>>> SOME LOCAL BUSINESSES AND OFFICIALS ARE UPSET BY THE CITY'S DECISION TO LEAVE KIRKWOOD AVENUE OPEN TO TRAFFIC THIS SUMMER.

>>> A FILM CENTER IS COMMEMORATING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF WHAT BECAME BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

>>> AND AN INDIANA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR HAS A NEW BOOK ABOUT THE HOME VIDEO GAME PONG.

WE'LL HAVE 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.

>>> WELL, FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS KIRKWOOD AVENUE HAS BEEN CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AND OPEN TO OUTDOOR DINING FROM APRIL TO NOVEMBER.

THIS YEAR, THE CITY ANNOUNCED IT WAS DISCONTINUING THE PROGRAM, MEANING KIRKWOOD WOULD BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC YEAR ROUND.

OUR ISABELLA VESPERINI SPOKE WITH SOME BUSINESSES ON KIRKWOOD TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THIS DECISION.

>> A YEAR AGO, THE CITY ESTABLISHED AN INDEFINITE SEASONAL OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM THAT WOULD CLOSE CERTAIN BLOCKS OF KIRKWOOD EVERY SUMMER.

THAT PROMPTED VILLAGE DELI OWNER TO IMPROVE HIS OUTDOOR EATING AREA.

>> WE PURCHASED 14 TABLES LAST YEAR FOR THAT PURPOSE.

WE ALSO PURCHASED PLANTERS, PLANTS, ET CETERA, JUST TO MAKE THE AREA LOOK BETTER.

>> THAT $15,000 INVESTMENT MIGHT GO UNUSED NOW.

>> WELL, WE'LL EITHER SELL IT OR WE'LL TRY TO UTILIZE IT AT OTHER LOCATIONS THAT WE OWN.

I ALSO OWN SOMA, BUT IT WILL BE DIFFICULT.

THEY ARE PICNIC TABLES AND THEY DON'T REALLY FIT IN THE OUTDOOR PATIOS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

>> MICHAEL FOX OWNER OF LENNY'S BREW PUB HAD ALSO SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON NEW FURNITURE.

NOW HE WILL SEE WHAT HE CAN FIT IN THE SPACE A PARKLET PROVIDES.

>> THE PARKLETS ARE KIND OF AN EYE SORE.

THEY ARE -- IT'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF SPACE.

SO THE LOGISTICS OF FITTING A FULL TOP TABLE GETS A LITTLE BIT TIGHT.

THE SEATS ARE BUMPING INTO THE CURBS.

>> BUSINESSES INCREASED SEATING CAPACITY AND MAKE MONEY.

>> PARTICULARLY ON THE REALLY BUSY TOURISM WEEKENDS, LIKE GRADUATION, MOVE-IN, HOME FOOTBALL GAMES, IT WAS REALLY, REALLY GREAT HAVING TABLES OUT THERE AND IT KIND OF GIVES KIRKWOOD AND BLOOMINGTON A COOL VIBE.

>> BUT ANOTHER BUSINESS THINKS IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP THE STREET OPEN TO CARS.

>> IT JUST MADE PARKING, LIKE REALLY AWFUL AND FOR US AND I'M SURE A BUNCH OF THE BUSINESSES IT MAKES IT A LOT HARDER TO BRING ALL THE STUFF IN AND THEN, LIKE, THEY TOOK AWAY OUR LOADING ZONE.

AND THEN PEOPLE GET YELLED AT IF THEY JUST PARK RIGHT THERE AND TRY TO BRING STUFF IN.

SO IT MAKES IT A HASSLE FOR SURE.

>>> UPTOWN CAFE WASN'T PLANNING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM THIS YEAR ANYWAY.

>> THAT CONSTRUCTION ACROSS THE STREET IS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT PROJECT INVOLVING DIGGING AND GETTING THROUGH LIMESTONE UNDERGROUND WHICH CAUSES A LOT OF DUST AND NOISE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE MOST PLEASANT OUTDOOR DINING EXPERIENCE, BEING RIGHT ACROSS FROM THAT ON OUR BLOCK.

>> FOR THAT REASON, CASSIDY DOESN'T THINK IT'S WORTH PARTICIPATING IN THE PARKLET PROGRAM AND SPENDING MONEY TO CONSTRUCT A DECK FOR SEATING LIKE THEY DID IN PAST SUMMERS.

>> ANOTHER SPECIFIC THING TO OUR BLOCK, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT SLOPE.

SO WE HAVE TO BUILD A DECK TO BE ABLE TO BE LEVEL, AND I WOULD SAY THE INVESTMENT THAT TAKES IS JUST WITH THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT GOING ON, ISN'T WORTH IT.

>> IN A MEMO EXPLAINING WHY KIRKWOOD IS UNSUSTAINABLE, THE CITY NOTED LIMITED COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS ACTIVATION OF THE SPACE.

COSTELLO THINKS THE CITY COULD HAVE DONE MORE TO COLLABORATE WITH INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND THE COMMUNITY TO UTILIZE THE STREET.

>> THEY COULD HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE ARTISTIC COMMUNITY.

THEY WERE ALSO PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO PUT UP, LIKE, BOOTHS.

THE FARMER'S MARKET IS ON SATURDAY AT CITY HALL, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE A FARMER'S MARKET DURING THE WEEK.

THEY COULD HAVE MOVED THE FARMER'S MARKET TO KIRKWOOD SINCE IT WAS ALREADY CLOSED.

>> THE CITY COUNCILMEMBER KATE ROSENBARGER SAYS WAYS TO ACTIVATE THE SPACE COULD INCLUDE PLANTING GARDENS CHALK ART AND PUTTING OUT MORE TABLES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GOING TO RESTAURANTS CAN SIT OUTSIDE.

>> IT'S AN AREA THAT DOESN'T EXIST ANYWHERE ELSE.

SO FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER, WE HAVE THE SPACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN BE OUTSIDE, PEOPLE CAN WALK BY, THEY SEE NEIGHBORS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS THEY KNOW, HAVE GREAT CONVERSATIONS.

AND WE REALLY JUST DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT ANYWHERE ELSE IN OUR CITY.

>> ROSENBARGER IS WORKING WITH PART OF THE COUNCIL TO CREATING AN ORDINANCE WHICH IS MORE PERMANENT THAT WOULD ADD IN A NEW TYPE OF STREET, ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE VEHICLES ON IT.

SHE HOPES KIRKWOOD COULD BE THIS KIND OF STREET.

>> LAST YEAR A LOT OF BUSINESS OWNERS TALKED TO US ABOUT NEEDING PREDICTABILITY AND INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR OUTDOOR DINING AND, LIKE, RAMPING UP STAFF, RIGHT, FOR THIS PROGRAM.

AND FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, SINCE THE PANDEMIC, IT WAS ALWAYS ON THE FENCE AND SO BUSINESS OWNERS DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND THEN THERE COULD BE -- IT WOULD FEEL A LITTLE LAST MINUTE TO THEM THAT THEY NEEDED TO, LIKE, SCRAMBLE TO GET EVERYTHING READY IN TIME.

>> ROSENBARGER HOPES THE COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS THE ORDINANCE IN THE SPRING.

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

>>> THE CITY PLANS TO EXPAND SOME FESTIVALS THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY LIMITED DUE TO DINING TAKING UP SPACE.

THERE WILL STILL BE THAT PARKLET MODEL WHERE BUSINESSES CAN APPLY TO USE METERED PARKING SPOTS IN FRONT OF THEIR PROPERTY ALONG KIRKWOOD TO SET UP OUTDOOR DINING.

>>> BLOOMINGTON MAYOR KERRY THOMSON IS NOT PLEASED A HOPEWELL ORDINANCE WAS NOT INTRODUCED AT CITY COUNCIL LAST WEEK.

THE PLAN COMMISSION FORWARDED THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL WITH A POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION.

BUT COUNCILMEMBER HOPI STOSBERG STILL HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS AND DIDN'T MEET THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE.

>> I MADE 26 COMMENTS ON AN 11-PAGE DOCUMENT, POINTING OUT INCONSISTENT REQUIREMENTS AND ENFORCING PLANNING STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM JANUARY THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN FEBRUARY.

>> THOMSON SAYS DELAYS CARRY FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES DURING A HOUSING CRISIS.

SHE SAYS COUNCIL SHOULDN'T STAND ON PROCEDURAL DELAYS THAT DO NOT IMPROVE THE MERIT OF THE PRODUCT.

THE DEVELOPMENT IS ON THE FORMER BLOOMINGTON HOSPITAL SITE ON SECOND STREET, AND IS BILLED AS A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD WITH VARIOUS HOUSING PRICES AND TYPES, FROM SINGLE FAMILY HOMES TO APARTMENT COMPLEXES.

>> EVERY WEEK WE DELAY HOUSING IS MORE COST TO HOUSING.

AND SO WHEN WE SAY WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING HOUSING BUILT, IT MEANS WE HAVE TO MOVE IT THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> THE ORDINANCE COULD RETURN TO COUNCIL'S AGENDA ON MARCH 4 THE.

>>> AREA BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS ON THE WEST SIDE OF BLOOMINGTON ARE STILL CLEANING UP AFTER LAST WEEK'S TORNADO.

AMONG THEM IS THE MONROE COUNTY HUMANE ASSOCIATION, A NONPROFIT VETERINARY CLINIC, SERVICING PETS OF PEOPLE FACING HARDSHIPS.

AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS NO ANIMALS WERE HURT BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO TREAT ANIMALS OR ACCEPT PHYSICAL DONATIONS.

>> THE DIRECTOR SAYS HE ARRIVED 20 MINUTES AFTER THE TORNADO SHATTERED WINDOWS, LEVELED A STORAGE SHED AND FLUNG A FOUR-TON SHIPPING CONTAINER ON TO THE ROOF.

>> WITHIN MINUTES I KNEW THE ANIMALS WERE OKAY AND I WAS THANKFUL THAT THEY WERE AND NO HUMANS WERE HERE.

>> THEY RESCUED FIVE CATS AND FIVE DOGS FROM THE SHELTER.

THEY WERE TEMPORARILY REHOMED.

KREBS SAYS EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS BEGAN CLEANING UP AND SALVAGING SUPPLIES THAT NIGHT.

THE HUMANE ASSOCIATION IS STILL FIGURING OUT WHAT REPAIRS ARE NEEDED.

>> WE ARE GOING THROUGH EVERYTHING THAT WAS ON THE PROPERTY TO SEE WHAT WE CAN SAVE AND WHAT HAS TO BE THROWN AWAY.

AND THAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> THE DAMAGE PREVENTS THE ORGANIZATION FROM STORING DONATIONS SUCH AS FOOD AND PROVIDING LOW-COST MEDICAL CARE AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM.

KREBS IS OPTIMISTIC THOSE ISSUES WILL BE RESOLVED SOON AND THE INSURANCE WILL COVER THE BULK OF REPAIRS.

>> OUR PARTNERS HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC.

THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN FANTASTIC.

I KNOW THAT WHATEVER WE PUT OUT INTO THE -- INTO THE WORLD OF OUR NEEDS, THE COMMUNITY WILL RESPOND.

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

>> MONROE COUNTY IS PROVIDING TEMPORARY DUMPSTERS FOR RESIDENTS TO DISPOSE OF DEBRIS FROM THE TORNADO.

DUMPSTERS FOR WOOD AND HOUSEHOLD DEBRIS HAVE BEEN PLACED AT BEDROCK ROAD AND BOSSEL COURT.

THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH MARCH 6th.

>>> WELL, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY CLAYTON BAUMGARTH FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

♪ >>> WELCOME TO THE SHOW, CLAYTON.

>> THANKS, JOE.

THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON UTILITIES WANTS TO RAISE RESIDENTIAL WATER BILLS IN ORDER TO COVER RECOGNIZING OPERATIONAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS.

RESIDENTS COULD SEE THEIR BILL INCREASE BY ROUGHLY 20% WHILE BUSINESSES AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY ARE LOOKING AT ABOUT A 50% INCREASE.

THE RAISES WOULD INCREASE THE WATER UTILITIES' ANNUAL OPERATING REVENUE BY $6.5 MILLION.

>>> A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS TO A LARGE ENTITY IS ABSORBED AS A ROUTINE EXPENSE, BUT WE PRODUCE 1/100th THAT LOCALS PRODUCE.

>> THE CURRENT PROPOSAL WOULD INCREASE THEIR ANNUAL WATER BILL BY ALMOST $3,000.

A FINAL DECISION ON A WATER RATE INCREASE IS EXPECTED LATER THIS SUMMER.

>>> THE FOOD, FARM AND NATIONAL SECURITY ACT OF 2026, WHICH IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS COULD HELP HOOSIER FARMERS.

BILL SEEKS TO ACT AS A SLIMMED DOWN FARM BILL AND THE FIVE-YEAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT SETS FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL POLICIES.

LAST YEAR'S ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, COVERS 80% OF WHAT WOULD BE IN A FARM BILL.

THIS BILL ADDRESSES THE REST.

>>> DEFINITELY NOT THE BIG TITLE ITEMS THAT EVERYBODY KIND OF KNOWS AS THE FARM BILL.

NO COMMODITY TITLE FOR THOSE CROP PROTECTIONS, SNAP, ALL THAT STUFF WAS TAKEN CARE OF, BUT SEVERAL IMPORTANT THINGS STILL IN THE FARM BILL COMING UP NEXT WEEK FOR US TO REALLY FOCUS IN AND GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> FARMERS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A PROPER FARM BILL UPDATE SINCE LAST ONE EXPIRED IN 2022.

>>> THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS WRAPPING UP THIS YEAR'S SHORTENED SESSION SENDING A NUMBER OF BILLS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK TO BE SIGNED.

ONE IS A TOP PRIORITY OF REPUBLICANS AND ONE THEY SAY WILL ROOT OUT WASTE AND FRAUD IN INDIANA'S WELFARE SYSTEMS.

THE BILL BRINGS INDIANA IN LINE WITH NEW FEDERAL WELFARE WORK REQUIREMENTS AND ELIGIBILITY CHECKS WHILE ALSO INSERTING CHECKS ON IMMIGRATION STATUS.

>>> WE BROUGHT THIS BILL TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR GOES TO A HOOSIER WHO IS POOR AND/OR DISABLED.

>> DEMOCRATS SAY THE MEASURE IS MORE PUNITIVE THAN FEDERAL CHANGES AND WILL KICK ELIGIBLE HOOSIERS FROM PROGRAMS.

>>> A BILL MANDATING COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION DETAINER REQUESTS IS ALSO READY TO BE SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

>> THE FAIRNESS ACT INCLUDES PROVISIONS THAT REQUIRE SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, POLICE AND SHERIFF OFFICES TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

IT ALSO REQUIRES BUSINESSES OPERATING IN THE STATE TO VERIFY THE LEGAL STATUS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.

>>> WE'RE HERE EITHER TO PROTECT AND HELP OUR CITIZENS, OR WE'RE HERE TO PROTECT AND HELP ILLEGALS.

I CHOOSE HOOSIERS OVER ILLEGALS.

>>> OPPONENTS OF LEGISLATION SAY THE LANGUAGE IS TOO BROAD AND U.S.

CITIZENS COULD BE SWEPT UP IN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

>> HOW ARE YOU GOING TO ENFORCE THIS WITHOUT RACIAL PROFILING?

BECAUSE IMMIGRATION STATUS IS NOT VISIBLE.

CITIZENSHIP IS NOT VISIBLE.

LEGAL WORK AUTHORIZATION IS NOT VISIBLE.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS ALREADY SIGNALED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE LEGISLATION THAT FURTHER ALIGNS STATE WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AGENDA.

>>> LEGISLATION CREATING A MILITARY POLICE FORCE OF INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS TO BE DEPLOYED AROUND THE STATE AT THE GOVERNOR'S BEHEST OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED THE SENATE.

HOUSE BILL 1343 WOULD ALLOW THE GUARDS LEADER, THE ADJUNCT GENERAL TO ESTABLISH A MILITARY POLICE WITH MEMBERS WITH POLICE POWERS ARRESTS, SEARCHES AND SEIZURES AND MORE.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO COMPLETE POLICE TRAINING.

>>> A PROPOSAL TO KEEP CELL PHONES OUT OF HOOSIER STUDENTS HANDS FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DAY IS HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

IT WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO ADOPT POLICIES TO PROHIBIT USE OF CELL PHONES FROM THE START OF THE SCHOOL DAY TO THE DISMISSAL.

IT INCLUDES SMARTPHONES, SMART WATCHES AND GAMING DEVICES.

>>> AND A BILL THAT CRIMINALIZES HOMELESSNESS IS ALSO HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE LEGISLATION WOULD MAKE IT A CLASS C MISDEMEANOR FOR KNOWINGLY CAMPING OR SLEEPING IN PUBLIC AREAS.

>>> AND JOE, OPPONENTS SAY IT WILL BE AN ADDED BARRIER FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND STRESS JAILS.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S BLACK FILM CENTER AND ARCHIVE IS CELEBRATING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF WHAT BECAME BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

AND AN I.U.

PROFESSOR HAS A NEW BOOK ABOUT THE GRANDFATHER OF VIDEO GAMES ATARI'S PONG.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S BLACK FILM CENTER AND ARCHIVE IS MARKING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

AS NATALIE FITZGIBBONS REPORTS YOU CAN EXPLORE HISTORIC MEDIA AT THE ARCHIVES, NOT JUST THIS MONTH, BUT YEAR ROUND.

>>> FOUNDED IN 1981 BY PHYLLIS KLOTMAN, THE BFCA IS THE ONLY ARCHIVE WORLDWIDE THAT FOCUSES SOLELY ON THE PRESERVATION OF BLACK-CENTERED FILM AND MEDIA.

THE ARCHIVES DIRECTOR SAYS KLOTMAN SET OUT TO CREATE A SPACE DEDICATED TO BLACK FILMMAKERS OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.

>> SHE RECOGNIZED WAS THAT HOLLYWOOD WAS TREATING BLACK FILM PERFORMERS AND DIRECTORS AND THE MATERIALS THEY CREATED LIKE SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS.

DR.

KLOTMAN REALLY WANTED TO CHALLENGE THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE WOULD HAVE THESE THINGS IN PERPETUITY.

>> THERE ARE OVER 3,000 FILMS AND TELEVISION SHOWS IN THE GENERAL COLLECTION DATING AS FAR BACK AS 1915.

THE ARCHIVE OFTEN HIGHLIGHTS NOTABLE FILMMAKERS, INCLUDING JESSIE MAPEL PATTON WHO MADE A FULL LENGTH FILM IN 1981.

>> THE PROBLEM WAS SHE DIDN'T GET DISTRIBUTION FOR HER FILM.

THEY BUILD A STORY IN THE NEW YORK BROWNSTONE WHERE THEY START SHOWCASING HER FILM BUT THEN ALSO THE WORKS OF OTHER HISTORICALLY MINORITYIZED PEOPLE.

>> WHEN SHE DIED IN 2023, PATTON'S FAMILY CAME TO THE ARCHIVES TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE.

THE NEXT YEAR BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON DECLARED FEBRUARY 1st AS JESSIE MAPEL PATTON DAY TO HONOR HER LEGACY.

LAWRENCE HOPES.

COMMUNITY STAYS CURIOUS ABOUT BLACK HISTORY REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF YEAR AND EMPHASIZES THAT BFCA IS A SPACE FOR EVERYBODY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT WE'RE REALLY DOING OUR PART TO CONTINUE TO UPLIFT BLACK HISTORY WHICH I ALWAYS HAVE TO SAY IS AMERICAN HISTORY AND WE USE FEBRUARY TO HIGHLIGHT IT MORE BUT WE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING THIS ALL THE TIME.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WITH ALLEN SANDERSON, I'M NATALIE FITZGIBBONS.

>> THERE WERE TWO PROFESSORS, AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE MONROE COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE NAACP ON WFIU'S NOON EDITION.

WE ASKED IF THEY WERE DISCOURAGED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S PUSH TO END DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS AND REMOVING NATIONAL MARKERS THAT DEPICT SLAVERY AND BLACK ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

HERE'S WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> WE'RE NOT MOVING BACKWARDS.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

AS A HISTORIAN WHO STUDIES THE PAST, THESE ARE NOT NEW PHENOMENONS.

WE STRUGGLE THROUGH VARIOUS FORMS OF INSTITUTIONS THAT PEOPLE WON'T CALL IT WHAT IT IS.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM CALLING IT RACISM, COMING OUT OF THAT ADMINISTRATION AND SOME OF THE POLICIES IN OUR STATE, IT'S RACISM.

IT'S JUST RACISM.

IT'S INSTITUTIONAL.

AND NOW POWER IS BEHIND IT, AND IT'S EVEN MORE PRONOUNCED.

BUT THESE ARE NOT NEW PHENOMENAS.

WE STRUGGLED THROUGH REAGAN AND BUSH AND HIS SON, AND THEN NOW HERE WE ARE AGAIN.

SO THESE ARE NOT NEW PHENOMENONS.

IT MAKES MY WORK EVEN MORE IMPORTANT AND PERTINENT.

IN OTHER WORDS, THESE CHALLENGES FORCE ME TO SPEND MORE TIME BEING MORE ACTIVE, HISTORY MUST BE IN MOTION.

IT GETS ME OUT OF MY OFFICE.

IT GETS ME OUT OF THE CLASSROOM JUST ON CAMPUS WITHIN THESE VARIOUS CIRCLES ON YOUR RADIO PROGRAM AND IN THE COMMUNITY AND THESE VARIOUS PLACES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING OUR JOB IN THE SPIRIT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS HISTORY DOES NOT GET LOST.

BECAUSE IF WE DO A DISSERVICE TO OUR CITIZENS, THE HOOSIERS IN THE STATE, ALL OF US, WE NEED TO DO THIS WORK.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING.

>> AND I WOULD SAY THAT WE SHIFT THE GAZE, THEN HE INVITED OUR STUDENTS AS WELL TO SAY I'M GOING TO DO THE BEST I CAN WITH WHAT I HAVE.

SO I SAY EXCELLENCE IS ONE WAY THAT WE CAN CHANGE THE CALCULUS OF THE HUMAN MIND.

BECAUSE IF WE USE OUR IMAGINARY AND JUST THINK THAT ONE DAY WE WAKE UP AND ALL THE GREAT SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS ARE BEING DONE BY AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE, WE FOUND A CURE FOR CANCER, WAS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN PERSON WHO FOUND THE CURE FOR CANCER.

YOU CAN GO ON AND ON AND ON.

WHERE WOULD THAT FOCUS OF ATTENTION SHIFT?

IT WOULD SHIFT TO AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE AND SAY AS WAS SAID, THAT AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE CONTRIBUTING MIGHTILY TO CIVILIZATION.

AND PEOPLE WILL BE COMING TO US AND SAYING, CAN YOU SHARE THAT WITH ME, JIM?

>> YES.

>> OR I CAN GIVE YOU DIRECTIONS.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> JUST TO LET YOU KNOW WHERE THAT INFORMATION IS, WHICH I THINK IS THE CHALLENGE WITH A LOT OF IT BEING REMOVED AND BANNED AND SUCH AND SUCH.

AND I WILL SUBMIT -- AND, AGAIN, YOU GUYS ARE SO ELOQUENT.

I LOVE BEING IN YOUR PRESENCE ON THINGS LIKE, THIS BUT DR.

WOODSON, OBVIOUSLY, I LIKE HIS VISION.

>> MM-HMM.

>> AND WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT WAS NOT DONE IN A VACUUM.

>> NO, IT WASN'T.

>> AND I THINK PART OF OUR JOB IS TO DISSEMINATE HIS VISION AND SOME OF THE THINGS HE WANTED TO EXPRESS, I THINK, EVEN 100 YEARS LATER.

THE DIFFICULTY WITH ME, AND, AGAIN, NOT TO BE CRITICAL.

I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT, WHEN WE -- WE TALKED ABOUT THE POWER AND THE RACISM AND NOW HOW IT HAS POWER.

BUT WHEN WE HEAR THINGS, AND PARTICULARLY THE NEWS, BUT -- AND WE TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION, AND THAT'S A HOT BUTTON, BUT HOW DOES THE MAJORITY OF AMERICA FEEL WHEN WE HEAR THE EXECUTIVE -- THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE SAY WELL, SEND ME MORE SWEDISH.

SEND ME MORE NORWEGIANS.

I WANT NORDIC FOLKS COMING THIS WAY.

YOU SEE?

AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE ALL KNOW, I MEAN, WE'RE SELLING VISAS!

>> YEAH.

>> TRUE.

>> YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE -- AND I'M JUST SAYING THOSE ARE THE CHALLENGES.

IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP US.

LIKE, DR.

WILLIAMS SAID, IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP US.

IT FORTIFIES US, BUT WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE ALL OF THAT TOGETHER.

I MEAN, IT'S EASY TO HEAR PART OF IT AND GET DISCOURAGED.

AND, YOU KNOW -- >> I WOULD SAY DON'T GET DISCOURAGED, GET MOTIVATED.

>>> YOU CAN WATCH THIS ENTIRE EPISODE AND ALL OF OUR ARCHIVED EPISODES ON OUR WEBSITE, WTIU.ORG UNDER THE NOON EDITION TAB.

>>> AND AN INDIANA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR HAS A NEW BOOK ON ONE OF THE WORLD'S OLDEST VIDEO GAMES, SOMETHING EXCEEDINGLY SIMPLE BY TODAY'S STANDARDS BUT A GROUNDBREAKING SENSATION IN THE 1970s.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH MET WITH THE AUTHOR OF "KING PONG."

[ COMPUTER BEEPS ] >> WHEN RAIFORD GUINS WAS A KID, HE WOULD SPEND HIS LUNCH MONEY ON NO THE FOOD BUT ARCADE GAMES.

>> I WOULD GET $2.

THAT'S $2 FOR FOOD OR EIGHT GAMES.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

I'M GOING TO BORROW FOOD AND STEEL FOOD FROM FRIENDS SO I CAN PLAY GAMES AFTER SCHOOL.

>> HE TURNED THIS INTO A SUCCESSFUL RESEARCH.

HE LOOKS AT ATARI.

>> I THINK WE OWE A LOT TO WHERE ATARI THOUGHT THAT GAME PLAY COULD TAKE PLACE.

THE COMPANY REALIZED THE PRODUCTS KNEW NO BORDERS IN THAT RESPECT.

>> GUINS FOCUSES ON HOW THE CREATORS OF PONG BROUGHT INNOVATION NOT JUST IN TECHNOLOGY BUT IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING STRATEGIES TO HELP CREATE THE HOME VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT MARKETING, YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT HOW DO YOU PRODUCTIZE SOMETHING THAT AT THAT POINT IN TIME IS ONLY SEEN IN RESEARCH LABS IN THE CONTEXT OF PLAYING SPACE FOUR ON A MINI COMPUTER.

HOW DO YOU MAKE IT AFFORDABLE TO MASS PRODUCE IT FOR A GENERAL PUBLIC WHO HAS NO ACCESS TO MINI COMPUTERS.

>> WITH THOSE INNOVATIONS ATARI BUILT A MODEL FOR HOW THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY AS WE KNOW IT COULD FIND ITS WAY INTO OUR LIVING ROOMS AND POCKETS.

>> EVEN IF YOU ARE JUST KNOCKING BACK CANDY CRUSH WHEN YOU ARE STANDING IN LINE IN THE POST OFFICE, RIGHT, OR IF YOU ARE ON A SUBWAY KILLING SOME TIME, YOU ARE GAMING.

YOU ARE PLAYING, RIGHT?

SO I THINK THE TOPIC ITSELF SPEAKS TO SO MANY PEOPLE.

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

>> GUINS WILL BE AT MORGENSTERN BOOKS AT 6 P.M.

ON MARCH 2nd TO TALK ABOUT KING PONG.

>>> 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