>>> WE LOOK BACK AT THE LIFE OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN LEE HAMILTON, WHOSE FOREIGN POLICY EXPERTISE AND WILLINGNESS TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE MADE HIM A REVERED POLITICAL FIGURE.

HE WAS 94.

A BILL MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE STATE HOUSE WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR VETERINARIANS TO BECOME LICENSED IN INDIANA, BUT IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO SOLVE A GROWING ISSUE.

>>> AND BLOOMINGTON STAFF AND THE CITY COUNCIL ARE AT ODDS ABOUT CONTINUING SUMMER CLOSURES OF KIRKWOOD AVENUE TO TRAFFIC.

WE'LL HAVE THESE STORIES AND MORE AHEAD ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

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

I'M JOE HREN.

LONG-SERVING INDIANA CONGRESSMAN LEE HAMILTON DIED TUESDAY EVENING AT AGE 94.

HE'S REMEMBERED NOT JUST FOR HIS INFLUENTIAL TENURE DURING MORE THAN THREE DECADES IN WASHINGTON, BUT ALSO HIS IMPACT AT HOME AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY, WHERE THE SCHOOL OF GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IS NAMED AFTER HIM.

ETHAN SANDWEISS HAS MORE ON HAMILTON'S LEGACY.

>> HAMILTON REPRESENTED A MODERATE AND BIPARTISAN DEMOCRAT.

HE CHAIRED THE HOUSE COMMITTEES ON INTELLIGENCE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

HAMILTON'S INFLUENCE WAS PARTICULARLY FELT IN FOREIGN POLICY WHERE HE ADVOCATED DIPLOMATIC SOLUTIONS FOR AMERICA'S CONFLICTS.

>> OFTENTIMES POLICYMAKERS ARE TOO WILLING TO REACH FOR THE GUN.

THEY SHOULD REACH FOR THE GUN NOT FIRST, BUT LAST.

LET'S TRY DIPLOMACY AND TALKING FIRST.

>> HE REFUSED TO PURSUE IMPEACHMENT AGAINST RONALD REAGAN AND GEORGE BUSH SENIOR, SAYING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BAD FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> LET ME ECHO THE SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA, MR.

HAMILTON AND THANK HIM FOR HAVING THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE WITH HIM ON THE COMMITTEE.

>> HAMILTON KEPT AN OPEN DOOR WITH HIS CONSTITUENTS.

HE JOKED THAT HE WALKED IN MORE SMALL TOWN PARADES THAN ANY OTHER SENATOR.

AFTER RETIRING FROM CONGRESS IN 1999, HE SERVES AS VICE CHAIR OF THE 9/11 COMMISSION.

HE ONCE SAID HIS PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT WAS GETTING A POST OFFICE IN EVERY COMMUNITY IN INDIANA THAT HE COULD.

HIS SUCCESSOR BARON HILL SAYS HAMILTON'S WERE BIG SHOES TO FILL.

>> HE WAS HONEST.

HE WAS SMART.

HE HAD HUGE INTEGRITY.

HE'S EXACTLY THE KIND OF PERSON WE WANT SERVING IN CONGRESS.

AND I TRIED TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS.

>> BARACK OBAMA AWARDED HAMILTON THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM IN 2015, THE HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD ISSUED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> HE HELPED GUIDE US THROUGH THE COLD WAR AND INTO A NEW ERA OF AMERICAN LEADERSHIP.

A MAN WIDELY ADMIRED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE FOR HIS HONESTY, HIS WISDOM, AND CONSISTENT COMMITMENT TO BIPARTISANSHIP.

>> BORN IN FLORIDA, BUT RAISED IN EVANSVILLE, HAMILTON DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF IN SPORTS BEFORE POLITICS, EARNING A SPOT IN INDIANA BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME.

HE RAISED THREE CHILDREN WITH HIS WIFE NANCY, WHO DIED IN 2012.

HIS NEPHEW JOHN HAMILTON, FORMER MAYOR OF BLOOMINGTON REMEMBERS HIS UNCLE FOR HIS EXTREME DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE.

>> HE WOULD GET TO THE OFFICE BY 6 A.M.

HE WOULD PUT IN TYPICALLY A 12-HOUR DAY, BE HOME FOR DINNER WITH THE FAMILY AND THEN READ MORE HOURS AFTER THAT.

I MEAN, HE WAS JUST A VERY, VERY HARD WORKING PERSON.

>> HAMILTON REMAINS ACTIVE IN RETIREMENT AS A POLITICAL COLUMNIST AND AS AN EDUCATOR AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

IN 2018, I.U.

PRESIDENT MICHAEL McROBBIE NAMED I.U.

'S NEW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN HONOR OF HAMILTON AND HIS SENATE COLLEAGUE RICHARD LUGAR.

McROBBIE SAYS BOTH MEN WERE DOWN TO EARTH AND ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS.

>> THESE VERY BRIGHT STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO MINE THE WISDOM AND THE EXPERIENCE OF THESE TWO MEN.

I HEARD MULTIPLE TIMES JUST HOW MUCH THEY VALUED IT.

>> COLLEAGUES PRIZED THOSE CONVERSATIONS AS WELL.

>> I'D ASK STORIES ABOUT WHAT THIS SPEAKER WAS LIKE OR THIS PRESIDENT WAS LIKE, OR THIS PROMINENT SENATOR WAS LIKE.

AND HE WOULD OFTENTIMES HAVE GREAT STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE THAT I HAD ONLY READ ABOUT WHEN I WAS GROWING UP.

>> HIS MOST ENDURING LEGACY AT THE UNIVERSITY MAY BE THE CENTER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, WHICH HE FOUNDED RIGHT AFTER ENDING HIS 17th TERM IN CONGRESS.

CURRENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VALERIE PENA SAYS IN THE LAST YEARS OF HIS LIFE, HAMILTON WORRIED INCREASINGLY ABOUT THE DECLINE OF CIVICS EDUCATION AND A GROWING DIVIDE BETWEEN CONGRESS PEOPLE AND THE CONSTITUENTS THEY REPRESENT.

>> AT LEAST IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, HE WAS BOTHERED WITH THE FACT THAT SO MANY VOICES WERE BEING DISMISSED.

>> HAMILTON'S FAMILY SAYS HE DIED PEACEFULLY AT HOME WITHOUT A LONG DECLINE.

HE WENT TO WORK THE DAY BEFORE, AND HAD LUNCH PLANS NEXT WEEK WITH FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.

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

>>> INDIANA STATE SENATOR SHELLI YODER, A DEMOCRAT FROM BLOOMINGTON, WHOSE DISTRICT INCLUDES ALL OF MONROE COUNTY APPEARED ON WFIU'S NOON EDITION EARLIER TODAY AND HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT LEE HAMILTON.

>> WHAT A LIFE, WHAT AN EXAMPLE FOR ALL HOOSIERS, SOMEBODY WHO DEDICATED EVERY OUNCE RIGHT TO THE VERY END IN ADDRESSING SERIOUS ISSUES FACING HOOSIERS, FACING AMERICANS, AND SERVING THIS COUNTRY SO INCREDIBLY VALIANTLY AND SO MUCH GRATITUDE TO THIS LIFE WELL LIVED.

>> PROTESTERS ARE DEMANDING THAT BLOOMINGTON END ITS CONTRACT WITH FLOCK, THE COMPANY RUNNING A NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF LICENSE PLATE READING SCAM ARE AS AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, BLOOMINGTON'S POLICE CHIEF ACKNOWLEDGES THE RISK BUT DEFENDED FLOCK WAS A CRIME-SOLVING TOUR.

>> I.C.E.

OUT NOW!

I.C.E.

OUT NOW.

>> PROTESTERS DEMANDED THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT END THE CONTRACT WITH FLOCK SAYING THAT IT COULD BE COOPERATED BY FEDERAL I.C.E.

OR NOT.

>> THEY BETRAY OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND BETRAYS SAFETY OF OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

>> CHIEF OF POLICE MIKE DIEKHOFF SAYS WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN CASES OF THAT ELSEWHERE, BLOOMINGTON REQUIRES ANYONE SEARCHING ITS DATA TO HAVE A LICENSE PLATE NUMBER, A CASE NUMBER, AND A REASON FOR DOING SO.

>> IT IS VERY USEFUL TECHNOLOGY AND I WOULD SAY THAT IF WE DO AWAY WITH THAT TECHNOLOGY AND THE ABILITY FOR US TO DO IT, THAT WE WILL -- I WOULD SAY COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF THE CITIZENS OF BLOOMINGTON.

>> HE SAYS HIS DEPARTMENT HAS TEN CAMERAS AROUND BLOOMINGTON.

THEY'VE HELPED OFFICERS SOLVE MURDERS AND CHILD ABDUCTION CASES.

WHILE THEY HAVE SAFEGUARDS TO PREVENT THE SYSTEM FROM BEING USED, I.C.E.

HAS BEEN HELPED BY OTHER AGENCIES.

>> DO OTHER AGENCIES MISUSE IT?

YES.

THERE'S A WHOLE LOT MORE INFORMATION THAT OTHER AGENCIES COULD QUERY TO GET A WHOLE LOT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SOMEONE THAN FLOCK.

>> BLOOMINGTON POLICE SAY THEY DON'T ASSIST FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, ALTHOUGH THAT COULD CHANGE IF A BILL COMPELLING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DO SO PASSES THE STATEHOUSE.

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

>>> AT WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING, MEMBER ISABEL PIEDMONT-SMITH SAID THE CITY SHOULD END ITS CONTRACT WITH FLOCK.

>> EVEN IF MAYOR THOMSON'S ADMINISTRATION TIGHTENS UP THE CONTRACT, I DON'T TRUST FLOCK TO FOLLOW IT, NOR TO KEEP CAMERA IMAGES AND ASSOCIATED DATA SAFE.

IN THIS NATIONAL CONTEXT OF CREEPING FASCISM AND PERSONAL LIBERTY.

>> AND THERE WAS SUPPORT FOR BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO PROTESTED AGAINST ACTIONS BY IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOM ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.

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

>>> WELCOME TO THE SHOW SHELBY.

>> THANKS, JOE.

CONVENTION CENTER LEADERS SAY THEY NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK FROM THE PROPOSAL FOR A COMPANION HOTEL AFTER NEGOTIATIONS FELL THROUGH ON THE FORMER BUNGER AND ROBERTSON PROPERTY NORTH OF THE CONVENTION CENTER.

THE SOUTH PARCELS WOULD ALSO REQUIRE NEGOTIATIONS.

DORA HOSPITALITY EXPRESSED INTEREST TO PROPERTY TO THE SOUTH, BUT THAT'S UP TO THE CITY.

>> THE CITY'S POSITION ON ACQUISITION OF ITS PARCELS NORTH AND NOW SOUTH IS CLEAR AND THE C.I.B.

DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO MEET ANY PRICE OR CONSIDERATION IT REQUIRES.

>> THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD ON THURSDAY VOTED TO RELEASE DORA FROM THE PROJECT, SO IT CAN BE DETERMINED WHAT PROPERTY THEY CONTROL.

DORA WILL BE INVITED BACK TO THE TABLE AFTER THE C.I.B.

ISSUES A NEW PROPOSAL WITH OWNERSHIP OF REAL ESTATE AND THE NEED FOR PARKING.

>>> LAST MONTH'S STORM THAT DUMPED MORE THAN A FOOT OF SNOW ON THE AREA HAS TAKEN A LARGE BITE OUT OF THE COUNTRY HIGHWAY -- OUT OF THE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT'S RESOURCES BETWEEN LABOR MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT, THE SNOWSTORM COST THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT ABOUT $300,000.

ONE ISSUE HAS BEEN RESTOCKING ROAD SALT.

EVEN BEFORE THE STORM, THE COUNTY WAS HAVING ISSUES GETTING TREATED SALT.

>> WE STILL HAVE ANOTHER 500 TONS OUT THERE THAT WE PROBABLY ORDERED THE FIRST OF JANUARY THAT WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED.

>> THE COUNTY SAYS IN JUST TWO DAYS, IT SPENT A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF OF ITS $150,000 BUDGETED FOR OVERTIME PAY.

>>> SIDNEY ESKENAZI, A LONG-TIME DONOR TO INDIANA UNIVERSITY DIED JANUARY 1st AT AGE 95, JUST FOUR WEEKS AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE LOIS.

A 1950 I.U.

GRADUATE, ESKENAZI HELPED TO FUND MAJOR RENOVATIONS TO THE ESKENAZI SCHOOL OF ART, ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN.

MUSEUM DIRECTOR, SAYS THEIR PHILANTHROPY MIGHT HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON ART, BUT THE IMPACT EXTENDS FAR BEYOND.

>> THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL KIND OF SOUL OF THE CAMPUS.

AND SO TO HAVE THAT VISIBILITY, HAVE THAT ABILITY TO SHARE IT MORE BROADLY, IT'S SOMETHING THAT FROM A BUSINESS STUDENT TO A JOURNALISM STUDENT TO ANYONE IN BETWEEN, NOW THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS.

>>> IN A STATEMENT, I.U.

PRESIDENT PAMELA WHITTEN CALLED HIM A VISIONARY PHILANTHROPIST, WHOSE LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO THE EDUCATION, ARTS AND THE PUBLIC GOOD HELPED TO SHAPE INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND THE STATE IT SERVES.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY PROVOST SHRIVASTAV IS LEAVING THE POSITION TO BECOME THE INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT SUCCESS.

HE'S BEEN PROVOST FOR FOUR YEARS BUT THE ROLE OF PROVOST LOST MUCH OF ITS ADMINISTRATIVE POWER AFTER THE CHANCELLOR POSITION WAS CREATED.

DEAN OF THE HAMILTON LUGAR SCHOOL OF GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, JOHN CIORCIARI WILL BE THE INTERIM PROVOST.

>>> AND THE KINZIE INSTITUTE WAS PART OF THE LATEST RELEASE OF DOCUMENTS RELATED TO JEFFREY EPSTEIN.

THE 2012 EMAIL FROM THEN POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER, JUSTIN GARCIA, THANKS EPSTEIN FOR MEETING ON LINKED IN.

HE SAID AT THE TIME HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE JEFFLY EPSTEIN FOUNDATION'S ACADEMIC PHILANTHROPY AND HE ONLY LATER LEARNED OF EPSTEIN'S CRIMINAL HISTORY.

THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT EPSTEIN RESPONDS.

>>> AND THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE SHARED 1% OF THEIR SALES TAX EXCEPTION SAVINGS.

WHILE THAT MAY HELP TO SWEETEN THE SPOT FOR THOSE WHO WOULD HOST DATA CENTERS ANOTHER PORTION IS CONTROVERSIAL.

>> DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT A PUBLIC HEARING IF THEY ARE BUILT ON FARMLAND THAT IS CONSIDERED LESS FERTILE.

THOSE OPPOSED TO THE BILL SAY IT WOULD EVISCERATE LOCAL CONTROL OVER WHAT COULD BE BUILT IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES.

>> IT'S CONCERNING TO SEE LANGUAGE THAT BASICALLY SAYS WHATEVER ANYBODY WANTS TO BUILD, AS LONG AS YOU BUILD IT HERE, NOTHING -- NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

>> THE CITIZENS ACTION COALITION, DOESN'T VIEW THE SAVINGS TO OFFSET THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION ISSUES BUT IT WOULD BE UP TO MUNICIPALITIES TO WEIGH THOSE COSTS AND BENEFITS.

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHAT IS -- WHAT DOES THAT 1% AMOUNT TO?

WHAT ELSE IS INVOLVED IN A LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR A COMMUNITY?

BUT I THINK ABOVE ALL ELSE, I'M NOT SURE THAT CHANGES ANYTHING.

>> ULTIMATELY, THE CITIZEN COALITION WANTS A FULL MORATORIUM ON DEVELOPMENTS UNTIL MORE REGULATIONS ARE IN PLACE.

NEARLY 30 DATA CENTERS ARE CURRENTLY PROPOSED OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN INDIANA.

ANOTHER 13 HAVE WITHDRAWN DUE TO PUBLIC BACKLASH.

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

>> A BILL CRIMINALIZING DOXING IS HEADING TO THE HOUSE.

DOXING IS POSTING SOMEONE'S PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ONLINE WITH A HARMFUL INTENT.

THE BILL IS IN RESPONSE TO NUMEROUS LAWMAKERS BEING TARGETED DURING THE REDISTRICTING DEBATE IN DECEMBER.

>> A LOT OF TIME IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND THE PERSON THAT ACTUALLY CAUSED IT.

WE UNDERSTAND, THAT BUT IF THEY CAN LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TRACK THEM DOWN.

>> THE BILL WOULD ESTABLISH DOXING AS A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.

IN THE PERSONAL TARGETED EXPERIENCES AN INJURY OR DEATH, THE CHARGE IS UPGRADED TO A FELONY.

>>> AND INDIANA LAWMAKERS ARE DEBATING A STRICTER BELL-TO-BELL BAN ON STUDENT CELL PHONE USE.

THE MAIN CONCERNS OF THE BILL ARE OVER HOW SCHOOLS WOULD STORE DEVICES, HOW MUCH THAT COULD COST AND STUDENT SAFETY.

INDIANA LAW ALREADY RESTRICTS STUDENT CELL PHONE USE DURING CLASS, UNLESS PERMITTED FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES.

>>> AND JOE, THEY SAY THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE MEANT TO ELIMINATE LOOPHOLES AND INCONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT.

>>> WELL, SHORT SESSION THIS YEAR.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THANKS SO MUCH, SHELBY.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS ADVANCING LEGISLATION TO MAKE IT EASIER TO GET A VETERINARIANS LICENSE BUT IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO HELP A SHORTAGE OF ANIMAL CARE PRACTITIONERS IN THE STATE.

>> THERE'S DEFINITELY BEEN TIMES I HAD TO TELL THEM TRY ANOTHER VET CLINIC, BECAUSE I'M ONLY ONE PERSON AND I CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH IN A DAY.

>> THIS STORY AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

CITY OF BLOOMINGTON WANTS TO END THE PROGRAM THAT CLOSES KIRKWOOD AVENUE TO AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC IN THE SUMMER.

BUT AS PAT BEANE REPORTS, THIS WEEK THE BLOOMINGTON'S CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS PUSHED BACK.

>> LAST YEAR, THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY AGREED TO CLOSE PORTIONS OF KIRKWOOD TO CARS EACH SUMMER FOR AN OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM.

THE DECISION WAS, IN PART, AN EFFORT TO OFFER BUSINESS OWNERS LONG-TERM STABILITY.

CITY STAFF NOW SAYS THE PROGRAM NEEDS TO CHANGE.

>> CITY STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT IN 2026, WE KEEP KIRKWOOD AVENUE OPEN TO VEHICLES YEAR ROUND.

WE ENHANCE AND EXPAND THE PARKLET PROGRAM AND ADJUST RESOURCES THAT STRENGTHEN THE ENTIRE CORRIDOR.

>> THEY SAY THE RESIDENTS SEEM TO SUPPORT A PEDESTRIAN-FOCUSED ENVIRONMENT, CLOSING KIRKWOOD ISN'T DOING ENOUGH TO SUPPORT DOWNTOWN VIBRANCY.

THEY CITE A STUDY THAT SHOWS DESPITE MORE PROGRAMS ON KIRKWOOD LAST YEAR, THE AREA SAW A DECREASE OF 8% IN DAILY VISITATIONS, THE CITY SAYS ITS PLAN WOULD CREATE A SAFE, INCLUSIVE, AND VIBRANT AND ECONOMICALLY STRONG CORRIDOR.

>> IT PROVIDE VALUE BUT EXPOSE LIMITATIONS OF TEMPORARY INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC RESOURCES.

>> THEY DIDN'T SEEM EAGER TO GIVE UP THE OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM.

>> THE PREMISE IS THAT WE WOULD NOT BE HERE EVERY YEAR TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO WE AS BUSINESS OWNERS COULD PREPARE, INVEST, AND PROVIDE AN OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT FOR CUSTOMERS AND THE COMMUNITY.

>>> ALL OF OUR RESTAURANTS THAT I CONSIDER INSTITUTIONS HAVE ACTIVATED THE CORRIDOR.

THEY ARE ALL LOCALLY OWNED IT'S NOT CHAINS.

IT'S LENNY'S.

IT'S NICK'S IT'S THE VILLAGE DELI.

IT'S UPTOWN.

IT'S FARM.

THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE INVESTED IN MAKING BLOOMINGTON A BETTER PLACE, NOT JUST FOR PEDESTRIANS, BUT FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> SOME COUNCILMEMBERS ALSO QUESTIONED THE CITY'S AUTHORITY TO END A SEEMINGLY WELL-LIKED PROGRAM.

>> OVERALL, I'M SO INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED, IT'S REALLY HARD FOR ME TO EVEN TALK ABOUT IT.

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

>>> THE CITY COUNCIL SAID IT WILL DISCUSS POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE KIRKWOOD SUMMER CLOSURE PROGRAM IN FUTURE SESSIONS.

>>> A BILL MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE STATE HOUSE WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR VETERINARIANS TO BECOME LICENSED IN INDIANA.

BUT AS CLAYTON BAUMGARTH REPORT, SOME FEEL THIS IS A BAND-AID TO THE MUCH LARGER, VETERINARY CARE SHORTAGE ISSUE.

>> ON A COLD FEBRUARY MORNING, LARGE ANIMAL VETERINARIAN ASHLEY ARMSTRONG WORKS ON ONE OF HER FIRST PATIENTS OF THE DAY, A HORSE NAMED REBEL.

REBEL IS ONE OF MANY LARGE ANIMALS ARMSTRONG WILL SEE TODAY WITH APPOINTMENTS ON THE HORIZON FOR GOATS, COWS AND WHATEVER EMERGENCY CALL COMES UP.

>> I'M ALMOST BEGGING FOR ANOTHER VETERINARIAN TO COME IN WITH ME.

[ LAUGHTER ] ARMSTRONG OPENED HER PRACTICE NEAR BEDFORD, REGIONAL VETERINARY SERVICES BACK IN 2008.

SINCE THEN SHE'S SEEN FIRSTHAND THAT BEING A LARGE ANIMAL VET IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY.

THERE'S IRREGULAR WORK HOURS THAT OFTEN HAPPEN OUTSIDE, NO MATTER THE CLIMATE.

SCHOOLING IS TOUGH AND COMPETITIVE AND IN A RURAL AREA THE PAY ISN'T ALWAYS THE BEST BUT THE DEMAND IS THERE, EVEN WITH TWO OTHER LARGE ANIMAL VETS IN A TEN MILE RADIUS TO HER.

>> I HAVE NEW CLIENTS THAT CALL EVERY DAY.

IF I CAN GET TO THEM, I DEFINITELY WILL ON THE SCHEDULE, BUT, I MEAN, THERE'S DEFINITELY TIMES WHERE I HAD TO TELL THEM TO TRY ANOTHER VET CLINIC, BECAUSE I'M ONLY ONE PERSON AND I CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH IN A DAY.

>> INDIANA HAS BEEN GRAPPLING WITH A SHORTAGE OF VETERINARIANS BOTH IN LARGE AND SMALL ANIMAL SPECIALTIES.

SENATE BILL 56, AIMS TO HELP TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR VETS IN OTHER STATES TO BECOME VETS HERE.

THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO TAKE AN EXAM TO GET A LICENSE.

ARMSTRONG DOUBTS IT WILL EASE HER WORKLOAD.

>> AS FAR AS THE SHORTAGE OF LARGE ANIMAL VETERINARIANS I'M NOT SURE THAT WILL CUT IT, BUT SENATOR JEA LEISING SAYS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE ISSUE OF A LARGER VET CARE ISSUE.

>> IT HELPS TO SOLVE WHAT IS AN EXISTING PROBLEM AND THIS CAN BE DONE FAIRLY QUICKLY, WHEREAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF WE HAVE THE FUNDING TO EXPAND THE VETERINARY SCHOOL AT PURDUE, THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE AND NOT A QUICK FIX BY ANY MEANS.

>> BUT IT COULD HELP TO PICK UP SOME SLACK BY REMOVING RED TAPE.

>> JUST LIKE A NURSE HAS TO TAKE AN EXAM, A DOCTOR, AN ATTORNEY, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY SEEMS TO HAVE TO DO IT, AND THAT IS CUMBERSOME.

AND FOR SOME PEOPLE, THEY WOULD SAY IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

>> LEISING WORKED TO GET THE BILL DONE IN THE SHORTENED LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> THEY ASKED ME IF I WOULD CARRY A BILL.

IT WAS SENATE BILL 56, THAT WOULD ALLOW AN OUT-OF-STATE VETERINARIAN WHO HAS PASSED THE BOARDS AND IS PRACTICING IN ANOTHER STATE, BUT WOULD WANT TO COME ACROSS AND HELP IN SOME OF THE AREAS THAT -- WHERE THERE'S A SHORTAGE IN INDIANA, AND LIKELY IT WOULD BE IN THE BORDER COUNTIES.

>> PURDUE'S COLLEGE OF THE VETERINARY MEDICINE IS ONE OF THE 34 ACCREDITED VET COLLEGES IN THE U.S.

AND ACCORDING TO THE DEAN OF THE SCHOOL, IT'S A CHALLENGE TO GET ACCEPTED.

>> OUR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE PROGRAM, WE TAKE 84 STUDENTS EACH FALL.

WE HAD 1930 APPLICATIONS FOR THOSE 84 SLOTS.

SO IT'S VERY COMPETITIVE.

>> THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, STUDENTS ARE OFTEN EXPOSED TO WHAT OPERATING IN A RURAL AREA WOULD LOOK LIKE.

>> WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FOR MIXED ANIMAL PRACTITIONERS IN THE AREA, BECAUSE SMALL ANIMALS WILL NEED ATTENTION IN THOSE AREAS AS WELL.

IT'S MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE WELL ROUNDED IN THEIR EDUCATION HERE AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE IN THE FUTURE.

>> BUT THE STUDENTS ARE LIKELY TO SEE A HIGHER PAYING JOB IN AN URBAN SETTING TO PAY OF THEIR STUDENT DEBT.

THAT'S WHY MARSH BELIEVES THIS HE SHOULD LOOK INTO A LOAN REPLACEMENT PROGRAM THAT TAKE A POSITION IN AN UNDERSERVED AREA.

>> I THINK THAT WOULD HELP ENCOURAGE VETERINARIANS TO WORK IN AREAS CONSIDERED UNDERSERVED.

AS THEY LEAVE OUR PROGRAM, THEY MAY HAVE STUDENT DEBT AND THAT'S ONE WAY TO RELIEF THE DEBT.

>> THEY HOPE ONE DAY MORE PEOPLE WILL MOVE TO WORKING LARGE ANIMAL BECAUSE IT'S A CRITICAL PART OF THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY.

>> THESE RURAL AREAS IS WHERE OUR FOOD ANIMALS ARE AND COME FROM.

AND IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOOD AND FOR IT TO BE SAFE FOR EVERYONE TO CONSUME, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE VETERINARIANS OUT IN RURAL AREAS.

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

>>> SENATE BILL 56 HAS PASSED THE SENATE AND IS AWAITING APPROVAL IN THE HOUSE.

>>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON IS HOSTING MULTIPLE EVENTS THIS MONTH IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

THE THEME THIS YEAR IS A CENTURY OF BLACK HISTORY COMMEMORATIONS.

>>> THIS DOESN'T JUST EXIST IN THE PAST.

OUR LIVES, OUR SYSTEMS, HOW OUR POLICIES AND OUR DAILY EXPERIENCES ARE REFLECTED IN THAT, THIS MONTH GIVES US A TIME AND A SPACE TO TELL THAT AND A FULLER, MORE ACCURATE DEPICTION.

>> EVENTS WILL BE STARTING THIS SATURDAY AT CITY HALL WITH A SHOWCASE OF LOCAL STUDENTS, ARTISTS AND PERFORMERS.

IT BEGINS AT 3:30 P.M.

>>> 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