LOSS TO INDIANA BACK IN OCTOBER.

AFTER TONIGHT, ONE WILL BE PLAYING FOR A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> THIS GAME IS GOING TO BE WHAT COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS ABOUT.

I THINK YOU SEE TWO TOUGH TEAMS, TWO TEAMS REALLY COMPLETE.

THEY PLAY GREAT ON OFFENSE, DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS.

THEY DON'T HAVE A WEAKNESS.

ULTIMATELY, I THINK BOTH OF THESE TEAMS, IT'S ABOUT ELITE FOOTBALL.

>> INDIANA'S DEFENSE RANKED SECOND OVERALL AND GIVEN UP THE SECOND FEWEST POINTS IN THE NATION AND ALSO FORCED 26 TURNOVERS.

THE DUCKS' DEFENSE IS NOT BAD EITHER.

THEY RANK FIFTH IN THE NATION.

BACK IN OCTOBER THEY GOT A PICK SICK OFF FERNANDO MENDOZA.

THEY HAD HALF THE SEASON AVERAGE.

>> THEY HAVE A BUNCH OF GREAT FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND SCHEMATICALALLY THEY DO A GREAT JOB.

IT WILL BE A HUGE CHALLENGE.

IT WILL BE A HUGE CHALLENGE IN PROTECTING THE RUN GAME AND THE QUARTERBACK.

>> AT QUARTERBACK, IS THIS YEAR'S HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER, MENDOZA HAS THROWN FOR 36 TOUCHDOWNS WITH SIX INTERCEPTIONS.

HE'S RUSHED FOR SIX MORE SCORES.

>> DOESN'T GET ENOUGH CREDIT FOR HIS FEET.

HE'S AN UNBELIEVABLE SCRAMBLER.

HE WAS ABLE TO DO THAT AGAINST US LAST TIME.

DOES EYEBRIGHT JOB OF TAKING -- HE DOES A GREAT JOB OF TAKING OFF.

THEY HAVE A RUNNING DUO WHO HAVE COMBINED FOR 1900 YARDS AND 15 TOUCHDOWNS ON THE GROUND AND ROOT FOR EACH OTHER.

>> HONESTLY, WE HAVE THAT BROTHERHOOD TO WHERE WE KIND OF DON'T CARE WHO HAS THE SUCCESS.

I SAY TO MYSELF KIND OF LIKE WE WANT TO FEED THE HIGH HAND.

THAT'S HOW WE OPERATE.

>> THE LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET THE HOOSIERS PULLED AHEAD IN THE FOURTH QUARTER FOR A 30-20 VICTORY.

OREGON WAS RANKED THIRD AT THE TIME AND THE WIN BUT THE HOOSIERS IN THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION BUT THAT WAS WAY BACK IN WEEK SIX.

>> THE STAKES ARE HIGHER AND ALTHOUGH IT WAS A GREAT WIN FOR US IN PROGRAM HISTORY, AT THAT POINT IN TIME, I MEAN THAT GAME DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE.

>> I KNOW I SAID IT'S HARD TO BEAT A GREAT TEAM TWICE.

IT'S HARD TO BEAT A GREAT TEAM, PERIOD.

AND THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT.

SO OUGHT TO BE A GREAT GAME.

>> WITH THE WINNER PLAYING FOR A NATION NATIONALLE: FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>> SO INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN SAYS THE HUGE SUCCESS OF ITS FOOTBALL TEAM IS AN INDICATOR OF SUCCESSFUL LEADERSHIP.

BUT AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, FOR HOOSIER FANS CRITICAL OF THE ADMINISTRATION, PRAISE FOR THE I.U.

ADMINISTRATION CAN BE A TOUGH PILL TO SWALLOW.

>> UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS HAVE A LOT TO LEARN ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION FROM I.U.

MAKING IT TO THE ROSE BOWL.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN IN HER "WASHINGTON POST" OP ED LAST WEEK.

>> THIS FALL WE WITNESSED SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY AT I.U., A TURNAROUND, NO ONE COULD IGNORE.

YES, YOU SAW IT ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT IT WASN'T REALLY JUST ABOUT FOOTBALL.

>> A STUNNING TURNAROUND LOOKS APPEALING FOR I.U.

WHICH HAS REASONABLY SUFFERED BLOWS TO THE ACADEMIC REPUTATION AFTER ELIMINATING HUNDREDS OF DEGREES, RUNNING AFOUL OF FREE SPEECH GROUPS AND PROVOKING VOTES OF NO CONFIDENCE FROM ITS FACULTY.

WHITTEN SAYS THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IN FOOTBALL IS PREPARATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

AS IT IS, IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY CAN WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN FOOTBALL.

I FEEL JUST AS STRONGLY THAT INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND THIS REGION OF INDIANA CAN WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF ALL THINGS ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

IT'S NOT JUST THE PRESIDENT SAYING SO, ALTHOUGH IT'S OFTEN HER NAME MENTIONED AFTER ROCK STAR COACH CURT CIGNETTI.

I.U.

'S SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BEEN PLASTERED WITH FOOTBALL CONTENT, EVEN PAGES FOR ACADEMIC UNITS.

HOOSIER FANS WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THEIR TEAM GO TO THE ROSE BOWL IN ALMOST 60 YEARS DON'T NEED TO BE TOLD TO CELEBRATE.

>> BEING AT NICK'S WAS JUST FABULOUS, RIGHT?

I COULDN'T BE OUT IN PASADENA.

SO IT WAS CRAZY!

>> JACKSON IS THE DAUGHTER OF APRIL I.U.

DEAN AND A MOTHER OF AN I.U.

SENIOR.

SHE CREDITS WHITTEN IN PART WITH HER TEAM'S SUCCESS, BUT SHE STILL FEELS THAT ACADEMICS AT I.U.

ARE UNDER THREAT.

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO DO TWO THINGS AT ONCE, AND I FEEL LIKE WHITTEN'S LEADERSHIP IS FOCUSED ON ATHLETICS AND THE INDIANAPOLIS CAMPUS, WHILE TRYING TO GUT THE BLOOMINGTON CAMPUS.

>> STILL, I.U.

FOOTBALL HAS WON THE ADMINISTRATION'S RESPECT FROM SOME CRITICS.

>> HONESTLY, PAM DESERVES -- PAM AND SCOTT DOLSON DESERVE THE CREDIT FOR FINDING CIGNETTI AND THEY HAVE GIVEN HEM ALL -- HIM ALL THE RESOURCES HE NEEDS.

>> HE SAYS CURT CIGNETTI HAS DONE THE BEST COACHING JOB IN THE HISTORY OF COLLEGE SPORTS.

THE SPORTS ANALYTICS GURU THINKS THAT'S IN NO SMALL PART BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT KNOWS FOOTBALL.

BUT WINSTON SAYS HE DID NOT SEE THE SITUATION ON THE CAMPUS IMPROVE SINCE THEY HAD A NO CONFIDENCE VOTE.

>> IN POLITICIANS, THERE'S A TERM FOR THIS.

SPORTS WASHING.

THEY WILL USE SPORTS TO BOOST THEIR REPUTATION AND DRAW THE ATTENTION FROM SCANDALS.

>> THEY ARE USING SPORT.

IT'S A CULTURALLY THING WE ARE MEANT TO ENJOY AND IT'S NOT AN OBJECT THAT WE ARE USED TO BOOST REPUTATIONS.

>> HE HAS WRITTEN EXTENSIVELY ABOUT CUTTER, A GULF STATE WITH A HISTORY THAT HOSTED THE 2022FIFA WORLD CUP.

INFRINGE -- IN AMERICA, YOU HAVE THE HUGE SPORTS TEAMS LINKED TO UNIVERSITIES AND SO PEOPLE HAVE AFFILIATIONS THROUGHOUT AND THE AFFILIATION TO THE SPORTS TEAM AND OFTEN THESE TWO THINGS ARE LINKED AND SO CHEERING FOR THE SPORTS TEAM CAN SEEM LIKE YOU ARE CHEERING FOR UNIVERSITY, RIGHT.

>> BUT MUCH OF SPORTS FANS CAN BE PROUD OF THEIR TEAM AND COUNTRY WHILE CRITICIZING ITS LEADERSHIP, HE SAYS IT'S POSSIBLE FOR HOOSIER FANS TO DO THE SAME WITH I.U.

IT'S A MATTER OF THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT HOW THEY CHOOSE TO ENGAGE WITH THE UNIVERSITY.

WINSTON SAYS IF WHITTEN WANTS TO IMPROVE HER ADMINISTRATION'S IMAGE, FOOTBALL IS A FIRST STEP.

>> SHE'S EARNED SOME GOODWILL WITH THIS TEAM, BECAUSE EVEN PEOPLE WHO DON'T THINK SHE'S A GOOD PRESIDENT ARE THRILLED WITH THE TEAM.

I MEAN, IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

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

>>> WELL, THAT'S ALL FROM ATLANTA.

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

ESPN, YOU CAN FOLLOW ALL OF OUR COVERAGE ONLINE, WTIUNEWS.ORG.

PERRY, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, JOE.

THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESUMED ITS 2026 SESSION THIS WEEK.

WITH REDISTRICTING OFF THE TABLE AND NO BUDGET TO WORK ON THIS YEAR, LAWMAKERS ARE FOCUSING ON TRYING TO HELP HOOSIERS.

AS EDDIE STEWART REPORTS, ONE GROUP LOOKS FOR RELIEF ARE THE STATE'S FARMERS.

>> THE INDIANA FARM BUREAU IS BACK AT THE STATEHOUSE ADVOCATING FOR THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY WHICH THEY SAY IS DEALING WITH RISING COSTS, DEBT AND BANKRUPTCIES.

THE FARM BUREAU SAYS IT'S PUSHING TO STRENGTHEN RURAL COMMUNITIES AND PRESERVE PRODUCTIVE FARM LAND.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF IS ANOTHER TOP PRIORITY.

LAST YEAR, INDIANA OVERHAULED PROPERTY TAXES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING.

ADVOCATES HOPE LAWMAKERS ARE OPEN TO CHANGING IT.

>> IT WILL BE DIFFERENT, EVERY YEAR FROM HERE TO 2031 AS THESE PHASE IN, BUT THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE ALMOST INEVITABLY THERE WILL BE TWEAKS.

>> IN ADDITION TO TAX BILLS, THE INDIANA FARM BUREAU HAS ITS EYES ON A NUMBER OF AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL ISSUES SUCH AS A BILL THAT WOULD NORMALLY DEDICATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AS ESSENTIAL WHICH COULD INCREASE ACCESS IN RURAL AREAS.

ALL OF THAT MAY BE DIFFICULT THIS SESSION, AS LEGISLATORS PLAN TO BE FINISHED NEXT MONTH.

>> WE'RE IN THE SEVEN-WEEK SPRINT TO HANDLE SOME REALLY, REALLY WEIGHTING ISSUES.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M EDDIE STEWART.

>>> THIS YEAR'S SESSION AT THE STATE HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO WRAP NEXT MONTH.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY AUBREY WRIGHT FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

>> THANKS, PERRY, A FEDERAL COURT RULED THURSDAY THAT I.U.

VIOLATED THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTORS IT BANNED FROM CAMPUS IN 2024.

IT FOUND THE EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

AND THEY WERE FORCED TO RESCIND SOME OTHER ITEMS AFTER A COURT ORDER LAST MAY.

>> I FIRMLY HOPE THAT THE OUTCOME OF THIS CASE CHANGES HOW I.U.

HANDLES THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

WE HAVE A FEDERAL COURT TELLING I.U.

THAT ONE OF ITS -- THAT ITS EXPRESSIVE POLICY VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION.

>> THE TEN PLAINTIFFS IN THE CASE WERE MADE UP OF I. I.U.

FACULTY, GRADUATE STUDENTS AND ALUMNI.

>>> FLU SEASON IS IN FULL SWING, AND THIS YEAR, IT'S WORSE THAN IT'S BEEN BECAUSE OF A NEW VARIANT.

THE FLU VACCINE WAS DEVELOPED IN 2025, WHICH MAKES IT HARD FOR A VACCINE TO PERFECTLY MATCH THE CURRENT STRAIN.

THE NEW STRAIN WAS NOT DETECTED UNTIL AUGUST.

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT WE'LL FIND IS THIS VACCINE IS PROBABLY ABOUT AVERAGE FOR INFLUENZA VACCINES SEASONALLY.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A POOR MATCH, BUT IT MAY NOT BE THE ABSOLUTE BEST MATCH.

BUT I THINK IT WILL BE -- IT WILL BE BENEFICIAL.

>> AT LEAST 17 HOOSIERS HAVE DIED FROM THE FLU THIS SEASON.

>> DAN COMBS, THE LONG-TIME TRUSTEE HAS DIED.

HE WAS A STAUNCH ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE IN POVERTY.

HE WORE MANY HATS WORKING IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT, CHAIRING THE MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND TEACHING IN THE WABASH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND AT BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH.

COMBS WAS FIRST ELECTED AS TRUSTEE IN 1986.

HE WAS NOT PLANNING TO RUN FOR REELECTION.

>>> THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF INDIANA IS SUING THE CITY OF LAGODI OVER A RECENT ORDINANCE ABOUT PUBLIC GATHERINGS.

THE ACLU SAYS IT VIOLATES PREVIOUS COURT ORDERS AND IS A ILLEGALLY PREVENTING THE CITY'S ANNUAL PRIDE FEST IN THE TOWN SQUARE.

THIS REVIEW TWO PROVISIONS THAT WAS DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAST AUGUST BY THE COURTS.

>> IT'S HARD NOT TO LOOK AT THIS AND SAY, ALL THIS EFFORT IS AN ATTEMPT TO SOMEHOW PUNISH OR BAN OR BAR OR TREAT DIFFERENTLY THE -- THE PRIDE FESTIVAL BECAUSE OF WHAT IT STANDS FOR.

>> THE CITY'S PRIDE FEST HAS TAKEN PLACE AT THE PUBLIC SQUARE FOUNTAIN FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

>> INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA IS SUING ELI LILLY AND COMPANY OVER THE PRICE OF INSULIN.

THEY ALLEGE THE PHARMACEUTICAL GIANT WORKED WITH OTHER COMPANIES TO INFLATE INSULIN PRICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES.

THEY CLAIM THAT SIN SUE -- INSULIN CAN COST AS LITTLE AS A FEW DOLLARS TO PRODUCE, AND THEY CHARGE $500 TO $700 TO PRODUCE.

AND INDIANA'S HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2025 HAS ACHIEVED THE HIGHEST GRADUATION RATE ON RECORD.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS NEARLY 92% OF SENIORS GRADUATED LAST YEAR.

THAT CONTINUES A THREE-YEAR TREND OF IMPROVING, FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC.

DESPITE THE PROGRESS, GAPS REMAIN, AND, PERRY, GRADUATION RATES FOR BLACK AND ON HISPANIC STUDENTS IMPROVED EVERYLAST YEAR BUT THEY STILL TRAIL THE STATE AVERAGE AND LAG BEHIND THEIR WHITE PEERS.

>>> THANKS AUBREY.

A YEAR AFTER FORMER PRESIDENT BIDEN SPARED 37 PRISONERS ON FEDERAL DEATH ROW IN TERRE HAUTE FROM EXECUTION, BY REDUCING THEIR SENTENCES TO LIFE IN PRISON, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING GOOD ON ITS PROMISE TO TREAT THEM AS HARSHLY AS POSSIBLE ANYWAY.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO NEW REPORTING FROM WTIU'S GEORGE HALE WHO SPENT THE PAST FEW MONTHS WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH NPR'S INVESTIGATIVE UNIT TO TRY TO FIND OUT HOW THE ADMINISTRATION IS SINGLING OUT THESE 37 PRISONERS WHO RECEIVED CLEMENCY.

GEORGE, WHAT'S THE STATUS NOW OF THESE PRISONERS?

>> SO AS OF TODAY, THERE'S TEN OF 37 PRISONERS IN TERRE HAUTE ARE MOVED TO A PLACE CALLED A.D.X.

IN FLORENCE, COLORADO.

IT'S THE MOST RESTRICTED PRISON IN THE U.S., SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS THE ALTA -- ALCATRAZ OF THE ROCKIES.

IT'S MEANT TO HOLD THOSE CONSIDERED EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THE PRISON SYSTEM.

>> YOU FOUND THAT MANY OF THESE MEN DON'T FIT THAT LABEL.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE FOUND RECORDS SHOWING THAT THE PRISON BUREAU IS RECLASSIFYING ALL OF THESE MEN AS IF THEY ARE UNUSUALLY DANGEROUS TO JUSTIFY SHIPPING THEM OFF TO A.D.X.

THEY SAY IT'S NERVE WRACKING AND TAKING A SERIOUS TOLL ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE.

EARLIER THIS SUMMER, ONE OF THEM TRIED TO KILL HIMSELF.

HE LATER TOLD US IT WAS BECAUSE HE WOULD RATHER DIE THAN GO TO A.D.X.

>> NOW, YOU REPORTED THAT THIS SAME PERSON, FOLKS HAS A HISTORY OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS IN TERRE HAUTE AND THAT THAT HISTORY WOULD TYPICALLY PRECLUDE PLACEMENT AT A.D.X.

WHY IS HE STILL HEADING THERE.

>> WE ALSO REVIEWED RECORDS RELATED TO FOLKS AND A DOZEN OTHER PRISONERS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND IN SEVERAL CASES WE FOUND INTERNAL DOCUMENTATION THAT WOULD TYPICALLY PREVENT A PRISONER FROM BEING TRANSFERRED TO A.D.X.

FOLK IS AN EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE GIVEN THE LACK OF CARE AVAILABLE AT A.D.X.

BUREAU POLICY IS CLEAR THAT THEY MUST ATTEMPT TO PLACE SUCH PRISONERS IN OTHER FACILITIES.

>> DIDN'T YOU ALSO FIND A SIMILAR TREND WITH BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.

>> ALL 37 OF THE PRISONERS ARE BEING RECOMMENDED FOR PLACEMENT UNDER A.D.X.

THAT THEY CAN'T BE MANAGED ELSEWHERE.

WE FOUND THAT SOME OF THESE PRISONERS HAD NO DISCIPLINARY INFRACTIONS AT ALL AND NOW THEY ARE CLASSIFIED AS UNMANAGEABLE.

BUT THAT'S NOT TRUE FOR THE MAJORITY THESE MEN.

I SPOKE TO A LAWYER WITH THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION WHO IS REPRESENTING 21 OF THE 30 PRISONERS IN LAWSUITS AGAINST TRUMP AND THE U.S.

GOVERNMENT.

THE LAWSUIT ACCUSES THE ADMINISTRATION OF VIOLATING THE DUE PROCESS RIGHTS.

>> WHEN EVERYTHING ABOUT THEIR BEHAVIOR SAYS IT'S NOT ABOUT SECURITY.

BASICALLY TRUMP IS HARNESSING THE FEDERAL PRISONS TO HIS CAMPAIGN OF POLITICAL RECEIPT RETRIBUTION AND HATRED.

>> GEORGE WOOD, WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATION SAYING.

>> THE D.O.J.

REFUSED COMMENTING.

THEY SAID A.D.X.

IS AN APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DONE HEINOUS CRIMES.

MOST ARE STILL HEADING TO A.D.X.

>> THANK YOU, GEORGE.

THAT WAS GEORGE HALE REPORTING.

THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AAS -- AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

♪ >> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: