>>> INDIANA IS PARTNERING WITH CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN GROUP TURNING POINT U.S.A.

IN AN EFFORT TO EXPAND ITS CHAPTERS INTO HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS STATE.

>> HEAVY RAINS EARLIER THIS MONTH LED TO FLOODING ALONG THE EAST FORK OF THE WHITE RIVER, AND AT LEAST THREE CONFIRMED DEATHS.

AND WITH MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TURNING TO SOCIAL MEDIA FOR NEWS, TEACHERS ARE INCORPORATING LESSONS ON MEDIA LITERACY INTO THEIR CURRICULUM.

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.

INDIANA IS PARTNERING WITH A CONSERVATIVE FAVORITE-BASED ORGANIZATION TURNING POINT U.S.A.

AS ELYSE PERRY REPORTS, IT'S AIMED AT EXPANDING POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> 11 STUDENTS FROM LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS AND HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS HELD SIGNS AND SMILED AS INDIANA GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN ANNOUNCED THE PARTNERSHIP AT THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE THURSDAY.

BRAUN SAYS THE INITIATIVE WILL WORK TO ESTABLISH CHAPTERS OF TURNING POINT U.S.A.

AND CLUB AMERICA, ITS HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM IN HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> WE ARE THE FIRST THAT IS PROUDLY SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO WORK TO ACTUALLY -- AS SOON AS YOU ARE ABLE TO VOTE, GET YOU REGISTERED TO WHERE YOU ARE BUYING INTO FAITH, FAMILY COMMUNITY, FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY, NOT THE OPPOSITE.

>> INDIANA IS THE EIGHTH STATE TO PARTNER WITH TURNING POINT U.S.A.

JOINING ARKANSAS, NEBRASKA, TEXAS, FLORIDA, TENNESSEE, MONTANA AND OKLAHOMA.

IT IS THE FIRST TO COLLABORATE WITH THE ORGANIZATION TO HELP STUDENTS REGISTER TO VOTE.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT GEN Zers, MORE OF THEM ARE INTERESTED IN THESE VALUES AND WILLING TO SPEAK OUT LOUDLY ABOUT IT, SO THE DIE HAS ARRIVED.

>> BRAUN SAYS THE INITIATIVE WILL HELP TO BALANCE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OUTREACH EFFORTS, PARTICULARLY WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATION WHICH HE SAID IS INCREASINGLY LEANING CONSERVATIVE.

ACCORDING TO A PUBLIC RELIGION INSTITUTE REPORT, 27% OF GEN Z IDENTIFIES AS CONSERVATIVE.

IT'S MORE THAN MILLENNIALS BUT LESS THAN EVER OTHER VOTING GENERATION.

IN THE LAST ELECTION, 43% OF GEN Z VOTERS VOTED.

BRAUN SAYS HE'S OPTIMISTIC THAT PUTTING TURNING POINT U.S.A.

IN THE SCHOOLS CAN TURN IT.

THERE HAS BEEN A SPIKE IN INTEREST IN ESTABLISHING CHAPTERS AT SCHOOLS SINCE FOUNDER CHARLIE KIRK WAS KILLED IN SEPTEMBER.

THIBAULT SAID THERE WERE OVER 70,000 REQUESTS TO START OR JOIN TURNING POINT CHAPTERS.

>> WE HAD A PUSHBACK PROBLEM.

A LOT OF STUDENTS WANTED TO START GROUPS BUT A LOT OF THE ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS WERE PUSHING BACK AGAINST IT.

>> BRAUN SAYS SCHOOLS WON'T BE REQUIRED TO FORM CHAPTERS, BUT THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO BLOCK CHAPTERS FROM FORMING.

HE ALSO DISMISSES CRITICISM OF THE STATE'S INVOLVEMENT WITH A PARTISAN ORGANIZATION.

>> IT'S NOT ENDORSING ANYTHING PARTICULARLY.

IT'S MAKING SURE YOU'VE GOT THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH TO BE AS LOUD ABOUT YOUR POINT OF VIEW AS THE OTHER SIDE IS HAS ALWAYS EXERCISED WITH HIGH DECIBEL LEVELS.

>> SOME THINK IT'S SIGNALS THAT RIGHT-WING VALUES.

>> THIS IS A STATE SANCTIONED YOUTH RECRUITMENT, BASICALLY, GOING INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND BASICALLY PUTTING STATE STAMP ON IT.

>> ACCORDING TO THE EQUAL ACCESS ACT OF 1984, STUDENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS HAVE THE RIGHT TO FORM AND OPERATE CLUBS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT STATES SCHOOLS CANNOT DENY ACCESS TO CLUBS BASED ON THE CONTENT OF THEIR MEETINGS.

>> STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A RIGHT TO EXIST AND STUDENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO FREELY PARTICIPATE.

BUT THIS SOUNDS A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE IT'S STATE SANCTIONED, AND THAT'S WHERE I THINK WE'RE REALLY, YOU KNOW, CROSSING A LINE.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MICAH BECKWITH SAYS IT'S ABOUT SWIFT ENGAGEMENT, NOT POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

>> THIS IS NOT A REPUBLICAN/DEMOCRAT THING.

THIS IS A PRO AMERICA THING.

IT'S ABOUT AMERICAN VALUES, AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM, THINGS THAT SET US APART FROM OTHER NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD.

>> BRAUN SAYS IT'S ABOUT GIVING THE STUDENTS A PLACE TO EXPRESS THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS IN MACES WHERE THE STATUS QUO -- IN PLACES WHERE THE STATUS QUO HAS BEEN TO SILENCE THE CONSERVATIVES.

>> THIS IS NEVER TO SILENCE THE OTHER POINT OF VIEW.

THAT WOULD BE HYPOCRITICAL FOR US TO BE FOR THAT.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ELYSE PERRY.

>> WE'RE JOINED BY TOM DAVIESS, DEPUTY EDITOR OF THE INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE.

LET'S START WITH GOVERNOR BRAUN WHO MADE NO BONES ABOUT THE STATE PUTTING ITS WEIGHT BEHIND A CONSERVATIVE GROUP IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

DEMOCRATS SAY HE'S CROSSING A LINE.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> IT -- THAT'S HARD TO SAY.

IT'S DEFINITELY THE GOVERNOR AND HIS SUPPORTERS THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT FRANKNESS AND TRYING TO BE OPEN TO ALL GROUPS AND MAKE SURE THERE'S NO ROADBLOCKS FOR CLUB AMERICA OR OTHER CONSERVATIVE-LEANING GROUPS BEING FORMED IN SCHOOLS.

THEY SAY THAT THEY ENCOUNTERED PUSHBACK FROM TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ELSEWHERE.

SO THEY DIDN'T CITE ANY EXAMPLES OF THAT HAPPENING HERE IN THE STATE.

>> NOW, YOU'VE TALKED TO PRO DEMOCRACY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE COMMON CAUSE, THE ACLU, WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

>> WELL, THEY SEE IT AS BLURRING THE LINE BETWEEN WHERE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GO, AND THAT PARTISAN PARTNERSHIP IS WHAT THEY SEE IT, SINCE TURNING POINT AND ITS ORGANIZATIONS ARE CLEARLY -- YOU KNOW, THEY ARE -- THE CLUB AMERICA WILL NOT BE OFFICIALLY A PARTISAN GROUP, BUT THEY ARE CLEARLY CONSERVATIVE BENT AND THEY SEE IT CROSSING THE LINE.

INDIANA IS NOT GOING AS FAR AS SOME STATES.

I THINK TEXAS AND SOME OTHERS HAVE SAID IF, YOU KNOW, A SCHOOL DOESN'T GET BEHIND FORMING A CLUB, THERE WILL BE STATE SANCTIONS OF SOME KIND.

SO THERE'S BEEN NOTHING THAT THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED ABOUT THAT.

AND THERE'S NO FORMAL PROGRAM THAT THE GOVERNOR ESTABLISHED.

IT'S MAINLY HIS PROCLAMATION AND PROMOTION OF THE GROUP.

>> INDIANA CONSERVATIVES HAVE EMBRACED TURNING POINT, EVEN BEFORE CHARLIE KIRK'S DEATH.

I GUESS IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD JOIN IN.

>> OH, YEAH.

CLEARLY TURNING POINT WAS A BIG FACTOR FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP BACK IN THE '24 ELECTION.

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO PUSH THEMSELVES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND DEFINITELY HAS A FOLLOWING.

AND IT'S CLEARLY BENEFICIAL TO THE REPUBLICANS TO EMBRACE THAT AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT ENTIRELY SURPRISING THAT BOTH WITH WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE MORALES DID THIS WEEK, IN LINKING ARMS WITH THEM.

>> TOM DAVIES, DEPUTY EDITOR OF THE INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE, BEEN COVERING THIS STORY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOU BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THREE PEOPLE ARE DEAD AND ONE MISSING IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, AFTER HEAVY RAIN LAST WEEK AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, FLOODING ON THE EAST FORK OF THE WHITE RIVER ALSO HAS CREATED DANGEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS, BUT MINIMAL PROPERTY DAMAGE.

>> TED AUSHIER'S HOUSE SITS ON STILTS NEAR THE RIVER.

>> YOU SEE THE STEPS GOING DOWN AND THERE ASSESS A LITTLE PLATFORM, AND THEN IT WENT DOWN MORE STEPS AND THEN IT WENT ON TO THE DECK.

>> IT'S THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS THAT FLOODING THREATENED HIS HOME.

THE EAST FORK REACHED THE HIGHEST LEVEL NEAR SHOELS ON TUESDAY AT 27 FEET, UP FROM 5 FEET A WEEK BEFORE.

THAT'S A MODERATE FLOOD BY FEDERAL STANDARDS.

>> WINTER AND THIS SPRING SEASON HAVE BEEN MORE ON THE ACTIVE SIDE IT DOESN'T RANGE UP ANYWHERE IN THE TOP AREAS FOR ACTIVE OR FLOODING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

AUSHIER SAYS DAMAGE PALES IN COMPARISON, WHEN SOME SHOALS RESIDENTS RELOCATED AND THE TOWN OPENED EMERGENCY SHELTERS.

>> ONE YEAR, I SAW A WASHING MACHINE FLOATING DOWN THERE AND WHOLE TIRES WITH RIMS ON THERE.

>> THE INDIANA DNR IS LOOKING FOR 82-YEAR-OLD JAMES PETTY, WHOSE TRUCK WAS SWEPT OFF THE ROAD ON MONEY NEAR SHOELS.

UPSTREAM?

BEDFORD.

JESSIE BROCK WERE SWEPT OFF THE ROAD.

THEY WERE FOUND DEAD DAYS LATER.

IN SEYMOUR BRADLEY DEATON WAS KILLED AFTER HIS BOAT WAS CAPSIZED.

>> WE DON'T WANT SOMEONE TO GET INJURED BY DRIVING THROUGH FLOODWATERS.

>> THERE WERE NO DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS.

FLOOD WATER IN THE WHITE RIVER IS LOWERING, DESPITE MORE RAIN LATER THAT WEEK.

>> A WEEK WHERE WE HAD ANYWHERE BETWEEN 3 AND 4 INCHES OF RAIN, WHICH IS PRETTY IMPACTFUL.

YOU KNOW, THE RAINS OVER THE LAST DAY OR SO HAVE BEEN GENERALLY TWO INCHES OR LESS.

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

>>> THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CAUTIONS THAT INDIANA IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEVERE WEATHER SEASON AND RAIN OR TORNADOES ARE STILL POSSIBLE AHEAD AS EARLY AS SUNDAY INTO LATE SUNDAY NIGHT.

>>> WELL, LAST YEAR, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUT $500 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, AND AS ISABELLA VESPERINI REPORTS, SINCE THEN, IT'S BEEN HARDER FOR FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO MEET INCREASING LOCAL DEMAND.

>> PANTRY 279 USED TO GET ABOUT 30% OF ITS FOOD THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

BUT THE LAST TIME IT RECEIVED ONE OF THOSE SHIPMENTS THROUGH THE HOOSIER HILLS FOOD BANK WAS IN JANUARY.

>> WE GOT PEARS.

I KNOW WE GOT THAT.

WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF CHICKEN.

>> AND WITH FEWER DONATIONS COMING IN, CHAVEZ HAS RUN OUT OF FOOD ON OCCASION.

>> AND WE'RE KIND OF RUNNING DAY BY DAY, AS PEOPLE BRING IN DONATIONS IT HITS THE SHELF.

>> AS A RESULT, CHAVEZ HAS HAD TO PURCHASE MORE FOOD.

SHE SPENT OVER $115,000 BUYING FOOD LAST YEAR.

THAT'S OUT OF THE $400,000 THE PANTRY HAD.

THIS YEAR, SHE'S ON TRACK TO SPEND MORE.

>> I WILL CALL KROGER.

THEY WILL GIVE US A REALLY, REALLY GOOD DEAL.

AND I WILL ASK WHAT'S ON SALE, WHAT'S THE CHEAPEST YOU CAN GIVE ME ON CERTAIN THINGS AND IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT THEY HAVE.

>> DUE TO CUTS, THE HOOSIER HILLS FOOD BANK, HASN'T RECEIVED AS MUCH FOOD TO DISTRIBUTE TO LOCAL FOOD BANKS.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO REPLACE THAT FOOD.

WE CAN'T DO IT THROUGH DONATIONS BECAUSE THIS IS QUALITY STAPLE FOODS.

IT'S MOSTLY SHELF STABLE, NONPERISHABLE FOOD BUT ALSO IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, PFAP HAS DONE A LOT OF FRESH FOOD AND FROZEN FOOD PURCHASING AS WELL.

>> HE MAY RECEIVE BONUS FOODS THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

IN THE MEANTIME, HE'S LOOKING TO DO FOOD RESCUES.

>> WE GO TO RETAILERS, WHOLESALERS, GROCERY STORES, PREPARED FOOD RESCUE, EVERY DAY, THAT'S OUR BREAD AND BUTTER, OUR TRUCKS AND DRIVERS ARE OUT THERE COLLECTING THAT DONATED FOOD.

>> WITH CUTS TO VARIOUS FOOD AND HEALTH PROGRAMS ACROSS THE BOARD, ALONZO SAID IT'S NOW ESPECIALLY TOUGH FOR FAMILIES TO MAKE ENDS MEET FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ISABELLA VESPERINI.

>>> TO FILL THE GAP, LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES SUCH AS MOTHER HUBBARD'S CUPBOARD ARE LOOKING AT PARTNERSHIPS SUCH AS THE MIDWEST FOOD BANK AND HOSTING FOOD DRIVES.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WITH YOUNG PEOPLE NOW GETTING NEWS ONLINE, TEACHERS ARE INCORPORATING MEDIA LITERACY INTO THEIR CURRICULUM.

AND GAS PRICES CONTINUE TO CLIMB AS THE WAR IN IRAN LEADS TO THE CLOSING OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ .

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

MORE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO SOCIAL MEDIA FOR NEWS BUT MISINFORMATION AND A.I.-GENERATED VIDEOS ARE INCREASINGLY CIRCULATING ONLINE.

RECOGNIZING THAT, MORE TEACHERS ARE INCORPORATING LESSONS ON MEDIA LITERACY.

REPORTER ISABELLA VESPERINI TALKED WITH TEACHERS IN BLOOMINGTON TO LEARN MORE.

>> ALMOST EVERY DAY, SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER, ERICA PEAK TRIES TO FIND A WAY TO INCLUDE A LESSON ON MEDIA LITERACY.

WHEN READING A NOVEL, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE'S AN HISTORICAL ILLUSION, SHE ASKS HER STUDENTS TO THINK MORE PROFOUNDLY ABOUT THAT WORD.

>> HOW DO WE EXPLORE THAT WORD MORE SO THAN JUST TYPING IN THIS WORD.

AND FIND EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN NOES SEARCHES LIMB -- IN THOSE SEARCHES, LIMITS.

>> MULTIPLE POLLS SHOWED THAT TIKTOK IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF NEWS FOR GEN Z AND OVER 20% OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS FILTERED TO NEW USERS ARE AI-GENERATED CONTENT TO GET VIEWS.

PEAK HAS ALTERED HER LESSONS TO ACCOUNT FOR THESE CHANGES AND TRIED TO HELP THE STUDENTS SLOW DOWN AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE THINKING BEFORE ACCEPTING IT AS FACT.

>> EVEN WHEN I WAS WRITING ON A BOARD, I WAS LOOKING AT MY WORK.

WHERE CAN YOU PUSH BACK IN WHERE CAN YOU ASK QUESTIONS SOME WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND.

ASKING THEM TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR OWN UNDERSTANDING.

>> PEAK WILL ALSO HAVE STUDENTS CROSS-CHECK SOURCES IN CLASS, AND COMPARE AND CONTRAST INFORMATION FROM DIFFERENT WEBSITES, VIDEOS AND BOOKS.

>> GETTING THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE LIMITS TO THE TECHNOLOGY THAT SEEMS UNLIMITED.

AND BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT THOSE ARE, AND HOW THEY NEED TO FIND WAYS TO FILL THOSE GAPS FOR THEMSELVES.

>> GIVEN THE PREVALENCE OF TECHNOLOGY, EXPERTS SAY IT'S CRUCIAL TO START TEACHING KIDS ABOUT MEDIA LITERACY EARLY.

>> YOU DON'T WANT THEM LEARNING ABOUT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

YOU WANT THEM TO LEARNING ABOUT IT AT HOME OR IN SCHOOL OR SOME KIND OF ENVIRONMENT LIKE THAT.

I THINK IT'S THE SAME KIND OF THING HERE.

STUDENTS, YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE EXPOSED TO THESE THINGS REGARDLESS, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

SO TO THE EXTENT WE CAN MODEL GOOD BEHAVIOR, PROVIDE THEM WITH TOOLS, PROVIDE THEM WITH USEFUL INTERVENTIONS, RIGHT, I THINK THE -- YOU KNOW, THAT'S -- THAT IS DEFINITELY THE WAY THAT -- THAT WE SHOULD BE THINKING.

>> COOK THINKS EDUCATORS CAN INCORPORATE IMMEDIATE AYE LITERACY LESSONS AT THE SAME TIME STUDENTS ARE LEARNING TO READ AND WRITE.

THAT COULD MEAN TEACHING KIDS AS YOUNG AS SEVEN OR EIGHT HOW TO FACT CHECK OR READ LATERALLY.

>> WE HAVE THE FULL POWER OF THE WEB AT OUR DISPOSAL.

RATHER THAN ACCEPTING SOMETHING AT FACE VALUE, HOW TO USE THE WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS A WAY TO KIND OF VET SOURCES, EVALUATE SOURCES BEING THINGS LIKE THAT AND BE INCREDIBLY HELPFUL.

>> MACY ROBINSON SAYS SHE REMEMBERS GETTING HER FIRST MEDIA LESSON IN SIXTH GREAT.

>> I REMEMBER DOING THIS CAHOOT.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO TRICK US WHERE IT WAS LIKE, WHICH OF THESE NEWS ORGANIZATIONS IS UNBIASED.

AND THE ANSWER WAS NONE OF THEM, AND SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTOOD THAT, LIKE, THERE'S NO WAY TO COMPLETELY ELIMINATE BIAS AND INSTEAD YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT.

>> NOW A JUNIOR AT SOUTH, TAKING A. P. LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION, ROBINSON HAS LEARNED MORE ABOUT INSPECTING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VARIOUS SOURCES, FROM WHAT THE HEADLINE HIGHLIGHTS TO HOW AN ARTICLE IS STRUCTURED.

>> SOMETIMES WE DO KIND OF A SOCIAL MEDIA FACT CHECK, WHERE WE GO THROUGH CLAIMS THAT ARE CIRCULATING ONLINE AND WE'LL LOOK AT SNOOPS AND WE'LL TRY TO TRACK DOWN THE INFORMATION AND SEE WHERE IT CAME FROM AND WHETHER IT'S TRUE.

>> ONE BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL NORTH TEACHER FINDS IT ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO GIVE LESSONS ON THE HISTORY OF MEDIA AND HOW DIFFERENT COMPANIES ARE OWN.

>> WHO QUOTE/UNQUOTE BENEFITS FROM THEM, CONSUMING THIS PARTICULAR MEDIA DO.

THEY PAY FOR IT OR DO THEY NOT PAY FOR IT?

THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT WE GO INTO AND I THINK IT'S JUST IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE MOTIVATIONS BEHIND WHY IT MIGHT BE COMING TO THEM IN THE MAT THAT IT'S COMING TO THEM.

SO THAT THEN WHEN THEY'RE CONSUMING IT, THEY CAN CONSUME IT WITH A BROADER PERSPECTIVE.

>> PEAK THINKS SCHOOLS SHOULD BE PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES TO CONTINUE MEDIA LITERACY EDUCATION OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.

>> RECOGNIZING THAT JUST LIKE ANY KIND OF LEARNING IT DOESN'T STOP AT 4:00 AND IT DOESN'T START AT 8:15.

IT -- IT EXTENDS OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL DAY AND, IN FACT, SOME OF THE LESSONS THAT ARE -- ARE LEARNED MOST CRITICALLY ARE COMING NOT WITHIN THE SCHOOL PERIOD.

SO HAVING A CONSTANT DIALOGUE AND CONVERSATION WITH ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT CARE ABOUT GROWING A COMMUNITY, A FUTURE COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE MOVING US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS A SOCIETY IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL.

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

>>> ACCORDING TO THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER, ABOUT 53% OF U.S.

ADULTS SAY THEY AT LEAST SOMETIMES GET THEIR NEWS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA, WHILE NEARLY 40% GET THEIR NEWS REGULARLY FROM FACEBOOK.

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

HI, SHELBY.

>> HI, JOE, THANKS.

GAS PRICES IN INDIANA AND AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN RISING SHARPLY SINCE THE START OF THE UNITED STATES WAR WITH IRAN LAST MONTH.

ACCORDING TO AAA, THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF GAS IN INDIANA IS $3.49.

THAT'S UP 65 CENTS OVER LAST MONTH.

IN BLOOMINGTON, THE AVERAGE PRICE IS $3.57 A GALLON.

THE ONGOING WAR COULD SEE PRICES INCREASE MORE.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE CLIMBING FOR JUST THE SHORT TERM, WE KNOW THIS BASED UPON OUR THAT SATELLITE SIS OF THE PAST FEW DAYS.

SIMPLY THE PRICE AT THE BUMP HAS TO CATCH UP -- PUMP HAS TO CATCH UP TO WHAT'S ALREADY TAKEN UP.

BUT GOING FORWARD, IS THE BIG GRAY AREA RIGHT NOW.

>>> INDIANA GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN SAID THIS WEEK, HE IS NOT RULING OUT TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING STATE'S GAS TAX WHICH IS A LITTLE OVER 54-CENTS A GALLON.

>> NOW THAT THE PENNY IS NO LONGER BEING PRODUCED, INDIANA BUSINESSES ARE BEING TOLD TO ROUND DOWN TO THE NEAREST NICKEL IN CASH TRANSACTIONS.

THE U.S.

MINT STOPPED MAKING PENNIES LATE LAST YEAR TO SAVE MONEY.

IT WAS COSTING ALMOST 4 CENTS TO PRODUCE ONE PENNY.

SOME BUSINESSES HAVE ALREADY BEEN MAKING THE ADJUSTMENTS.

>> WE JUST HAVE PENNIES, AND WE DON'T HAVE THEM, BECAUSE THE PHASING OUT OF THAT MONETARY DENOMINATION IS WIDE SPREAD AT THIS POINT.

>> INDIANA'S LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY ANTICIPATES THE CHANGE COULD COST THE STATE AS MUCH AS $2 MILLION IN SALES TAX REVENUE.

>>> LEGISLATION EXTENDING THE STATE'S SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM WILL BECOME LAW WITHOUT GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN'S SIGNATURE.

THE PROGRAM WHICH BRAUN SAYS DOES NOT ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF ADDICTION WAS EXTENDED FOR ONLY FIVE YEARS AND NOW OFFERS ONLY ONE-TO-ONE NEEDLE EXCHANGES AND USERS OF THE PROGRAM MUST ALSO SHOW IDENTIFICATION.

MONROE WAS ONE OF THE SIX INDIANA COUNTIES THAT USED THE PROGRAM.

THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH CHANGES TO INDIANA AVENUE MEANT TO REDUCE CRASHES.

CITY STAFF PRESENTED UPDATED CONCEPTS LAST NIGHT ON THE $1.5 MILLION PROJECT, THAT BORDERS I.U.

FROM SMITH AVENUE TO 10th STREET.

THE CHANGES INCLUDE EXPANDING AND CONNECTING BIKE LANES ALONG INDIANA AVENUE.

>> WE WANT TO INCREASE SAFETY FOR ALL OUR BUSINESSES, NOT JUST PEDESTRIANS, NOT JUST CYCLISTS OR TRANSIT USERS, NOT JUST DRIVERS, EVERYONE.

>> THE CITY IS ACCEPTING FEEDBACK FROM THE END OF THE MONTH.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN SUBMIT THEIR THOUGHTS ONLINE.

>> THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED $184,000 IN FUNDING TO KEEP A BLOOMINGTON TRANSIT ROUTE TO THE WEST SIDE OPERATIONAL FOR ONE YEAR.

ROOT 13 RUNS FROM DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON TO AN INDUSTRIAL PARK OUTSIDE OF CITY LIMITS THAT INCLUDES IVY TECH, COOK MEDICAL AND SIMTRA.

IT WAS SCHEDULED TO STOP RUNNING LAST SUNDAY BEFORE THE COUNTY STEPPED IN.

>> OF COURSE WE WILL SUPPORT PEOPLE TO GET TO THEIR WORK.

OF COURSE, WE WILL SUPPORT THE PUBLIC TRYING TO RELY ON PUBLIC BUS SERVICES THAT THEY ARE BUILDING INTO THEIR LIVES, BUT THE PROCESS IS IMPORTANT TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC SO THAT THEY KNOW THAT THE BUS IS LITERALLY GOING TO RUN ON TIME.

>> MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED A ONE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH BLOOMINGTON TRANSIT AT THEIR MEETING ON THURSDAY.

BLOOMINGTON HAS RECEIVED A $50,000 GRANT FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO PROTECT ASH TREES FROM EMERALD ASH BORER BEETLES.

IT WILL ALLOW THE CITY TO EVALUATE THE HEALTH OF MORE THAN 500 REMAINING ASH TREES, TREATING HEALTHY ONES TO PREVENT INFESTATION AND REMOVE DYING TREES THAT POSE SAFETY RISKS.

>> THAT'S WHERE THE INVESTMENT ON TREATING ASH TREES IS REALLY THE BIGGEST THING FOR YOUR BOOK, BECAUSE YOU ARE RETAINING ALL OF THOSE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES.

IT INCREASES AS THE CANOPY SIZE INCREASES.

>> THE CITY WILL CONTRIBUTE AN ADDITIONAL $60,000 IN LOCAL FUNDS TO TREATING ASH TREES.

THE GRANT WILL RUN THROUGH JUNE 1st, 2027.

>>> BLOOMINGTON IS CLOSING THE FRANK SOUTHERN ICE ARENA FOR THE SEASON EARLY AFTER AN AMMONIA LEAK TUESDAY NIGHT FOR THE EVACUATION OF THE FACILITY.

CONTRACTORS PINPOINTED THE LEAK TO A GAS GET THAT FAILED IN THE BOILER ROOM ANHYDROUS AMMONIA HAS BEEN USED TO COOL THE ICE AND SOMETHING THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN LOOKING TO ELIMINATE.

>> THERE ARE SOME MORE MODERN OPTIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE AND TRYING TO SEE.

OF COURSE, EVERYTHING IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND WE HAVE TO SEE IF THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE ABLE TO AFFORD.

>> AND JOE, THE SPRING ICE SHOW SCHEDULED FOR LAST NIGHT WAS ALSO CANCELED.

>>> WELL, THEY ONLY LOST A COUPLE OF DAYS THIS.

THANKS SO MUCH, SHELBY.

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

IT'S ALL AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE