>>> BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES COULD BE AROUND FOR ANOTHER TWO WEEKS BY THE TIME ALL IS SAID AND DONE, WITH MORE SNOW POSSIBLE.

WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST ON THE ENDURING COLD SNAP AND THE DIG OUT FROM LAST WEEKEND'S STORM.

>> THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE IS ADVANCING LEGISLATION TO ADVANCE THE STATE SYRINGE PROGRAM FOR ANOTHER DECADE BUT CRITICS OF PROGRAM SAYS IT ENABLES DRUG USERS.

AND A LOCAL COMPANY IS RECEIVING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CONTRACTS FROM ICE AND CUSTOMS AND BORDER CONTROL.

MORE ON THAT JUST AHEAD.

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

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

I'M JOE HREN.

BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE CONTINUING TO SLOW SNOW REMOVALLESTS FOLLOWING LAST WEEK'S WINTER STORM.

NOW SOME AREAS IN SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL INDIANA GOT 15 INCHES OF SNOW AND THE SNOW AND ICE ISN'T GOING AWAY BECAUSE IT'S SO COLD.

THAT'S BECAUSE SALT DOESN'T MELT ICE WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 15 DEGREES.

IN MONROE COUNTY, CREWS ARE USING A SALT AND SAND MIXTURE AND PRIORITIZING MAIN ROADS.

>> I THINK YOU STILL HAVE TO GO SLOW.

THERE ARE A LOT -- MOST OF THE ROADS STILL HAVE SOME SNOW PACK FROZEN MATERIAL, FROZEN SNOW ON IT.

>> SHE SAYS THE STORM WILL END UP COSTING THE COUNTY AROUND $80,000.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS IT'S NOT GOING TO GET ABOVE FREEZING FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT TEN DAYS.

EDDIE STEWART HAS MORE.

>>> MANY BLOOMINGTON RESIDENTS ARE STILL SHOVELING OUT AFTER OVER A FOOT OF SNOWFALL LAST WEEKEND.

>> IT KINDA SUCKS.

I'M TRYING TO AVOID GETTING MY NOSE FROZEN OFF AND MY FINGERTIPS, JUST TRYING TO, LIKE, COVER UP AND KEEP AS WARM AS POSSIBLE.

>> THE LINGERING COLD TEMPS MEAN THAT PEOPLE CAN'T RELY ON SNOW QUICKLY MELTING AWAY.

>> THE WORST OF IT IS BECAUSE OF THE COLD WEATHER THIS SNOW ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE FOR WEEKS.

>> NWUS METEOROLOGIST JASON PUMA SAYS THAT BETWEEN HEAVY SNOWFALL AN EXTENDED COLD SNAP, WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE SNOW STICKING AROUND FOR LEAST A WEEK.

>> IT WILL TAKE A WHILE.

WE'LL NEED SEVERAL DAYS ABOVE FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND HIGHER DEW POINTS IN THE AREA TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> PUMA SAYS THAT MORE SNOW COULD BE ON THE WAY, PUT IT'S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

>> THE SNOW THAT WOULD FALL WOULD BE NOTHING LIKE WE JUST EXPERIENCED.

WE'RE TALKING A DUSTING HERE OR THERE, OR MAYBE AN INCH HERE OR THERE.

BUT NOTHING LIKE SEVERAL INCHES LIKE WE JUST HAD.

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

>>> THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ENCOURAGES THOSE GOING OUTSIDE TO TAKE PROPER PRECAUTIONS, FREQUENT BREAKS, LIMITING TIMES OUTDOORS AND GOING INTO WARMER AREAS WHEN POSSIBLE.

>>> ACADEA TECHNOLOGIES NOW PART OF THE VECTOR SOLUTIONS IS ONE OF THE BLOOMINGTON'S START-UP SUCCESS STORIES BUT AS EAT SANDWEISS REPORTS, THE LONG-TIME TIES TO ICE AND CUSTOM CONTROL AND BORDER CONTROL ARE RAISING EYEBROWS AT HOME.

>> ACADIS MAKES SOFTWARE TO TRACK THEIR EMPLOYEES TRAINING.

THEY HAVE BEEN AWARDED MORE THAN $99 MILLION IN CONTRACTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

MOST OF WHICH CAME FROM ICE OR CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL.

SINCE DONALD TRUMP'S REELECTION, BOTH AGENCIES HAVE CARRIED OUT HIGH-PROFILE MASS ARRESTS OF IMMIGRANTS, NOT ALL UNDOCUMENTED.

AFTER FEDERAL AGENCIES SHOT AND KILLED TWO AMERICANS AT PROTESTS IN MINNEAPOLIS, THEY FACED WIDESPREAD OUTRAGE.

ACADIS PLAYS A SMALL ROLE IN THEIR OPERATIONS BUT BLOOMINGTON PROTESTERS SAY THAT'S TOO MUCH.

>> EVEN IF IT'S JUST IN A SMALL WAY, I DON'T WANT THAT HERE.

I DON'T WANT BAD THINGS TO HAPPEN NEAR WHERE I LIVE.

>> JOINING ME NOW IS ETHAN SANDWEISS WHO HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO ACADIS, THEY PRODUCE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY.

>> THINK ABOUT ANY TIME YOU'VE HAD TO DO AN ONLINE WORK TRAINING.

YOUR EMPLOYER KEEPS TRACK OF WHAT YOU FINISHED, WHAT YOU STILL HAVE TO DO AND HOW LONG IT TOOK.

THAT'S BASICALLY ACADIS, THEY DON'T MAKE THE TRAINING BUT WITH THE AGENCY TRYING TO ADD 12,000 NEW OFFICERS THERE'S A LOT OF TRAINING IT NEEDS TO MONITOR.

>> SO SOUNDS LIKE THEIR IMPACT ON ICE OPERATIONS IS INDIRECT.

SO WHY ARE PROTESTERS GOING AFTER THIS COMPANY?

>> I ASKED PAT WALL, A MEMBER OF THE BLOOMINGTON DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS.

HE SAID ICE COULD EASILY FIND A NEW SERVICE IF ACADIS PULLS OUT BUT THEY WANT TO FIGHT THE AGENCY THROUGH ATTRITION.

EVEN A SMALL OPERATIONAL HURDLE WOULD AB A VICTORY IN THE CONTEXT OF BIGGER EFFORTS AND THEY HAPPEN TO BE A LOCAL PIECE OF THAT MACHINE.

>> IF -- IF, YOU KNOW, SORT OF MY -- MY HYPOTHESIS OR MY OPERATING THEORY IS CORRECT, AND BREAKING THESE LITTLE PIECES OF THE MACHINE MATTERS, WE JUST HAVE TO PLAY WHAT CAN AMOLE.

THAT'S ALL THAT THERE IS TO IT.

>> I UNDERSTAND ALSO THAT ACADIS HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE CITY.

>> YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT ACADIS HAS BEEN GOOD FOR BLOOMINGTON'S ECONOMY.

STARTED SMALL IN 2001, AS INVISAGE TECHNOLOGIES IT PROVIDES HIGH-PAYING JOBS.

BEFORE ICE AND THE BORDER PATROL EARNED THE REPUTATION THEY HAVE NOW, BLOOMINGTON'S CITY COUNCIL GAVE ACADIS MORE THAN $500,000 TO STAY IN TOWN AND MOVE TO FOUNTAIN SQUARE MALL.

IN 2017, THEY GAVE THEM ANOTHER $300,000 TO EXPAND THEIR OFFICE IF THEY PROMISE TO MEET STAFFING AND SALARY BENCHMARKS.

>> THIS WOULD SERVE AS A RECOGNITION BOTH OF INVIAGE'S COMMITMENT TO RETAIN ITS CURRENT WORKFORCE IN BLOOMINGTON AND GROW IT HERE AS WELL.

>> THIS WAS STILL EARLY IN THE FIRST TRUMP TERM AND ICE WASN'T AS NOTORIOUS AS IT WOULD COME A YEAR OR SO LATER.

>> SO HAVE YOU ASKED ACADIS ABOUT ITS ININVOLVEMENT WITH ICE AND BORDER PATROL?

>> I HAVE ASKED BUT THE COMPANY DECLINED AN INTERVIEW.

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF VECTOR SOLUTIONS EMPHASIZES IN A STATEMENT THAT ACADIS DOESN'T CREATE TRAINING CONTENT.

TO THAT THEY HAVE A QUESTION.

>> I WOULD WANT TO KNOW IF THEY FEEL COMPLICIT AND IF NOT, WHY NOT?

HOW CAN YOU JUSTIFY WORKING WITH THIS AGENCY?

>> I ASKED BLOOMINGTON FOUNDER BUT I DIDN'T GET A RESPONSE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, ETHAN, FOR BEING HERE AND FOR THE REPORT.

>> COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT POTENTIAL IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE IN SCHOOLS AT THIS WEEK'S MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

ISABEL -- ISABELLA VESPERINI HAS MORE ON HOW THEY ARE RESPONDING.

>> ICE AGENTS DEFINED LIAM RAMOS ON HIS WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL IN A SUBURB OF MINNEAPOLIS AND TOOK HIM AND HIS DAD TO A DETENTION FACILITY IN TEXAS.

RAMOS IS ONE OF FOUR CHILDREN IN THAT DISTRICT DETAINED BY ICE AGENTS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

>> SCHOOLS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A PLAN IN PLACE WHEN ICE SHOWS UP AND THE WHISTLES GO OFF, THAT YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, THAT EVERYBODY IN THE BUILDING KNOWS WHAT TO DO, THAT THE STUDENTS AND PARENTS KNOW WHAT TO DO TO AVOID BEING KIDNAPPED.

>> IN RESPONSE TO THESE CONCERNS, BOARD MEMBER APRIL HENNESSY SPOKE ABOUT HER WORK WITH THE HOOSIER AMERICAN POWER ORGANIZATION, SHE SAID ONE OF THE THEIR CLOSEST PARTNERS IS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> THEIR CAUTION TO US WAS THAT WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR PLANS, ESPECIALLY SAFETY PLANS FOR STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS, YOU SHOULD BE QUIET ABOUT THEM.

>> HENNESSY ASSURED ATTENDEES THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING TO KEEP STUDENTS SAFE.

>> TO ASSUME THAT THE DISTRICT AND THE BOARD DOESN'T HAVE A PLAN, I THINK WOULD BE ERRONEOUS.

THIS DISTRICT AND THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS A PLAN FOR EVERYTHING.

BUT JUST AS WITH SOME OTHER SAFETY PLANS, WE COULD NOT BROADCAST THOSE PUBLICLY BECAUSE THEY THEN NO LONGER ARE SAFE.

>> THIS COMES AFTER ABOUT 35 BLOOMINGTON SOUTH STUDENTS HELD A WALK OUT LAST WEEK TO PROTEST ICE ACTIVITIES IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> WE WANTED TO SHOW THAT WE DON'T CONDONE OR SUPPORT WHAT ICE IS DOING IN MINNEAPOLIS AND THAT WE ARE WATCHING AND WE ARE NOTICING AND WE ARE STANDING WITH OUR MINNEAPOLIS PEERS.

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

>>> ROBINSON SAYS THAT NONE OF THE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE WALK OUT HAVE FACED ANY DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

THE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD HAS APPROVED TRANSFERRING UP TO $12.5 MILLION TO ITS OPERATIONS FUND.

THE MONEY WILL COME FROM THE EDUCATION FUND, WHICH IS GENERALLY USED FOR TEACHER SALARIES AND BENEFITS.

THE OPERATIONS ACCOUNT IS FUNDED BY LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES AND HELPS TO PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION, BUILDINGS, TECHNOLOGY, AND ATHLETIC FACILITIES.

>> WHILE YOU MAY NOT SEE AN IMMEDIATE EFFECT, IF YOU PASS THIS RESOLUTION, IT'S JUST SEEN AS YET ANOTHER CUT TO THE MORALE OF A LOT OF OUR TEACHERS.

WHAT ARE WE WORTH?

>> THE CORPORATION IS ALLOWED TO TRANSFER UP TO 15% OF THE EDUCATION FUND TO THE OPERATIONS FUND PER YEAR.

THE APPROVED TRANSFER REPRESENTS JUST OVER 14% OF THE 2026 EDUCATION FUND.

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

WELCOME.

>> THANKS, JOE.

DESPITE PRESSURE FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, INDIANA SENATORS DECLINED TO REDRAW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAPS LATE LAST YEAR.

THE HEAD OF THE STATE SENATE HAS AVOIDED INTERVIEWS BUT NOW HE'S SHARING MORE ABOUT WHY HE OPPOSED REDISTRICTING.

AUBREY WRIGHT REPORTS.

>> NEW MAPS WOULD HAVE GIVEN REPUBLICANS FULL CONTROL OF THE STATE'S NINE DISTRICTS.

THEY CURRENTLY CONTROL SEVEN.

BUT DURING A COMMUNITY MEETING IN OWEN COUNTY, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM RODRIC BRAY SAID EVEN NOW, THERE'S NOT A CANDIDATE THAT COULD WIN THOSE TWO REMAINING SEATS.

>> I'VE WALKED IN THE PARADE AND TALKED WITH THE CONSTITUENTS AND ANY PART OF THE DISTRICT AT THIS POINT HAVE NOT RAISED A DOLLAR OF MONEY.

>> BRAY ALSO SAYS MOST OF HIS CONSTITUENTS WERE AGAINST REDISTRICTING.

AFTER REDISTRICTING EFFORTS FAILED, TRUMP CALLED OUT BRAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND VOWED TO REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE.

TRUMP SAYS BRAY HAS, QUOTE, BETRAYED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

BUT BRAY SAID HE DIDN'T TURN ANY SENATORS AGAINST THE IDEA OF REDISTRICTING.

>> AND THAT'S NOT HOW I LEAD MY CAUCUS.

IT'S THE HONOR OF MY LIFE TO BE THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE SENATE.

I RULE BY CONSENSUS.

WE WORK TOGETHER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS.

I GAVE THEM NO PRESSURE WHATSOEVER.

THE PEOPLE THAT WEREN'T FOR IT, IT'S THEIR DECISION COMPLETELY.

AND THAT'S WHERE THE SENATE LANDED.

>> BRAY SAYS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COULD RECONSIDER A SIMILAR BILL NEXT YEAR, BUT REDISTRICTING IS OFF THE TABLE FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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

>>> IN A NEW POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS WEEK, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP MADE ANOTHER ROUND OF ENDORSEMENTS, SEEKING TO OUST REPUBLICAN STATE SENATORS WHO OPPOSED HIS PUSH FOR INDIANA CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING, TRUMP IS THROWING BEHIND HIS SUPPORT TO SENATORS GREG GOOD AND SPENCER DEERY OF WEST LaFAYETTE.

HE'S ENDORSING BRENDA WILSON AGAINST GOOD AND PAULA COPPEN HALVER TODEERY.

>>> AND THE UNIVERSITY BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT WAS SEARCHED LAST MONTH.

ONE OF THEM EMPLOYED A CHINESE RESEARCHER WHO FACES SMALLING CHARGED FOR BRINGING PLASMA E. COLI INTO THE COUNTRY.

THE FBI DECLINED TO SHARE MORE INFORMATION.

THE LABORATORIES BELONG TO PROFESSORS ROGER ENNIS, AND ZIN DONG WONG.

AN I.U.

SPOKESWOMAN WOULDN'T AGREE TO AN INTERVIEW BUT SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT I.U.

EXPECTS FACULTY AND STAFF TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

>>> DORA HOSPITALITY IS MOVING FORWARD ON THE BLOOMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER COMPANION OWE TELL, BUT IN A DIFFERENT -- HOTEL BUT IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

AFTER NOT GETTING INCENTIVES IT WANTED TO BUILD ON THE SITE NORTH OF THE CURRENT CONVENTION CENTER.

DORA SAYS THEY WILL BUILD IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

IT'S OWNED BY THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD.

>> AND I WOULD POSIT THAT THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW WE DEAL WITH PARKING SPACE ISSUES AS WELL RELATED TO THIS PROJECT.

>> THE HOTEL WILL HAVE 200 ROOMS, A FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANT AND BAR FACING COLLEGE AVENUE, A FITNESS CENTER AND IT WILL BE FIVE STORIES.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR RURAL ENGAGEMENT IS PARTNERING WITH BROWN COUNTY TO HELP SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT WILL HELP THE COUNTY.

THE PARTNERSHIP IS FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR AND IS THROUGH THE CENTER'S SUSTAINING HOOSIER COMMUNITIES PROGRAM.

THE CENTER'S DIRECTOR SAYS BROWN COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE CONCERN ABOUT ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, INTEREST IN EXPANDING THEIR ARTS AND CULTURE AND RESOURCES FOR THEIR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> WE FOLLOW THE COMMUNITY'S LEAD.

THE COMMUNITY DECIDES WHAT PROJECTS IT WOULD LIKE TO PUT FORWARD, AND THEN WE DO THE WORK TO PAIR OUR FACULTY AND STUDENTS ON CAMPUS WITH THOSE PROJECTS.

>>> AND JOE, SHE SAYS THERE WILL BE A LISTENING SESSION NEXT MONTH TO HEAR FROM RECENT STUDENTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS SO MUCH, SHELBY.

>> WELL, A LAW THAT LEGALIZES SYRINGE SERVICES IN INDIANA IS UP FOR RENEWAL.

THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED SINCE 2015 AFTER A MASSIVE HIV OUTBREAK WAS LINKED TO ILLEGAL DRUG USE.

AND AUBREY WRIGHT HAS MORE ON WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THIS WAS CANCELED.

>> STAFF WITH MONROE COUNTY SYRINGE SERVICE PROGRAM TOLD ME THEY'RE FOCUSED ON JUDGMENT-FREE CARE THAT HELPS PEOPLE OVERCOME ADDICTION.

THEY TOLD ME LOSING THESE SERVICES WOULD DESTROY THOUSANDS OF LIFE LINES THE INDIANA RECOVERY ALLIANCE HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE ITS FOUNDING ABOUT A DECADE AGO.

IT SERVES ABOUT 5,000 PEOPLE EACH YEAR IN MONROE COUNTY, AND LIKE OTHER INDIANA SYRINGE SERVICE PROGRAMS, THEY DO MORE THAN JUST PROVIDE STERILE SUPPLIES AND SAFELY DISPOSE OF USED NEEDLES.

>> THE SSP JUST IS -- I HAVE A SPLIT FIVE SECONDS TO GIVE PEOPLE WHO NORMALLY WOULDN'T, DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND LOVE AND COMPASSION AND A PLACE TO FEEL HOME.

>> STAFF LIKE SCOTT PETROVICH SAY THEY ARE IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS BUSINESS ALONG WITH SYRINGES THEY OFFER TREATMENT REFERRALS, HYGIENE SUPPLIES AND FREE HIV AND HEPATITIS C TESTING, AND EACH YEAR THEY GIVE OUT MORE THAN 30,000 NALOXONE DOSES WHICH CAN FULLY REVERSE OPIOID OVERDOSES.

>> WE BELIEVE DRUG USHERS SHOULD BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY -- DUG USERS SHOULD BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

THEY ARE ALLOWED TO BE THEMSELVES.

>> HIS FAVORITE PART JOB IS OUTREACH, THEY TAKE THEIR BUS, OFTEN WORKING WITH UNHOUSED AND MARGINALIZED PEOPLE.

AS AN ORGANIZATION RUN BY PEOPLE IN RECOVERY, STAFF SAY THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES, ALONG WITH THEIR EDUCATION, MAKE THEIR WORK SUCCESSFUL.

>> OUR FOLKS TRUST US, AND THAT -- IT SPEAKS VOLUMES.

IT SPEAKS VOLUMES.

EIGHT INDIANA COUNTIES HAVE OFFERED SYRINGE SERVICES LIKE THIS ONE IN MONROE COUNTY.

SIX OPERATE TODAY.

BUT THESE PROGRAMS COULD END IN JULY, WHEN THE LAW EXPIRES.

>> I MEAN, IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING FOR THIS LAW TO NOT BE RENEWED.

>> SYRINGE SERVICES HAVE BEEN LEGAL SINCE 2015.

THAT WINTER, MORE THAN 230 PEOPLE BECAME INFECTED WITH HIV IN SOUTHERN INDIANA.

THE OUTBREAK WAS LINKED TO THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC, AS DRUG USERS OFTEN SHARED, REUSED AND RESHARPENED DIRTY NEEDLES.

FOURTH MONTHS AFTER FIRST CONFIRMED HIV CASE, FORMER GOVERNOR MIKE PENCE AUTHORIZED A STERILE SYRINGE EXCHANGE.

>> I WILL TELL YOU THAT I DO NOT SUPPORT NEEDLE EXCHANGES ANTIDRUG POLICY.

BUT THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

>> THAT SYRINGE EXCHANGE WAS CREDITED WITH STOPPING THE HIV EPIDEMIC, DESPITE THE SUCCESS, THE STIGMA AROUND SYRINGE EXCHANGES PERSISTS.

OPPONENTS OFTEN BELIEVE THEY ENABLE DRUG USE OR CALL THEM IMMORAL, BUT HARM REDUCTION ADVOCATES SUCH AS KIMBRO DISDEGREE.

SHE SAYS PEOPLE FIND RECOVERY AT THEIR OWN PACE AND A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE TO THEM.

A CLEAN NEEDLE COULD BE FIRST STEP IN TEACHING SOMEONE HOW TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES AND RECOVER FROM ADDICTION.

>> OVER TIME, I HAVE SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE ENTER INTO RECOVERY IN A WAY THAT I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD IF IT WASN'T FOR COMING HERE.

AND IF IT WASN'T FOR SOMEONE SAYING, LIKE, YOU HAD DON'T NEED COMPLETE ABSTINENCE FOR RECOVERY.

>> AS FOR THE LAW, THERE'S PROGRESS IN INDIANAPOLIS.

SENATOR MICHAEL CRIDER HAVE AUTHORED A BILL TO KEEP SYRINGE SERVICES FOR ANOTHER TEN YEARS.

THAT BILL PASSED THE SENATE THIS WEEK.

>> I THINK THE DATA IS ALL THERE.

IT SUGGESTS THAT THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD CONTINUE.

>> HE SAYS IDEALLY, INDIANA WOULD LEGALIZE SYRINGE SERVICES WITHOUT AN EXPIRATION DATE BUT IT'S BEEN TOUGH TO PASS PREVIOUS RENEWALS.

>> I HOPE SO.

I HOPE THE NEXT TIME THIS -- THIS CONVERSATION COMES UP, THAT WHOEVER IT IS, THAT'S IN MY SHOES OR -- THAT'S WILLING TO TAKE ON THESE BATTLES WILL ATTEMPT TO DO THAT.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT INDIANA RECOVERY ALLIANCE HOPES FOR TOO, BUT FOR NOW, STAFF SUCH AS PETROVICH WILL CONTINUE THEIR WORK IN MONROE COUNTY ONE STEP AT A TIME.

>> AND THERE'S MANY PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY AND THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO PREACH HERE TO FOLKS THAT NEED HELP, YOU KNOW, THAT WANT HELP AND FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT HELP, I LOVE YOU TOO.

AND I'M GOING TO TREAT YOU WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO TEACH YOU THINGS AND HELP YOU STAY ALIVE.

>> THE SYRINGE EXCHANGE BILL NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE.

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

>>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS AT THE HALFWAY POINT AND WORKING ON NUMEROUS BILLS, ONE THAT WOULD LET ANYONE SUE OVER THE ILLEGAL USE OF ABORTION-INDUCING DRUGS IN INDIANA IS HEADED TO THE FULL HOUSE.

THE PROPOSAL PROHIBITS MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTING, MAILING, PRESCRIBING, OR POSSESSING ABORTION INDUCING DRUGS IN INDIANA WITH EXCEPTIONS FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN'S OWN ACTIONS, THE DRUGS OTHER USES, THE U.S.

CONSTITUTION AND FEDERAL LAW.

THE BILL WOULD ALSO EXPAND HOW ABORTIONS ARE DEFINED, INCREASING REPORTING REQUIRE.

S FOR DOCTORS.

>>> A BILL WOULD ALLOW INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD MILITARY POLICE TO MAKE ARRESTS AND CONDUCT SERVICES WHICH ACTIVATED BY THE GOVERNOR.

CAROLYN BECK REPORTS ON THE MEASURE ADVANCING AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> THE INDIANA GOVERNOR ALREADY HAS BROAD POWERS OVER WHEN TO DEPLOY THE NATIONAL GUARD IN THE STATE AND EVEN THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE ARRESTS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE BILL WOULD EXPAND THOSE POLICING POWERS.

DEMOCRATS, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVE MATT PIERCE, LARGELY CONDEMNED THE MEASURE AND SAY IT COULD LEAD TO DANGEROUS SCENARIOS LIKE THOSE SEEN RECENTLY IN MINNEAPOLIS BETWEEN PROTESTERS AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS.

>> ONCE YOU IMPLEMENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW THINGS CAN SPIN OUT OF CONTROL.

AND WE'VE SEEN THAT COMMUNITY AFTER COMMUNITY.

TO THE POINT OF TRAGEDY.

>> REPUBLICANS AND NATIONAL GUARD LEADERS SUPPORT THE BILL, SAYING IT IS ANOTHER TOOL IN THEIR TOOLBOX FOR RESPONDING TO A CRISIS.

THE BILL NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

I'M CAROLINE BECK AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>>> A BILL TO ADD THE FIRING SQUAD AS AN EXECUTION METHOD IS IN INDIANA, FAILED THIS WEEK.

THE LEGISLATION COULD STILL BE BROUGHT BACK FOR ANOTHER VOTE BEFORE MONDAY'S LEGISLATIVE DEADLINE, HOWEVER, FIRING SQUADS HAVE NEVER BEEN LEGAL IN INDIANA, OPPONENTS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE COUNTERED THAT THE BILL RAISES MORAL AND PRACTICAL CONCERNS AND RISKS ACCELERATING EXECUTIONS WITHOUT FULLY ADDRESSING THE BROADER DEBATE AROUND CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

>>> A STATE SENATE BILL AIMS TO CARRY OUT GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN'S EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL OVERREGULATION TO HELP BUSINESSES GROW.

OUR REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS WORRY THE BILL WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY LIMIT THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT'S ABILITY TO PROTECT HOOSIERS FROM POLLUTION.

>> THE BILL MAKES SEVERAL THINGS CURRENTLY REQUIRED BY THEM OPTIONAL, SUCH AS SETTING STANDARDS FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLEANING UP HAZARDOUS WASTES IT PROHIBITS THEM FROM MAKING ENVIRONMENTAL RULES THAT ARE MORE BURDENSOME THAN FEDERAL ONES BUT DOESN'T SPECIFY WHAT IT MEANS.

>> THEY NEED TO HOLD THEIR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE.

>> THE BILL ALSO LIMITS ITEMS ABILITY TO REVIEW NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS AT A TIME WHEN LAWMAKERS ARE ENCOURAGING SMALL REACTORS IN THE STATE.

THE GOVERNOR IS NOT LISTENING TO HIS CONSTITUENTS WHEN IDEM ASKS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS, THE RESPONSE WAS OVERWHELMINGLY -- OVERWHELMINGLY IN FAVOR CONTINUED AND STRENGTHENED PROTECTIONS.

>> IT COULD ALSO OPEN IT UP TO LAWSUITS IF IT BECOMES LAW.

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

>>> ABOUT A THIRD OF INDIANA TOWNSHIPS WOULD LIKELY BE FORCED TO MERGE UNDER A BILL THAT PASSED THE SENATE THIS WEEK.

THE BILL'S AUTHOR SAYS HIS LEGISLATION WOULD MERGE THE LEAST EFFICIENT TOWNSHIPS IN THE STATE, BASED ON A DATA-DRIVEN POINT SYSTEM.

THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE WOULD ASSESS POINTS FOR TOWNSHIPS BASED ON ASSISTANCE PROVIDED, ANNUAL BUDGETS, INVOLVEMENT IN FIRE PROTECTION AND OTHER FACTORS.

THE TOWNSHIP REACHES FOUR DESIGNATED POINTS, THE REQUIREMENT TO MERGE WOULD KICK IN.

THE MEASURE NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE.

>>> AND THE CHICAGO BEARS ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME AND IF INDIANA GETS ITS WAY, THE BEARS COULD END UP IN GARY.

THE INDIANA SENATE VOTED WEDNESDAY TO ESTABLISH A STATE-RUN STADIUM AUTHORITY THAT WOULD FINANCE AND BUILD A STADIUM FOR THE BEARS IN NORTHWEST INDIANA.

CALLEDTHE NORTHWEST INDIANA STADIUM AUTHORITY, IT WOULD ACQUIRE LAND, ISSUE BONDS AND FINANCE THE BUILDING OF THE STADIUM.

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

WE LEAVE YOU NOW WITH SOME SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE INDIANA FOOTBALL CELEBRATION LAST SATURDAY AT A FRIDGE ID MEMORIAL STADIUM.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, EVERYBODY!

>> THE BISON!

>> I.U.!

>> HAS NOT ONLY MADE HISTORY FOR THE INDIANA FOOTBALL PROGRAM BUT IT HAS CAPTURED THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF FOOTBALL FANS ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY!

[ CHEERS ] >> HE DIVES HIS WAY TO THE END ZONE!

TOUCHDOWN!

>> IT IS PICKED UP, TOUCHDOWN INDIANA!

>> HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR, YOUR FOOTBALL COACH, COACH CIGNETTI!

[ CHEERS ] >> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: