>>> HOOSIERS CAN BEGIN VOTING IN THE GENERAL ELECTION NEXT WEEK BUT A BIG DECISION ON THE BALLOT ISN'T ABOUT CANDIDATES.

IT'S THE PROPOSED MERGER OF ELLETTSVILLE AND RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.

>>> BLOOMINGTON'S FIRST LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY CENTER IN MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY IS HOSTING ITS GRAND OPENING THIS WEEKEND.

>>> AND WE VISIT A FIGHT CLUB IN LA PORTE THAT RECENTLY HOSTED ITS FIRST SANCTIONED BOUTS.

THE GOAL IS TO REDUCE STREET VIOLENCE AMONG THE AREA'S YOUTH.

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.

EARLY VOTING FOR NEXT MONTH'S ELECTION STARTS TUESDAY BUT GETTING HOOSIERS TO VOTE REMAINS A CHALLENGE.

IN THE LAST GENERAL ELECTION, INDIANA RANKED 40th FOR VOTER PARTICIPATION.

ETHAN SANDWEISS LOOKS AT WHY THE STATE DOES SO POORLY IN TURNOUT AND HOW TO REACH CITIZENS WHO CONSISTENTLY DON'T TURN OUT FOR ELECTIONS.

>> I'M STANDING HERE AT KROGER ON PEOPLE'S NORTH SIDE.

THEY HAVE A LOT ON THEIR MINDS BUT VOTING IS NOT NECESSARILY TOP AMONG THEM.

>> I'M JUST NOT A POLITICAL GUY PERSON.

I MEAN, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF MY VOTE COUNTS OR NOT.

I MEAN, TO ME, IT JUST -- IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO GETS IN THERE.

>> DAVIDSON IS AMONG THE 40% OF ELIGIBLE HOOSIER VOTERS WHO DIDN'T PARTICIPATE IN THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION.

>> THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN -- I MEAN, I CAN'T CHANGE IT.

SO IT'S WHATEVER THEY SET UP, THAT'S WHAT I GOTTA DEAL WITH.

>> THIS YEAR IS A MIDTERM ELECTION.

DURING THE LAST MIDTERMS MORE THAN 60% OF INDIANA VOTERS ABSTAINED.

MORE THAN ANY STATE EXCEPT WEST VIRGINIA.

>> PART OF IT WOULD BE BEHAVIORAL AND PART OF IT IS INSTITUTIONAL, BUT INDIANA DOES HAVE VERY LOW VOTER TURNOUT.

>> THE UNITED STATES UNDERPERFORMS IN ELECTIONS COMPARED TO OTHER HIGH-INCOME COUNTRIES BUT PARTICIPATION VARIES A LOT BY STATE.

WILSON SAYS STRUCTURAL ISSUES KEEP THE VOTE LOW IN INDIANA, NO VOTING BY MAIL, REGISTRATION ENDING 29 DAYS BEFORE AN ELECTION, POLLS ONLY OPEN FROM 6 IN THE MORNING UNTIL 6:00 AT NIGHT.

>> IT DOESN'T JUST MAKE IT HARD TO VOTE, THERE'S ALSO THE QUESTION WHY VOTE.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE?

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR VOICE IS BEING HEARD?

THE ELECTIONS ARE NOT COMPETITIVE IN THE INDIANA GENERAL ELECTION.

>> VOTERS FROM CONSISTENTLY FAVORED REMEMBER REPUBLICANS.

THAT LOWERS PARTICIPATION OF VOTERS OF BOTH MAJOR PARTIES.

>> WHAT WE CALL VOTER APATHY MIGHT BE VOTERS REALIZING THAT THEY -- THEIR VOTE DOESN'T HAVE THE IMPACT IT MIGHT IN A MORE COMPETITIVE STATE.

>> THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN'S VOTERS POSTED FOR GREATER PARTICIPATION SINCE 1913.

A BIG PART OF SHAW'S WORK IS EDUCATION FOR INFORMED VOTERS AND THOSE WHO CHOOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE.

>> IT'S A WAY OF BEING HEARD AND A WAY OF CHANGING THINGS IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> SHAW SAYS THERE ARE ALSO COMPELLING REASONS WHY SOMEONE MIGHT CHOOSE NOT TO.

>> IT MAY BE THAT ACTUALLY WORKING AN EXTRA SHIFT OR MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE A JOB THAT WILL PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE OR TAKING CARE OF A SICK RELATIVE OR WHATEVER IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN DOING YOUR CIVIC DUTY.

>> REACHING DISENGAGED VOTERS IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DIFFICULT THAN CONNECTING WITH CITIZENS WHO ARE ALREADY INVOLVED.

>> CAMPAIGNS DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO SPEND MONEY ON VOTERS THAT DON'T PARTICIPATE.

THEY DON'T GET THE ATTENTION THAT THEY NEED.

>> THIS COMPANY PROVIDES OUTREACH TOOLS FOR CAMPAIGNS TO REACH OUT TO VOTERS.

THEY MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS ON HOW TO ALLOCATE LIMITED RESOURCES FOR CANVASSING.

THAT OFTEN LEAVES RISKIER VOTERS BEHIND.

>> YOU HAVE YOUR VOTER PROPENSITY SCORE WHICH DIFFERENT MODELS CALCULATE THAT DIFFERENTLY, BUT IT'S ALL GOING TO BE DEPENDENT ON HOW LIKELY THAT PERSON IS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION.

SO A LOT OF CAMPAIGNS ARE ONLY TARGETING 70 OR 80% AND ABOVE.

>> COMPANIES LIKE FULL PACK ARE EXPERIMENTING WITH OTHER TYPES OF DATABASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL'S PRIORITIES, WHICH IT'S SUPPORT FOR POLICE FUNDING OR CONCERN OVER GAS PRICES.

>> IT'S A DIFFICULT PROCESS AND THAT'S WHY THESE CAMPAIGNS DON'T DO IT AND THEY FOCUS ON THE VOTERS THAT DO SHOW UP, BECAUSE IT'S AN EASIER SELL AND THEY CAN VOTE AND SUPPORT.

IT'S ALL ABOUT LAYERED MESSAGING AND CREATING THAT MESSAGE THAT RESONATES WITH EACH VOTER.

>> ALTHOUGH INDIANA WILL LIKELY ONCE AGAIN TRAIL HIGH PARTICIPATION STATES SUCH AS MAINE AND OREGON, THERE'S REASON TO BELIEVE TURNOUT HERE WILL BE HIGHER THAN 2022.

ALTHOUGH HE'S NOT UP FOR REELECTION, POLLSTERS SAY THIS YEAR, THEY SEE THIS YEAR A REFERENDUM ON PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

THE FIRST HIGHLY IMPACTFUL YEARS OF SECOND TERM WILL LIKELY INSPIRE MORE VOTERS, SOME WITH EXCITEMENT, OTHERS WITH RAGE.

>> THIS DOES FEEL LIKE AN ELECTION WHERE PEOPLE ARE VERY ENGAGED, PEOPLE ARE PAYING A LOT OF ATTENTION.

THAT'S WHERE I THINK IT WILL PUCK THE TREND OF TYPICALLY LOW VOTER TURNOUT IN INDIANA, I SUSPECT THAT 2026 WILL BE AN EXCEPTION TO THAT RULE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> MONDAY IS THE FINAL DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THIS FALL ELECTION.

EARLY VOTING BEGINS ON TUESDAY.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS AT VOTERSINDIANA.IN.GOV.

AND ONE OF THE LOCAL BALLOTS IS NORTHWEST, THEY WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO REORGANIZE INTO A SINGLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

THE PROPOSAL WILL CHANGE WHO PROVIDES SOME SERVICES, WHO CONTROLS PLANNING AND ZONING AND WHAT RESIDENTS PAY IN PROPERTY TAXES.

OUR CLAYTON BAUMGARTH EXPLAINS WHAT VOTERS ARE BEING ASKED TO DECIDE.

>>> WHAT AM I GETTING FOR MY 6.9% TAX INCREASE.

>> THAT'S ONE THE QUESTIONS RESIDENTS BROUGHT TO A PUBLIC FORUM ON THE PROPOSAL THIS WEEK.

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP RESIDENT ELLEN KRAMER WAS LOOKING FOR INFORMATION.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW THE TRUTH.

>> HERE'S WHAT VOTERS ARE DECIDING IN NOVEMBER.

IF THE REFERENDUM PASSES RICHLAND TOWNSHIP WOULD CONSOLIDATE INTO THE TOWN OF ELLETTSVILLE.

THE TOWNSHIP WOULD DISAPPEAR AND ELLETTSVILLE WILL EXPAND TO THE ENTIRE 35-MILE TOWNSHIP.

BUT IT WOULDN'T BECOME URBAN ELLETTSVILLE, IT ALLOWS TAXES AND SOME SERVICES TO REMAIN DIFFERENT.

OFFICIALS SAY THE INTENT WAS TO GIVE RICHLAND RESIDENTS MORE CONTROL OVER DECISIONS CURRENTLY MADE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.

>> EVERYTHING ELSE, THE TAX RATES, PLANNING AND ZONING, ALL OF THAT IS CONTROLLED BY THE COUNTY.

THE COUNTY HAS TAKEN A VERY ANTIGROWTH AND ANTI-PROPERTY RIGHTS POSITION FROM A LOT OF RICHLAND TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS.

>> PLANNING AND ZONING IN RURAL RICHLAND WOULD MOVE FROM MONROE COUNTY TO ELLETTSVILLE.

THEY WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ROADS AND BECOME THE PRIMARY POLICE AGENCY.

FIRE PROTECTION WOULD LARGELY STAY THE TAME.

ELLETTSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT ALREADY SERVED RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.

>> THEY WILL HAVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT, THAT WILL DISPATCH FROM ELLETTSVILLE AND WE'LL BE INCREASING THOSE NUMBERS.

BUT I THINK THE BIG SELLING POINT, THEY WILL GET PROPERTY RIGHTS THEY HAVEN'T HAD IN DECADES AND THEY CAN HAVE MORE FREEDOM ON WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

REPRESENTATION CHANGES TOO.

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP ELECTED TRUSTEE AND THREE MEMBER TOWNSHIP BOARD WOULD EVENTUALLY DISAPPEAR.

TOWNSHIP ASSISTANTS SUCH AS EMERGENCY HELP WITH UTILITY BILLS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH A NEW TOWN DEPARTMENT AND THE ELLETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL WILL EXPAND FROM FIVE TO SEVEN MEMBERS.

ONE PANELIST SAYS THEY WILL TAKE ON ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BUT ALSO GAIN A VOICE IN THE LARGER MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

>> WHILE THEY PICK UP THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR SOME OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES THEY GET A SAY IN WHAT THEY WILL DO IN THE FUTURE AND HOW THE CHOICES WILL BE MADE IN THE AREAS THAT THEY ARE BENEFITING FROM THOSE CHOICES.

>> YOUR TAXES WILL BE A LOT HIGHER WITH THE NO VOTE, BECAUSE -- >> NO.

THAT'S WRONG.

>> LISA, I WOULD ASK YOU FOR YOUR DATA.

YOU REFUSED TO PRESENT IT.

>> TAXES HAVE GENERATED MUCH OF THE CONFUSION, THE FISCAL ANALYSIS ESTIMATES A $300,000 HOME IN UNINCORPORATED RICHLAND WOULD PAY ABOUT $173 MORE PER YEAR UNDER REORGANIZATION BUT A NO VOTE DOESN'T MEAN THE TAXES REMAIN WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.

ELLETTSVILLE AND RICHLAND TOWNSHIP HAVE ALREADY APPROVED A FIRE TERRITORY EXPECTED TO TAKE EFFECT IF THE REORGANIZATION FAILS.

ELLETTSVILLE HAS ARGUED IT MAKES IT MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> IF THEY REJECT IT, THE FIRE TERRITORY KICKS IN.

SO THERE'S BEEN SOME HUBBUB ONLINE THAT I SAID A NO VOTE IS A VOTE FOR HIGHER TAXES AND I STAND 100% BEHIND THAT.

>> THE TOWN'S FISCAL COMPARISON SUPPORTS THAT DISTINCTION.

IT ESTIMATES THAT SAME $300,000 RURAL HOME WOULD PAY ABOUT $198 ANNUALLY UNDER THE FIRE TERRITORY, ABOUT $25 MORE THAN UNDER REORGANIZATION.

>> FOR A $300,000 HOME ALREADY INSIDE ELLETTSVILLE, THE ANALYSIS PROJECTS NO INCREASE, BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY THE 100% HOMESTEAD TAX CAP.

FOR KRAMER, IT'S NOT WHICH OPTION COUNTS LESS.

>> I'M GOING TO VOTE NO, I'M PRETTY SURE ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE I LIVE IN A DEVELOPED SUBDIVISION.

I DON'T SEE THAT THE LOCAL PLANNING AND ZONING IS GOING TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME OR MY NEIGHBORS.

AND I THINK THAT OUR TAXES WILL GO UP.

>> THE PLAN'S SEPARATE RURAL AND TOWN DISTRICTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP RURAL RESIDENTS FOR IMMEDIATELY PAYING EVERY TAX ASSOCIATED WITH EXISTING ELLETTSVILLE.

EXISTING TOWN DEBT, FOR EXAMPLE, STAYS WITH TAXPAYERS INSIDE THE CURRENT TOWN DISTRICT.

>> IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS TO PAY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND FOR STAFFING THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A VOTE ON.

SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS ONLY PAY FOR THE INCREASE IN SERVICES.

>> BUT EVEN AFTER AN HOUR OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, KRAMER LEFT FEELING LIKE SHE'S STILL HAD HOMEWORK TO DO.

>> THERE WAS SO MUCH GOING BACK AND FORTH ABOUT TAXES AND HOW IT WOULD AFFECT TAXES AND THEN WE GOT OFF THE TOPIC.

SO I FELT A LITTLE UNINFORMED.

I DON'T THINK THE MEETING CLEARED A LOT UP.

>> SHE SAYS SHE PLANS TO READ THE FINAL PLAN HERSELF BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

THE REFERENDUM MUST WIN A MAJORITY AMONG VOTERS IN EXISTING ELLETTSVILLE A MAJORITY IN UNINCORPORATED RICHLAND TOWNSHIP COMBINED.

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

>> IF THE MEASURE IS APPROVED, THE REORGANIZED ELLETTSVILLE GOVERNMENT WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1st.

WELL, WE ARE JOINED NOW BY ELIAS CORY FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

>>> HELLO, ELIAS.

WELCOME.

>> HEY, JOE THANKS.

THE MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS TWO JUVENILES HAVE ADMITTED TO SENDING THREATENING MESSAGES TO FELLOW STUDENTS AT HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

FIVE SIXTH GREAT STUDENTS AT HIGHLAND PARK REPORTED RECEIVING THREATENING SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES, THEY CONTAINED DEATH THREATS, SLURS AND GRAPHIC LANGUAGE.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAID THE TWO JUVENILES WERE IDENTIFIED.

THEY WERE REFERRED -- THEY WERE REFERRED TO JUVENILE PROBATION.

>> THESE IF INDIANA UNIVERSITY FRATERNITIES HAVE BEEN PLACED ON CEASE AND DESIST FOR ALLEGED HAZING.

SIGMA MU RESULTED IN HAZING WITH SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF BODILY INJURY.

BETA THETA PI WAS PLACED FOR HAZING AND FAILURE TO COMPLY AND A PI KAPPA PHI WAS PUT ON THE LIST FOR OTHER ISSUES.

THEY MUST CEASE ALL ACTIVITIES.

>>> AND DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, I.U.

RECEIVED $870 MILLION IN SPONSORED AWARDS.

THE UNIVERSITY ALSO RECEIVED JUST UNDER $390 MILLION FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, A $54 MILLION INCREASE OVER FISCAL YEAR 2025.

THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL IS PROPOSING TO ADD $1 MILLION TO ITS 2027 BUDGET TO HELP FUND THE BEACON CENTER, A NEW HOUSING PROJECT ON WEST THIRD STREET.

THE $1 MILLION WOULD COME ELECTRIC THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOCAL INCOME TAX.

IT WOULD HELP CLOSE A $4 MILLION FUNDING GAP FROM A FEDERAL TAX CREDIT THAT FELL THROUGH.

THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST FOR THE BEACON CENTER IS $21 MILLION.

BEACON HAS BEEN ABLE TO RAISE A LITTLE OVER $14 MILLION.

>> I THINK ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO STRENGTHEN THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY IS WORTH DOING.

SO I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS.

>> CONSTRUCTION ON THE FIRST PHASE OF THE BEACON CENTER IS PLANNED TO BEGIN IN DECEMBER.

>>> THE FRONT DOOR, BLOOMINGTON'S FIRST LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY CENTER IS HAVING THE GRAND OPENING TONIGHT.

IT HAS BEEN OPENED SINCE A SOFT OPENING ON AUGUST 23rd.

THE FOUNDER HOPES IT'S A PLACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO HANG OUT AND BE THEMSELVES.

>> THIS IS A THIRD SPACE, BUT ALSO A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN HOPEFULLY FEEL THAT THEY DON'T NEED TO MASK OR PUT ON AIRS OR PERFORM.

THEY JUST NEED TO COME AND BE.

>>> INITIAL OFFERINGS AT THE CENTER INCLUDED A GENDER AFFIRMING CLOSET, AND OPEN MIC NIGHTS AND INFORMATION SEMINARS.

>>> THREE CENSUS TRACTS WERE CHOSEN BY THE STATE FOR POTENTIAL FEDERAL TAX INCENTIVES.

THE HOPEWELL NEIGHBORHOOD, SEMINARY PARK AND AN AREA WEST OF THE TRADES DISTRICT WERE NOMINATED BY THE OPPORTUNITY TO -- THE OPPORTUNITIES ZONED 2.0 PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM PROMOTES, QUOTE, LONG-TERM PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES BY OFFERING FEDERAL TAX INCENTIVES TO VISITORS -- INVESTORS, SORRY.

ACCORDING TO THE INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

>>> INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA ANNOUNCED A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U.S.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.

HE SAID THE PARTNERSHIP WAS KEY TO DEPORTING ILLEGAL ALIENS UNDER THE FAIRNESS ACT.

THE ACT WENT INTO EFFECT JULY 1st.

IT ALSO MANDATED LOCAL GOVERNMENT COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES, BUT SO FAR, ONLY SIX OF THE STATES' 92 SHERIFFS HAVE PARTNERED WITH I.C.E.

>>> HOOSIERS MOTORISTS WILL GET ANOTHER MONTH OF RELIEF FROM THE STATE'S GAS TAX.

GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK HE WAS SUSPENDING STATE SALES TAX ON GAS, WHICH AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 60 CENTS PER GALLON THROUGH FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER.

THIS TIME HE'S LIFTING THE BAN ON DYED DIESEL SO IT CAN BE USED FOR ANY FARM-RELATED ACTIVITIES.

IT'S TRADITIONALLY NOT ALLOWED ON PUBLIC ROADS.

>> IT'S GONNA HELP FARMERS IN A BIG WAY, AND IT WILL TAKE VERY LITTLE AWAY FROM OUR ROAD AND BRIDGES REVENUES THAT GO INTO THAT AREA.

SO THE TRADEOFF ISN'T AS SEVERE.

>> THE GAS TAX HAS BEEN SUSPENDED IN THE STATE SINCE APRIL.

IT'S COSTING THE STATE AROUND $140 MILLION A MONTH.

>>> THE INDIANAPOLIS ZOO IS LOSING ITS ACCREDITATION.

THE ASSOCIATION FOR ZOO AND AQUARIUMS DENIED THE ZOO'S RENEWAL APPLICATION THAT WOULD HAVE GONE INTO EFFECT YESTERDAY.

KEY AREAS EVALUATED INCLUDED ANIMAL CARE, VETERINARIAN SERVICES AND SAFETY AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF TRAINING.

WITHOUT THE CERTIFICATION, THE INDIANAPOLIS ZOO WILL BE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN BREEDING AND POPULATION PROGRAMS FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES, BUT, JOE, ZOO OFFICIALS SAY THAT THEY'RE WORKING TO REGAIN THEIR ACCREDITATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> YEAH, HOPEFULLY THAT'S JUST A TEMPORARY SETBACK FOR THEM.

THANK YOU, ELIAS.

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

>>> A FIGHT CLUB IN NORTHERN INDIANA WAS CREATED WITH A MISSION OF REDUCING YOUTH STREET VIOLENCE AND THE INDIANA HOOSIERS TAKE AIM AT THEIR 21st STRAIGHT VICTORY SATURDAY NIGHT AT RUTGERS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WELL, PERHAPS YOU HAVE STUMBLED ACROSS VIDEOS OF FIGHT CLUBS, BOUTS INSIDE A MAKESHIFT CAGE OR A RING, WHILE SOME ARE BACK YARD COMPETITIONS, MANY ARE BECOMING SANCTIONED EVENTS.

THAT'S PART OF LA PORTE.

IT'S GUNS DOWN GLOVES UP INITIATIVE TO REDUCE YOUTH VIOLENCE.

VIDEOGRAPHER JAKE LINDSAY RECENTLY VISITED LA PORTE FOR THE FIRST SANCTIONED FIGHT SINCE BEING FOUNDED IN 2021.

>> LET'S GO!

♪ >> I HAVE BEEN DOING FIGHT FLICKS SINCE 2021, BECAUSE SOMEONE VERY SPECIAL IN THE TOWN OF LA PORTE GOT SHOT AND KILLED.

SO WE MADE IT IN HONOR OF HIM.

AS TIME WENT BY, IT JUST BLEW UP AND IT STARTED GROWING AND GROWING AND TODAY WE ARE SANCTION DAY.

TODAY IS A BIG DAY.

♪ ♪ >>> MY NAME IS REEFER, I'M FROM INDIANA.

THE REASON WHY I ACTUALLY GOT INTO FIGHTING IS BECAUSE I CAUGHT MY FIRST CASE AS AN ADULT FOR BATTERY -- BATTERY AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF.

2022, I TOLD MYSELF I WANTED TO FIND AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY GOOD, BUT IT TEACHES PEOPLE INSTEAD OF PICKING UP GUNS AND GOING TO JAIL FOR IT -- FOR FIGHTING, FIND A COMPANY THAT YOU COULD GROW WITH AND THIS IS THE COMPANY THAT I DECIDED TO GO WITH.

I'M A STREET FIGHTER.

I DON'T TRAIN IN A GYM.

I TRAIN NORMALLY BY MYSELF OR WITH SOME FRIENDS.

>> LIKE I SAID, MR.

FATE, IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO GET THE GTS.

♪ >> YOU CARE FOR THESE GUYS, YOU KNOW.

YOU WATCH THEM GROW.

YOU WATCH THEM BECOME, YOU KNOW, WHO THEY ARE.

AND YOU WATCH THEM ENGAGE AND SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, YOU SEE GOOD MOMENTS AND YOU SEE THEM AT THEIR WORST MOMENTS AND YOU JUST WANT TO BE THERE FOR THEM IN ALL OF THOSE MOMENTS.

I LIKE -- AND MAYBE BECAUSE IT'S A COMMUNITY SPORT.

AFTER YOU LEAVE THE RING, THERE'S A TEAM OF GUYS THERE, EVEN IF YOU DON'T KNOW THEM, THAT ARE THERE TO CHEER YOU UP IN THE LOCKER ROOM.

AND LIKE TALK ABOUT YOUR FLIGHT.

AND YOU GET TO REFLECT.

>> I'VE BEEN FIGHTING NOW AS AN AMATEUR FOR FIVE YEARS.

MY DAD, HE WAS AN NYPD OFFICER AND HE BROUGHT ME UP IN THE MARTIAL ARTS AND UPON HIS PASSING, I STARTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MARTIAL ARTS INSTEAD OF POINT KARATE, WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO US.

♪ >> CIRCLE, CIRCLE.

>> TANG SOO DO, WITH A BLEND OF OTHER MARTIAL ARTS.

A FAMOUS MARTIAL ARTISTS THAT YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IS LATE, GREAT, CHUCK NORRIS.

>> COMMIT.

COMMIT, T.J.

COMMIT.

♪ [ BELL ] >> WOO!

>> T.J.

[ CHEERS ] >> NEW YORK IS IN THE BUILDING!

>> I'M BRADEN TRUEMAKER, I'M FIGHTING OUTSIDE OF INDIANA.

I MAY HAVE TO HOLD MYSELF BACK A LITTLE BIT.

ME SPECIFICALLY, I LIKE TO THROW A BUNCH OF THINGS REPETITIVELY UNTIL YOU GET USED TO IT AND THEN AS SOON AS I FAKE IT, YOU'RE GONNA REACT, AND THEN I DO SOMETHING ELSE AND IT USUALLY GETS IT.

I'M A LITTLE BIT OF AN ADRENALINE JUNKIE, BUT ALSO FOR SOME REASON, WHEN I FIRST STARTED TRAINING, I FOUND OUT I LIKE GETTING HIT.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE A RELIEF FROM THINGS IN MY CHILDHOOD, BECAUSE I GOT BEAT.

A LOT BY MY DAD AND PEOPLE IN SCHOOL.

AND I NEVER FOUGHT BACK.

I WAS THE KID WHO WOULD JUST THOUGH MY ARMS OPEN, LET YOU HIT ME AND LAUGH IN YOUR FACE WHILE YOU'RE DOING IT.

BUT NOW I GET A CHANCE TO ACTUALLY HIT BACK.

>>> AND THE SIXTH RANKED INDIANA HOOSIERS HIT THE ROAD FOR FIRST TIME THIS SEASON WHEN THEY PLAY AT RUTGERS SATURDAY NIGHT.

THE HOOSIERS ARE 4-0 AND HAVE WON 20 STRAIGHT GAMES, BUT IN LAST WEEK'S WIN OVER NORTHWESTERN, I.U.

GAVE UP 23 POINTS IN THE SECOND HALF.

IT'S SOMETHING THE HOOSIERS DEFENSIVE LINE IS FOCUSED ON CORRECTING THIS WEEK.

>> THERE'S STILL A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE, BUT WHENEVER WE LIMIT OUR MISTAKES AND LIMIT KIND OF OUR BRAIN FARTS ON THE D LINE, I FEEL LIKE WE REALLY GET AFTER THE QUARTERBACK.

WE REALLY GET AFTER THE RUN GAME.

I FEEL LIKE THAT'S THE GOAL MOVING FORWARD.

>> SATURDAY NIGHT'S GAME KICKS OFF AT 8:00 ON THE BIG TEN NETWORK.

>>> 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.

♪ >>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE