>>> HOOSIER NATION CONTINUES TO REVEL IN INDIANA'S WIN IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME MONDAY NIGHT.

AHEAD, WE WILL HAVE COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE HISTORIC WIN.

SOME COMMUNITIES ARE TRYING TO LURE DATA CENTERS IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE UP FOR LOST REVENUE FROM THE STATE.

WE'LL TALK WITH REPORTER BECKY THIELE ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS OF DATA CENTERS.

AND WE'LL LOOK AT SOME OF THE BILLS MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE STATEHOUSE.

WE'LLHAVE THESE STORIES AND MORE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

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

I'M JOE HREN.

THERE'S BEEN NO END TO HOOSIER NATION CELEBRATING INDIANA'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FROM PACKING KIRKWOOD AVENUE AFTER THE GAME TO CAMPING OUT OVERNIGHT FOR A CHANCE TO SEE THE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY AND QUARTERBACK FERNANDO MENDOZA.

WE HAVE TEAM COVERAGE OF HOW FANS HAVE REVELED IN INDIANA FOOTBALL'S RISE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE BIG TEN TO THE NUMBER ONE TEAM IN THE LAND.

PARENTS, CHILDREN, STUDENTS AND SENIORS PACKED THE SPORTING GOODS STORE TO GET A GLIMPSE OF A HOOSIER HERO.

[ CHEERS ] JONI BUCKLES BROUGHT HER FAMILY WHILE HER HUSBAND WAITED IN LINE.

SHE SAYS THEY HAVE WATCHED EVERY GAME THIS YEAR.

>> AMAZING FOR MY KIDS TO BE ABLE TO SEE.

HE PLAYS TRAVEL BASEBALL FOR THE ELLETTSVILLE BOLTS AND HE'S A GOOD CHARACTER, A GOOD PERSON.

>> HER SON LUKE AGREES.

>> THE BEST QUARTERBACK EVER.

HE IS -- HE'S REALLY TOUGH AND -- AND SUPER DOOPER NICE GUY.

>> GARY GROSS SAYS HE WANTED TO SEE ALL THE COMMOTION AFTER WATCHING I.U.

FOOTBALL FOR 75 YEARS.

>> OF COURSE WHEN I WAS FIRST TEN YEARS OLD.

SO NOW I'M 85.

SO IT'S BEEN A LOT OF YEARS OF FRUSTRATION.

>> JUST DOWN THE ROAD, KROGER WAS HOSTING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY.

LINES WEAVED THROUGH THE STORE TO GET A PHOTO WITH THE 24 KARAT GOLD TROPHY.

1600 FANS CAME TO SEE IT.

ANOTHER EVENT WAS PLANNED FOR WALMART THURSDAY.

THE HOOSIERS ARE ALSO HOSTING A FAN CELEBRATION AT MEMORIAL STADIUM SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

>>> NOW, AMONG THE THRONG OF I.U.

FANS WHO WENT TO MIAMI WERE TWO LOCAL PRIESTS TO SEE PARISHIONER MER NANDO MENDOZA.

FATHER PATRICK HYDE AND FATHER BEN KELLER FROM CAMPUS, WENT TO THE ROSE BOWL, THE PEACH BOWL AND THE NATIONAL TITLE GAME WITH THE HELP OF BENEFACTORS.

>> IT WAS LIKE THIS CLEANSING, THIS CATHARSIS OF WOW, WE ARE A GOOD FOOTBALL TEAM!

WE CAN COMPETE.

WE CAN DO GREAT THINGS.

WHERE SO MANY PEOPLE FOR SO LONG HAVE BEEN DISHEARTENED's DISSPIRITTED.

>> MENDOZA BROUGHT HIS HEISMAN TROPHY TO ST.

PAUL CATHOLIC CENTER ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

>>> LOCAL BUSINESSES ALSO WON ON MONDAY NIGHT WITH CHAMPIONSHIP MERCHANDISE READY TO SELL THE MINUTE THE GAME ENDED.

ACADEMY SPORTS OUTDOORS OPENED ITS DOORS AT 11:30 TO MEET THE DEMAND OF FANS WANTING T-SHIRTS CELEBRATING THE HOOSIERS.

THEY CLOSED AROUND 2 A.M.

THE BOOST IN SALES WILL BE FELT HERE AND OTHER STORES AROUND TOWN SELLING HOOSIER WARES.

>> I THINK BLOOMINGTON AS A WHOLE, AS A TOWN WILL PROSPER FROM WHAT I.U.

WINNING BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF BLOOMINGTON TO COME DOWN AND PURCHASE STUFF HERE.

AND THEY WANT TO ENJOY THAT EXPERIENCE.

>> NOW, HE SAYS ACADEMY SPORTS ORDERED MERCHANDISE AHEAD OF TIME, INCLUDING SHIRTS, HATS AND CUPS TO BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE IF I.U.

WON.

HOOSIER COLORS WERE ON DISPLAY ALL AROUND MIAMI MONDAY, LIKE THEY HAD IN LOS ANGELES AND ATLANTA.

THOUSANDS OF HOOSIER FANS CONVERGED ON THE CITY FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

I CAUGHT UP WITH A FEW OF THEM AT A FAN FEST.

>> IT WAS CRAZY.

I MEAN, WE WERE AT THE AIRPORT SATURDAY MORNING AND IT WAS A SEA OF RED.

EVERY GATE WAS I.U.

I MEAN, HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN YEARNING FOR THIS DAY?

I MEAN, IT'S JUST CRAZY.

IT'S JUST -- IT'S SUCH A GOOD FEELING, REALLY.

IT'S JUST SO -- SO MUCH PRIDE RIGHT NOW.

>> HOOSIERS!

♪ >> IT'S BEEN PHENOMENAL.

I MEAN, I.U., I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW, YOU TAKE CARE OF THE FAMILIES AND WE APPRECIATE YOU AND LOVE YOU AND IT'S BEEN NOTHING BUT POSITIVE VIBES.

>> MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT INDIANA IS THEY DON'T JUST THROW THEIR FRESHMAN OUT THERE.

THEY ACTUALLY DEVELOP THEIR PLAYERS.

THEY PUT SO MUCH INTO THESE KIDS AND IT'S WONDERFUL BECAUSE EACH AND EVERY KID IS SO AWESOME.

SO MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT INDIANA IS NOT ONLY THEY WIN, BUT THEY ARE A BROTHERHOOD.

>> WE GOT A GROUP HERE FROM SOUTHERN INDIANA HERE TO SEE THE GAME.

>> HI!

>> TELL CITY.

>> TELL CITY.

>> WHO IS GONNA WIN?

>> WE ARE!

WE'RE NUMBER ONE!

>> WE'RE DOWN HERE MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT ALL OF US GRADUATED FROM I.U., BUT MY DAD PLAYED ON THE 1945 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM.

HE WAS THE RIGHT HALF BACK AND SO IT WAS -- THIS HAS BEEN IN OUR BLOOD FOR SUCH A LONG TIME.

THEY DO HAVE THE DESIRE AND THAT'S WHAT I.U.

'S ADVANTAGE IS IN THIS GAME.

I MEAN, I JUST -- I AM JUST -- I HAVE NEVER ENJOYED WATCHING COLLEGE FOOTBALL IN AN AWFUL LONG TIME.

>> I WAS BORN IN BLOOMINGTON.

I WENT TO SCHOOL IN BLOOMINGTON.

I HAVE BEEN AN I.U.

HOOSIER MY ENTIRE LIFE.

THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE.

I NEVER EVEN THOUGHT IN MY MIND -- I WAS TELLING MY DAD, LIKE, I DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN BEAT MICHIGAN AND, LIKE, WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS?

THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE.

I WENT TO THE PENN STATE GAME AND I JUST, LIKE, WE WERE IN SHOCK FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE GAME.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT.

THE WHOLE THING IS UNBELIEVABLE.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORT THE GUYS ARE PUTTING OUT.

IT'S AWESOME.

GLAD TO BE PART OF IT.

♪ >> I.U.!

[ CHEERS ] >> NOW, BACK IN BLOOMINGTON, HOOSIER FANS POURED ON TO KIRKWOOD AVENUE AFTER THE GAME.

MANY HAD LINED UP OVERNIGHT SUNDAY TO WATCH THE GAMES AT THE UPSTAIRS PUB AND NICK'S ENGLISH HUT.

OUR CLAYTON BAUMGARTH HAS THIS REPORT.

[ CHEERS ] >> OH, MY GOD!

[ CHEERS ] >> SOME STUDENTS SAID THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE I.U., OF ALL TEAMS, THE 2026 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.

FOR RECENT ALUMNI AND SENIORS, THE TEAM'S TURNAROUND WAS HARD TO COMPREHEND.

[ CHEERS ] >> NO, WE DIDN'T -- WE NEVER THOUGHT THIS GAME WOULD HAPPEN.

>> THIS IS CRAZY.

>> OTHER STUDENTS WERE MORE CONFIDENT.

>> I WAS ALWAYS OPTIMISTIC.

I KNEW I.U.

COULD DO IT AND HERE WE ARE.

>> THEY ALWAYS PULL THROUGH.

>> ON CAMPUS, A SOLD OUT CROWD FILED INTO SIMON SKJODT ASSEMBLY HALL TO WATCH THE GAME.

>> AND FOR THE NEXT FOUR HOURS, FANS CHEERED AS IF THEY WERE AT HARD ROCK STADIUM IN PERSON.

BLOOMINGTON MAYOR KERRY THOMSON JOINED IN ON THE CELEBRATION AND SAID SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WINNINGS OF A BAKED GOOD WAGER.

>> TO MIAMI MAYOR, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO KEY LIME PIE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TALK TO YOU SOON.

WE ARE THRILLED.

IT'S AN HISTORIC MOMENT.

>> KIRKWOOD IS MISSING STREET SIGNS AFTER FANS TORE THEM OFF.

SOME STUDENTS CLIMBED STREET LAMPS, TREES AND AWNINGS TO OVERLOOK THE CROWD.

TWO COUCHES WERE ALSO BURNED.

THE SMELL OF GUNPOWDER AND SMOKE OCCASIONALLY FILLED THE AIR, AS FIREWORKS AND HELICOPTERS FLEW OVER THE CROWD.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WITH AUBREY WRIGHT, I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> HEAD COACH CURT CIGNETTI, TOOK HOME THE BEAR BRYANT COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN HOUSTON.

IT'S LATEST COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD FOREKING NETTIE -- FOR CIGNETTI.

>> THE HOOSIERS WERE QUESTIONED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY ON THE RUN TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE THEIR OWN BRAND, UNTIL CIGNETTI TOOK OVER IN 2024, INDIANA HAD MORE LOSSES IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HISTORY THAN ANY OTHER PROGRAM.

AND DESPITE NOW WINNING THE LAST THREE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, THE BIG TEN WAS ALWAYS SEEN AS A STEP BEHIND THE MIGHTY SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE.

>> I THINK THAT'S CALLED A PARADIGM SHIFT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF LIKE PEOPLE CAN CLING TO AN OLD WAY OF THINKING, CATEGORIZING TEAMS AS THIS OR THAT OR CONFERENCES AS THIS OR THAT.

OR THEY CAN ADJUST TO THE NEW WORLD.

>> CIGNETTI CREDITS INDIANA PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN, AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DOLSON.

THEY UPGRADED THE FACILITIES AND MAKING CIGNETTI AND HIS STAFF AMONG THE HIGHEST PAID IN THE NATION.

>> I THINK LOOKING BACK TO WHAT HAPPENED TO INDIANA PREVIOUS TO US COMING, 10, 20, 50 YEARS AGO, STRICTLY LACKED A COMMITMENT FROM THE TOP.

THAT'S.

IT PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

NOTHING ELSE.

AND WE HAVE A COMMITMENT.

>> THEY ALSO HAD TO CHANGE THE MINDSET.

>> WE DESCRIBED IT AS A SLEEPING GIANT WHEN WE GOT HERE.

INDIANA FANS AND JUST THE CULTURE AROUND INDIANA WAS HUNGRY FOR A WINNER.

THEY NEEDED THE RIGHT COACH AND THE RIGHT PLAYERS TO COME IN AND NIP THIS THING AROUND.

>> THE BIG THING IS CAN THE HOOSIERS SUSTAIN THAT SUCCESS?

TIME WILL TELL, BUT FOR NOW, EVERYONE IS BASKING IN THE SPOTLIGHT OF MONDAY NIGHT.

>> YOU KNOW WHEN THE CONFETTI FELL, IT'S SOMETHING I WILL CARRY WITH ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

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

>>> I'M JOINED BY ALEXANDER HOLM WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE I.U.

FOOTBALL TEAM'S RUN THROUGH THE PLAYOFFS.

YOU HAVE SEEN A LOT OF HER COVERAGE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WASN'T IT AMAZING.

>> OH, MY GOSH?

>> CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

>> IT WAS THE MOST AMAZING THING I EVER EXPERIENCED AND GETTING TO BE WITH THIS TEAM THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR AND SEEING HOW THEY WELL THEY PROGRESSED AND TO WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

IT HASN'T HAPPENED -- A SEASON LIKE THIS HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE 1849.

SO IT WAS AMAZING TO GET TO WITNESS THAT PIECE OF HISTORY IN MODERN DAY ERA.

>> AND BEFORE IT WAS THE TICKET PRICES AND WHAT WAS IT $3,000 FOR THE UPPER LEVEL.

>> $3,000 FOR THE UPPER LEVEL AND LOWER LEVEL, IT WAS $12,000.

AND FANS WERE PAYING THAT.

>> WHEN WE WERE THERE, THAT NEVER CAME UP, AT LEAST FOR ME, BEFORE THE GAME, AT THE STADIUM.

IT WAS ALMOST LIKE YOU COULDN'T PUT A PRICE ON THAT EXPERIENCE.

>> OH, NO.

>> YOU TALKED TO THE PLAYERS.

>> I DID TALK TO THE PLAYERS AND THEY WERE SO GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL FOR ALL THE FANS, ACTUALLY BEING HERE FOR THEM.

THEY SAID IT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN HOW THEY ACTUALLY PLAYED TO LOOK UP AND SEE THAT IT WAS 60-HO AND IT WAS I.U.

IN -- 60-40 AND IT WAS I.U.

IN MIAMI'S STADIUM.

THAT'S WHERE THEY PLAY ALL OF THEIR HOME GAMES.

>> UNREAL SUPPORT FROM HOOSIER FANS.

AND ALSO HERE WE ARE POSTGAME CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE.

WE JUST SAW SOME MEMBER -- OR FERNANDO WAS AT DICK'S SPORTING GOODS AND THE TROPHY IS AT KROGER.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME OTHER PLAYERS OUT TOO.

>> THERE WERE A COUPLE OF PLAYERS YESTERDAY IN RAISING CANE'S AND THEY HAVE THEM SERVE THE BOX COMBO.

SO YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN YOUR FOUR CHICKEN TENDERS AND FRIES AND THE PLAYERS WOULD HAVE SERVED YOU THAT.

THIS DREW A LARGE CROWD.

AND IF YOU WORE I.U.

MERCH, COULD YOU HAVE GOTTEN FREE CHIPOTLE.

AND COACH CIGS GETTING FREE BEER.

>> I THINK IT WAS AN ENTREE, IF YOU BOUGHT AN ENTREE, YOU GOT AN ENTRY.

THE LINES WERE THERE.

I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET CHI CHI -- CHIPOTLE.

IT WILL BE COLD TESTEDIUM.

>> I'M GOING AND IT WILL BE VERY, VERY COLD.

>> WELL, NOW WE HAVE SHELBY BROWN IS OVER THERE TO DO HEADLINES.

>> HI, I'M GOOD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, JOE.

>> AND SOUTHERN INDIANA IS ACTUALLY UNDER A WINTER STORM WATCH AND COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IS BEGINNING TOMORROW.

BLOOMINGTON IS PREDICTED TO RECEIVE ANYWHERE FROM 8 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW BEGINNING SATURDAY EVENING INTO SUNDAY.

COLUMBUS AND SEYMOUR COULD SEE MORE THAN A FOOT BUT SUBZERO WIND CHILLS MAY BE A BIGGER CONCERN.

>> IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE WALKING OUTSIDE, MAKING SURE THAT YOU A, LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT YOU ARE OUTDOORS AND YOUR EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS.

>> TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND ARE EXPECTED TO DROP INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS WITH WIND CHILL AS LOW AS MINUS 10 DEGREES.

BALL STATE UNIVERSITY'S ECONOMIST SAYS WE COULD EASILY FALL INTO A RECESSION THIS YEAR IN THE LATEST ECONOMIC FORECAST, MICHAEL HICKS SAYS TARIFFS CONTRIBUTED TO INCREASED PRICES FOR CONSUMERS AND LACK OF NEW JOB CREATION.

HICKS SAYS IN A GOOD YEAR, AROUND 40,000 JOBS ARE CREATED THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THIS YEAR, HE EXPECTS ABOUT A THIRD OF THAT.

>> SO THE ECONOMY IS UNDER PERFORMING.

I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY TOUGH YEAR.

IT'S GOING TO FEEL AND TASTE JUST LIKE A FORMAL RECESSION AT THE VERY BEST.

>> HICKS ANTICIPATES FURTHER POLICY VALIDITY AS THEY REVIEW THE LEGALITY OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TARIFFS.

HICKS ALSO NOTES U.S.

HAS THE HIGHEST TARIFF RATES SINCE THE TARIFFS BLAMED FOR HELPING TO START THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN 1929.

>>> A FAMILY MEMBER HAS SET UP FOR A GO FUND ME FOR A BLOOMINGTON TEEN BURNED IN A HOUSE FIRE THAT CLAIMED TWO LIVES.

PAULA ANDERSON AND HER TEENAGED DAUGHTER GABBY SUFFERED SEVERE BURNS AT THE HOME ON EAST ANDERSON ROAD.

GABBY'S AUNT STARTED THE GO FUND ME FOR HOUSING AND OTHER SUPPORT.

POLICE ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, BUT THEY SUSPECT IT WAS SET INTENTIONALLY.

>>> THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO HEAR COYOTES AS THEY LOOK FOR MATES.

WHILE THEY CAN SOMETIMES BE A THREAT TO SMALL PETS AND LIVESTOCK, OUR REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, A PURDUE UNIVERSITY EXPERT SAYS COYOTES ARE MOSTLY HARMLESS AND PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ECOSYSTEM.

>> THE COYOTES CAN CONTROL PESTS BECAUSE THEY EAT SMALL WILD ANIMALS LIKE MICE.

BUT BRIAN McGOWAN SAYS THEY ARE ADAPTABLE.

THEY WILL ALSO EAT CATS, SMALL DOGS, CHICKEN, SHEEP, CALFS AND FOOD SCRAPS IN THE TRASH, AND THAT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY IN THE WINTER.

THERE ARE SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO COEXIST WELL WITH COYOTES.

YOU CAN LEASH YOUR PETS OR KEEP THEM INDOOR AT NIGHT.

>> IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I KNOW I HAVE TWO SOCIAL GROUPS OF COY YOTIES, I -- COYOTES I HEAR THEM ALL THE TIME.

AND I HAVE A LITTLE DOG AND SHE'S VERY SMALL AND WE WALK AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT'S FINE.

>> McGOWAN SAYS NOT TO FEED COYOTES, THAT INCLUDES SECURING TRASH CANS AND NOT LETTING PET FOOD OUTSIDE.

>> IT'S A SIMILAR SITUATION WHERE YOU ARE JUST SETTING UP POTENTIAL AND LIKE -- MORE LIKELY CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE ANIMAL AND PEOPLE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> McGOWAN SAYS HE'S ONLY HEARD OF ONE INSTANCE OF A COYOTE ATTACKING A HUMAN IN INDIANA, AND THAT THOSE ATTACKS ARE EXTREMELY RARE.

THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NEARING THE HALFWAY POINT OF THE 2026 SEASON, AND A NUMBER OF BILLS ARE MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE STATE HOUSE.

TWO CRIMINALIZED UNAUTHORIZED CAMPING OR SLEEPING ON STATE-OWNED LAND.

THE BILLS WOULD ALSO MAKE CAMPING A CLASS C MISMEANING.

IT WOULD LIMIT LOCAL POLICIES ON ENFORCEMENT, ALLOW CIVIL ACTIONS TO FORCE ENFORCEMENT AND REQUIRE LOCAL POLICE TO REPORT ARRESTS TO THE STATE.

>> WE'RE -- WE'RE BASICALLY SAYING LET'S ARREST PEOPLE FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS A SHELTER, KNOWING THAT EVERYONE CAN'T ACCESS A SHELTER.

>> THE LEGISLATION WOULD INCREASE STIGMA AND PUT ADDITIONAL STRAIN ON LOCAL SERVICES, INCLUDING THE MONROE COUNTY JAIL.

HE CALLS INSTEAD FOR GREATER INVESTMENT IN HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS, BUT LAWMAKERS SAY ELECTRICITY BILL RELIEF IS STILL A PRIORITY.

THE PROPOSAL WOULD RESHAPE UTILITY PROVIDERS LOW-INCOME CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, BLOCK SERVICE SHUTOFFS TO THOSE CUSTOMERS OVER DANGEROUSLY HOT MONTHS AND PUT ALL RATEPAYERS ON PREDICTABLE BILLING PLANS.

THE MEASURE GOES TO THE FULL CHAMBER FOR CONSIDERATION.

>>> THE STATE IS CONSIDERING ADDING MORE OPTIONS TO EXECUTE PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW.

UNDER THE MEASURE, IT WOULD BE UP TO THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION TO ALSO CHOOSE FIRING SQUAD OR NITROGEN HYPOXIA AS MEANS OF EXECUTION.

CURRENTLY LETHAL INJECTION IS THE ONLY FORM OF INJECT ALLOWED IN THIS STATE.

>> ALL THIS DOES IS BASICALLY SIMPLIFIES AND MAKES THINGS EASIER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION.

IT TAKES SOME OF THE POTENTIAL GUESSWORK OUT OF THINGS.

>> THE INDIANA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE ACLU OF INDIANA AND OTHERS SPOKE AGAINST THE AMENDMENT.

NO ONE TESTIFIED IN SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATION.

>>> TWO COMPELLING BUT COMPETING BILLS COULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENTS IN INDIANA.

AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, ONE IS SUPPORTED BY TOWNSHIP LEADERS, BUT THEY SEE THE OTHER AS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT.

>> IN PRACTICE, TOWNSHIPS LOOK A LOT LIKE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.

BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP OFFERED ALMOST $140,000 IN DIRECT ASSISTANCE LAST YEAR.

FOR THINGS LIKE UTILITIES AND HOUSING AND ITS FOOD PANTRY HELPED ALMOST 2,500 HOUSEHOLDS.

BUT BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP IS A HIGH POPULATION AREA, SPANNING TOWN AND COUNTRY.

RURAL TOWNSHIPS USUALLY OFFER A LOT LESS.

HOUSE BILL 1315 WOULD ELIMINATE ANY TOWNSHIP WITH FEWER THAN 6,700 PEOPLE, THAT DOESN'T OFFER AT LEAST TWICE AS MUCH ASSISTANCE AS IT SPENDS ON SALARIES AND RUNS A FIRE DEPARTMENT.

BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE WAS AT THE STATEHOUSE THURSDAY MORNING LOBBYING FOR A RIVAL BILL.

SENATE BILL 270 WOULD FORCE TOWNSHIPS TO MERGE WITH EACH OTHER IF THEY UNDERPERFORMED.

>> I THINK TOWNSHIPS REALLY REFLECT THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND FOR A RURAL COMMUNITY, THE SERVICES THAT ARE EXPECTED OF THAT TOWNSHIP ARE GOING TO DIFFER VASTLY THAN WHAT'S EXPECTED IN, PERHAPS, A PLACE LIKE BLOOMINGTON.

>> REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME, TOWNSHIPS WILL LOSE REVENUE NEXT YEAR, UNDER LAST YEAR'S CHANGES TO LOCAL TAX LAW.

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

>>> AND JOE, LAWMAKERS HAVE, FOR YEARS, TRIED TO REDUCE TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT ARGUING THAT IT PRESENTS AN ADDED LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY AND FUNDING THAT TAXPAYERS HAVE TO SHOULDER.

>>> ALL RIGHT, SHELBY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> A STATE LAW THAT PASSED LAST YEAR AIMED TO LOWER PROPERTY TAXES FOR HOMEOWNERS IN INDIANA, BUT THAT MEANS LESS MONEY FOR SCHOOLS, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, LIBRARIES AND PARKS.

OUR REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, SOME COMMUNITIES ARE LOOKING TO DATA CENTERS TO MAKE UP FOR THAT LOSS.

THE ASSOCIATION OF INDIANA COUNTIES SAYS DATA CENTERS CAN ADD NEW ASSESSED VALUE AND OFTEN DON'T REQUIRE AS MANY GOVERNMENT SERVICES AS OTHER BUSINESSES.

>> DEVELOPMENTS LIKE DATA CENTERS CAN OFFER A LOT OF NEW ASSESSED VALUE, WHICH CAN BE TAXED, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO GENERATE MORE MONEY, AND REDUCE THE PROPERTY TAX RATE, PERHAPS.

>> BUT ONE BALL STATE UNIVERSITY ECONOMICS PROFESSOR IS SKEPTICAL COMMUNITIES WILL SEE MUCH BENEFIT FROM DATA CENTERS IN THE LONG RUN.

>> I'M AFRAID THAT THAT ANALYSIS THAT THESE ARE A BIG TAX BOONE JUST DOESN'T LOOK REALISTIC TO ME.

AND THAT'S, AGAIN, ASSUMING THAT THEY WILL BE AROUND FOR A LONG TIME AND THAT THIS TECHNOLOGY IS GOING TO BE CONTINUING TO PAY SOME REAL PROPERTY TAXES DOWN THE ROAD.

I'M NOT SURE THAT'S SOMETHING I WOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH.

>> THE NEW LAW ALSO ELIMINATED THE 30% TAX ON EQUIPMENT THAT BUSINESSES PAY AFTER THE TEN-YEAR TAX ABATEMENT PERIOD IS EVERY.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>> WELL, I'M JOINED NOW BY REBECCA FOR MORE.

SO WHEN A DATA CENTER GETS PLANNED FOR A COMMUNITY, WE OFTEN DON'T KNOW WHICH TECH COMPANY IS BEHIND IT.

WHY IS THAT?

>> SO DATA CENTER COALITION, WHICH IS A TRADE GROUP FOR DATA CENTER SAYS THERE'S A LOT OF COMPETITION FOR LOCATIONS.

TECH COMPANIES DON'T WANT OTHER TECH COMPANIES TO KNOW WHERE THEY PLAN TO BUILD.

THAT'S ALSO SOME OF THE REASON WHY YOU DON'T SEE HOW MUCH WATER OR ENERGY THEY PLAN TO USE INITIALLY.

THERE'S ALSO SAFETY AND SECURITY CONCERNS.

SO THAT'S WHY YOU SEE A LOT OF TECH COMPANIES ASK LIKE COUNTY COUNCILMEMBERS TO SIGN DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS TO KEEP THINGS CONFIDENTIAL.

SO THAT'S A LITTLE BIT HARD ON A COMMUNITY.

IT CAN MAKE IT HARD FOR THEM TO TRUST THOSE DATA CENTERS AND TO TRUST THEIR GOVERNMENT.

>> ANOTHER THING THAT PEOPLE GET CONFUSED ABOUT IS JOBS.

HOW MANY JOBS DOES A DATA CENTER CREATE?

>> THAT CAN REALLY VARY WHETHER THE DATA CENTER CONTINUES TO ADD ON TO ITS CAMPUS.

SO A TECH COMPANY MAY MAKE A CONTRACT TO PROVIDE AT LEAST 30 FULL-TIME JOBS BUT THEY WILL SAY UP TO 300.

SO IF YOU KEEP BUILDING AND BUILDING AND BUILDING, THAT ADDS ON TO THOSE JOBS.

SAME THING WITH CONSTRUCTION JOBS, IF YOU KEEP BUILDING, THOSE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ARE GOING TO HAVE THOSE JOBS FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.

AND THEN IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE DATA CENTERS IN AN AREA, AGAIN, WE'LL HAVE THOSE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.

>> NOW, WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT HOW DATA CENTERS CAN USE A LOT OF ELECTRICITY, AND THAT'S LIKELY TO MAKE ENERGY BILLS GO UP.

BUT SAY SOMETIMES THE ENERGY NEEDED FOR DATA CENTERS GETS OVERESTIMATED.

HOW CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

>> WHEN GOOGLE IS LOOKING TO BUILD TO A DATA CENTER, THEY MIGHT TALK TO MULTIPLE UTILITIES TO SEE WHERE THEY CAN GET HOOKED UP TO THE GRID THE FASTEST, AND THIS CAN TAKE YEARS.

UTILITIES AREN'T REALLY USED TO THIS.

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE DUKE ENERGY, NIPSCO AND I.&M.

ALL ASKING THE SAME GRID OPERATOR TO ADD THESE HUGE DATA CENTERS ON TO THE GRID, THAT'S WHEN YOU END UP DOUBLE AND TRIPLE COUNTING HOW MUCH THE TECH COMPANY NEEDS.

>> ALL RIGHT, REBECCA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AND THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUED ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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