>>> A LOCAL GROUP IS TRYINGO SAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS AT SEMINARY POINTE THAT ARE EXPECTED TO BE DEMOLISHED AS PART OF THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.

AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY BUSINESS STUDENT IS RACING IN THE USF PRO 2000 SERIES WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF COMPETING IN INDYCAR.

>>> AND PEOPLE AND ANIMAL LEARNING SERVICES IS STILL RECOVERING FROM DAMAGE IT SUFFERED IN LAST YEAR'S TORNADO ON THE WEST SIDE.

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.

A LOCAL GROUP IS TRYING TO PRESERVE AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY ON THE B-LINE TRAIL, DESPITE LEASE TERMINATION AND CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.

THE SAVE SEMINARY POINTE CAMPAIGN IS A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN BLOOMINGTON'S HOMES FOR ALL AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA ORGANIZATIONS.

THEY WANT THE AREA TO BECOME A THRIVING SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SMALL BUSINESSES, GREEN SPACE, AND CULTURAL AREAS, BUT THOSE PROPERTIES WERE RECENTLY TRANSFERRED TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD, WHICH IS OVERSEEING THE CONVENTION CENTER'S NEXT PHASE.

>> THE COUNTY USED MONEY FROM THE INNKEEPERS TAX TO EXPAND THE CONVENTION CENTER CAMPUS 16 YEARS AGO, THE C.I.B.

IS LOOKING FOR COMPANION HOTEL AND PARKING OPTIONS.

NOW THE PREFERRED SITE WAS THE NORTH COLLEGE SQUARE PROPERTY, BUT THE CITY'S REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION WANTS TO BE REPAID THE $7 MILLION IT PAID FOR THE LAND A FEW YEARS AGO AND THE C. I.B.

DOESN'T HAVE ANY ASSETS OTHER THAN REAL ESTATE.

HOMES FOR ALL MEMBERS BELIEVE THREE OF THE FOUR BUILDINGS CAN BE SAVED THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE DEAL.

>> WE'RE ASKING THAT THE RDC SELL THE NORTH PROPERTY TO THE C.I.B., FOR, YOU KNOW, A NOMINAL FEE ON THE CONDITION THAT THE C.I.B.

SELL THIS PROPERTY TO A MISSION-BASED NONPROFIT AT A NOMINAL FEE.

>> THE RDC IS SEEKING PUBLIC PROPOSALS FOR THE COLLEGE SQUARE PROPERTY.

THE C.I.B.

IS MOVING FORWARD ON ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS, LAND APPRAISAL AND DEMOLITION PERMITS ON THE SEMINARY POINTE PROPERTIES.

GREEN SAYS HE'S TALKING TO CITY OFFICIALS WHO SAY THE REPAYMENT FOR COLLEGE SQUARE SHOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE IF IT'S FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> I THINK THAT THEY HAVE PROFFERED A VERY INTERESTING PLAN, AND A VERY -- A REALLY GREAT, INNOVATIVE VISION FOR THAT LITTLE MINI NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE FUTURE, AS BEING A SPACE OF CULTURAL AND SOCIAL GATHERING.

>> GREEN SAYS THE ORGANIZATION HAS A FORMAL AGREEMENT WITH AVALON COMMUNITY LAND TRUST TO HOLD THE PROPERTY AS ORGANIZERS DEVELOP IT.

>> WE'RE HOPING THAT THE MANAGEMENT AND THE RUNNING OF THIS PROPERTY WOULD BE HANDLED BY A COOPERATIVE ENTITY, WHICH WOULD WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST IN ORDER TO REFURBISH THESE BUILDINGS.

>> THE C.I.B.

HAS EXTENDED SEMINARY POINTE TENANT LEASES THROUGH AUGUST.

THE BOARD PRESIDENT SAYS OF THE 35 TOTAL UNITS, TEN RESIDENTIAL UNITS ARE OCCUPIED AND IN GOOD STANDING.

SEVEN OTHERS ARE DELINQUENT OR MOVING OUT.

>>> NATIVE PLANTS ARE BECOMING MORE COMMON IN GARDENS ACROSS INDIANA.

ADVOCATES SAY THEY HELP TO SUPPORT POLLINATORS AND BIRDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE, WHILE GARDENERS SAY THEY ARE OFTEN EASIER TO MAINTAIN THAN TRADITIONAL LANDSCAPING.

AS CLAYTON BAUMGARTH, WHAT WAS ONCE A NICHE INTEREST IS NOW BECOMING MAIN STREAM.

>> THERE'S NOT MANY MILKWEED HERE.

WE HAVE ROSES.

>> A FEW YEARS AGO, MAYA HELPED WITH A SCHOOL PROJECT ABOUT MONARCH BUTTERFLIES.

>> WE GOT TO HAVE REAL LIFE CATERPILLARS IN OUR CLASSROOM AND WE ABOUT THE TO WATCH THEM GROW EVERY DAY.

AND THEN ON LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, WE LET THEM GO.

>> THE PROJECT SPARKED A FASCINATION WITH POLLINATORS.

SOON, MAYA AND HER FAMILY BEGAN PLANTING MILKWEED AND OTHER NATIVE SPECIES AROUND THEIR PROPERTY WHAT STARTED AS A SMALL POLLINATOR GARDEN TRANSFORMED HOW THEY THOUGHT ABOUT LANDSCAPING.

>> WHEN YOU PLANT THE PLANTS THAT FEED THE INSECTS AND THE BIRDS, IT'S A DOMINO EFFECT.

>> THEY PLAN TO EXPAND THEIR GARDENS YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> I'M EXCITED TO GET ALL THE NATIVE FLOWERS AND GET MORE BUTTERFLIES TO HELP THE -- HELP THEM, LIKE POLLENATE AND STUFF.

>> THERE'S SOME NONNATIVE SPECIES THAT ARE TOO PRECIOUS TO GIVE UP IN THEIR GARDEN.

>> MY GRANDFATHER'S PEONIES THAT I DON'T WANT TO DITCH.

SO IT'S A HARD TRANSITION, BUT THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY IN BLOOMINGTON THAT ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND WILLING TO HELP.

>> THE FAMILY'S NATIVE PLANT GARDENS ARE ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD.

A FEW MILES AWAY, THOUGH, ANOTHER GARDENER HAS SPENT MANY YEARS BUILDING A LANDSCAPE AROUND NATIVE PLANTS.

>> IT'S JUST AN ABSOLUTE JOY FOR ME TO COME OUT TO THIS GARDEN AND WEED A LITTLE BIT, AND JUST ENJOY THE FLOWERS, ALL THE POLLINATORS THAT ARE COMING AND USING THEM.

>> SHE'S BEEN EXPERIMENTING WITH NATIVE SPECIES AROUND HER HOME FOR 35 YEARS.

SHE SAYS THE PLANTS DON'T JUST ATTRACT WILDLIFE AND THEY CAN SOLVE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS.

A DRY CREEK BED TO HER HOUSE ONCE WASHED AWAY HER PATIO AFTER A HEAVY RAIN.

>> THIS IS A RIVER AFTER A BIG RAIN AND YOU CAN SEE WE HAD A HUGE RAIN WHERE THIS WAS A RIVER LAST WEEK, AND IT HASN'T DISLODGED ANYTHING.

THE ROOTS OF THESE PLANTS, REALLY DO THE WORK OF HOLDING THE SOIL IN PLACE.

>> SUPPORTERS SAY NATIVE PLANTS PROVIDE FOOD AND HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE IN WAYS MANY ORNAMENTAL SPECIES CANNOT.

>> THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIVE PLANTS AND NATIVE GARDENS IS NOT JUST TO HAVE THE FLOWERS THAT BLOOMINGTON EASE -- BLOOM EASILY OR THE EASY GROWTH PATTERNS OR THOSE THINGS, BUT IT'S ALSO TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR INSECTS, FOR BIRDS, FOR OTHER WILDLIFE.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST BENEFICIARIES ARE BIRDS.

>> OVER 96% OF OUR BIRDS EAT CATERPILLARS -- OR USE CATERPILLARS FOR BABY BIRD FOOD.

>> THOSE CATERPILLARS DEPEND ON NATIVE PLANTS.

AND MORE HOOSIERS APPEAR TO BE TAKING NOTICE.

>> I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANTS.

>> AT SYCAMORE LAND TRUST, NATIVE PLANT NURSERY, VOLUNTEERS SPEND MUCH OF THE YEAR GROWING THE PLANTS FROM SEED.

THE NURSERY RECENTLY SOLD ROUGHLY 4500 PLANTS DURING THE ANNUAL SALE.

>> THEY ARE ALSO NOTICING IF THEY JUST HAVE A GARDENING HOBBY THAT NATIVE PLANTS ACTUALLY ARE EASIER TO GROW IN YOUR GARDEN, JUST BECAUSE EVOLUTIONARILY, THEY GROW HERE.

>> THE NURSERY HAS BECOME A GATHERING PLACE FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN CONSERVATION AND GARDENING.

>> THE COMMUNITY-BASED ASPECT OF THE NURSERY, THAT'S PROBABLY MY FAVORITE PART, HAVING A SPACE LIKE THIS FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND JUST BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT PLANTS.

>> INTERESTS IN NATIVE PLANTS HAS GROWN DRAMATICALLY OVER THE LAST DECADE.

>> WHEN I FIRST STARTED WITH THE EXTENSION, THE PURDUE EXTENSION A LITTLE OVER TEN YEARS AGO, YOU KNOW, THE NATIVE GARDENS WERE MORE OF A SPECIAL INTEREST, RIGHT?

SO THEY WEREN'T THE MOST POPULAR.

IT WAS -- SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO EVEN FIND THE NATIVE SPECIES THAT YOU WOULD WANT.

>> NOW, TEN YEARS LATER, BIG BOX STORES ARE EVEN SELLING NATIVE PLANTS.

MITCHELL SAYS THE SHIFT IS DRIVEN BY GROWING AWARENESS OF HOW INDIVIDUAL YARDS AFFECT THE LARGER ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE GRASS WAS A LOT MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD.

PEOPLE NOW, I THINK ARE WILLING TO TAKE THOSE RISKS AND WANT TO SEE MORE INSECTS AND DON'T WANT TO SPRAY HERBICIDES, YOU KNOW, MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR TO MAINTAIN THAT PERFECT LAWN.

>> FOR FAMILY GARDENERS, THAT AWARENESS HAS CHANGED THE WAY THEY LOOK AT THE LANDSCAPE AROUND THEM.

>> IN JUST TWO YEARS THAT WE FOCUSED ON NATIVE PLANTS WE CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE EXCLUSIVELY NATIVE PLANTS, BUT THE AMOUNT OF BIRD SPECIES HAS DOUBLED.

>> AND MAYA HOPES MORE PEOPLE WILL FOLLOW SUIT.

>> PEOPLE COULD START GETTING MORE INTO PLANTING NATIVE PLANTS THAT THEN IT HELPS OUR WORLD AND IT HELPS OUR ECOSYSTEMS JUST THRIVE AND GROW.

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

>> WE'RE JOINED BY AUBREY WRIGHT FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

♪ >> HI, AUBREY.

>> HI, JOE.

GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN EXTENDED AN EMERGENCY ORDER WEDNESDAY SUSPENDING INDIANA'S GASOLINE TAXES THROUGH JULY 7th.

IT AMOUNTS TO SAVINGS OF 62 CENTS PER GALLON FOR HOOSIERS BUT IT'S COSTING THE STATE AROUND $140 MILLION OF REVENUE A MONTH.

THAT'S THE MONEY THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION USED TO REPAIR ROADS.

BRAUN SAYS IN-DOT SHOULD BE ABLE TO ABSORB THE LOSS.

>> THIS IS A GAS SAVINGS, IT'S KIND OF A LIFE LINE THROUGH A TOUGH PERIOD LIKE THIS.

WHATEVER HAPPENS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE NEED TO GET THROUGH THAT.

>> WITH THE SAVINGS, INDIANA NOW HAS THE CHEAPEST GAS IN THE NATION AT $3.55 A GALLON.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS $4.24.

>>> INDIANA GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN DECLARED JUNE NUCLEAR FAMILY MONTH IN A PROCLAMATION ISSUED ON FIRST DAY OF PRIDE MONTH.

THE DOCUMENT PROCLAIMS THE NUCLEAR FAMILY CONSISTS OF, QUOTE, ONE HUSBAND, ONE WIFE AND ANY CHILDREN.

IT'S GOD'S DESIGN FOR THE FAMILY STRUCTURE.

THE INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY PUSHED BACK SAYING HOOSIERS ARE DONE WITH THE CONSTANT CULTURAL WARS FROM THE BRAUN ADMINISTRATION.

>>> INDIANA'S FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES PLANS TO PAUSE ENROLLMENT OF NEW AUTISM THERAPY PROVIDERS FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS BEGINNING SATURDAY.

APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS THERAPY IS OFTEN USED TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND LEARNING SKILLS IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH AUTISM OR OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS.

ACCORDING TO FSSA, MORE THAN 6,000 HOOSIERS WERE ACCESSING ABA THERAPY THROUGH MEDICAID AS OF JANUARY, COSTING THE AGENCY UPWARDS OF $35 MILLION THAT MONTH ALONE.

>>> THE PEOPLE AND ANIMAL LEARNING SERVICES ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN REBUILDING AFTER TORNADO DAMAGE LAST YEAR, AS ISABELLA VESPERINI REPORTS, RECOVERY WORK IS ALMOST DONE.

>> PALS IS AN ORGANIZATION ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN PROVIDING EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING PROGRAMS AND RIDING LESSONS FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS AND VETERANS.

THE TORNADO DAMAGED MOST OF ITS BUILDINGS, INCLUDING A 30,000 SQUARE FOOT INDOOR ARENA.

>> WE KNOW HOW MUCH OUR CLIENTS DEPEND UPON THESE SERVICES.

IN SOME CASES, IT -- THEY ARE LIFE CHANGING.

AND SO ONE MONTH AFTER THE EVENT, WE WERE BACK IN THE ARENA, ON SOME CAPACITY, SERVING THE CLIENTS THAT WE COULD.

>> REBUILDING PLANS INCLUDE AN OUTDOOR LEARNING PAVILION AND UPGRADES TO THE BIGGER INDOOR ARENA WITH CLASSROOM SPACE AND COUNSELING ROOMS.

CONSTRUCTION IS ABOUT 90% COMPLETE.

>> ITS FOCUS IS ON ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL OF OUR CLIENTS, IMPROVED SPACE FOR OUR CLASSES, AND FOR OUR STAFF.

WE HAVE BETTER, BIGGER OFFICE SPACE, AND WE HAVE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR OUR EQUINE-ASSISTED LEARNING PROGRAMMING.

>> THE MAIN BARN HAS NEW FEATURES.

>> THE OLD BUILDING DIDN'T HAVE VERY GOOD VENTILATION.

THE BUILDING IS ACTUALLY 2 FEET TALLER AND EACH OF THE STALLS HAVE VENTILATION, HAVE A SLIDING WINDOW.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET THIS RIGHT.

VOILA!

SO THAT HELPS INCREASE VENTILATION AND WE ALSO HAVE A LARGE FAN.

>> IT COSTS NEARLY $1.4 MILLION TO REBUILD THE MAIN BARN.

INSURANCE COVERED MOST OF THAT COST, AND THE REST CAME FROM COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

HEARING HOPES CONSTRUCTION WILL BE COMPLETED BY MID-JUNE.

>> WE KNOW IT IMPACTS QUALITY OF LIFE.

WE KNOW IT BRINGS JOY AND HAPPINESS TO THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

AND THE COMMUNITY HAS SHOWN THAT IN THEIR SUPPORT AFTER THE DISASTER.

SO WE JUST HOPE TO CONTINUE GROWING.

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

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION IS EXPLORING WHETHER TO OFFER WHOLE MILK AND 2% MILK NOW THAT THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ALLOWS IT.

THE WHOLE MILK FOR HEALTHY KIDS ACT PERMITS KIDS TO SERVE WHOLE MILK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE STARTING JUNE 8th.

MCCSC IS WORKING ON A SURVEY TO GET STUDENT AND PARENT INPUT.

>> WE ARE DOCUMENTING EVERY TIME A PARENT CALLS AND STATES THAT THEY WISH THEIR STUDENT COULD HAVE WHOLE OR 2% MILK.

WE GOT SEVERAL OF THOSE CALLS.

>> ONE CONTRIBUTION IS COST.

A CARTON OF WHOLE MILK COSTS 3 CENTS MORE THAN THE CURRENT OPTION OF 1% AND FAT-FREE.

>>> THE HONEYBEE POPULATION HAS STABILIZED AFTER A MASS DIE OFF LAST YEAR WIPED OUT MORE THAN 60% OF COMMERCIAL BEES.

JOE MAY, OF LITTLE BITS HONEYBEES SELLS QUEEN BEES.

THE 71-YEAR-OLD MAY MANAGES ROUGHLY 144 HIVES AT HIS HOME AND 500 COLONIES IN TOTAL.

HE SAID HE LOST 13% OF HIS HIVES IN THE DIE OFF.

>> YOU CAN LOSE 50% OF YOUR BEES IN SIX MONTHS, IF YOU ARE GOOD, YOU CAN BE BACK TO WHERE YOU WAS AT IN SIX MONTHS.

NOW, IF WE LOST 60% OF OUR CATTLES, WE WOULD BE LUCKY TO RECOVER IN FOUR YEARS.

>> HONEYBEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR POLLINATING ABOUT A THIRD OF THE CROPS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED ITS NEW CAMPUS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AFTER A PRIVATE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY TUESDAY NIGHT.

THE UNIVERSITY PURCHASED AN EIGHT-STORY BUILDING ON MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE FOR WHAT IT CALLS THE CAPITAL CAMPUS.

I.U.

SAYS THE CAMPUS WILL BE A CENTRALIZED LOCATION FOR EXISTING BUSINESSES AND BUSINESS VENTURES IN D.C.

>> THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN D.C., THE CONNECTIONS WITH ALUMNI, THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE HERE ON EMBASSY ROW IS JUST UNPARALLELED AND THEY WILL LEAVE WITH A NETWORK OF CONNECTIONS, MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES AND FRIENDS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME FROM THAT EXPERIENCE.

>> AND JOE, I.U.

ALREADY HAS CIVIC AND POLITICAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS IN THE CITY.

>>> I.U.

IS SHOWING ITS REACH.

OF COURSE, WE SAW THAT DURING THE FOOTBALL SEASON LAST YEAR TOO.

THANKS, AUBREY.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT RACE CAR DRIVER IS WORKING HIS WAY UP THROUGH THE RANKS WITH INDYCAR HIS ULTIMATE GOAL.

>>> AND WE'LL SIT DOWN WITH A 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL SCOUT WHO WROTE A KIDS BOOK ON KINDNESS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS STUDENT IS AN ASPIRING INDYCAR DRIVER.

SENIOR JOEY BRIENZA IS IN HIS SECOND YEAR RACING IN THE USF PRO 2000 SERIES AND HIS CAR IS SPONSORED BIT KELLEY SCHOOL.

HE COMPETED IN TWO RACES IN INDIANAPOLIS LAST MONTH WHERE OUR NATALIE FITZGIBBONS CAUGHT UP WITH HIM.

>> BRIENZA RACES AT 160 MILES PER HOUR WITH A SUIT, HELMET AND CAR ADORNED WITH I.U.

LOGOS AND COLORS.

HE AIMS TO MAKE IT TO INDY NEXT IN A YEAR OR TWO AND THEN INDYCAR.

>> RIGHT NOW, I'VE POSITIONED MYSELF IN MY THINKING AND IN MY LIFE TO WHERE THIS IS THE ONLY OPTION FOR ME, THAT I HAVE TO DO WELL.

I HAVE TO SUCCEED AND I HAVE TO EXCEL AT WHAT I'M DOING.

>> BRIENZA'S RACING CAREER BEGAN AT AGE 10 WHEN HIS DAD TWO HIM AND HIS SIBLINGS TO AN INDOOR CART TRACK.

ON THE BACK THERE WAS AN AD TO JOIN A COMPETITIVE RACING PROGRAM.

BRIENZA SAID HE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL HIS DAD BROUGHT IT UP.

>> ONE DAY, HE SAID, COME WE MANY.

I WAS MISBEHAVING.

I PROBABLY DIDN'T DO MY DISHES OR SOMETHING.

I THOUGHT I WAS IN TROUBLE.

TOOK ME INTO DENVER AND TOOK ME TO THE GO-KARTING SHOP.

GOT ME A GO-KART AND KIND OF ALL STARTED FROM THERE.

>> BRIENZA RACED LOCALLY IN COLORADO AND THEN REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY AT AGE 12.

AT 13 YEARS OLD, HE RACED FOR A YEAR IN EUROPE.

WHEN HE CAME BACK TO THE U.S., HE DID TWO MORE YEARS OF CARTING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN THE U.S.

HE SAYS COMING BACK FROM EUROPE WAS A WAKE-UP CALL.

>> IT WAS A BIG POINT IN MY CAREER OF, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO WORK HARDER AND ELEVATE YOUR PREP IF YOU WANT TO BE PROFESSIONAL.

>> HE STARTED TO TRANSITION FROM CARTING TO CARS AND AT 17 YEARS OLD, HE SIGNED WITH HIS TEAM EXCLUSIVE AUTO SPORT.

GROWING UP, BRIENZA LOVED FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL AND HOCKEY, BUT HIS PASSION WAS FOR RACING.

>> WHEN I'M RACING, IT'S VERY LOCKED IN.

VERY FOCUSED.

VERY DIALED.

BECAUSE IN THESE THINGS, YOU'RE GOING 160 MILES AN HOUR ON THE KNIFE'S EDGE AND ANY LITTLE MISTAKE, YOU CAN CRASH.

>> BRIENZA SAYS CRASHING IS ALWAYS IN THE BACK OF THE MIND BUT HE DOESN'T FOCUS ON IT.

HE SAYS RATHER THAN GOING INTO A CORNER WORRIED ABOUT SPINNING OUT, HE FOCUSES ON TECHNIQUE.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MY THROTTLE TECHNIQUE IS PERFECT AND MY LINE IS PERFECT AND I MAXIMIZE THE CORNER AND DOT BEST I CAN, BECAUSE I KNOW IF I DO THAT AND I DRIVE TO THE LIMIT BUT NOT OVER IT, THAT I WILL HAVE A GOOD OUTCOME.

>> BRIENZA SAYS HE'S GRATEFUL TO HIS PROFESSORS UNDERSTANDING HIS SPORT AND BEING FLEXIBLE WITH HIM ON DEADLINES.

OFF-SEASON FOR HIM IS ONLY THE MONTH OF DECEMBER AND THE FIRST TWO WEEKS IN JANUARY.

HE SAYS WHAT'S KEY FOR HIM IS TIME MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.

>> EVEN THEN, WHEN ANYTHING IN SCHOOL ARISES OR I NEED TO DO EDITS, MAKE A LITTLE CHANGE HERE, AND STUDY FOR THIS TEST, I'M ALREADY SO FAR AHEAD, THAT IT'S NOT A BIG TAX OR STRESS ON ME.

>> WHEN HE WAS DECIDING ON A COLLEGE, HE SAID HIS DAD TOLD HIM HE SHOULD GO TO I.

>> I COULD GO TO A TOP TEN BUSINESS SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY, WHICH IS THE DEGREE I'M GOING TO BE PURSUING, WHILE BEING AN HOUR AWAY FROM ANYTHING I COULD POSSIBLY NEED WITH RACING AND MUCH BETTER LOCATION CENTRALLY TO ALL THE TRACKS.

IF I DON'T GO HERE, I'M A COMPLETE BUFFOON.

>> THE I.U.

KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, DECIDED TO SPONSOR BRIENZA AFTER THE FIRST RACE.

HE'S 19th OUT OF 26 DRIVERS IN THE POINTS STANDING.

>> IT'S AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT A SCHOOL I LOVE SO MUCH AND A BUSINESS SCHOOL THAT, YOU KNOW, I LOVE AND HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH FOR MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE, WITH ASPECTS ALSO LEADING OVER INTO RACING.

>> EACH RACE SO FAR THIS SEASON HAS BROUGHT ITS OWN SET OF CHALLENGES FOR BRIENZA.

FROM BRAKE ZONES TO THROTTLE APPLICATION AND CHANGING THE BALANCE OF THE CAR.

BRIENZA'S GOAL FOR THIS SEASON IN GENERAL IS HIS MENTALITY.

>> SPORT IS REALLY BRUTAL.

IT WILL TAKE YOU TO THE HIGHEST OF HIGHS AND ALSO THE LOWEST OF LOWS.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE MENTALLY PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING.

>> NOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M NATALIE FITZGIBBONS.

>>> WE'RE JOINED BY ROSE MORELAND, A 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL SCOUT FROM TROOP 1733 IN INDIANAPOLIS AND HER GRANDMOTHER SHONA MORELAND WHO IS THE TROOP LEADER.

ROSE IS THE AUTHOR OF A NEW BOOK TITLED ONCE UPON A PAW PRINT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

I WAS TAKING A LOOK AT THIS PHOTO.

I SEE A RESEMBLANCE HERE.

IS THIS YOU?

>> WELL, ME AS A CARTOON CHARACTER.

>> I LOVE IT.

I LOVE IT.

SO WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

>> IT'S ABOUT A GIRL WHO LOVES ANIMALS AND SHE LEARNS ABOUT THEM WITH HER GIRL SCOUT TROOP.

BUT WHEN SHE'S ALSO LEARNING ABOUT THEM, SHE'S ALSO BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS WITH PEOPLE AND BEING KIND TO ANIMALS.

>> AND WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK OUT OF EVERYTHING YOU COULD DO, PLAY WITH YOUR FRIENDS, GO OUTSIDE, YOU DECIDED, I WANT TO WRITE A BOOK.

>> HMM, I JUST LIKE TO WRITE BOOKS, AND IT'S VERY FUN, TO ME.

AND WHEN I'M AT HOME, I MAKE BOOKS, AND I JUST MAKE UP NAMES AND, LIKE, DO THE AUTHOR AND STUFF.

LIKE, NORMAL BOOKS, LIKE MY BOOK I MADE, AND IT JUST MADE ME REALLY HAPPY THAT I WAS ALLOWED TO MAKE MY OWN BOOK.

>> THAT'S SO COOL.

AND I LOVE ALL THE ANIMALS ON THE FRONT, A BUNNY RABBIT AND THE BUTTERFLY.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE?

>> I LIKE THE BUNNY AND THE BUTTERFLY.

>> I LIKE THE LADY BUG HERE TOO.

THIS IS WONDERFUL.

THERE'S AN ANIMAL ALLIANCE, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT IS?

>> YES, IT'S BASED ON THE ANIMAL ALLIANCE PROGRAM TO EDUCATE KIDS ABOUT NATURE AND TREATING ANIMALS WITH KINDNESS, LIKE ROSE SAID.

AND THEY HAVE A BELIEF THAT IF YOU START WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG, AND TEACH THEM WHEN THEY BECOME ADULTS THEY ARE ABLE TO MAYBE MAKE A CHANGE IN THE WORLD AND MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

>> SO, ROSE, WHAT'S NEXT?

YOU ALREADY WROTE A BOOK.

WHAT IS ON YOUR AGENDA NEXT?

>> WELL, I'M THINKING ABOUT IT, BUT I THINK I AM GONNA WRITE ANOTHER BOOK, AND IT'S GONNA BE ABOUT PET PANTRIES.

>> PET PANTRIES.

>> AND THEN THE MOVIE COMES OUT AFTER THE BOOK, RIGHT?

[ LAUGHTER ] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> AND 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