>> SIX OF THE EIGHT STATE SENATORS TARGETED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AHEAD, WHAT THAT MEANS FOR GOP LEADERSHIP AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> ALCOHOL USE IS IN DECLINE IN THE U.S., PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUNG ADULTS.

WE VISIT LOCAL BARS TO SEE WHAT THEY THINK THE LONG-TERM IMPACT COULD BE.

AND BROWN COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS TO AN UNDERSTAFFED ALL VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTING DEPARTMENT THAT IS ALSO FACING AN INCREASED CALL VOLUME.

WE WILL 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.

CANVAS, THE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USED BY INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND HUNDREDS OF OTHER SCHOOLS WAS HACKED THURSDAY.

FACULTY AND STUDENTS TRYING TO ACCESS CANVAS WERE MET BY A MESSAGE FROM THE HACKER GROUP SHINY HUNTERS, THREATENING TO RELEASE USER INFORMATION.

IF AFFECTED, UNIVERSITIES DIDN'T PAY A RANSOM.

IT COMES DURING FINAL WEEK WHEN GRADES AND OTHER THINGS ARE SUBMITTED.

MANY SCHOOLS WERE ALSO AFFECTED, INCLUDING MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

INDIANA REPUBLICANS ANSWERED PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CALL FOR VENGEANCE AGAINST THE EIGHT STATE SENATORS WHO VOTED AGAINST REDISTRICTING IN DECEMBER.

PAT BEANE HAS MORE ON HOW THE INCUMBENT STATE SENATORS.

>> SIX OF THE EIGHT INCUMBENTS WERE DEFEATED THAT.

INCLUDES CONGRESS' GREG WALKER WHO HAS HELD THE DISTRICT 41 SEAT FOR 40 YEARS.

HE LOST TO MICHELLE DAVIS.

>> I NEVER RAN AGAINST THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AGAIN AND HE'S ON HIS RETRIBUTION TOUR AND I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.

SO IT'S AN UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE, I WILL SAY THAT, BECAUSE I NEVER EXPECTED TO BE UNDER THE CROSS HAIRS OF A FEDERAL OFFICE HOLDER.

>> WALTERS STANDS BY HIS DECISION TO VOTE AGAINST REDISTRICTING AND WOULD DO IT AGAIN.

>> I FELT WHEN I STOOD UP AGAINST OUTSIDE FORCES OF INDIANA TRYING TO INFLUENCE US TO ACCEPT MIDTERM REDISTRICTING, I WAS DOING THE RIGHT THING BY MY STATE AND MY CONSTITUENTS AND I'M PROUD OF THAT.

>> THE ONE INCUMBENT WHO WITHSTOOD THE OUTSIDE PRESSURE WAS GREG GOODE IN DISTRICT 38.

HE WON WITH 54% OF THE VOTE OVER TWO CHALLENGERS.

>> DONALD TRUMP GOT SOME REALLY BAD POLITICAL ADVICE FROM D.C.

INSIDERS WHO DID NOT UNDERSTAND INDIANA AND DIDN'T CARE TO UNDERSTAND INDIANA.

>> INDIANA GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN SAYS THE INCUMBENT SENATORS HAVE ONLY THEMSELVES TO BLAME.

>> I THINK WHAT I COULD TAKE FROM THAT, YOU NOT ONLY MISREAD WHAT TO DO ON REDISTRICTING, BUT YOU MAY LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

IN THE YEAR AND FOUR MONTHS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, I'M TRYING TO TAKE INDIANA TO THE LEVEL WE HAVE NOT EVEN BEFORE.

THE ROADBLOCK IS USUALLY IN THE SENATE.

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

>>> ONE OF THE SENATE RACES IS LIKELY HEADED FOR A RECOUNT.

WEST LaFAYETTE INCUMBENT, SPENCER DEERY HAS A FOUR VOTE LEAD OVER PAULA COPENHAVER.

>> WE ARE JOINED BY TOM, WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE RACES.

SOME HIGH-PROFILE GOP SENATORS LOST TUESDAY NIGHT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR SENATE LEADERSHIP?

>> WELL, ALREADY THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THE ROD BRAY, WHETHER HE WILL REMAIN AS SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM.

THE GOVERNOR HAS ESSENTIALLY SAID HE WANTS TO SEE HIM REPLACED AND OTHERS SUCH AS SENATOR ROKITA AND OTHERS HAVE SAID THE SAME THING.

>> DOES THIS PUT REDISTRICTING U.S.

HOUSE DISTRICTS BACK ON THE TABLE IN INDIANA?

>> IT CERTAINLY, THE PRO REDISTRICTING FOLKS WANT IT TO BE AND THERE'S A LOT OF INDICATION THAT COME JANUARY, THAT WILL BE -- WE'LL BE HEARING THE DEBATE OVER REDISTRICTING IN THE STATEHOUSE AGAIN.

>> WERE RESULTS OF THESE STATE SENATE RACES, WOULD YOU CONSIDER IT A VALIDATION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP OR JUST ANTI-INCUMBENT ANGER?

>> WELL, THE -- THE -- THE SENATE INCUMBENT SIDE, I TALKED TO SENATOR BRAY THE OTHER NIGHT AND HE SAID, YOU KNOW, IT'S TOUGH FOR THEM TO OVERCOME $10 MILLION PLUS IN SPENDING IN WHAT IS NORMALLY A VERY LOW-KEY RACES.

ONE TRACKING SERVICE SAID $13.5 MILLION IN ADVERTISING SPENT IN THE SENATE RACES THIS TIME.

FOUR YEARS AGO IT WAS ABOUT HALF A MILLION.

SO, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THAT SPENDING WOULDN'T HAVE COME WITHOUT TRUMP'S INTEREST IN THE INDIANA RACES.

>>> I JUST HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT, SO MANY INCUMBENTS LOSING, DOES IT OPEN THE DOOR FOR DEMOCRATIC GAINS THIS FALL IN THE GENERAL ELECTION?

>> IT COULD BE.

THERE'S A FEW SEATS THAT COULD BE IN PLAY, COME NOVEMBER.

CERTAINLY, THE -- IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE NOW, THAT THE REPUBLICAN HOLD ON THE SENATE IS GOING TO BE AT RISK.

RIGHT NOW THEY HOLD 40 OF THE 50 SEATS, DEMOCRATS MIGHT BE ABLE TO PICK UP A FEW, AND THAT IS CERTAINLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DOING THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TOM DAVIESS, INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

>>> NOW, THEY WERE NO CITY ELECTIONS THIS YEAR, BUT ONE OF THE KEY RACES IN MONROE COUNTY WAS FOR THE DISTRICT ONE COMMISSIONER'S SEAT, WHERE LEE JONES DECIDED AGAINST RUNNING AGAIN.

>> MONROE COUNTY COUNCILMEN TRENT DECKARD RECEIVED 60% OF THE VOTE TO DEFEAT COUNCILMEMBER DAVID HENRY IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

>> I WATCHED THOSE RESULTS COME IN STRONG.

STRONGER THAN I EVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED.

IT REALLY VALIDATED THE STYLE THAT WE HAD OUT THERE AND IT TOLD ME TRENT, DON'T CHANGE FOR YOUR WORRIES OR YOUR CONCERNS.

STAY TO WHO YOU ARE.

>> DECKARD WILL LIKELY RUN UNOPPOSED IN THE FALL, AS WILL STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT PIERCE, WHO FACED A PRIMARY OPPONENT IN DISTRICT 61 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO DECADES.

HE GOT 67% OF THE VOTE TO BEAT LILIANA YOUNG.

>> I WAS REALLY GRATIFIED AS I GOT OUT AND TALKED TO VOTERS THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD THE FIGHT I'M FIGHTING UP THERE AND HOW THEY ARE DEDICATED THAT I'M A STRONG VOICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> AND BRAD MYER REPRESENTS THE DEMOCRATS AGAINST ERIN HOCHIN.

THE CLOSEST CHALLENGER, TIM PECK RECEIVED 33% OF THE VOTE.

>> WE HAVE POLICIES THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE YEARS THAT WE'RE ON THE WRONG DIRECTION.

AND PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.

>> INCUMBENTS, DEMOCRATS JUDY SHARP AND ERIKA OLIPHANT WON THEIR RACE FOR ASSESSOR AND PROSECUTOR AND MARTIN LUCAS BEAT TWO CANDIDATES IN THE COUNTY CLERK RACE.

MORE THAN 15,000 VOTES WERE CAST IN MONROE COUNTY IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

>> WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF WE COULD DOUBLE THAT FOR THE GENERAL OR EVEN TRIPLE IT?

WE HAVE SO MUCH THAT WE CAN DO WITH OUR TIME.

BUT FIRST THING I'M GOING TO DO IS SLEEP.

[ LAUGHTER ] I'M EXHAUSTED.

BUT IT WAS WELL WORTH IT.

>> THE GENERAL ELECTION IS ON NOVEMBER 3rd.

>>> ALCOHOLIC DRINKS HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, BUT THEIR POPULARITY HAS BEEN DROPPING, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUNGER ADULTS.

AUBREY WRIGHT HAS MORE ON HOW BUSINESSES ARE FEELING ABOUT THE DECLINE AND WHAT THEY THINK COULD HAPPEN IN THE LONG RUN.

>> PATRONS ARE DRINKING UP CRAFT BEERS AT THE INDIANA BREWERS GUILD SPRING FESTIVAL.

HOSTED IN BLOOMINGTON, IT FEATURES MORE THAN 100 BEVERAGES MADE BY HOOSIERS.

>> WE GOT JUST UNDER 1,000 PEOPLE HERE TODAY, FROM BREWERIES.

SOME OF OUR FRIENDS FROM CIDERIES AND DISTILLERIES AS WELL.

AMERICANS ARE DRINKING LESS, BUT NOT AT THIS FESTIVAL.

THESE PATRONS ARE GLADLY BUCKING THE TREND.

>> THEY GET TO SAMPLE AS MANY DIFFERENT PRODUCTS AS THEY CAN, WHILE THEY'RE HERE IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER, TASTE A LOT OF NEW BEVERAGES, FIND OUT WHAT THEY LOVE.

>> BUT THE SPRING FESTIVAL'S ATTENDEES MIGHT BE A BIASED SAMPLE.

NATIONAL SURVEYS SHOW HISTORIC LOWS IN ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION.

ACCORDING TO A 2025 GALLUP SURVEY, ABOUT 54% OF AMERICANS SAY THEY DRINK ALCOHOL.

THE RATE IS LOWER FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH JUST HALF SAYING THEY DRINK.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, A LITTLE OVER HALF OF AMERICANS SAY MODERATE DRINKING IS UNHEALTHY.

FOR YOUNGER ADULTS, ABOUT TWO-THIRDS SAY THE SAME.

>> I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT'S ON EVERYONE'S MIND, IF YOU ARE A BREWER, BUT I THINK IT'S A VERY COMPLEX PICTURE.

>> ALONG WITH HEALTH CONCERNS, WISELY SAYS PEOPLE ARE TIGHTENING THEIR BUDGETS OR THC DRINKS OR SELTZERS OR MOCKTAILS.

>> A LOT OF BREWERS ARE FRANTICALLY GRASPING AT WHATEVER THEY THINK THE NEXT THING IS GOING TO BE.

>> MANY IN THE ALCOHOL BUSINESS THOUGHT GROWTH WAS A GIVEN, ESPECIALLY AFTER A BOOM DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, BUT MORE BREWERIES CLOSED THAN OPENED FOR THE SECOND TIME STRAIGHT YEAR.

>> IF THEY DIDN'T OWN THEIR BUILDING, FOR EXAMPLE, OR IF THEY HAD A LOT OF DEBT FOR WHATEVER REASON, IF THAT GROWTH ISN'T THERE, THEN THEIR BUSINESS MODEL IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

>> WISELY SAYS TODAY'S DRINKING DECLINE FOLLOWS DECADES OF MOMENTUM.

HE SAYS THE BLOOMINGTON BREWING COMPANY IS GOING TO STAY TRUE TO CRAFT BEER, WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.

>> THERE'S NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS DOWNWARD TREND IS JUST GOING TO TURN INTO A SLOPE, AT LEAST WE DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE.

>> MOON TOWN BREWING COMPANY BOBBY MATTINGLY AGREES THAT THE INDUSTRY IS JUST LEVELING OFF.

GALLUP'S LONG-TERM DATA COULD SUPPORT THAT.

THE '50s '80s AND '90s SAW SIMILAR DECREASES BEFORE IT BOUNCED BACK.

THEY THINK IT'S A SMALL BLIP IN BEERS HISTORY.

>> YOU KNOW, BEER HAS BEEN AROUND FOR HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF YEARS, REALLY TRADITIONAL STYLES OF BEER.

THERE'S ALWAYS FADS AND THINGS THAT GO UP AND DOWN.

AGAIN, IF YOU CAN MAKE REALLY GOOD BEER, IT'S NOT GONNA GO AWAY.

>> HE SAYS HAVING QUALITY FOOD AND AMBIENCE ARE OTHER WAYS TO OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE A TOP-NOTCH PRODUCT ACROSS THE BOARD.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY FOCUS ON.

>> BUT THE EFFECT OF THE DRINKING DECLINE STRETCHES BEYOND BREWERIES.

RESTAURANTS, IN PARTICULAR, MAY LOSE ALCOHOL SALES.

>> WE KNOW THAT 42% OF RESTAURANTS SAID THAT THEY WEREN'T PROFITABLE TO US LAST YEAR.

THAT'S WHAT CAME FROM OUR STATE OF THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY REPORT THAT WE RELEASED IN FEBRUARY.

AND SO PROFITABILITY IS A CHALLENGE, AND ALCOHOL HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THOSE AREAS WHERE THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A HIGHER MARKUP.

>> HE SAYS RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE NOTICING THE DOWNWARD TREND BUT THEY ARE NOT SURE HOW LONG IT WILL LAST AND IT'S NOT ALL BAD NEWS.

>> THE REALITY IS THAT PEOPLE STILL LOVE THE EXPERIENCE OF GOING OUT TO EAT AND THAT HAS GIVEN US THAT PRIORITIZATION THAT I THINK REALLY HAS KIND OF SET US APART FROM SOME OTHER SECTORS.

>> ALONG WITH RESTAURANT OWNERS, BREWERY OWNERS LIKE MATTINGLY ARE TRYING TO ADAPT, EVEN DURING TODAY'S DOWN TIME IN DRINKING, MOONTOWN'S DRINKING IS UP.

>> YOU HAVE TO REALLY LOOK AT NUMBERS AND LOOK AT TRENDS AND NOT REST ON YOUR LAURELS.

YOU HAVE TO FIND YOUR LANE AND DO IT REALLY, REALLY WELL.

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

>> AND NOW WE'RE JOINED BY AUBREY WRIGHT WITH MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, AUBREY.

>> HI, JOE.

BLOOMINGTON'S HOPEWELL NEIGHBORHOOD IS MOVING FORWARD AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A DEVELOPMENT PLAN WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

THE FINAL HURDLE FOR THE PLANNED NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE FORMER HOSPITAL SITE WAS HOW MANY HOMES SHOULD BE DESIGNATED PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE.

THE COUNCIL SETTLED ON AT LEAST 35% OF THE HOMES TO BE DESIGNATED AS PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE WITH A GOAL OF 50%.

>> EVERY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT, SAY, FOR 50% OF PERMANENT AFFORDABILITY DOES POTENTIALLY HAVE TRADEOFFS AND COMES AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER PUBLIC PROJECTS.

>> MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SAYS HOPEWELL WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY THE COMMUNITY THINKS ABOUT HOUSING, THROUGH MIXED INCOME, TARGETING GRADUATES.

>> HOOSIERS ARE GET A LITTLE MORE RELIEF AT THE GAS PUMP.

GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN THIS WEEK EXTENDED THE SUSPENSION OF THE SALES TAX ON GASOLINE FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS, AND ADDED A PAUSE ON THE STATE GAS TAX, COMBINED THE TWO TAX SUSPENSIONS WILL SAVE HOOSIERS 59 CENTS A GALLON ON GAS FOR THE NEXT MONTH.

THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF GAS IS NOW $4.53.

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES WILL NOW BE ABLE TO PROFIT OFF OF THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS, LIKE COLLEGE ATHLETES.

THE IHSAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVED A PERSONAL BRANDING ACTIVITY RULE THIS WEEK.

IT ALLOWS STUDENT-ATHLETES TO CAPITALIZE ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL SKILLS THROUGH APPEARANCES, SOCIAL MEDIA, BRANDING AND ENDORSEMENTS, BUT UNLIKE AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL, ATHLETES CANNOT USE THEIR SCHOOL AFFILIATION OR FACILITIES IN THEIR PERSONAL BRANDING.

>> FARM BANKRUPTCIES IN THE U.S.

ROSE SHARPLY LAST YEAR WITH THE MIDWEST SEEING THE LARGEST INCREASE.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, CHAPTER 12 FARM BANKRUPTCIES INCREASED 46% NATIONWIDE IN 2025.

IT FOLLOWS SEVERAL YEARS OF FINANCIAL STRESS FOR FARMERS, WITH RISING FERTILIZER AND FUEL COSTS RECENTLY ADDING EVEN MORE PRESSURE.

>> '24 WAS A PRETTY STUFF YEAR.

'25 IS ALSO A TOUGH YEAR.

AND NOW WE HAVE '26 AND IT'S POSSIBLE THAT '27 COULD BE A LOW MARGIN YEAR.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING.

YOU'RE JUST SEEING THE BANKRUPTCIES INCREASE.

>> HE SAYS HIGHER CROP PRICES HAVE HELPED OFFSET SOME OF THOSE RISING EXPENSES, BUT FINANCIAL STRESS IS STILL GROWING FOR MANY FARMERS.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S OPTICAL LAP GIVES STUDENTS HANDS ON EXPERIENCE MAKING GLASSES WHILE ALSO GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

ISABELLA VESPERINI VISITED THE LAB TO LEARN WHAT HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> OPEN SINCE 1979, THE LAB ALLOWS STUDENTS TO MAKE PRESCRIPTION GLASSES IN AS FEW AS 45 MINUTES.

BASED ON ORDERS FROM THE ATWATER EYE CARE CENTER ON CAMPUS AND THE INDIANAPOLIS EYE CARE CENTER.

>> YES.

IT IS CUTTING.

THE CLINICS TRANSMIT ALL THE ORDERS TO US ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THE COMPUTERS.

SO WE CAN GET THE JOBS STARTED AND GOING AND THE LENSES ORDERED, READY TO GO SO THEY CAN SEND US THE FRAME AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE REST OF THE ORDER.

>> MARSH TRAINS THE STUDENTS WHO MAKE ABOUT 75 PAIRS OF GLASSES THROUGHOUT AN EIGHT-WEEK COURSE.

>> THEY USUALLY EDGE ANYWHERE FROM FIVE TO SIX PAIR OF COMPLETE GLASSES AND LEARN THE OPTICS, THE THEORY, THE CALCULATIONS BEHIND, YOU KNOW, WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE A CORRECT RX ACCORDING TO THE SPECIFICATIONS THAT A DOCTOR WOULD ORDER.

>> GRADUATE STUDENT ANNA JORDAN HAS BEEN WORKING IN THE LAB SINCE LAST SUMMER.

>> I LIKED BEING ABLE TO SEE ALL THE GLASSES COME TOGETHER FROM SEEING WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CLINIC AND ALSO BEING ABLE TO WORK OVER IN THE CLINIC IN THE DISPENSING FOR OUR CLASS.

AND SO SEEING THE GLASSES BE ORDERED AND FINISH PRODUCT OF THE GLASSES AND HOW THEY MAKE AN IMPACT.

>> WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES WILL HELP HER CONVEY THE INFORMATION TO FUTURE PATIENTS.

>> IT WILL HELP ME BETTER BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE GETTING THE BEST MATERIALS IN THOSE LENSES FOR THEIR BEST VISION, AND ALSO JUST KNOWING LITTLE ADJUSTMENTS THAT CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE WITH OUR PRESCRIPTION.

>> ANY EXTRA GLASSES ARE DONATED TO ORGANIZATIONS AROUND TOWN, SUCH AS THE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND A PROGRAM PROVIDING ACCESS TO CHILDREN IN JAMAICA WHERE ACCESS TO EYE CARE IS LIMITED AND EXPENSIVE.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WHEN THEY WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, THEY HAVE TO PUT ON THEIR GLASSES TO START THEIR FUNCTION OF THE DAY.

IT JUST -- IT'S IMPORTANT TO US TO THINK THAT THIS IS REALLY HELPING, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE GET -- GET THE BEST VISION THEY CAN.

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

THE HOOSIER YOUTH PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA WON LAST MONTH IN CHICAGO.

THEY PERFORMED IN THE A.A.

CATEGORY, THE MOST DIFFICULT ONE, AND WERE JUDGED ON BALANCE, BLEND, COHESIVENESS, TONE AND NOTE ACCURACY.

>> YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO OTHERS, YOU GOT TO GIVE -- SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA PLAY LESS SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THEIR TIME TO SHINE AND OTHER TIMES YOU GET TO STEP FORWARD AND HAVE YOUR MOMENT.

AND IT'S ALL ABOUT THAT TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION.

>> THE ORCHESTRA RECEIVED A GOLD RANKING FROM THE INDIANA STATE SCHOOL OF MUSIC ASSOCIATION.

>> WOW, HOW COOL IS THAT.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM.

THANK YOU.

>> WELL, BROWN COUNTY'S VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE FACING LIMITED STAFFING AND AN INCREASE IN CALL VOLUME.

OUR ISABELLA VESPERINI SPOKE WITH SEVERAL FIREFIGHTERS TO LEARN HOW THEY ARE TRYING TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES.

>> THREE DAYS BEFORE LIEUTENANT LACEY KELP FROM THE BROWN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT GAVE BIRTH TO HER NOW 6-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER, SHE RESPONDED TO A FIRE IN THE COUNTY.

AS ONE OF THE 12 ACCIDENT VOLUNTEERS, SHE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE STATION THE QUICKEST.

SHE LIVES ONLY THREE MINUTES AWAY AND WAS OFF WORK FROM HER FULL-TIME JOB AS A PARAMEDIC.

>> THAT'S A PROBLEM.

BUT I CAN'T LISTEN TO THE TONES GO OFF AND KNOW THAT NO ONE IS RESPONDING FROM OUR DEPARTMENT.

>> IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE VOLUNTEER ROSTER AT KELP'S DEPARTMENT IN NASHVILLE HAS DECREASED 37%, BUT THE CALL VOLUME HAS INCREASED 49%.

THAT'S IN PART DUE TO TOURISM GROWTH, AS WELL AS AN INCREASE IN AN AGING POPULATION.

>> THE MORE PEOPLE YOU BRING IN, THE MORE ACCIDENTS YOU HAVE, AND THAT SORT OF THING.

WE ALSO HAVE AN OLDER POPULATION HERE.

SO WE'VE GOT A LOT OF RETIREES, A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE, YOU KNOW, 50 PLUS.

SO WITH THAT, NATURALLY COMES INCREASED USAGE OF MEDICAL SERVICES.

>> ALL VOLUNTEERS AT KELP'S DEPARTMENT HAVE FULL-TIME JOBS OUTSIDE THE COUNTY AND CAN'T ALWAYS RESPOND TO A CALL.

MANY LIVE A 25-MINUTE DRIVE AWAY FROM THE STATION AND CAN'T RESPOND QUICKLY.

AS A RESULT, IN 2025, THEY MISSED OVER 400 OF THE NEARLY 1,000 CALLS THEY RECEIVED.

>> FIRE DOUBLES EVERY 30 TO 60 SECONDS IN THIS LIGHTWEIGHT NEW CONSTRUCTION THAT WE'RE SEEING THESE DAYS.

SO THINK ABOUT HOW LONG 20 MINUTES, JUST TO GET TO THE STATION BEFORE YOU GET AN APPARATUS GOING.

AND IF WE'RE LUCKY, WE WILL HAVE ONE OR TWO PEOPLE.

>> WHEN KELP'S DEPARTMENT CAN'T RESPOND THEY GO TO THE FRUITDALE FIRE DEPARTMENTS, BOTH ARE ALSO DEALING WITH LIMITED STAFFING.

>> THERE IS GOING TO BE INSTANCES WHERE WE CAN'T MAKE THE CALL DUE TO GUYS BEING AT WORK OR A FAMILY MATTER OR STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT WE RELY ON OUR MUTUAL AID WE HAVE WITH SURROUNDING DEPARTMENTS.

SO NONE OF OUR RUNS TECHNICALLY GET UNCALLED.

SOMEBODY IS ALWAYS COMING.

>> AINSWORTH HAS WORKED TO DECREASE RESPONSE TIME.

>> WHAT WE HAVE DONE AT THIS FIRE DEPARTMENT IS ALLOW OUR FIREMEN AND E.M.T.s TO TAKE HOME THE VEHICLE LIKE BEHIND ME, TO TAKE HOME FOR MEDICAL RUNS SO THEY CAN GET TO THE PLACE QUICKER.

>> IT TAKES SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR TO TRAIN A VOLUNTEER.

THAT'S ONE OF MANY BARRIERS TO RECRUITING AND MANAGING THE INCREASE IN CALL VOLUME.

>> BROWN COUNTY HAS BECOME MORE OF A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, PROPERTY VALUES ARE UP, THE YOUNGER GENERATION CAN'T REALLY AFFORD TO STAY HERE AND PURCHASE THEIR FIRST HOMES HERE.

THERE'S NO REALLY GOOD JOBS TO BE ABLE TO STAY HERE IN THE COUNTY.

SO IT'S -- IT'S TAKING AWAY FROM OUR POOL OF VOLUNTEERS.

>> MOST OF THE VOLUNTEERS AT THE HAMLIN DEPARTMENT ARE OVER 40.

FIRE CHIEF DAVID FRENSIMYER SAYS, EVEN IF THEY CAN'T FIGHT A FIRE, THEY WILL FIND A JOB FOR THEM.

>> WE WILL USE THEM WHATEVER THEIR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES.

>> IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE TO RELY ON MUTUAL AID FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS WHEN THEY HAVE LIMITED VOLUNTEERS.

>> IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THE PRIMARY SYSTEM.

IT IS A BACKUP SYSTEM.

IT IS IF WE NEED EXTRA MANPOWER.

IF WE HAVE A COMPLEX SITUATION AND WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESPONDERS.

>> KELP PROPOSED SOME SOLUTIONS AT A COMMUNITY MEETING LAST WEEK.

STARTING WITH A COMPREHENSIVE COUNTY EVALUATION.

>> EACH STATION, LIKE WE SAID IS UNIQUE.

NASHVILLE IS JUST ONE LARGER PIECE OF THE PUZZLE.

ALL COUNTY SAFETY SERVICES LIKE POLICE, FIRE, E.M.S., EVERYTHING HAS TO BE EVALUATED TOGETHER.

WE ARE ALL INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM.

>> ANOTHER OPTION WOULD BE TO COMBINE THE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS INTO A SINGLE DISTRICT WITH A UNIFIED ADMINISTRATION.

>> WE WOULD BE MOVING TO A FIRE BASE E.M.S./FIRE SYSTEM, ESSENTIALLY.

BOUNDARY -- TOWNSHIP LINES, BOUNDARY LIMITS WOULD BE GOING AWAY.

SO IT WILL BE THE CLOSEST APPROPRIATE RESOURCE THAT GETS DISPATCHED.

>> THAT OPTION WOULD REQUIRE RAISING PROPERTY TAXES TO FIRE NEW STAFF AND EXPAND -- TO HIRE NEW STAFF AND EXPAND COVERAGE.

>> INCREASING TAXES, HONESTLY, ONE OF MY LEAST FAVORITE THINGS IN THE WORLD, TO ME, I'M WILLING TO PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE SO MY FAMILY HAS A LITTLE BIT BETTER PROTECTION.

>> IT WOULD REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND TOWN OFFICIALS.

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

>> BROWN COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM CLARK SAYS HE'S COLLECTING AND ANALYZING DATA TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THE DEPARTMENTS ARE FACING.

>>> AND THE NATIONAL CHAMPION INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM WILL BE HONORED AT THE WHITE HOUSE ON MONDAY, BUT STAR QUARTERBACK, FERNANDO MENDOZA IS UNLIKELY TO JOIN HIS FORMER TEAMMATES IN WASHINGTON, THAT'S BECAUSE HE WILL BE ATTENDING WORKOUTS WITH THE RAIDERS WHO SELECTED HIM IN THE FIRST ROUND PICK IN LAST MONTH'S NFL DRAFT.

>> IT'S A ROOKIE, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A GOOD LOOK AND I WANT TO TRY TO BEST SERVE MY TEAMMATES AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHING THAT GOAL.

>> MENDOZA LED THE HOOSIERS PAST THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN JANUARY, CAPPING A 16-0 SEASON.

>>> WELL, 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.

AND TO YOU MOTHERS OUT THERE, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE