Indiana Newsdesk, Episode 1045, 05/19/2023

>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," COOK MEDICAL ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT IT'S CUTTING SEVERAL HUNDRED JOBS.

>> WE REDISTRIBUTED THOSE RESOURCES AND ARE FOCUSED ON WORKFORCE HOUSING.

>> WHAT THE CUTS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF COOK'S IN BLOOMINGTON.

>> AND PRICE HIKES TO TRACTOR PARTS TO SEED IS STRETCHING FARMERS TO THE BREAKING POINT.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT USED TO COST $3,000 OR $4,000 COSTING 7 OR $8,000.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE KILLING US.

>> AND THE BLEAK FUTURE FOR FARMERS.

AND MIKE PENCE IS GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO ANNOUNCING HIS BID FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.

COMING UPA.

I UP, A POLITICAL SCIENTIST TALKS TO US ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND HOW PENCE COULD FIT IN.

THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK"!

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE PRESIDENT OF BLOOMINGTON-BASED COOK MEDICAL SAYS THE COMPANY IS STILL GROWING AND DEMAND IS STRONG.

NOW, THAT DESPITE AN ANNOUNCEMENT MONDAY THAT THE COMPANY IS CUTTING 500 JOBS UNDER A PLAN TO REFOCUS EFFORTS ON PRODUCT INNOVATION.

THE CUTS AFFECT ABOUT 4% OF THE COMPANY'S GLOBAL WORKFORCE, THAT WILL INCLUDE ABOUT 223 WORKERS IN THE U.S., INCLUDING ABOUT 125 IN INDIANA, AND 75 IN BLOOMINGTON.

COOK GROUP PRESIDENT PETE YONKMAN SAYS THIS IS THE HARDEST STEP THE COMPANY HAS HAD TO TAKE AS IT MOVES THROUGH ITS NEW FIVE-YEAR PLAN.

>> WE HAVE BEEN -- WE HAVE BEEN A COMPANY HERE IN BLOOMINGTON FOR 60 YEARS, AND ALWAYS BEEN DEEPLY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY AND WE WILL REMAIN THAT WAY.

I WANT TO ENSURE PEOPLE THAT OUR COMMITMENT TO BLOOMINGTON HAS NOT CHANGED.

>> THE LAYOFFS WILL AFFECT SALES REPRESENTATIVES AND OTHER EMPLOYEES WHO DEAL WITH CUSTOMERS.

NO HOURLY WORKERS IN MANUFACTURING OR DISTRIBUTION WILL BE LAID OFF.

YONKMAN SAYS THE COMPANY ALSO SOLD SOME OF ITS PRODUCT LINES TO COMPANIES THAT MIGHT BE A BETTER FIT.

>> WE SOLD OFF SOME OF OUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY THAT WERE OWNED BY THE COOK FAMILY AND THE COOK GROUP FOR A LONG TIME.

WE REDISTRIBUTED THOSE RESOURCES AND FOCUSED ON WORKFORCE FINDING.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN HELPING EMPLOYEES FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING EVEN PURCHASING LAND A YEAR AGO TO HELP REACH THE GOAL OF BUILDING 300 HOMES ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA BY 2025.

YONKMAN SAYS COOK IS STILL GROWING AND CURRENTLY HAS JOB OPENINGS ON THE PRODUCTION SIDE.

THAT'S PARTLY WHY BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON SAYS HE DOESN'T READ TOO MUCH INTO ONE ANNOUNCEMENT AS ECONOMIES CHANGE.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO, I THINK, IS TRY TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GREAT CITY.

HIGH-QUALITY OF LIFE, A WONDERFUL PLACE TO BE, GOOD SCHOOLS, GREAT PARKS, GREAT LIVING CONDITIONS, AND THAT'S WHAT WE FOCUS ON.

AND I THINK THEN THE ECONOMY WILL KIND OF TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.

>> COOK WILL HELP AFFECTED EMPLOYEES TRANSITION TO A NEW JOB.

SEVERANCE PACKAGES RANGE FROM 10 WEEKS TO NINE MONTHS DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH OF SERVICE.

HEALTHCARE COVERAGE WILL REMAIN IN PLACE AS WELL.

>> COOK IS NOT THE ONLY PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY CUTTING DOWN THEIR WORKFORCE.

EARLIER THIS YEAR MEDICAL DEVICE MAKER BAXTER NATIONAL CUT UP TO 5% OF ITS GLOBAL WORKFORCE.

ANOTHER PHARMACEUTICAL CATALENT CUT 400 POSITIONS AT THEIR BLOOMINGTON FACILITY LAST YEAR.

>>> FARMERS HAVE SEEN THE COSTS THEY PAY FOR EVERYTHING FROM FERTILIZER TO MEDICINE FOR COWS INCREASE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

SOME FARMERS ESTIMATE THEIR OVERALL COSTS ARE UP MORE THAN 30%, BUT UNLIKE MOST BUSINESSES, FARMERS CAN'T PASS THOSE INCREASES ON TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH REPORTS ON HOW THE PRICES AFFECT FARMERS AND CONSUMERS.

>> PATRICK REDMAN IS A FOURTH GENERATION FARMER.

THE FARM HAS BEEN A PART OF THE FAMILY SINCE THE LATE 1920s, WHERE HIS GREAT GRANDPARENTS ACQUIRED THE LAND.

>> BACK IN THOSE DAYS, THE FAMILY MADE FULL LIVING AND THIS WAS ONE FARM OF MANY THAT HE HAD.

HAD LOTS OF EMPLOYEES, FULL-TIME LIVING WAS MADE OFF THE FARM.

>> BUT LIKE MANY LEGACY FARMS, THE FAMILY HAS SIFTED AWAY FROM TAKING CARE OF THE -- SHIFTED AWAY FROM TAKING CARE OF THE FARM FULL-TIME.

REDMAN REALIZED THAT HAVING A FULL-TIME JOB WHILE ALSO TRYING TO DIRECT A FARMLY FARM WAS GOING TO BE A HUGE CHALLENGE THAT WE MADE THE DECISION TO START RENTING OUT ALL OF OUR CROP GROUND.

WE HAVE TENANTS THAT PAY A YEARLY RENT ON THAT AND CONCENTRATE MORE ON THE CATTLE AND THE OTHER THINGS.

>> THAT HELPED TO LIGHTEN THE WORKLOAD.

THE COST TO KEEP THINGS GOING, INPUT COSTS INCLUDING DIESEL FUEL AND FERTILIZER HAVE GONE UP SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND IT'S MADE FARMING OF ALL DIFFERENT SIZES MORE CHALLENGING.

>> NOW, ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU ARE LOOKING AT ANOTHER -- FOR ONE TRACTOR, ANOTHER 60, $70, $80 A DAY IN FUEL.

BY THE END OF THE FIVE-DAY WEEK, WHICH NO FARM HAS A FIVE-DAY WEEK, THEY ARE SEVEN.

YOU ARE AN EXTRA $2,000 A MONTH, FOUR MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR.

>> AND THEN ALL THE LITTLE EXPENSES YOU HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR.

REDMAN SAYS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE FILTERS HE HAS TO REPLACE EVERY FEW MONTHS IN HIS EQUIPMENT SHOT UP LAST YEAR AS WELL.

>> THIS TRACTOR SPECIFICALLY.

ONE OF THEM OVER THERE USED TO ALWAYS COST ABOUT $500 A YEAR TO BUY THE FILTERS.

>> MM-HMM.

>> $1,100 TO BUY THE SAME FILTERS LAST YEAR.

YEAH.

AND YOU HAD TO WAIT A MONTH TO GET 'EM.

>> EVEN VITAMIN SHOTS AND VACCINES FOR CATTLE HAVE SEEN MASSIVE INCREASES IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> THAT COSTS DOUBLE TWO YEARS AGO.

AND SO I SAY THAT, THE FILTERS, THE VACCINES, YOU ARE NOT TALKING $100,000.

YOU'RE TALKING WHAT USED TO COST 3 OR $4,000 NOW COSTS 7 OR $8,000, THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE KILLING US.

>> WORST OF ALL, THOUGH, IS THE PRICE OF FERTILIZER.

THE COST OF WHICH REDMAN SAYS INCREASED BY 80% LAST YEAR, NITROGEN WAS NEARLY 1,000 A TON, UP FROM $400 A TON.

THAT INCREASE HAPPENED DUE TO A LOT OF COMPLEX INTERCONNECTED ISSUES ON THE SUPPLY SIDE OF THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND EQUATION.

ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF ECONOMIST OF THE INDIANA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, TODD DAVIS, IT STARTED BACK IN AUGUST OF 2021, WHEN HURRICANE IDA HIT LOUISIANA, AFFECTING THE PRODUCTION OF ANDYDROUS PNEUMONIA.

>> THE BIGGEST PLANT THAT MAKES ANHYDROUS IS IN LOUISIANA.

AND THAT HAS 20% OF U.S. CAPACITY.

THAT PLANT WAS AFFECTED.

THAT WAS A BIG LOSS IN THE PRODUCTION OF ANHYDROUS.

>> IN SEPTEMBER OF THAT SAME YEAR, CHINA, THE LEADING PRODUCER OF PHOSPHATES BANNED EXPORTS OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOUND AND THEY ALSO BANNED UREA.

>>> FINALLY, THE WAR IN THE UKRAINE DISRUPTED SUPPLY CHAINS OUT OF RUSSIA, ANOTHER LARGE PRODUCER OF FERTILIZER.

OF.

>> FERTILIZER WAS EXCLUDED FROM ANY SANCTIONS, THIS SORT OF DISRUPTION OF TRADE FLOWS DOES TRICKLE BACK AND AFFECT THE FERTILIZER MARKET.

>> WHILE PRICES HAVE COOLED A LITTLE, FARMER OUTLOOKS ARE STILL OVERALL SOUR ON INPUT PRICES WITH HIGH INTEREST RATES AND DECREASING LAND VALUES ALSO RAISING CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

>> FARMERS USE THEIR LAND AS A COLLATERAL FOR THEIR BUSINESS, AND SO AS LAND VALUES FALL, THEN YOU WILL HAVE THEIR -- THEIR COLLATERAL GETS A LITTLE MORE TENUOUS AND SO IT REALLY JUST TRICKLES THROUGH THE WHOLE AG ECONOMY.

>> THE ISSUE WITH INPUT PRICES BEING HIGH IS THAT AGRICULTURE IS A MARKET WHERE PRODUCERS ARE PRICE TAKERS.

MEANING THAT FARMERS ARE UNABLE TO CHARGE MORE FOR THEIR CROP, JUST BECAUSE THEY HAD TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO PRODUCING THAT CROP.

>> THERE IS SOME, YOU KNOW, REGIONAL OR NATIONAL PRICE THAT PEOPLE WILL PAY FOR A BUSHEL OF CORN, AND A FARMER WILL, IN MOST INSTANTS HAVE TO TAKE THE PRICE THAT THE CURRENT MARKET OR REGIONAL PRICE.

>> WHEN THE PRICE FOR VACCINES OF CATTLE INCREASE, THE PRICE OF BEEF DID NOT INCREASE WITH THE COST.

HE NOW MAKES LESS PROFIT PER COULD YOU.

HE DECIDED -- PER COW.

HE DECIDED TO DECREASE THE SIZE OF HIS HERD.

>> PRODUCERS HAVE DECIDED INPUT PRICES ARE HIGH.

I WON'T DO WHAT I DID LAST YEAR, AT LEAST NOT TO THE SAME DEGREE.

AND IF NOTHING CHANGES ABOUT CONSUMER DEMAND, ULTIMATELY, THE PRICES WILL INCREASE BECAUSE OF SCARCITY.

>> FOR PATRICK REDMAN, IT SPEAKS TO THE IDEA OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A FARMER IN 2023 WHERE SO MUCH OF WHAT MAKES A FARM SUCCESSFUL OR NOT COMES DOWN TO FACTORS COMPLETELY OUTSIDE OF THEIR CONTROL.

>> AND TODAY'S AG WORLD ESPECIALLY AND EVERY INDUSTRY, IT'S NO LONGER WHAT'S GOING ON IN THIS STATE OR THIS COUNTRY, IT'S WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD AND HOW IS THATTING TO PLAY INTO THINGS AND -- HOW IS THAT GOING TO PLAY INTO THINGS AND IT'S A LOT OF ROULETTE AT THE CRAPS TABLE.

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

>> PLANTING SEASON IN INDIANA IS OVER HALFWAY COMPLETE, WITH 56% OF CORN AND 52% OF SOYBEANS PLANTED SO FAR.

>>> ALLIES OF MIKE PENCE ARE LAUNCHING A NEW SUPER PAC TO SUPPORT HIS EXPECTED CANDIDACY FOR THE 2024 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION.

THE LAUNCH IS THE LATEST SIGN THAT PENCE IS MOVING AHEAD WITH HIS EXPECTED BID FOR THE GOP NOMINATION, A MOVE THAT WOULD PUT HIM IN DIRECT CONTENTION WITH FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

THE GROUP SEES EARLY VOTING IOWA AS CRITICAL FOR PENCE AND PLANS TO LAUNCH THEIR EFFORTS THERE BEFORE EXPANDING TO OTHER STATES, INCLUDING NEW HAMPSHIRE, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND NEVADA.

WE ARE NOW JOINED BY LAURA WILSON, A PRELAW ADVISOR AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS, TO DISCUSS PENCE'S POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL BID.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, LAURA.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SO THIS LAUNCH OF THIS NEW SUPERPAC, THE LATEST SIGN PENCE IS EXPECTED TO BID FOR THE GOP NOMINATION.

WHAT ARE EXPERTS SAYING ABOUT THIS MOVE BY THE FORMER INDIANA GOVERNOR?

>> WELL, IT CERTAINLY DOES INDICATE, HE WILL, IN FACT, RUN EVEN THOUGH HE HAS NOT MADE THE FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT JUST YET.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT STEP BECAUSE HAVING THIS SUPER PAC ALLOWS HIM TO START FUNDRAISING IMMEDIATELY, EVEN ABSENT THAT ANNOUNCEMENT.

NOW THE FOUNDERS OF SUPER PAC, THIS IS THE COMMITTED TO AMERICA PAC AND TALKED ABOUT IT AS A REBRANDING OF SORTS FOR PENCE.

HE'S PROBABLY BEST KNOWN FOR BEING THE VICE PRESIDENT TO FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WHO IS ALSO RUNNING AND HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE WANTS TO BE PRESIDENT IN 2024.

THIS WOULD ALLOW HIM TO SEPARATE HIMSELF IN A CERTAIN WAY AND START TO KIND OF REFASHION, GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT HIS CAMPAIGN WOULD BE, WHO PENCE WOULD BE LIKE AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND WHO HE WOULD BE LIKE IF HE WAS ULTIMATELY ELECTED TO PRESIDENCY.

>> YOU KNOW, PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF PENCE COLORED BY HIS TIME IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

HOW DO YOU THINK INDIANA VOTE ORES WILL RESPOND TO -- VOTERS WILL RESPOND TO THAT?

>> GENERALLY, I THINK THEY WILL RESPOND FAIRLY POSITIVELY.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT REPUBLICAN VOTERS IN THE PRIMARY.

I THINK THAT THEY KNOW PENCE BEST, RIGHT?

HE'S ALWAYS SAID THAT HE IS A CHRISTIAN, A CONSERVATIVE AND A REPUBLICAN.

AND THAT, I THINK, WILL PLAY FAIRLY WELL, ESPECIALLY AMONGST RECOMMEND CAN VOTERS HERE IN THE -- REPUBLICAN VOTERS HERE IN THE HOOSIER STATE.

THE LARGER QUESTION THAT LOOMS, HE DOESN'T NEED INDIANA AS MUCH AS HE NEEDS NEW HAMPSHIRE, IOWA, SOUTH CAROLINA AS YOU SAID IN THE INTRODUCTION.

INDIANA HAS LATE PRIMARIES AND WE ARE NOT THE LARGEST STATE.

OF I THINK IN TERMS OF HOW HE POSITIONS HIMSELF, AS MUCH AS HE CARES FOR HIS HOME STATE, REALLY HIS CONCERN HAS TOCK TO BE IN THE OTHER STATES AND DIFFERENTIATE HIMSELF FROM THE OTHER CANDIDATES WHO HAVE EITHER DECLARED FORMALLY, LIKE TRUMP OR HALEY, OR DeSANTIS, WHO WE SUSPECT WILL ANNOUNCE.

>> PENCE FACES AN UPHILL BATTLE TO THE NOMINATION.

A LOT OF THE ATTENTION, AS YOU SAY FOCUSED ON TRUMP AND FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR DeSANTIS.

DO YOU THINK THAT PENCE WILL BE TAKEN AS A SERIOUS CANDIDATE?

>> I THINK HE SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

A LOT OF THE POLLING INDICATES HE HAS A LONG WAY TO GO.

THERE WERE THREE SEPARATE POLLS IN MAY, AND HE HOVERS AROUND 5 OR 6% IN TERMS OF LIKELY PRIMARY VOTERS AND YOU HAVE DONALD TRUMP IN THE 50% AND RON DeSANTIS AT 30%.

AND YOU HAVE TO BE THE FIRST IN TERMS OF WINNER TAKES ALL POLITICS.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO -- IT'S A CHALLENGE FOR HIS CAMPAIGN.

DEVELOP TO OVERCOME VERY QUICKLY IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL BEGINNING THE PRIMARY SEASON.

>> WE HAVE UNDER 30 SECONDS.

SO REALLY QUICKLY, PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID HE WILL RUN AGAIN AS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE.

HOW DO YOU THINK VOTERS WILL RESPOND TO THIS?

>> I THINK THEY WILL LOOK AT HIM AND MAKE AN EVALUATION.

ARE THEY BETTER OFF NOW THAN FOUR YEARS AGO?

WE DON'T NECESSARILY EXPECT TO HAVE A STRONG DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER AGAINST AN INCUMBENT PRESIDENT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN.

BIDEN, HE HAS A RECORD AND HIS ARGUMENT WILL HAVE TO BE I WILL CONTINUE THIS.

YOU ARE BETTER OFF NOW THAN YOU WILL BE FOUR YEARS FROM NOW IF REELECTED.

>> LAURA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A NEW REPORT SAYS ELDERLY LONELINESS IS AN EPIDEMIC THAT COULD HAVE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS JUST AS SERIOUS AS OBESITY OR HEAVY SMOKING.

>>> AND GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB HAS PUSHED BACK AGAINST A PROPOSED RULE TO INCLUDE TRANSGENDER GIRLS UNDER TITLE IX PROTECTIONS.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

A RECENT U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL ADVISORY DECLARES LONELINESS A PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC, OUTLINING THE EFFECTS AND THE RISKS OF ISOLATION.

AS WTIU'S BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY AFFECTED BY RISING LEVELS OF ISOLATION, BUT OLDER ADULTS ARE VULNERABLE TOO.

>> THE SURGEON GENERAL'S REPORT THIS MONTH SAYS SOCIAL CONNECTION HAS DECLINED FOR DECADES.

BUT THE SHARPEST DROPS HAPPENED IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR CONNECTION LIKE THE AREA TEN AGENCY ON AGING AND INDIANA INDIANA ENDRIGHT COMMUNITY CENTER HAD TO MOVE CLASSES ONLINE.

THE CENTERS HAVE REMOVED AND MORE PEOPLE ARE COMING OUT BUT THE RATES OF DEPRESSION AND LONELINESS HAVE NOT RETURNED TO PREPANDEMIC LEVEL.

>> PEOPLE TEND TO RETREAT TO THEIR SAFE SPACES, THEIR HOMES.

AND WHEN YOU ARE RETIRED OR NOT WORKING OR YOU DON'T HAVE THIS, LIKE, COMMITMENT, YOU KNOW, TO A CERTAIN ORGANIZATION, OR WHATEVER YOU MIGHT BE DOING OUTSIDE OF THE HOME, YOU TEND TO, LIKE, FIND REASONS TO STAY HOME.

>> A 2020 SURVEY FOUND 43% OF ADULTS OLDER THAN 60 REPORTED FEELING LONELY.

BUT NOT JIM WHO IS IN HIS 70s AND LIVES ALONE.

>> I WOULDN'T CLASSIFY MYSELF AS LONELY.

TO BE HONEST, I FIND MYSELF TO BE GOOD COMPANY.

AND I HOPE THAT DOESN'T SOUND PRETENTIOUS OR ANYTHING.

>> HE DESCRIBES HIMSELF ON THE SHY SIDE.

HE SAYS EXERCISE, HOBBIES AND INTENTIONAL CONNECTION ARE ALL CONCERTEDS THAT KEEP HIM GROUNDED.

>> I CAN MAKE TRIANGLES IF YOU WANT.

>> HE GOES TO EXERCISE CLASSES OFFERED AT ENDWRIGHT EAST.

>> I REALIZE I WON'T HAVE SOMEBODY KNOCK AT MY DOOR TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.

SO I DO -- I JOINED THE BALANCE EXERCISE CLASS AND I'VE ALSO JOINED A NUTRITION CLASS.

>> HE SENDS A DAILY EMAIL THAT RANGES FROM A JOKE, QUOTE, ORNATURE PHOTOGRAPH, DEPENDING ON THE DAY OF THE WEEK TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

>> AN ANIMAL ON WEDNESDAYS.

SO I SENT THAT ONE WEDNESDAY.

LET ME SEE IF I CAN FIND A COUPLE DIFFERENT ONES THAT I SENT.

>> AND HE GOES ON WALKS AT THE MCA TRACK, TO KEEP HIS LEGS STRONG SINCE HE HAD POLIO AS A KID.

>> HERE IT IS A LOVELY DAY AT THE YMCA OFF WINSLOW ROAD AND THIS IS WHERE I COME EVERY DAY TO WALK AT LEAST TWO LAPS AROUND HERE, LISTENING TO HEADPHONES AND ENJOY THE SPRING COMING ON.

>> THE SURGEON GENERAL'S REPORT SAYS LONELINESS CAN HAVE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS JUST AS SERIOUS AS OBESITY OR HEAVY SMOKING AND IS CORRELATED WITH PREMATURE DEATH.

CENSUS DATA RANKS INDIANA IN THE TOP TEN FOR PEOPLE DIVORCED AND LIVE ALONE.

THESE FACTORS CONTRIBUTE BUT THE SURGEON GENERAL REPORTS THAT LONELINESS IS A SUBJECTIVE INTERNAL STATE AND THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY CAUSES I.U.

PSYCHOLOGIST DAN CRANDALL STUDIED ISOLATION DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC, LONELINESS PEAKED BUT IT GOT EVEN WORSE THE THREE MONTHS AFTER THAT.

THAT PHASE WHERE I THINK PEOPLE STARTED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE PANDEMIC WASN'T GOING AWAY IMMEDIATELY.

AND THEN -- SO LONELINESS PEAKED EVEN HIGHER.

>> THE SURGEON GENERAL REPORTS SAYS FEWER PEOPLE BEING INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITY IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.

AND SINCE THE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE REPORTED HAVING FEWER CLOSE FRIENDS.

>> MY SUSPICION IS THAT THERE'S SOME CASCADING EFFECTS FROM THE PANDEMIC, THAT WE HAVEN'T FULL FULLY CAPTURED.

>> AT THE FUNDED MORE RESEARCH, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS.

PEOPLE CAN START WITH REGULAR EFFORTS IN THEIR OWN LIVES.

>> I WOULD ADVISE THEM BEING ACTIVE, GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE, YOUR ABODE, AND WHEN YOU ARE EXERCISING, DON'T FORGET TO GIVE THEM A NOD OR A WAVE.

LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT ALONE.

>> THE SURGEON GENERAL REPORT SAYS YOUNGER PEOPLE, OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH POOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH WHO HAVE A DISABILITY OR FINANCIAL INSECURITY ARE AT MOST RISK OF LONELINESS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BENTE BOUTHIER.

>> THE PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC LAID OUT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICYMAKERS LIKE FUNDING MORE RESEARCH, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS TO MITIGATE LONELINESS IN ELDERLY PEOPLE.

>>> WELL, WE ARE JOINED NOW BY CLAYTON BAUMGARTH FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HELLO, CLAYTON.

>> HEY, JOE, HOW IS IT GOING.

>> OKAY.

>> REGISTERED HOOSIER VOTERS WILL BE GETTING A POSTCARD IN THEIR MAILBOX SOON IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY FOR THE INDIANA ELECTION DIVISION.

STATES ARE REQUIRED TO REGULARLY CLEAN UP THE VOTER ROLLS ENSURING PEOPLE WHO HAVE MOVED OR DIED HAVE THEIR INFORMATION UPDATED.

IF YOU RECEIVE A POSTCARD AND IT INCORRECTLY LISTS YOUR NAM AND ADDRESS, YOU -- NAME AND ADDRESS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO RETURN.

IF TWO GETS UNDELIVERABLE, THEY CANNOT BE REMOVED UNLESS THEY HAVEN'T VOTED IN TWO FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

>>> AND THE FINDINGS OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO A BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE SUSPECTED OF RUNNING UNDER A FALSE ADDRESS TO THE MONROE COUNTY PROSECUTOR AND THE INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

BOARD MEMBERS REACHED THAT DECISION AT THURSDAY'S HEARING WHICH CANDIDATE DAVID WOLF BENDER APPEARED BEFORE THE BOARD FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE INVESTIGATION BEGAN.

>> IF THERE ARE ANY MISTAKES ON ANY FORMS OR WITH ANY ELIGIBILITY PROBLEM, I WILL DO ANYTHING TO TRY AND FIX THEM.

IF THEY CAN'T BE FIXED, THEN I WILL LEAVE THE RACE.

LIKE, THAT'S HOW SERIOUS I AM ABOUT MAKING SURE THIS IS ALL RIGHT.

>> BENDER CAME UNDER INVESTIGATION EARLY MARCH AFTER MONROE COUNTY REPUBLICAN VICE CHAIRMAN WILLIAM ELLIS QUESTIONED HIS RESIDENCY.

IT WAS BASED ON A FEBRUARY 17th INDIANA DAILY STUDENT ARTICLE THAT CITED AN ANONYMOUS NEIGHBOR WHO SAYS THAT BENDER DOES LIVE AT THE ADDRESS ON HIS FILING FORM.

>>> HEAVY CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY ON I-465.

ALL LANES WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM JUNE 2nd TO THE 21st.

ALL WESTBOUND LANES WILL BE CLOSED JULY 7th THROUGH THE 29th.

INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR NATALIE GARRETT SAYS THE PROJECT WILL ADD LANE CAPACITY TO I-465.

>> WE'LL HAVE HUNDREDS OF CREWS OUT 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK COMPLETING THIS WORK SO WE CAN, YOU KNOW, GET IN THERE, GET DONE WHAT WE NEED TO GET DONE AND GET OUT.

>> CONSTRUCTION ON THE INTERCHANGE WILL LAST THROUGH 2024, ALTHOUGH ACCORDING TO INDOT SOME TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS MAY LAST INTO THE NEXT YEAR.

>>> GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB SIGNED ON TO A LETTER PUSHING BACK AGAINST THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S PROPOSED RULE TO INCLUDE TRANSGENDER GIRLS UNDER TITLE IX PROTECTIONS THAT'S DESPITE VETOING INDIANA'S TRANSGENDER GIRLS SPORTS BAN LAST YEAR.

IT PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX FOR EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.

IT PUSHES BACK ON BANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR TRANSGENDER GIRLS TO PARTICIPATE IN GIRLS SCHOOL SPORTS.

THE LETTER SIGNED BY 25 OF THE 26 REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS SAYS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS OVEREXTENDING A SUPREME COURT RULING ON THE BASIS OF SEX TO TRANSGENDER EMPLOYEES.

THEY CALLED THIS PART OF THE BIDEN'S ADMINISTRATION RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF THEIR GENDER IDEOLOGY.

>>> THE AGENCY'S DECISION TO RENEW A PERMIT FOR A WASTE PROCESSING FACILITY DISPROPORTIONATE LITH HARMS BLACK AND BROWN RESIDENTS IN GARY.

G.A.R.D.

WORRY THAT THE MAYA ENERGY PLANT WILL INCREASE POLLUTION AND TRUCK TRAFFIC.

IT WILL BE ACROSS THE STREET FROM A SCHOOL.

IT HASN'T BEEN BUILT YET, BUT LAST MONTH IDEM RENEWED THE PLAN'S PERMIT FOR A DECADE.

>> NOT HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR TEN YEARS IS ABSURD!

BECAUSE IN TEN YEARS SO MANY THINGS CAN CHANGE.

SO MANY VIOLATIONS CAN HAPPEN.

>> AMONG OTHER THINGS GARD WANTS THE EPA TO INVESTIGATE IDEM'S PERMITTING PRACTICES REQUIRING THE AGENCY TO CONSIDER ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE WHEN ISSUING PERMITS AND TEMPORARILY REVOKE MAYA ENERGY'S PERMIT.

IDEM DECLINED TO COMMENT.

>>> BLOOMINGTON'S ANIMAL CONTROL MISSION WANTS CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER A BAN ON DEER FEEDING.

THE COMMISSION'S DIRECTOR SAYS FEEDING DEER MAKES THEM CONGREGATE IN AREAS THEY NORMALLY WOULDN'T WHICH CAN CREATE CONFLICTS BETWEEN NEIGHBORS.

>> SO IF WE CAN STOP FEEDING THE DEER, WE CAN HOPEFULLY DECREASE OUR CONFLICT AROUND THE DEER AND WE CAN ALL ENJOY THEIR PRESENCE HERE IN BLOOMINGTON.

>> THE CITY HAS RECEIVED 60 WILDLIFE COMPLAINTS SINCE CREATING A REPORTING SYSTEM IN PLACE IN 2021, THE CITY COUNCIL HAS NOT RECEIVED A FORMAL PROPOSAL, THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS STILL REVIEWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

>>> THE BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL HAS AUTHORIZED THE SPENDING OF OVER $1 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS FOR FIRST RESPONDER AND CENTER PROGRAMS.

THE FUNDS WILL BE SPEND ON $100,000 ON NO INTEREST PAYMENT FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE.

THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE A CLEAR TIMELINE FOR ESTABLISHING THE PROGRAM AND IS WORKING ON NEGOTIATING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LOCAL BANK TO ESTABLISH THE INITIATIVE.

>> MORTGAGE LOANS ARE A VERY HIGHLY REGULATED INDUSTRY.

SO THE BANK HAS A LOT OF HOOPS THAT THEY GOT TO GO THROUGH IN ORDER FOR US TO PUT THE PROGRAM IN PLACE.

>> THE CITY SAYS FOUR FIREFIGHTERS AND ONE POLICE OFFICER HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SO FAR.

>>> AND JOE, 21 NEW FIREFIGHTERS WILL BE JOINING THE DEPARTMENT THIS SUMMER.

>> THAT WAS AN INTERESTING QUESTIONING DURING THE PRIMARY DEBATES TOO.

WE WILL SEE HOW THAT UNFOLDS NEXT YEAR.

THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT WE'LL CONTINUE OUR WORK ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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