>>> A NEW LAW EXPANDS WHAT KIND OF FOOD PRODUCTS HOMESTEADERS AND SMALL FARMERS ARE ABLE TO SELL TO CONSUMERS.

>>> PARENTS ARE ADVOCATING FOR RESTORATION OF AN MCCSC PROGRAM THEY SAY WAS CHANGED WITHOUT ANY NOTIFICATION FROM THE CORPORATION.

>>> AND WE'LL TALK WITH THE SPORTS REPORTER ABOUT I.U.

FOOTBALL'S UPCOMING SEASON DEFENDING THEIR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

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.

AS IMMIGRATION OFFICERS MADE SWEEPS ACROSS INDIANAPOLIS TUESDAY MORNING, AGENTS ARRESTED TWO BLOOMINGTON MEN ORIGINALLY FROM VENEZUELA.

BOTH HAD ASYLUM CLAIMS AND WORK PERMITS.

WITNESSES SAW AGENTS PLACED THE TWO MEN IN A BLACK SUV TUESDAY MORNING.

ORTIZ'S GIRLFRIEND SAYS SHE SPENT ALL DAY WITH HIS MOTHER AND SISTER TRYING TO FIND HIM.

THAT AFTERNOON, HE CALLED FROM A JAIL IN CHICAGO.

>> WHEN I GOT ON THE PHONE, LIKE, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

LIKE, OTHER THAN ASK HIM IF HE WAS OKAY.

TELL HIM I LOVE HIM AND I JUST FROZE.

>> ORTIZ CURRENTLY DOESN'T APPEAR IN THE I.C.E.

ONLINE DETAINEE TRACKER AND HIS FAMILY SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS.

GOMEZ IS CURRENTLY JAILED AT NORTH LAKE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN MICHIGAN.

>>> FOR YEARS, INDIANA HAS LIMITED WHAT SMALL FARMS AND HOMESTEADERS CAN SELL DIRECTLY TO CUSTOMERS.

A NEW LAW THIS SUMMER EXPANDS THOSE OPTIONS.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH VISITED ONE INDIANA HOMESTEADER WHO IS ALREADY SEEING THE DIFFERENCE.

>> AT BLACK SHEEP FARMS IN MICHIGAN TOWN, ERICA SMITH HAS A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING, VEGETABLES FROM THE GARDEN, FRESH BREAD, FLOWERS, HANDMADE SOAPS AND NOW THE PICKLES PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING ABOUT FOR YEARS.

>> LEGALLY, I COULDN'T SELL THEM BEFORE.

I WOULD BE LIKE, DO YOU SELL THOSE PICKLES.

I SAID I WILL GIFT THEM TO YOU.

>> AND NOW THEY ARE SELLING OUT.

THE CHANGE COMES FROM HOUSE ENROLLED ACT 1424 WHICH TOOK EFFECT JULY 1st.

IT CREATES TWO NEW CATEGORIES OF FOOD SELLERS IN INDIANA, HOMESTEAD VENDORS AND SMALL FARM OPERATORS, THE LAW ALLOWS THEM TO SELL DIRECTLY TO CONSUMERS AT THEIR PROPERTY OR AT FARMERS' MARKETS.

THAT INCLUDES MEAT PRODUCTS, PREPARED FOODS AND BAKED GOODS, CANDIES, AND FRUIT SPREADS, BUT SMITH DIDN'T JUST WAIT FOR THE LAWMAKERS TO MAKE THE RULES.

SHE WENT TO THE STATEHOUSE AFTER HEARING IN A FACEBOOK GROUP ABOUT THE PROPOSED LAW.

>> I SAW THEY HAD A POST THAT A BIG GROUP WAS GOING DOWN TO THE STATEHOUSE THIS WINTER TO TRY TO GET THIS BILL PASSED.

I STARTED LOOKING MORE INTO IT.

I WAS LIKE, OH, THAT WILL REALLY HELP ME.

>> SMITH SAYS SHE AND OTHER HOMESTEADERS MET WITH LEGISLATORS TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY WERE ALREADY PRODUCING AND WHAT THEY WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SELL.

>> BASICALLY WE SET DOWN, WE TOLD THEM WHAT WE DO, WHAT WE SELL, WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO AND HOW THEY COULD HELP US MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

A LOT OF THEM SAID, YOU CAN'T ALREADY DO THAT NOW?

THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO US.

WHY WOULDN'T YOU BE ALLOWED TO SELL THE THINGS YOU MAKE AT HOME ON YOUR STAND?

>> THE NEW LAW REMOVES SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN EVERY FOOD MADE ON THE FARM OR IN A HOME CAN BE SOLD WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS.

INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY HOMESTEAD VENDORS STILL MUST FOLLOW APPLICABLE FEDERAL RULES.

>> ONE THING THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM HOMESTEADS AND SMALL FARMS COMPARED TO A HOME-BASED VENDOR, HOMESTEAD VENDORS DON'T HAVE ADDITIONAL REGULATION OTHER THAN THIS BILL IN FEDERAL LAWS UP UNTIL THEY MAKE $1.5 MILLION IN GROSS INCOME.

>> THERE ARE ALSO LABELING REQUIREMENTS, PACKAGED FOODS MUST NAME THE PRODUCT AND LIST THE PRODUCER'S NAME AND ADDRESS, INGREDIENTS AND POTENTIAL ALLERGENS AND THE LABEL MUST TELL CUSTOMERS THAT IT WAS PRODUCED BY A VENDOR EXEMPT FROM GOVERNMENT LICENSING AND INSPECTION.

HOMESTEAD VENDORS CAN'T SHIP FOOD OUTSIDE OF INDIANA.

FOR SMITH, THE CHANGES MEAN SHE CAN SPEND MORE TIME BUILDING THE BUSINESS.

>> IT'S ALLOWED ME TO KIND OF FOCUS MORE ON THIS FULL-TIME AND THEN MAYBE DO SOME OTHER SIDE JOBS IN THE WINTER AND THE FALL.

IT'S JUST REALLY ALLOWED ME TO EXPAND WHAT I'M OFFERING, THE PEOPLE I'M MEETING THAT COME TO THE STAND.

>> THE SUPPORTERS SAY THE POINT IS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR VERY SMALL PRODUCERS TO TURN WHAT THEY ARE ALREADY DOING AT HOME OR ON A FARM INTO A BUSINESS.

BUT INDIANA FARM BUREAU SAYS SOME QUESTIONS REMAIN.

THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED THE LEGISLATION AND WORKED WITH ITS AUTHOR, BUT SAYS PARTS OF THE NEW LAW AREN'T AS CLEAR AS THEY COULD.

>> AS THIS HAS BEEN ROLLED OUT IMPLEMENTATION-WISE, WE LEARNED THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS IN STATUTE THAT ARE NOT AS CLEAR.

SO WE MIGHT HAVE SOME CLARITY COME.

>> FARM BUREAU MAY PUSH THE LAWMAKERS TO CLARIFY THE LAW NEXT SESSION, INCLUDING HOW IT FITS INTO THE HOME-BASED VENDOR LAW.

BUT SHE SAYS THE BALANCE BETWEEN OPPORTUNITY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT.

>> I THINK THE BILL DOES A PRETTY DECENT JOB BECAUSE THIS IS ALLOWING FOLKS TO SELL THINGS FROM THEIR HOME BUT THERE'S -- IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT CROPS FROM AN OUTBREAK OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THE STATE AND THE LOCALS DO HAVE AUTHORITY TO GO IN.

>> SMITH SAYS SHE'S COMFORTABLE WITH THAT BALANCE.

SHE ALSO DOESN'T SEE THE LAW AS A FREE PASS.

>> I THINK PEOPLE MIGHT MISCONSTRUE THAT IT'S JUST KIND OF LIKE A FREE-FOR-ALL, YOU CAN LITERALLY SELL ANYTHING.

WHICH IT'S NOT.

THERE ARE SOME REGULATIONS THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW, HAPPY TO DO SO.

>> THERE'S STILL FOOD SMITH WANTS TO SELL THAT ARE NOT COVERED SUCH AS HOME MADE SALSA AND CANNED GREEN BEANS.

SHE HOPES IT CAN BECOME MORE THAN A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE BUY FOOD.

SHE WOULD LIKE THEM TO LEARN HOW STUFF IS GROWN.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO USE IT AS A TEACHING TOOL.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE KIDS COME OUT ON FIELD TRIPS AND COME WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

WE CAN TEACH THEM HOW TO GROW FOOD.

>> FOR SMITH, THAT'S THE BIGGER PROMISE OF THE NEW LAW, GIVING SMALL FARMS ANOTHER WAY TO STAY IN BUSINESS AND CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE FOOD THEY'RE GROWING.

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

>>> PARENTS WITH KIDS IN TEMPLETON MULTIAGE PROGRAM ARE UNHAPPY WITH CHANGES MADE WITHOUT NOTIFYING THEM.

ISABELLA VESPERINI SPOKE WITH PARENTS TO LEARN MORE.

>> THIS MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION COMMISSION HAS KIDS FROM VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS LEARNING AND COLLABORATING IN THE SAME CLASSROOM.

AT THE JULY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS URGED THE PRESERVATION OF THE MULTIAGE PROGRAM AT TEMPLETON.

>> IT WOULD BE TRAGIC TO LET THIS PROGRAM LAPSE IN THE WAY THAT IT HAS BEEN FOR THE PAST YEAR.

>> VARIOUS PARENTS SAID THE CORPORATION DIDN'T NOTIFY THEM ABOUT PROGRAM CHANGES UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> WE ONLY FOUND OUT BECAUSE CHILDREN WERE COMING HOME AND TELLING US AND BEING REALLY UPSET THAT -- ABOUT ALL THAT THEY HAD LOST FROM ONE ACADEMIC YEAR TO THE NEXT.

>> CHANGES INCLUDED THE ELIMINATION OF SHARED LUNCH AND RECESS, AS WELL AS A WEEKLY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM IN WHICH KIDS WOULD LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT TOPICS.

SHARED MORNING MEETINGS WITH ALL THE STUDENTS IN GRADES K-6 WERE DROPPED.

AND THE STUDENTS WEREN'T LEARNING THE SAME SUBJECTS AT THE SAME TIME OF DAY AS IN THE PAST.

>> HE HAS THESE MODELS FROM HIS YOUNGER -- IT'S EARLIER GRADES AND HE WAS VERY EAGER AND EXCITED TO MODEL THAT FOR THE OTHER KIDS IN THE PROGRAM.

>> AND SO TO -- FOR HIM, HE WAS GROUPED INTO A FIVE -- A GROUP OF FIVE-SIX, FIFTH GRADE AND SIXTH GRADE, AND SO HE MISSED OUT ON THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> IN MAY, THE ADMINISTRATION MET WITH PARENTS TO HEAR THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE CHANGES.

ACCORDING TO THE CORPORATION, THE MULTIAGED PROGRAM PREDATES VARIOUS LEGISLATIVE AND CURRICULA REQUIREMENTS THAT NOW APPLY TO ALL INDIANA SCHOOLS.

THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT LED TO THE PROGRAM CHANGES, INCLUDING FEWER OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION AMONG THE DIFFERENT GRADES.

PARENTS ARE CONCERNED PARTS OF THE PROGRAM THAT HAVE BENEFITED THEIR CHILDREN ARE STILL AT STAKE.

>> YOU HAVE THESE MULTIYEAR COMMITMENTS BETWEEN THE TEACHER AND THE STUDENT THAT CAN BE REALLY GOOD FOR EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ALLOW IT SO THAT BOTH THE TEACHERS STAY ENGAGED AND STAY MOTIVATED TO HELP THESE STUDENTS.

>> WHILE REMNANTS OF THE PROGRAM SEEM TO BE RETURNING, PARENTS THINK THE CORPORATION SHOULD MORE WIDELY PUBLICIZE THE PROGRAM, WHICH THEY THINK WOULD HELP RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

>> THE FACT THAT MCCSC ISN'T REALLY TOUTING THIS AS A PROGRESSIVE EDUCATIONAL MODEL IN THE FACE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND OTHER KINDS OF PRIVATE SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES, IS -- IS KIND OF BEYOND ME WHEN PUBLIC EDUCATION IS UNDER THE KIND OF ATTACK THAT IT IS.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE MADE DELIBERATE CHOICES EVERY YEAR TO SEND OUR SON TO TEMPLETON.

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

>>> THE CORPORATION SAYS THERE ARE NO PLANS TO ELIMINATE THE MULTIAGE PROGRAM'S CORE COMPONENTS.

>>> WELL, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY ELYSE PERRY FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

>> HELLO, ELYSE.

>> HI, JOE.

AREA 10 RURAL TRANSIT SAYS THE FINAL DAY PROVIDING TRIPS BETWEEN ELLETTSVILLE AND BLOOMINGTON WILL BE DECEMBER 31st.

THE AGENCY SAYS THE DECISION IS BECAUSE FEDERAL AND STATE RURAL TRANSIT FUNDING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND NOT RELATED TO RIDERSHIP OR PERFORMANCE.

ELLETTSVILLE IS NOW CONSIDERED PART OF THE BLOOMINGTON URBANIZED AREA, MEANING TRIPS BETWEEN THE TWO COMMUNITIES TO LONGER QUALIFY FOR THE FEDERAL RURAL TRANSIT FUNDING AREA TEN PREVIOUSLY USED.

THE AGENCY SAYS IT WILL WORK WITH RIDERS TO IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION.

>>> THE NONPROFIT POVERTY RELIEF ORGANIZATION BEACON WILL START CONSTRUCTION ON ITS HOUSING PROJECT IN DECEMBER.

THE NEW BEACON CENTER ON WEST THIRD STREET WILL PROVIDE LONG-TERM HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

>> SO TO SEE HUMAN PROGRESS, TO SEE THE POSSIBILITY OF HOPE OF SOMETHING BETTER IN THEIR LIVES, IT WILL ABSOLUTELY SERVE AS AN INSPIRATION TO PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING.

>> PHASE ONE WILL CREATE 20 PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING APARTMENTS FOR CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND TWO WORK EXCHANGE APARTMENTS.

THE START OF PHASE TWO OF THE PROJECT, A DAYTIME SHELTER AND AN EMERGENCY OVERNIGHT SHELTER WILL DEPEND ON HOW QUICKLY FUNDS CAN BE RAISED.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S LUDDY SCHOOL IS PART OF A PROJECT THAT WILL DIGITALIZE SELECTED REVOLUTIONARY WAR ARTIFACTS IN 3D.

>> NOT THE WAR EVENT THAT HAS BEEN VERY WELL DOCUMENTED BUT THANKS TO THE EVERYDAY OBJECT, UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON AMONG THE NORMAL PEOPLE, THE EVERYDAY PEOPLE.

>> LUDDY IS WORKING WITH FLYOVER ZONE, A BLOOMINGTON-BASED ED TECH COMPANY TO DIGITIZE ABOUT 250 ARTIFACTS.

>>> INDIANA REGULATORS ARE REOPENING AN A.E.S.

INDIANA RATE CASE AFTER A REQUEST FROM CONSUMER ADVOCACY GROUPS CITIZEN ACTION COALITION.

THE COALITION ASKED REGULATORS TO RECONSIDER THE $71 MILLION RATE INCREASE DUE TO GOOGLE'S PLANNED DATA CENTER IN MONROVIA AND THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF A.E.S.

BY BLACK ROCK.

GOOGLE'S ARRIVAL COULD SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE A.E.S.

'S COSTS AND REVENUES.

>> IF WE'RE SUCCESSFUL ON THIS REHEARING AND RECONSIDERATION PART OF THE CASE, IT COULD MEAN THAT A.E.S.

IS NOT ALLOWED TO INCREASE ITS RATES OR IT COULD MEAN THAT A.E.S.

'S RATE INCREASE IS SMALLER THAN WHAT THE COMMISSION IT PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.

>> A.E.S.

INDIANA SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THEY ARE COMMITTED TO BEING OPEN AND TRANSPARENT THROUGH THE PROCEEDINGS.

>>> A BLOOMINGTON MAN APPEARED TO BE THE FIRST PERSON JAILED FOR VIOLATING INDIANA'S NEW STREET CAMPING BAN.

JESSE SHAW WAS BOOKED SUNDAY AFTER RECEIVING A WARNING JULY 9th FOR SLEEPING NEAR WHEELER MISSION.

THE 41-YEAR-OLD WAS OFFERED HELP ACCESSING TREATMENT AND SHELTER RESOURCES BUT DECLINED.

POLICE SAY HE WAS FOUND IN THE SAME GENERAL LOCATION JULY 28th AND AUGUST 7th.

>>> MOTORISTS ARE TAKING TO SOCIAL MEDIA UPSET OVER THE AMOUNT OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION DURING THE START OF THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL SEASON.

AS WTIU'S JOE HREN REPORTS, BLOOMINGTON CITY LEADERS SAY THEY CAN ONLY AVOID SO MANY HIGH-TRAFFIC WEEKS.

>> AS THE CITY FILLS BACK ONE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND VISITORS, SOME WONDER WHY THERE'S STILL SO MUCH ROAD CONSTRUCTION DOWNTOWN.

BLOOMINGTON MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SAYS IT'S BECAUSE THERE'S NO PERFECT TIME TO DO IT.

>> WE DON'T LIKE IT TO HAPPEN WHEN THERE'S ANY FOOTBALL HAPPENING.

WE DON'T LIKE IT TO HAPPEN WHEN LOTUS IS HAPPENING, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

SO THE ASPHALT PLANTS ARE OPEN ONLY A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MONTHS.

>> THOMSON SAYS WORKERS HAVE FILLED MORE THAN 8200 POTHOLES THIS YEAR.

SHE ALSO SAYS THE CITY NEEDS TO HAVE ROAD GRANT MONEY BEFORE IT CAN START PROJECTS.

SO THE TIMING FOR CONSTRUCTION ENDS UP BEING LATE SUMMER.

>> WE'RE SORRY FOR THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION BUT ALSO YOU'RE WELCOME.

WE ARE IMPROVING THE WAY -- THE GRADE OF OUR STREETS, LITTLE BY LITTLE EVERY SINGLE YEAR IN MY ADMINISTRATION.

>> COLLEGE AVENUE DID OPEN IN TIME FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THIRD STREET IN FRONT OF THE CONVENTION CENTER IS SCHEDULED TO REOPEN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK" I'M JOE HREN.

>>> INDIANA DRIVERS WILL CONTINUE TO SEE SOME RELIEF AT THE GLASS PUMP THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN IS EXTENDING THE EXCISE TAX FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS.

BRAUN IS ABLE TO EXTEND THE SUSPENSION AFTER DECLARING AN ENERGY EMERGENCY IN EARLY AUGUST.

AND, JOE THIS LATEST SUSPENSION WILL LAST UNTIL OCTOBER 6th.

>> OKAY.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS THEN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, ELYSE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE IMPACTS OF CUTS AND ELIGIBILITY CHANGES TO SNAP AND MEDICAID ON LOCAL FAMILIES FACING FOOD INSECURITY.

AND WE PREVIEW I.U.

FOOTBALL'S UPCOMING SEASON, DEFENDING THEIR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

INDIANA'S SNAP PARTICIPATION RATE DECLINED BY 92,000 PEOPLE FROM JANUARY 2025 TO APRIL 2026 DUE TO GOVERNMENT CUTS.

IN A RECENT NOON EDITION PROGRAM ON WFIU, WE SPOKE WITH FOOD INSECURITY EXPERTS ON HOW CHANGES TO SNAP AND MEDICAID ARE AFFECTING LOCAL INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH FOOD INSECURITY.

HERE'S WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> IT'S -- IT'S A CHALLENGING TIME, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, IT -- YOU KNOW, 21 YEARS OR SO AT THE FOOD BANK, TIME AT THE KITCHEN BEFORE THAT ARE, YOU KEEP KIND OF WAITING FOR WHEN IS IT GONNA GO DOWN?

WHEN IS IT GONNA EASE UP?

AND IT HASN'T REALLY HAPPENED UNFORTUNATELY.

THINGS ARE CYCLICAL, THINGS HAPPEN THAT CHANGE THINGS.

COVID WAS A HUGE IMPACT, AND THAT WAS PROBABLY THE WORST TIME.

BUT RIGHT NOW IT IS STARTING TO EQUAL THAT, TO BE -- TO BE HONEST.

I'M NOT REALLY THAT FOND OF THE TERM, BUT PERFECT STORM KIND OF DESCRIBES IT.

WE'RE SEEING SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN NEED AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE'RE SEEING SIGNIFICANT DROPS IN SUPPORT FROM PUBLIC SOURCES, IN PARTICULAR.

WE, AT THE FOOD BANK, ARE PARTNER AGENCIES AND WE WORK WITH ABOUT 80 OF THEM IN SIX COUNTIES, OUR FOOD PANTRIES SUBMITTED THEIR QUARTERLY STATISTICS AND FROM QUARTER ONE TO QUARTER TWO OF THIS YEAR, THEY'VE REPORTED SERVING 11% MORE HOUSEHOLDS.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF HOOSIERS HAVE LOST SNAP BENEFITS DUE TO THE CUTS ENACTED.

ERIN PROBABLY AS BETTER NUMBERS THAN I DO, BUT THAT'S, I THINK, APPROACHING 70,000 HOOSIERS, SINCE JULY OF LAST YEAR HAVE GONE OFFER SNAP.

SO PEOPLE ARE LOSING SUPPORT.

FOOD BANKS AND THAT AGENCIES THAT RELY ON FEDERAL, THE TFAP IS DOWN 125,000 POUNDS THIS YEAR.

AT THE SAME TIME THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE NEEDING TO ACCESS THE -- THE SERVICES BECAUSE THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO PAY FOR GROCERIES.

>> ARE YOU SEEING SIMILAR KINDS OF THINGS.

>> YEAH, I MEAN THINGS ARE DEFINITELY RAMPING UP.

WE JUST COMPLETED OUR SUMMER FEED SERVICE PROGRAM, WHICH IS JUST FOR KIDS TO USDA SPONSORED PROGRAM.

AND SO WE GET SOME SUPPORT THROUGH THE USDA FOR THAT, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF RULES AND REGULATIONS, BUT THE BIGGEST THING THAT STICKS OUT IS IT WAS UP ABOUT 20% OVER LAST YEAR OF THE KIDS IN NEIGHBORHOODS, LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE SERVED.

MEANWHILE, THE COSTS, BECAUSE MAJORITY OF THAT FOOD, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO PURCHASE TO PROVIDE THOSE MEALS, KIND OF FALLS UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF SCHOOL -- THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS.

SO SIMILAR IN THAT WAY.

BUT THOSE COSTS HAVE INCREASED TOO.

SO, I MEAN, THINGS ARE DEFINITELY RAMPING UP.

YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, YEAR-TO-DATE, WE'RE UP AS WELL, JUST ALL OF YOUR PROGRAMS OVERALL, BUT FORTUNATELY, WE GET A LOT OF DONATIONS.

WE WORK WITH THE FOOD BANK TO GET A LOT OF FOOD, BUT IT'S STILL, YOU KNOW, DIRECTLY AFFECTS US.

ANYTHING THAT DIRECTLY AFFECTED THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE.

SO -- >> ERIN, SIMILAR QUESTION.

>> I MEAN, I WOULD CERTAINLY ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HERE HAVE SAID.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING LISTENING SESSIONS WITH FAMILIES AND JUST CONDUCTED STATEWIDE COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS.

AND I THINK WHAT IS ESPECIALLY FRUSTRATING ABOUT THIS MOMENT THAT WE'RE IN, AS OPPOSED TO COVID, IS A LOT OF THIS IS SELF-INFLECTED.

WE KNOW WE'RE IN AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS, AND POLICYMAKERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, AND YET WE'RE TAKING A SLEDGE HAMMER TO OUR SAFETY NETS AND OUR SAFETY NET PROGRAMS.

AND SO WE ARE SEEING PEOPLE LOSE ACCESS TO BENEFITS AT A TIME WHEN THEIR UTILITY BILLS ARE RISING AND THEY'RE AFRAID OF DISCONNECTS.

WHEN -- YOU KNOW, IN ONE OF OUR LISTENING SESSIONS, WE TALKED TO A MOM IN A RURAL PART OF INDIANA, SHE HAD $10 IN HER GAS BUDGET TO TRY TO GET TO SEE HER BABY IN THE NICU AND SHE WAS TRYING TO DO THE MATH OF WHETHER OR NOT SHE COULD MAKE THAT WORK.

AND TO THINK THAT WE ARE NOW AT THE SAME TIME INUNDATING PEOPLE WITH CONFUSING, CONFLICTING PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS TO GET ACCESS TO BASIC FOOD AND MEDICINE THAT THEY NEED, TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY LIVES TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES, THAT, TO ME, IS DEEPLY TROUBLING.

>> YOU CAN WATCH OR LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE OF NOON EDITION ON OUR WEBSITE, WTIUNEWS.ORG.

>>> THIS WEEKEND MARKS THE START OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S FOOTBALL SEASON AFTER WINNING THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

ELIAS CORY REPORTS ON WHAT THE TEAM IS UP AGAINST IN ITS FIRST GAME.

>> I.U.

FOOTBALL BEGINS ITS NATIONAL TITLE DEFENSE AT HOME SATURDAY AGAINST NORTH TEXAS.

THE MEAN GREEN WON 12 GAMES LAST SEASON, INCLUDING A NEW MEXICO BOWL WIN OVER SAN DIEGO STATE.

HOWEVER, NORTH TEXAS ALSO SUFFERED A ROSTER OVERHAUL, WHEN ITS ED HEAD COACH AND STARTING QUARTERBACK LEFT FOR OKLAHOMA STATE.

VARIOUS SPORTS BOOKS LIST INDIANA AS AROUND 40 POINT FAVORITES.

HEAD COACH CURT CIGNETTI SAYS THE HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE ACCOUNTS FOR SOME OF THE SUCCESS, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT 14 POINTS.

>> IT'S WORTH TWO TOUCHDOWNS, IN MY MIND, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

>> ECHOING HIS FIRST YEAR IN BLOOMINGTON, CIGNETTI SAYS THE TEAM NEEDS TO PERFORM TO KEEP THE FANS IN THE STADIUM.

>> LET'S BE LOUD AND PROUD AND LET'S GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO BE LOUD ABOUT.

>> EVERY HOME GAME THIS SEASON IS SOLD OUT.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ELIAS CORY.

>>> WELL, WE'RE JOINED NOW THE I.U.

BEAT WRITER FOR THE HERALD-TIMES.

TALK ABOUT THE UPCOMING SEASON.

WE JUST HEARD ABOUT TOMORROW'S GAME, BUT HOW DO YOU GO INTO A SEASON LIKE THIS, COMING OUT OF A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP UNDEFEATED?

HOW DO YOU MANAGE EXPECTATIONS?

>> WELL, WHEN THEY SAY PRESSURE MAKES DIAMONDS, I THINK THE COACH THAT CAME IN AND CHALLENGED OHIO STATE ON HIS FIRST DAY, ESSENTIALLY CALLING THEM OUT IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

HE WANTS A BIG-TIME COLLEGE FOOTBALL PROGRAM.

HE WILL WELCOME THE EXPECTATIONS THAT COME WITH THAT.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU CAN'T IMPROVE ON 16-0 BUT HE WANTS TO BE IN THAT CONVERSATION OF A NATIONAL TITLE EVERY YEAR AND HE WILL WELCOME THAT.

>> ARE THIS SOME NEW PLAYERS WE SHOULD LOOK FOR, TRANSFERS, AND MAYBE NEW SCHEMES?

>> SCHEMES, NO -- THE OFFENSE WILL LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT, OBVIOUSLY, FERNANDO MENDOZA, THE QUARTERBACK FROM LAST YEAR, EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT NAME.

BUT JOSH HOOVER COMES IN AT QUARTERBACK.

I THINK THAT'S THE GUY THAT EVERYONE IS CURIOUS ABOUT.

WILL HE CARRY OVER THE SUCCESS?

CIGNETTI HAS SUCCESS WITH THE TRANSFER QUARTERBACKS.

HE'S THE GUY THAT EVERYBODY WILL BE WATCHING.

WHAT ARE HIS STRENGTHS?

I THINK WE WILL DEVELOP THAT AS THE SEASON AND WE'LL LEAN INTO THOSE.

I THINK ALL EYES WILL BE ON HIM TO SEE WHAT HE DOES IN FERNANDO MENDOZA'S PLACE.

>> HOW ABOUT SOME KEY GAMES THIS SEASON.

>> WELL, THAT OHIO STATE GAME.

>> HAS TO BE.

>> IT COULD BE THE BIGGEST GAME IN MEMORIAL STADIUM IF THEY ARE BOTH UNDEFEATED AT THE MIDWAY POINT.

OHIO STATE, OBVIOUSLY, WON.

INDIANA COULD BE TWO, OR THREE AT THAT POINT.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S A BIGGER GAME ON THE SCHEDULE THAN THAT.

>> WHAT IS THE HOME EXPERIENCE GOING TO BE LIKE ON SATURDAY?

>> WELL, UNPRECEDENTED.

THE LAST SELLOUT FOR A NONCONFERENCE GAME WAS IN '21.

TO SELL OUT THE WHOLE ALLOTMENT OF HOME GAMES EIGHT HOME GAMES TO DO IT AGAINST NONCONFERENCE OPPONENTS.

I THINK THE FANS ARE RABID TO SEE THIS TEAM AND CARRY OVER THE MOMENTUM.

THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE A PART OF THIS YOU SAW THIS IN THE PLAYOFF JOURNEY AND I THINK THEY WANT TO CONTINUE THAT STOREY.

>> WELL, KICKOFF, NOON TOMORROW, NORTH TEXAS.

STAY HYDRATED IT WILL BE A WARM DAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WELL, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

♪ >>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE