>> A NUMBER OF INDIANA COAL PLANTS SCHEDULED TO BE RETIRED WON'T BE.

THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS ARE ORDERING THEM TO STAY OPEN TO MAINTAIN ENERGY RELIABILITY.

RESIDENTS ALONG HIGH STREET IN BLOOMINGTON HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT LOSING CHUNKS OF THEIR FRONT YARDS TO A NEW MULTI USE PATH.

AND THE DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPION INDIANA HOOSIERS OPENED THEIR FALL FOOTBALL CAMP ON WEDNESDAY.

WE'LL HAVE THESE STORIES AND MORE COMING UP ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>> INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> WELCOME TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

I'M PERRY METZ SITTING IN FOR THE VACATIONING JOE HREN.

INDIANA UTILITIES SPENT YEARS PLANNING TO RETIRE SEVERAL AGING COAL FIRED POWER PLANTS.

THIS YEAR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STEPPED IN AND ORDERED SOME OF THEM TO STAY OPEN.

AS CLAYTON BAUMGARTH REPORTS THE MOVE IS RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO DECIDES WHEN A COAL PLANT IS AT THEnd OF ITS USEFUL LIFE.

>> CENTERPOINT ENERGY PLANNED TO RETIRE COAL UNIT 2 NEARS EVANSVILLE.

THEY HAD PLANNED TO RETIRE COAL UNITS IN MICHIGAN CITY.

INSTEAD THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HAS REPEATEDLY PLANNED THE PLANT -- ORDERED THE PLANTS TO REMAIN AVAILABLE THROUGH SEPTEMBER.

>> SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE UTILITIES IN INDIANA ARE REQUIRED TO DO LONG-TERM RESOURCE PLANNING.

LOOKING OUT 10, 20, 30 YEARS BECAUSE THAT'S THE INVESTMENT TIME LINE THAT UTILITIES MAKE INVESTMENTS FOR.

THEY DETERMINED THAT A HANDFUL OF COAL PLANTS WERE NO LONGER NECESSARY, AND COULD BE ECONOMICALLY REPLACED WITH OTHER RESOURCES.

>> THE DEBATE OVER THOSE RETIREMENT PLANTS IS NOW REACHING THE STATEHOUSE, LAST WEEK THE GOVERNOR SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER DIRECTING STATE AGENCIES TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO KEEP RELIABLE POWER GENERATION AVAILABLE.

THE ORDER TELLS INDIANA'S SECRETARY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO SEEK EXTENSIONS OF FEDERAL EMERGENCY ORDERS IF RELIABILITY CONCERNS REMAIN.

DIRECT STATE AGENCIES TO PARTICIPATE IN PROCEEDINGS, AND CALLS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS TO EXPAND WHAT IT SECRETION AS AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE AND DISPATCHABLE POWER GENERATION.

NORMALLY RETIREMENT DECISIONS DON'T HAPPEN THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

UTILITIES SPEND YEARS STUDYING DEMAND AND DETERMINING WHAT RESOURCES CAN REPLACE AGING COAL PLANTS.

THOSE PLANS ARE REVIEWED BY STATE LEGISLATORS AND THEN THE OPERATOR OF THE RECENTLY NATURAL ELECTRIC GRID STUDIES WHETHER ENOUGH ELECTRICITY WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE AFTER A PLANT CLOSES.

>> RETIREMENT OF A MAJOR POWER PLANTER IS NOT A SMALL FEAT.

IT STARTS YEARS IN ADVANCE WHEN THE UTILITY DOES REALLY ROBUST ECONOMIC MODELLING, THEY USE, YOU KNOW, REALLY SOPHISTICATED ANALYTICAL TOOLS TO DETERMINE IF A POWER PLANT IS NEEDED AND HOW -- IF -- HOW TO BEST AND MOST ECONOMICALLY REPLACE IT.

>> THAT PROCESS LED CENTER POINT TO INCLUDE COAL UNIT 2 WAS READY TO RETIRE.

IN A FEBRUARY LETTER, THE UTILITY ASKED THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NOT TO EXTEND ITS EMERGENCY ORDER.

CENTER POINT CALLED THE PLANT AS AN INCREASINGLY UNRELIABLE ASSET ESTIMATING IT WOULD COST UP TO $18 MILLION TO KEEP OPERATING AND NOTED THEY HAD ALREADY APPROVED THE RETIREMENT.

DESPITE THAT REQUEST THE COMPANY SAYS IT'S COMPLYING WITH THE FEDERAL ORDER.

>> WHEN UTILITIES WANT TO RETIRE COAL PLANTS OR ANY TYPE OF GENERATION PLANT, THIS IS NOT A QUICK PROCESS.

IT TAKES YEARS OF PLANNING, THE GRID OPERATORS ARE INVOLVED IN THAT DECISION AS WELL.

>> FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY THE ORDERS ARE NEEDED TO PROTECT ELECTRIC RELIABILITY.

BUT DANIELS SAYS THE GRID HAS CHANGED SINCE THE RETIREMENT DECISIONS WERE MADE.

>> WHAT YOU'VE SEEN IN THE HEADLINES IS DATA CENTERS AND AI AND LOAD GROWTH, AND THAT IS PLAYING A ROLE.

>> CONSUMER ADVOCATES, THOUGH, SAY THE UTILITIES THEMSELVES WEREN'T WARNING ABOUT RELIABILITY PROBLEMS.

>> NO, I MEAN BOTH COMPANIES HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES TO SERVE THEIR CUSTOMERS AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD.

THE COMPANIES THEMSELVES ARE SAYING THEY DON'T HAVE CONCERNS.

WE HAVE NO CONCERNS.

>> KEEPING THOSE PLANTS AVAILABLE COULD STILL COME AT A COST.

CENTER POINT HAVE BOTH SAID THEY'LL SEEK TO RECOVER THE ADDITIONAL COSTS.

>> RATE PAYERS NOT ONLY CENTER POINT RATE PAYERS IN SOUTHWEST INDIANA BUT RATE PAYERS ACROSS THE NISO GRID.

MANY OF THOSE COSTS AMONGST RATE PAYERS.

NOT ONLY WILL IT IMPACT HOOSIER RIGHT PARAS BUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

>> IT COULD HIT SOME FAMILIES HARDER THAN OTHERS.

>> RATE PAYERS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY CARE.

EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THEIR OWN UTILITY BILLS ALONGSIDE THEIR OTHER BILLS.

BUT THIS IMPACTS PEOPLE WHO ARE LESS WELL TO DO, MORE THAN IT IMPACTS THE WEALTHY.

>> FOR UTILITIES TRYING TO PLAN DECADES INTO THE FUTURE, ANOTHER CHALLENGE REMAINS.

THE FEDERAL ORDERS ARE ISSUED 90 DAYS AT A TIME.

THE CURRENT ONE EXPIRES IN SEPTEMBER.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT BUSINESSES LIKE CERTAINTY, RIGHT, AND THE ELECTRIC UTILITIES IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE, FOR OVER 100 YEARS, OPERATED PRIMARILY UNDER STATE REGULATION WHERE THE UTILITIES MAKE DECISIONS, PUT THEM IN FRONT OF A PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION, THAT COMMISSION APPROVES OR REJECTS THOSE DECISIONS.

AND THESE ARE 30-YEAR INVESTMENTS.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SAYS THE EMERGENCY ORDERS ARE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN ELECTRIC RELIABILITY.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> THIS WEEK INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCED HE WILL TRY TO BLOCK THE PLANNED CLOSURE OF ANOTHER COAL UNIT AT THE ROCKVILLE POWER STATION IN SPENCER COUNTY.

THE PLANT IS OWNED BY INDIANA MICHIGAN POWER AND AEP ENTERPRISES AND IS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE IN 2028.

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION STARTED ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR EARLIER THIS WEEK AND STUDENTS AND STAFF SAID THEY ARE EXCITED TO BE BACK.

ISABELLA VESPERINI VISITED ONE LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND HAS THE STORY.

>> OVER 40 CITY AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS ALONG WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, GATHERED AT FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO GREET KIDS AS THEY ARRIVED.

CHEERING FOR THEM AND GIVING THEM HIGH FIVES.

[ CHEERING ] >> CITY OFFICIALS SAY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR KIDS TO SEE FRIENDLY FACES AND GET SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY AS THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL.

>> SEEING SMILING FACES REFLECTED BACK AT THEM, MAKING THEM FEEL MAYBE HELP THEM LOSE SOME OF TRETREPIDATION OF ANSWERING DURING A NEW TIME AND NEW EXPERIENCE.

>> THEY HOPE KIDS FEEL ENCOURAGED BY BEING SURROUNDED BY ROLE MODELS FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.

>> THEM SEEING BASICALLY LIKE A MULTI GENERATIONAL, MULTI ETHNIC, YOU KNOW, COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, VARIOUS PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS GENDER BACKGROUNDS, SO THEY CAN SEE THEMSELVES REPRESENTED IN THE PEOPLE HERE.

BE ABLE TO SEE -- LIKE FEEL A SENSE OF TOGETHERNESS, BUT ALSO A SENSE OF SUPPORT.

>> MCCSC SUPERINTENDENT MARK WINSTON SAID HER FOCUS THIS YEAR IS ON KEEPING STUDENTS SAFE AND HELPING THEM GROW ACADEMICALLY.

>> WE ARE STRENGTHENING LITERACY AND EMPHASIZING THE ARTS AND MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS ARE HAVING A LOT OF FUN WHILE THEY'RE LEARNING AND WE ARE PUTTING ALL KINDS OF SUPPORTS IN PLACE FOR BEHAVIOR AND MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS.

>> THE CORPORATION IS ALSO RESPONDING TO PARENTS CONCERNS BY GIVING HIGH SCHOOLERS ANOTHER WAY TO CONTACT PARENTS WITH STATE LAW BANNING CELL PHONE USE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.

IT COMES FROM A COMPANY CALLED PARENT SQUARE A K-12 COMMUNICATION PLATFORM.

>> WE THINK THAT THAT'S A WONDERFUL SERVICE THAT WE CAN HAVE AVAILABLE FOR OUR FAMILIES.

WE ARE GOING TO TEST THAT OUT AND SEE HOW WELL OUR FAMILIES RESPOND TO BEING ABLE TO HAVE DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR STUDENTS THROUGH PARENT SQUARE.

>> THE MAYOR SAID AMID STATE CUTS TO EDUCATION, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOT ONLY SUPPORT STUDENTS BUT EDUCATORS TOO.

>> OUR EDUCATORS ARE THE ONLY STABILITY SOME OF OUR KIDS HAVE.

AND SO PART OF BUILDING A THRIVING COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE IS WELCOME, STARTS AT SCHOOL.

AND STARTS WITH BUILDING THAT SCHOOL COMMUNITY WHERE YOU'RE SAFE TO LEARN AND YOU GET FED AT SCHOOL AND YOU CAN LEARN ALL OF THOSE VITAL LIFE SKILLS AS WELL AS THE FORMAL EDUCATION.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK I'M ISABELLA VESPERINI.

>>> WHILE YEN ENROLLMENT NUMBERS AREN'T FINAL, THEY EXPECT ABOUT 10,000 KIDS IN PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE TO ATTENT SCHOOLS THIS YEAR.

WE ARE JOINED BY ELISE PERRY FOR HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE.

>>> TWO DEVELOPERS PRESENTED TWO PLANS TO THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR APARTMENTS AND HOTELS AROUND THE CONVENTION CENTER.

BOTH CONCORD HOSPITALITY AND USE DORA WANTED TO BUILD JUST NORTH OF THE CONFESSION CENTER.

CONCORD'S PLAN ALSO CALLED FOR MIXED INCOME APARTMENTS AT THE CURRENT LOCATION OF SEMINARY POINT.

THAT WOULD INCLUDE 27 UNITS FOR HOUSEHOLDS EARNING UNDER HALF THE AREA'S MEDIAN INCOME AND A PLACE THAT ARE TO BE DEMOLISHED.

>> WE THINK THIS SITE WOULD BE A CATALYST FOR 2nd STREET AND REALLY BE A PIVOT POINT TO HOPEWELL AND REENGAGING KIND OF THE SOUTH PART OF DOWNTOWN.

>> THE SEMINARY POINT PROPERTY HAS ALREADY BEEN OFFERED TO DORA HOSPITALITY WHICH ARE ALREADY PLANNING A CONVENTION CENTER HOST HOTEL SOUTH OF THE CURRENT CONVENTION CENTER.

DORA PROPOSED A SECOND LUXURY HOTEL AND SHOPS AROUND 100 MARKET RACE APARTMENTS OR CONDOS AT COLLEGE SQUARE.

>> WITH THIS BEING AN UPSCALE BOUTIQUE PROPERTY BORDERING ON UPPER UPSCALE OR LUXURY, WE FELT THEY WOULD PLAY WELL INTO THAT AS WELL AS THE PROMENADE GOING IN THE MIDDLE TO HELP SUPPORT THE LOCAL BUSINESSES WE HOPE TO LEASE THAT SPACE OUT TO.

>> BOTH CONCORD AND DORA OFFERED $4 MILLION FOR THE COLLEGE STATION PROPERTY.

THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSALS NEXT MONTH.

>>> INDIANA HAS BECOME A FOCAL POINT IN THE NATIONWIDE DEBATE OVER RISING ELECTRIC BILLS.

INDIANA UTILITIES REQUESTED ABOUT $200 MILLION IN RATE INCREASES LAST YEAR.

WITH ANOTHER 30 MILLION ALREADY REQUESTED THIS YEAR.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE ADVOCACY GROUP POWER LINES.

THE GROUP ALSO SAYS HOOSIERS HAVE SEEN ELECTRICITY COSTS JUMP NEARLY 21 PERCENT SINCE 2022.

>> IN THIS CALENDAR YEAR, INDIANA'S BECOME KIND OF THE EPICENTER OF UTILITY AFFORDABILITY FOR THE UNITED STATES AT LEAST, AND WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF ACTIVITY ACROSS ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT LOOKING AT UTILITY AFFORDABILITY SPECIFICALLY.

>> FREEMAN SAYS UPCOMING COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS AND UTILITY FINDINGS WILL CONTINUE TO SHAPE OUT INDIANA ADDRESSES AFFORDABILITY.

STORY EXPERTS SAY IT'S UNCLEAR WHEN THIS SUMMER OUTBREAK WILL END AND PEOPLE CAN START EATING LETTUCE AGAIN.

I CAN CAUSE EXPLOSIVE DIARRHEA AND THIS YEAR'S OUTBREAK RESULTED IN MUCH HIGHER NUMBERS THAN NORMAL.

THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN 1300 CASES IN INDIANA AND 8 CASES IN MONROE COUNTY.

>> LOT OF TIMES THE BASIC PANELS THEY MIGHT DOE MIGHT NOT RUN A TEST FOR THIS PARASITE AND MIGHT NOT LOOK FOR IT AND ALSO SOMEONE COULD HAVE THE PARASITE AND ONE STOOL SAMPLE WILL SHOW YOU DON'T HAVE IT AND THE NEXT ONE WILL.

SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO TAKE MULTIPLE SAMPLES OVER SEVERAL DAYS.

>> IT IS MICROSCOPIC PARASITE TRANSMITTED THROUGH HUMAN FECAL MATTER, IT CAN CONTAMINATE FOOD THROUGH INFECTED GROUNDWATER USED TO IRRIGATE CROPS OR FLOODING.

>>> FOR YEARS THE SYCAMORE LAND TRUST HAS BEEN PRESERVING LAND IN SOUTHERN INDIANA.

AND AS WE REPORT, NEXT YEAR THEY'RE OPENING AN EDUCATION CENTER IN NORTHWEST MONROE COUNTY.

>> CONSTRUCTION IS UNDER WAY ON THE FIRST ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CENTER.

IN SPRING 2027 THEY GETLANDS AND EDUCATION CENTER WILL FEATURE RESTORED WETLANDS, HIKING TRAILS AND ADA ACCESSIBLE CLASSROOMS FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES.

>> FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS OF ALL AGES AND NOW WITH THE FACILITY WE ARE ABLE TO BRING THOSE FOLKS TO US.

>> THE CENTER WILL ALLOW VISITORS TO LEARN ABOUT CONSERVATION, WHILE WATCHING WETLAND RESTORATION HAPPENING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.

>> WHILE PEOPLE ARE ON SITE AND LEARNING IN THE EDUCATION CENTER, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO VIEW THE RESTORATION THAT'S HAPPENING ON SITE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE LAND TRUST, INDIANA HAS LOST MORE THAN 85 PERCENT OF ITS HISTORICAL WETLANDINGS.

OFFICIALS SAY THE SITE HAS ALREADY BECOME A DESTINATION FOR BIRD WATCHERS WITH MORE THAN 100 VISITS RECORDED THERE.

>> I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW THIS FACILITY GROWS, HOW IT HELPS GROW EDUCATION AND HOW IT REALLY IGNITES A PASSION FOR CONSERVATION.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M DIANE.

>> INDIANA'S DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS OWED OVER 100 POLICY-MAKINGS MILLION DOLLARS FLOOR DEVELOPS OF PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE.

DEVELOPERS WHO WANT TO BUILD OVER WETLANDS OR STREAMS CAN PURCHASE CREDIT TO FUND PROJECTS TO MITIGATE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.

HOWEVER, REPORTING FROM THE INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE SHOWS THE PROGRAM IS LAGGING ON THOSE PROJECTS.

>> SINCE INDIANA HAS BEEN SETTLED, WE HAVE BEEN IN AN ERA OF WETLAND LOSS, AND IT'S CONTINUING.

EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THESE PERMITS IN PLACE AND THESE CONCEPTS OF NO NET LOSS.

>> McGOVERN SAYS WETLANDS SERVE IMPORTANT ECOLOGICAL ROLES.

AND GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN HAS EXTENDED THE STATE'S GAS TAX HOLIDAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 5.

HE CITED THE WORE IN UKRAINE WHILE DECLARING A NEW EMERGENCY.

IT MEANS HOOSIER WILL CONTINUE TO SAVE AROUND 60 CENTS PER GALLON OF TAX.

IT IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE COST THE STATE A HALF BILLION DOLLARS SINCE IMPLEMENTED IN APRIL.

THE STATE HAS BEEN USING RESERVES TO REIMBURSE COMMUNITIES FOR LOST REVENUE FROM THE TAX SUSPENSION.

BACK TO YOU, PERRY.

>> THANKS, ELISE.

COMING UP NEXT ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

RESIDENTS ALONG HIGH STREET HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT A MULTI USE PATH TAKING PART OF THEIR FRONT YARDS, AND THE DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPION INDIANA HOOSIER OPEN THEIR FALL FOOTBALL PRACTICES THIS WEEK.

THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>> AT WTIU, WE ARE INDIANA.

ROAMING THE CITY STREETS, THE BACK ROADS AND THE BACK WOODS.

IF EXPLORING THE HISTORY, THE MYSTERY, AND THE COMMON BEAUTY THAT UNITES US AS HOOSIERS.

WE ARE YOUR PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

WE ARE WTIU.

>> MAYBE YOU ARE A SUSTAINING MEMBER GIVING 5, 10 OR $20 A MONTH SUPPORTING US.

THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO CONSIDER AGAIN HOW MUCH THE STATION MEANS TO YOU AND THEN ADD A FEW EXTRA DOLLARS EACH MONTH TO ENSURE THE PROGRAMS YOU LOVE WILL CONTINUE.

IF YOU'RE ABLE CONSIDER DOUBLING YOUR GIFT NOW TO EPHAD US MEET THIS MOMENT.

EVERY LITTLE BIT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

THANK YOU.

>> WELCOME BACK TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

RESIDENTS OF HIGH STREET IN BLOOMINGTON HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT BE THE CITY TAKING SOME OF THEIR HAND TO BUILD A MULTIUSE PATH.

ISABELLA VESPERINI SPOKE WITH SEVERAL HOMEOWNERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT.

>> ALMOST EVERY MORNING, JULIE WARREN WALKS HER DOG ALONG HIGH STREET.

BUT SHE DOESN'T FEEL SAFE DOING SO BECAUSE THE SIDEWALK IS BOTH NARROW AND CLOSE TO THE ROAD.

>> ALL THE TIMES THAT I WOULD WALK WITH MY KIDS IN THEIR STROLLER OR THEIR WAGON OR WHATEVER.

THEM WANTING TO WALK TO THEIR FRIEND'S HOUSE AND HOW NERVE RACKING IT WAS OR I ALSO WILL RIDE TO CAMPUS ON MY BIKE SOMETIMES AND RIDING ON THE STREET IS -- ESPECIALLY IN SOME PARTS A LITTLE SCARY.

>> WARREN HAS LIVED ON HIGH STREET IN OVER 20 YEARS AND THINKS THE CURRENT SIDEWALK IS TOO NARROW AND NOT ACCESSIBLE.

SHE'S OKAY WITH THE CITY TAKING HER LAND TO BUILD A MULTI USE PATH TO MAKE IT SAFER TO TRAVEL.

>> I WILL FEEL SO MUCH SAFER AND FEEL SAFER FOR ALL OF THE KIDS WALKING TO SCHOOL ALONG THAT PATH EACH MORNING.

>> THE WILL WITHIN STALL ALONG THE CEIVED SIDE OF HIGH FROM HUNTER TOARDEN DRIVE.

IT WILL CONNECT THE PATH FURTHER SOUTH ON HIGH.

>> THE PRIMARY NEED WAS SAFETY AND MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE CORRIDOR WITH THE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENTS BEING FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE WALKING AND BIKING IN THE AREA.

THERE'S ALSO A NEED BASED ON MAINTENANCE NEEDS IN THE AREA, TWO TRAFFIC SIGNALS ARE VERY OLD AND STARTING TO NOT WORK AS THEY ARE INTENDED ANYMORE.

>> THE CURRENT SIDEWALK IS ABOUT 5 FEET WIDE AND ALSO DOESN'T HAVE A GRASS BUFFER BETWEEN IT AND THE STREETS.

THE NEW PATH WILL BE 10-FEET WIDE WITH A 5 TO 6-FOOT WIDE GRASS BUFFER BETWEEN IT AND THE STREET.

TO GET THE EXTRA SPACE THE CITY WENT THROUGH A RIGHT-OF-WAY PROCESS.

WE GOT MIXED REACTIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT.

>> THIS IS GOING IN FRONT OF SOME PEOPLE'S HOMES WHO IT'S IN THEIR FRONT YARD.

SOME OF THOSE HOMES WERE ALREADY CLOSE TO THE STREET, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE ON THEIR PROPERTY, AND WHERE THEY WOULD PARK.

>> OTHERS LIKE WARREN SAID THEY FEEL UNSAFE TRAVELING ALONG THE STREET AND WANTED IMPROVEMENTS.

WARREN THOUGHT THE CITY PAID A FAIR PRICE FOR A SMALL PIECE OF HER LAND.

IT WAS MORE THAN SHE WAS EXPECTING.

>> IT WAS SURPRISING AND DISAPPOINTING.

AT THIS POINT, IF THAT'S WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS A BETTER COMMUNITY AND RESOURCE AND TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE AND WALK AND BIKE AND KID AND ANIMAL FRIENDLY, THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD DO.

>> THE NEW PATH WILL BE CLOSE TO TWO TREES WARREN HAS PLANTED WHICH SHE HOPES TO KEEP EVEN THOUGH PART OF THE LAND INCLUDES HER DRIVEWAY AND SOME OF HER FRONT YARD.

>> WE ARE LUCKY BECAUSE WE HAVE LIKE A LONG LOOPING DRIVEWAY THAT HAS ANOTHER ENTRANCE AS WELL, CONNECTS TO THE SIDE STREET.

IT'S NOT -- I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DISRUPTIVE TO THE WAY WE NORMALLY USE THIS SPACE.

FOR SURE, THE SIDEWALK IS GOING TO BE CLOSER TO OUR FRONT PORCH.

SO SUNDAY MORNING, WHEN I'M DRINKING MY COFFEE, MIGHT BE A FEW MORE HELLOS.

>> SOME RESIDENTS WHO CHOSE NOT TO BE ON CAMERA ARE UPSET ABOUT THEIR LOSS OF THEIR DRIVEWAYS AND PARKING AVAILABILITY.

ANOTHER RESIDENT THINKS THE CITY SHOULD MAKE BE A 3rd DRIVING LANE.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M ISABELLA VESPERINI.

>> CONSTRUCTION OF THE PATH, WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $4 MILLION, SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

>>> THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM WENT BACK TO WORK THIS WEEK.

THE HOOSIERS ENTER THE 2026 SEASON AS THE DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.

AND AS ELIAS REPORTS, THEY'LL HAVE A COUPLE OF UNEXPECTED WEAPONS ON DIFFERENCE.

>> THANKS TO A DISTRICT COURT RULING IN COLORADO, STEVEN DAILY WILL GET AN EXTRA YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY WITH THE HOOSIERS, HE MISSED LAST YEAR'S PLAYOFF RUN WITH AN INJURY, BUT HE WAS AT PRACTICE WEDNESDAY.

AND HEAD COACH SAID HE'S PROGRESSING WELL.

>> STEVEN WOULD HAVE BEEN CLEARED FOR CAMP.

HE'S IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

WE'LL HAVE A PLAN FOR HIS RETURN TO PLAY.

>> THE HOOSIERS ANNOUNCED LAST NIGHT ANOTHER DEFENSIVE LINEMAN, WYATT WAS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE RULING AND ALSO RETURNING THIS YEAR.

THEY'LL PROVIDE DEPTH TO A DEFENSIVE LINE EXPECTED TO BE AMONG THE NATION'S BEST AGAIN.

IU'S RECEIVERS WERE ALSO AMONG THE BEST BUT LOST THREW PASS CATCHERS.

CHARLIE BECKER SAID IT'S STRANGE TO ADAPT TO A LEADERSHIP ROLE WITH THE WIDE RECEIVER ROOM THAT LOOKS SO DIFFERENT.

>> I TELL YOU WHAT, IT'S WEIRD, I FEEL LIKE YESTERDAY I WAS SITTING THERE WE ELIJAH AND COOP AND ALL THESE GUYS THAT WERE TEACHING ME HOW TO BECOME A LEADER AND JUST KIND OF -- BITS AND PIECES FROM EACH ONE OF THEM.

>> THE INDIANA OFFENSE WILL TROT OUT SEVERAL NEW FACES THIS SEASON INCLUDING AT QUARTERBACK WHERE TCU TRANSFER JOSH HOOVER TAKES OVER.

>> JOSH REALLY WANTS TO SEE ALL OF US SUCCEED AND WANTS TO BUILD CONNECTIONS WITH ALL OF US, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN.

IT'S A TESTAMENT TO HOW MUCH OF A HARD WORKER JOSH IS.

>> WE BEGIN OUR NATIONAL TITLE DEFENSE AT HOME SEPTEMBER 5 AGAINST NORTH TEXAS.

>> WE ARE JOINED NOW BY ELIAS WHO HAS BEEN REPORTING ON IU FOOTBALL FOR US.

WHAT WAS THE COURT RULING, AND WHAT IMPACT DO YOU EXPECT THAT TO HAVE?

>> WELL, TO FIRST UNDERSTAND THE COURT RULING FROM A DISTRICT COURT IN COLORADO, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE LEGISLATURE JUST PASSED BY THE NCAA RECENTLY.

IT'S BEEN REFERRED TO AS THE FIVE FOR FIVE RULE, WHICH IS INTENDED TO ESSENTIALLY ELIMINATE THE RED SHIRT YEAR IN COLLEGE SPORTS.

IT ALLOWS OR DICTATES THAT COLLEGE ATHLETES SHOULD HAVE FIVE SEASONS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPORT, THAT CAN ONLY BE CONTAINED IN A FIVE YEAR PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY.

SO A COLORADO DISTRICT COURT JUDGE GRANTED AN INJUNCTION AGAINST THE NCAA SAYING THAT SPECIFICALLY PLAYERS FROM THE 2022 FRESHMAN CLASS SHOULD NOW HAVE THIS EXTRA YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY AND SO A COUPLE OF IU ADDITIONS, WYATT AND DAILY, BOTH WERE GRANTED THAT SAME INJUNCTION BY AN INDIANA DISTRICT COURT JUDGE THIS WEEK AND HAVE REJOINED THE INDIANA HOOSIERS.

>> WELL, THE HOOSIERS HAVE BEEN RANKED 6th IN PRESEASON POLL.

WHAT WERE YOU EXPECTING?

>> I WOULD SAY I WAS EXPECTING SOMEWHERE ALONG THAT LINE, BUT IT'S DISAPPOINTING THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO EXPECT THAT.

PEOPLE JUST CONTINUE TO DOUBT THESE INDIANA HOOSIERS.

YOU CAN SAY WHATEVER YOU LIKE ABOUT THE TEAM GOT WORSE, THEY LOST ALL-AMERICANS.

THEY LOST FERNANDO MENDOZA.

BUT WHAT YOU CAN'T WARRING IS THE STAFF, AND THEIR ABILITY TO CREATE THESE PLAYERS.

NOBODY AT THIS TIME WAS SAYING THAT FERNANDO MENDOZA WAS GOING TO WIN THE HEISMAN.

NOBODY WAS SAYING THEY WOULD HAVE TWO FIRST ROUND PICKS.

NOBODY SAID ANY OF THE THINGS ABOUT THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM THAT ENDED UP COMING TRUE.

AND SO IT'S FINE TO RANK THE ROSTERS 6th NOW, BUT THEY SHOULD LEAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ROOM TO BE CORRECTED BY THE HOOSIERS WHEN THEY TAKE THE FIELD IN SEPTEMBER.

>> THERE WILL BE A LOT OF NEW FACES ON OFFENSE, AND JUST A COUPLE OF SENTENCES, WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT WILL MEAN FOR THE TEAM?

>> I THINK IT WILL MEAN AESTHETICALLY, THE TEAM LOOKS DIFFERENT.

HOOVER IS SHORTER THAN MENDOZA, HAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT SKILL SET.

SOME PEOPLE MAY SAY HE HAS A STRONGER ARM.

BUT THE COACH AND HIS COORDINATORS WILL HAVE THAT TEAM PLAY LIKE THE WELL-OILED TEAM WE HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND IU IU FOOTBALL TO PLAY LIKE.

>> OUR WORK CONTINUES ON LINE AS WE CONTINUE THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WT IUUS NOW.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

S INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY...