>> AN INDIANA CONGRESSMAN SOME MAKES A SITE VISIT TO THE MIAMI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY NORTH OF KOKOMO WHERE TWO MEN HAVE RECENTLY TIED IN CUSTODY.

HE DEMANDS AN ANDY TO ICE DETENTIONS THERE.

WHY, MONROE COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING TO EXTEND NEXT WEEK'S DEADLINE TO COMPLY WITH A LAWSUIT IS IT OVER THE CONDITIONS AT THE MONROE COUNTY JAIL.

AND WE VISIT WITH THE INDIANA VALOR, A FEMALE TACKLE FOOTBALL TEAM WHOSE SEASON KICKS OFF LATER THIS MONTH.

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 PERRY METZ SITTING IN FOR JOE HREN.

THE MIAMI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY NORTH OF KOKOMO, HAS BEEN USED AS AN IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT DETENTION CENTER, SINCE OCTOBER.

AND SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF A LACK OF HEALTH CARE, NEGLECT AND THE DEATHS OF TWO ICE DETAINEES.

AS NATALIE FITZGIBBONS REPORTS, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND FAITH LEADERS WANT ANSWERS.

>> U.S.

REPRESENTATIVE ANDRE CARSON STOOD OUTSIDE AT THE MIAMI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND DEMANDED AN END TO ICE DETENTION THERE.

>> ICE CANNOT CONTINUE, IT'S LAWLESS, REIGN OF TERROR ON OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND INDIANA, A PLACE KNOWN FOR HOOSIER HOSPITALITY, AND A VERY VIBRANT COMMUNITY, CANNOT CONTINUE TO RUBBER STAMP THIS REIGN OF TERROR.

>> PARSON IS AN DEMOCRAT FROM INDIANAPOLIS AND TOURED THE FACILITY AND SPOKE TO ICE DETAINEES, HE SAYS HE WAS TOLD THERE IS NO INTERCOM SYSTEM TO REPORT HEALTH EMERGENCIES, INCONSISTENT MEALTIMESS AND ACCESS TO CLEAN CLOTHES, TWO DETAINEES HAVE DIED LESS THAN TWO MONTHS APART.

HE EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING THEIR NAMES.

>> I SAY THEIR NAMES BECAUSE ICE WON'T SAY THEIR NAMES.

INSTEAD, THEY USE WORDS LIKE HE'LL ILLEGAL ALIEN AND CONVICTED FELON.

>> THE MIAMI COUNTY CORONER SAID THE AT THE TIME WAS CAUSED BY A CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE BUT BOWIE'S DEATH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

SOME 350 INDIVIDUALS STOOD ALONGSIDE CARSON IN SOLIDARITY IN ENDING ICE DETENTION STATEWIDE AND NATIONALLY.

THEY HELD SIGNS AND SANG SONGS RELATED TO COURAGE, RESISTANCE AND LOVE.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF SECURITY AND SAFETY AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF JUST LAWS, BUT WHAT IS HAPPENING BEHIND -- WITH CRUELTY, SCENE PHOBIA, ALL HIDING BEHIND THE FACADE OF GOOD BUSINESS.

AND SECURITY.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M NATALIE FITZGIBBONS.

>> INDIANA STATE POLICE DETECTIVES ARE ALSO INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF ANOTHER INMATE AT THE PRISON.

50-YEAR-OLD SEAN BOOKER OF FORT WAYNE WHO DIED THERE LAST WEEKEND.

>>> NEXT WEEK IS THE DEADLINE FOR MONROE COUNTY TO COMPLY WITH AN ACLU LAWSUIT REQUIRING A NEW JAIL BE BUILT DUE TO CONDITIONS IN THE CURRENT ONE.

BUT AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS WITH THE PROJECT STALL STALLED, COMMISSIONERS WANT AN EXTENSION.

>> THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF INDIANA SUED MONROE COUNTY IN 2008 OVER CONDITIONS IN THE DETERIORATING BUILDING.

WHICH WERE DETERMINED TO BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL IN COURT.

A SETTLEMENT IN TUESDAY 9 GAVE COUNTY GOVERNMENT UNTIL 2011 TO FIND A SOLUTION, SEVERAL EXTENSIONS ENSUED THE LATEST IN 2024 SETTING APRIL 2026 AS THE NEW DEADLINE.

MONROE COUNTY DECIDED IT WOULD NEED TO BUILD A NEW JAIL TO MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS, BUT AFTER YEARS OF DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN ELECTED OFFICIALS, CONSTRUCTION HASN'T STARTED.

THE MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED THURSDAY TO NEGOTIATE A NEW DEADLINE WITH THE ACLU.

>> IF THERE IS AN SETTLEMENT EXTENSION, WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO EXTEND IT BEYOND APRIL 15.

>> BESIDES THE COMMISSIONERS, THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT AND ACLU WILL NEED TO APPROVE AN EXTENSION.

HE SAYS THE COUNTY IS IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE ACLU.

>> IF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT GETS EXTENDED AND FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME SINCE IT'S A CLASS ACTION SUIT, WE WOULD NOT ANTICIPATE NEW LITIGATION.

>> THE LATEST HANG HAS BEEN ON THE SELECTION OF THE JAIL SITE.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RECOMMITTED IN MARCH TO A LOCATION NORTHWEST OF BLOOMINGTON WHICH COUNTY COUNSEL SAYS WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> APART FROM THE DISAGREEMENTS ON THE LOCATION OF THE JAIL, CHANGES TO STATE TAX LAW LIMIT HOW MUCH THE COUNTY CAN SPEND ON THE PROJECT.

>>> INDIANA'S DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE SAYS THE CURRENT TRADE ENVIRONMENT HAS MADE BEING A FARMER IN INDIANA A CHALLENGE.

HE WAS AMONG A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS AT THE AMERICAS ROLE IN THE WORLD CONFERENCE THURSDAY AT THE HAMILTON LUGAR SCHOOL AT IU.

>> WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS JUST BEEN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHINA AND BRAZIL HAS BECOME MORE SOLID, THEY'RE BUYING A LOT MORE OF THOSE PRODUCTS, AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS FROM BRAZIL, IT'S JUST A REALITY WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

>> THE CONVERSATION ALSO TOUCHED ON CONTROVERSIAL LAND USE PRACTICES, SUCH AS SOLAR FARMS AND DATA CENTERS.

WITH LAMB SAYING THERE NEEDS TO BE A BALANCED AND CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF HOW AND WHERE THESE PROJECTS ARE BUILT.

>>> WE ARE JOINED NOW BY AUBREY WRIGHT FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AWAY THE STATE.

>> HI, AUBREY.

>> HI, PERRY.

A FORMER BALL STATE UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE HAS SETTLED HER LAWSUIT AGAINST THE SCHOOL FOR FIRING HER OVER SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS ABOUT CHARLIE KIRK'S DEATH.

SUSAN SCHWARTZ WAS FIRED LAST SEPTEMBER 17 AFTER A PRIVATE FACEBOOK POST ABOUT THE CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST'S DEATH WAS SHARED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, SHE CALLED HIS KILLING A TRAGEDY, BUT ALSO POINTED TO, QUOTE, VIOLENCE, FEAR AND HATRED HE SOWED.

DETAILS OF THE SETTLEMENT AMOUNT WERE NOT SHARED.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON CHANCELLOR DAVID REINGOLD DELIVERED HIS FIRST STATE OF THE CAMPUS ADDRESS TUESDAY TO THE FACULTY COUNCIL.

WHY REINGOLD SAYS HE SPENT HIS FIRST YEAR ON HAVING HONEST CONVERSATIONS WITH PROFESSORS.

>> THAT CANDOR INCLUDED LOTS OF PRIDE, SOME FRUSTRATION, TEARS, GREAT PASSION, AND WITHOUT FAIL, A DEEP AND ABIDING AFFECTION FOR THIS PLACE.

>> IU BLOOMINGTON HAS HAD A TEMPESTUOUS YEAR FROM THE CANCELLATION OF HUNDREDS OF AGREES TO INTELLECTUAL DIVERSITY SANCTIONS AGAINST FACULTY.

REINGOLD EMPHASIZED THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>>> THE PARENTS OF AN IU FRESHMAN KILLED WHEN STRUCK BY A CAR WHILE RIDING A SCOOTER HAVE SETTLED A CIVIL LAWSUIT WITH KILLROY SPORTS BAR.

MAD LINE HOWARD HAD JUST LEFT WHEN SHE STRUCK STRATTON BEFORE 2:00 A.M.

ON APARTMENT 18, 202 YOU, OHA THEY SUED SAYING IT WAS NEGLIGENT FOR CONTINUING TO SERVE LIQUOR TO HOWARD.

HER BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 2.22 OF.

SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM IS GRAYING GROWING.

THE STATE'S SUPPORT IS JUST ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND IN LINE WITH OTHER REPUBLICAN-LED STATES.

>> THE PUBLIC RELIGION RESEARCH INSTITUTE REPORTS THAT 37 PERCENT OF INDIANA RESIDENTS ARE EITHER ADHERENTS TO OR SYMPATHIZERS OF CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM.

UP FROM 33 PERCENT IN 2024.

THAT PUTS INDIANA JUST ABOVE THE AVERAGE RANGE OF CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST SUPPORT IN THE COUNTRY.

>> STATES THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST PROPORTION OF CHRISTIAN NATIONALISTS WITHIN THOSE STATES TEND TO HAVE THE HIGHEST PROPORTION OF REPUBLICANS REPRESENTING THEM AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> IT PUTS THEM INTO FOUR GROUPS.

IN INDIANA, 12 PERCENT OF RESIDENTS ARE CONSIDER ADHERENTS AND 25 PERCENT ARE CONSIDERED SYMPATHIZERS.

NATIONWIDE, 1/3 OF AMERICANS ARE CATEGORIZED AS ADHERENTS OR SYMPATHIZERS.

>> WHICH MEANS ABOUT 2/3 OF AMERICANS LARGELY REJECT THOSE IDEAS.

THAT REALLY ARE ABOUT TRYING TO REMOVE THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, THAT ARE TRYING TO SEEK A BIGGER INFLUENCE FOR CHRISTIANITY, PARTICULARLY A CONSERVATIVE ARE VARIETY.

>> CENTER INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> THE SURVEY FOUND 56 PERCENT OF REPUBLICANS REPORTED THEY HELD CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST VIEWS.

>>> GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THIS WEEK TO PAUSE THE 7 PERCENT USAGE TASK ON GAS FOR 30 DAYS.

THIS MONTH THE USAGE TAX AMOUNT OF TO ABOUT 17 CENTS A GALLON.

INDIANA IS ALSO ONE OF ONLY ABOUT A DOZEN STATES THAT IMPOSES A SALES TAX ON GASOLINE.

>> THE STATE WILL BE WATCHING THE PUMPS, TO MAKE SURE SAVING ARE DELIVERED TO HOOSIERS WHEN THEY GO TO FILL UP EACH WEEK.

OR WHENEVER THEY DO.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS THE POWER TO SUSPEND THE GAS SALES TAX UNDER A DECLARED EMERGENCY.

>>> A LOCAL ORGANIZATION IS OFFERING MONROE COUNTY RESIDENTS A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REMOVAL OF PARE TREES, THEY IDENTIFY AND REDUCE INVASIVE SPECIES SAY THEY ARE THE WORST OF THE INVASIVE TREES IN THE CITY.

IT SAYS THE TREES ARE VERY DENSE AND SHADY.

THE SO NOTHING CAN GROW UNDERNEATH AND THEY ENDANGER FOOD SOURCES FOR BIRDS AND SMALL MAMMALS.

>> IF WE GO BY HOW IT BEHAVES, IT'S JUST AN INCREDIBLY AGGRESSIVE INVADER THAT RUINS OUR ECOSYSTEMS AND SMELLS LIKE DEAD FISH.

>> LANDOWNERS CAN APPLY FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF UP TO $400 ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE.

THE PROGRAM ALSO COVERS THE REMOVAL OF TREE OF HEAVEN AND WHITE MULLBERRY TREES.

>>> EARLY VOTING IN MONROE COUNTY BEGAN MONDAY AT THE NEW ELECTION CENTRAL LOCATION ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE SHOWERS BUILDING.

THE PREVIOUS EARLY VOTING SITE ON SOUTH WALNUT WAS DEMOLISHED TO MAKE SPACE FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.

THE NEW SPACE HAS MORE THAN 50 VOTING SPACES.

>> IF YOU ARE UPDATING YOUR ID AND YOU ARE AFRAID THAT PAPER ID ISN'T GOING TO WORK AT THE POLLS, IT WILL.

AS LONG AS WE HAVE A BAR CODE ON THERE, IT IS COUNTED AS AN ID.

>> AND PERRY EARLY VOTING FOR THIS YEAR'S PRIMARY RUNS THROUGH NOON ON MAY 4.

THE DAY BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

>> THANKS, AUBREY.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HAS PARTNERED WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TO LAUNCH WEATHER BALLOONS TO HELP PREDICT LOCAL WEATHER.

>>> AND WE VISIT WITH THE INDIANA VALOR, A FEMALE TACKLE FOOTBALL TEAM BASED IN INDIANAPOLIS WHOSE SEASON KICKS OFF LATER THIS MONTH.

THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>> HEY, I'M RICK STEVES, AND I'D LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE RECENT EVENTS THAT HAVE IMPACTED PUBLIC TELEVISION.

WELL, FEDERAL FUNDING IS GONE, OUR COMMITMENT TO THIS COMMUNITY HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER.

WHAT WE HAVE BUILT TOGETHER IS INVALUABLE.

AND YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT WILL SHAPE WHAT COMES NEXT.

PLEASE, DONATE NOW.

GO TO THE STATION'S WEBSITE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY.

THANKS.

>> IT'S ABOUT TO GO DOWN.

>> THEY JUST TAKE OVER.

>> THE AGE OF DISCOVERY IS NOW.

>> IT'S A JOURNEY LIKE NO OTHER.

>> EVERYONE IS GETTING INVOLVED IN THIS.

>> YOU'LL SEE A KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOR.

>> IT'S LIKE MAGIC.

>> MY HANDS ARE SHAKING.

>> I THINK I JUST FELL IN LOVE.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

ON THIS WEEK'S ASK THE MAYOR EPISODE, WE SPOKE WITH THE MAYOR ABOUT A NUMBER OF ISSUES AFFECTING HIS CITY.

LIKE IN BLOOMINGTON, HE HAS HEARD COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP WITH FLOCK, THE LICENSE PLATE READING SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.

RESIDENTS WORRY ABOUT POTENTIAL MISUSE OF THE SYSTEM.

>> I DO HEAR THE CONCERNS WHEN IT COMES TO THE SYSTEM, WE DO USE THE SYSTEM, WE CAUTIOUSLY USE THE SYSTEM, IT HAS LED TO VERY, VERY GOOD RESULTS.

WE HAVE FOUND CRIMES THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND FOUND SUSPECTS THROUGH USING FLOCK CAMERAS AND RECENTLY HAD A VERY NASTY ACCIDENT, WE WERE ABLE TO SOLVE THAT CASE IN 90 MINUTES BECAUSE OF THE CAMERAS, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO LEAVE THE AREA, LEAVE THE COUNTY.

THAT BEING SAID, I DO UNDERSTAND THERE ARE FRUSTRATIONS AROUND THE SYSTEM.

I ACKNOWLEDGE IT AND HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL ABOUT WHAT ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS CAN WE PUT IN PLACE.

>> GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN HAS PROPOSED TURNING INTERSTATE 70, WHICH RUNS THROUGH TERRE HAUTE INTO A TOLL ROAD AND USING FUNDS TO WIDEN IT TO THREE LANES, HE'S PROPOSING A TOLL TO CROSS THE STATE.

SACKMAN THINKS THAT'S TOO HIGH, ESPECIALLY FOR CARS.

>> I CONTINUE TO SAY MAKE THE TRUCKS PAY MORE THAN THE -- MORE THAN YOUR PASSENGER DRIVERS WITH FAMILIES.

AGAIN, I THINK THERE'S OTHER WAYS TO GET INTO A THIRD LANE IN I-70.

I KNOW WE NEED A THIRD LANE.

THAT'S A CONVERSATION WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE WITH THE STATE ABOUT OTHER FINANCING SITUATIONS WE CAN DO.

CAN WE LOOK AT OTHER STATE OPPORTUNITIES FINANCIALLY OR FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES FINANCIALLY AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

I'LL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE AND FIGHT TO THE END.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS, LOOK, IT'S FOR SURE GOING TO BE TOLLS, NUMBER ONE ARGUMENT THEN IS WHAT COULD I DO TO MAKE SURE THE TOLL IS $1.

HOW CHEAP CAN WE GET THIS TOLL WOULD BE MY BIG FIGHT.

>> AND LIKE ALL MUNICIPALITIES IN THE STATE, TERRE HAUTE IS TRYING TO PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICES WITH LESS REVENUE DUE TO NEW CHANGES IN THE STATE'S PROPERTY TAX LAWS.

SACKMAN SAYS THAT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE.

>> THIS PROPERTY TAX FIASCO DOESN'T SERVE A TON OF PEOPLE WELL.

BECAUSE, FRANKLY, PEOPLE WANT MORE FROM GOVERNMENT.

AND WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH MORE WITH LESS DOLLARS.

I TRY TO MAXIMIZE SHAREHOLDER VALUE, TO USE A BUSINESS TERM TO GET THE HIGHEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR OUR TAXPAYERS, THERE COMES A POINT WHERE YOU'VE CUT SO MUCH, YOU ARE BORDERLINE DELIVERING ON THE BASICS AND SO WE ARE GOING THROUGH A LOT OF HARD CONVERSATIONS INTERNALLY.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO DELIVER QUALITY OF SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF TERRE RESIDENTS.

>> YOU CANNOT LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE ASK THE MAYOR EPISODE, AND ARCHIVED EPISODES ON OUR WEBSITE AT WTIU.ORG.

>>> A NEW WEATHER BALLOON INITIATIVES A THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS HELPING IMPROVE LOCAL AND NATIONAL FORECASTS.

WE WENT TO A RECENT LAUNCH TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF GATHERING ATMOSPHERIC DATA.

>> A COUPLE TIMES OF WEEK STUDENTS AND STAFF GATHER OUTSIDE TO LAUNCH A WEATHER BALLOON INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

>> WE COLLECT TEMPERATURE PRESSURE, WIND, HUMIDITY, GPS SENSORS, THEY'RE THE GOLD STANDARD OF DATA THAT GO INTO WEATHER MODELS, AND TELL US A LOT.

>> THE DATA COLLECTED IMPROVES ACCURACY OF WEATHER FORECASTS YOU SEE ON YOUR PHONE FOR A FEW DAYS FOLLOWING THE LAUNCH.

>> IF YOU WATCH THE NEWS THE WEATHER FORECASTERS ARE THEIR FORECASTS OFF THESE MODELS.

>> O'BRIEN STARTED LAUNCHING WEATHER BALLOONS IN FEBRUARY ALONG WITH A DOZEN OTHER UNIVERSITIES, ALL PART OF THE COORDINATED SOUNDING PROGRAM FOR ATMOSPHERIC RIVER RECONNAISSANCE.

THEY ARE NARROW BAND INTO THE ATMOSPHERE THAT TRANSPORT WATER VAPOR FROM TROPICS TO POLES.

OFTEN CONNECTED TO SEVERE WEATHER.

>> IT'S THE NEAREST ONE, I THINK IN LINCOLN, ILLINOIS, THAT'S REGULARLY SENT UP.

THERE'S NO REGULAR SITE IN INDIANA THAT ROUTINELY SENDS THESE UP.

SO ESPECIALLY FOR SEASONS LIKE THIS IN THE SPRING, WHERE WE HAVE THUNDERSTORMS COMING THROUGH, THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> UNDER THE FEDERAL CUTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, O'BRIEN SAID UNIVERSITIES ARE A COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO LAUNCH RADIO SOUNDS.

IT GIVES STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO FIELD WORK.

AT A LAUNCH LAST WEEK, REBECCA PORTER HELD THE RADIO SOUND THAT STAYS ON SITE AND RECEIVES DATA.

>> I DIDN'T HAVE A SENSE OF HOW DATA WAS, A, COLLECTED AND B, INTEGRATED INTO LIKE FORECASTING UNTIL I STARTED COMING TO THESE, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES IT HAPPENS AS YOU SIT HERE WHILE WAITING FOR THE DATA TO BE COLLECTED.

YOU'RE CHATTING WITH PEOPLING.

>> SINCE THE WIND TENDS TO BLOW EASTWARD.

THE DATA THEY COLLECT ON THE ATMOSPHERE HERE CAN HELP INFORM FUTURE FORECASTS AS FAR AWAY THE EAST COAST.

THE DATA IS UPLOADED TO THE GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM USED BY FORECASTERS AROUND THE WORLD.

>> IT'S EXCITING.

IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME, RIGHT, TO GET THESE BALLOONS UP FROM THE PREPARATION TO THE WAITING FOR THE DATA TO COME IN.

EVEN STILL I'M MOTIVATED TO BE OUT HERE AT 8:00 ON A DAY WHERE MY DAY HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY LONG.

>> O'BRIEN'S DEPARTMENT RECEIVED ENOUGH DONATIONS TO PURCHASE SUPPLIES FOR 100 LAUNCHES.

HE PLANS TO CONTINUE LAUNCHES A FEW TIMES A WEEK, THIS SPRING AND IN THE FALL.

>>> THE STATE'S ONLY PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S TACKLE FOOTBALL TEAM IS BACK FOR A SECOND SEASON.

THE INDIANA VALOR SAY THEY LAID THE FOUNDATION AND NOW IT'S TIME TO STRIVE TO BE THE BEST.

AUBREY WRIGHT CHECKED IN ON THE TEAM BEFORE THEY KICKED OFF THE 2026 SCHEDULE.

>> KICKER MERCHANT TAKES THREE STEPS BACK AND TWO STEPS LEFT.

SHE PAUSES FOR A MOMENT, LINES HERSELF UP AND DRILLS INTO THE FOOTBALL.

THE KICK IS GOOD, AND NOW IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER.

>> MY BACKGROUND, LIKE IT PUTS ME IN A POSITION TO HELP THE TEAM ANY WAY I CAN.

ESPECIALLY ON SPECIAL TEAMS ON ANY KIND OF KICKING.

SO I'M EXCITED TO GET MY FOOT BACK ON THE BALL.

>> MERCHANT WAS RECRUITED BY THE VALUER AFTER PLAYING DIVISION 1 SOCCER IN COLLEGE IN MILWAUKEE.

BUT LOCALS MIGHT KNOW HER FROM HER GAME-WINNING KICKS ON WARREN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL'S FOOTBALL TEAM.

SHE'S THE TEAM'S FIRST AND ONLY FEMALE KICKER.

>> I TOOK THAT AS A CHALLENGE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID, HEY, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT, YOU'RE A GIRL.

SO KIND OF WORKING THROUGH THAT IN HIGH SCHOOL AND GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO KICK FOR THE VARSITY TEAM AT WARREN WAS SOMETHING VERY LIFE CHANGING.

>> LIKE HER VALOR TEAMMATES, MERCHANT NEVER THOUGHT SHE WOULD BE A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE, LET ALONE A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER.

>> I THOUGHT I WOULD BE BACK PLAYING SOCCER AT SOME POINT IN MY LIFE.

EVEN THEN THAT WAS A LONG SHOT.

>> MERCHANT AND VALOR ARE PREPARING FOR THE TEAM'S SECOND SEASON IN THE WOMEN'S FOOTBALL ALLIANCE.

>> WE PUSH EACH OTHER AND EVERYBODY'S -- EVERYBODY'S GOT THE GRIT.

>> HERE'S A CRASH COURSE ON THE LEAGUE.

THEY PLAY 11 ON 11, USING THE SAME RULES AS THE NCAA.

AND THOUGH INDIANA'S TEAM IS NEW, THE LEAGUE WAS FOUNDED IN 2009.

THERE ARE 40 TEAMS TODAY AND THE VALUER PLAYS IN DIVISION II.

>> DIFFERENT, RIGHT?

IF I'M GOING TO OHIO BLUE, AND I'M HERE .

>> VALOR STAFF INCLUDING HEAD COACH ERIC ANDERSON BUILT THE TEAM FROM THE GROUND UP LAST YEAR.

>> I THINK ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN HUGE FOR US IS THE GIRLS THAT PLAYED LAST YEAR WERE ABLE TO BRING THEIR EXPERIENCE AND BRING THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEAM.

THE GIRLS THAT HAVEN'T PLAYED YET HAVE REALLY BEEN LEANING ON THEM.

WE HAVE AN AWESOME MENTOR PROGRAM THAT THE GIRLS PUT TOGETHER.

>> THE TEAM ENDED ITS INAUGURAL SEASON WITH A 2-4 RECORD, NOT A WINNING RECORD, BUT IT DID LAY THE FOUNDATION.

COACHES HAVE BEEN BUILDING PLAYERS AND HITTING THE FUNDAMENTALS.

>> ALL THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE POTENTIAL.

IF WE BLINK THOSE INDIVIDUALS TOGETHER, NOW WE HAVE A TEAM THAT SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXCEED THE INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL.

I THINK THAT'S MY ULTIMATE GOAL, JUST CREATE A PLATFORM FOR THEM TO THRIVE.

>> ANDERSON SAYS HE WANTS TO COMPETE IN THE PLAYOFFS THIS SPRING.

THEY WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM TO BEGIN THE SEASON AS AN UNDERDOG.

>> NOTHING BUT THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH.

THAT'S WHAT WE STRIVE FOR.

WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE, IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT WINNING, WE WANT TO STRIVE FOR THOSE CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUT IT'S MOW ARE SO ABOUT HOW WE CARRY OURSELVES AND JUST OVERALL WE WANT TO BE AT A HIGH STANDARD.

>> BUILDING A WOMEN'S TEAM CAN BE TOUGH, WHILE PROFESSIONAL MALE PLAYERS HAVE SPENT THEIR ENTIRE LIVES PLAYING FOOTBALL, MANY FEMALE PLAYERS DIDN'T HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

THAT WAS THE CASE FOR LINEBAKER AMANDA STRANGER.

>> TO BE IN THIS POSITION NOW IS -- IT FEELS SILLY TO SAY, BUT KIND OF LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE, I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IN A MILLION YEARS I WOULD BE A PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S FOOTBALL PLAYER.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN EFFORTS TO GROW FLAG FOOTBALL AND MAKE IT A RECOGNIZED GIRL'S SPORT.

THAT'S HOW STRANGER AN INDIANA NATIVE GOT HER START.

>> I FEEL LIKE THAT'S A GREAT FOUNDATIONAL START FOR THE YOUTH TO GET INTO TACKLE FOOTBALL.

WHEN THEY BECOME AN ADULT, THEY CAN TRY OUT FOR THE INDIANA VALOR.

>> THE VALUER'S FOUNDING CAME AS INDIANAPOLIS IS INVESTING EVEN MORE IN FEMALE ATHLETES.

WANTING TO MAKE SHE CITY A WOMEN'S SPORTS CAPITAL.

SUPERSTAR PLAYERS SUCH AS KAITLIN CLARK AND ANOTHER NEW PROFESSIONAL VOLLEYBALL TEAM, ARE BRINGING MORE EYES TO THE CITY.

SO DOES THE VALUER APPLY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE WOMEN'S SPORTS ECOSYSTEM.

ANDERSON SAYS YES.

>> I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE A BIG PART OF THAT, AND WE ARE THE ONLY FOOTBALL TEAM IN INDIANAPOLIS.

SO THAT PUTS US IN AN AWESOME SPOT TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE SPORT.

>> STRANGER SAYS THIS SEASON PLAYERS ARE ALREADY GETTING MORE RECOGNITION FROM THE COMMUNITY.

AND THERE ARE FEWER QUESTIONS AROUND WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL.

>> SO VERY EXCITED, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A VERY SOLID GROUP OF WOMEN HERE WITH ALL SORTS OF TALENTS, AND SKILL SETS THAT I FEEL LIKE ARE GOING TO BE A GREAT PUZZLE PIECES TOGETHER FOR AN AMAZING TEAM FOR 2026.

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

>>> STAYING WITH FOOTBALL, INDIANA QUARTERBACK FERNANDO MENDOZA HAS REPORTEDLY TOLD THE NFL HE WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THIS MONTH'S DRAFT IN PITTSBURGH.

HE IS PROJECTED TO BE THE NUMBER ONE OVERALL PICK BY THE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS.

BUT HE SAYS HE WANTS TO BE WITH HIS FAMILY IN MIAMI WHEN HIS NAME IS CALLED.

THE MENDOZA LED THE HOOSIERS TO A PERFECT SEASON AND THEIR FIRST NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP LAST SEASON.

>>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM.

BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIU NEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE