>>> THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED A NEW LAW THAT CRIMINALIZES STREET HOMELESSNESS.

WE SPOKE WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS AND ADVOCATES ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS FOR BLOOMINGTON'S MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY.

ONLINE GAMBLING IS BECOMING EASIER AND MORE POPULAR, ESPECIALLY ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

WE EXAMINE THE DANGERS OF ONLINE BETTING AND HOW TO AVOID THE PITFALLS THAT CAN COME WITH IT.

>>> AND THE ANNUAL GRANFALLOON FESTIVAL WILL BE SPREAD OUT ALL SUMMER LONG RATHER THAN ONE WEEKEND IN JUNE.

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 LAW THAT TAKES EFFECT THIS SUMMER BANS PUBLIC CAMPING ON GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.

STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PASS SOMETHING LIKE IT FOR YEARS, AND THEY FINALLY GOT IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE DURING THE RECENT SESSION.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT'S ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH HELP.

BUT AS CLAYTON BAUMGARTH REPORTS, LOCAL LEADERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS SAY THE LAW DOESN'T ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS.

>> BEACON ON SOUTH WALNUT STREET IS THE LARGEST NONPROFIT HOUSING PROVIDER.

AS ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR LAST 15 YEARS, FOREST GILMORE FIGHTS EVERY DAY TO HELP THE COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE.

LOCAL LAWMAKERS SUPPORTED GILMORE IN OPPOSING THE BILL BUT THE MAJORITY RALLIED BEHIND IT.

>> DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD REAPPEAR THIS YEAR AFTER IT WAS DEFEATED A YEAR AGO, AND TO BE HONEST, I'M NOT SURPRISED IT PASSED.

DISAPPOINTED BUT NOT SURPRISED.

>> PEOPLE WHO CAMP ON PUBLIC PROPERTY CAN FACE A $500 FINE AND UP TO 60 DAYS IN JAIL.

THE BILL'S AUTHOR SAYS IT GIVES LAW ENFORCEMENT ANOTHER TOOL TO EMPLOY, AND ENCOURAGES PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO SEEK SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

>> YES, THERE IS A CLASS C MISDEMEANOR PROVISION IN THERE.

SOMETIMES YOU NEED THAT TYPE OF TOOL IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION FOR CERTAIN POPULATION OF PEOPLE.

MY HOPE IS THAT WE DON'T USE IT, WHICH IS WHY THERE'S SO MANY BUILT-IN SAFEGUARDS IN THE BILL.

>> CARRASCO SAYS SHE WROTE THE BILL BECAUSE SHE COULD NO LONGER CONTINUE TO DO NOTHING ABOUT INDIANA'S HOMELESS POPULATION.

>> I HAVE BEEN WAITING YEARS AND YEARS AND WATCHING AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

AND I SHARED THE NUMBERS, IT'S NOT GETTING BETTER.

>> GILMORE, HOWEVER, SAYS THE PROBLEM LIES IN THE LACK OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, NOT THAT PEOPLE DON'T ENGAGE WITH WHAT'S AVAILABLE.

>> RIGHT NOW THERE'S NOT ENOUGH SHELTER AVAILABLE FOR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS.

OUR COMMUNITY DOESN'T HAVE IT.

AND THAT'S NOT JUST A PROBLEM IN MONROE COUNTY.

>> GILMORE ARGUES THE BILL DOESN'T ADDRESS WHAT HE CALLS THE SHELTER GAP.

>> IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING TO SOLVE THE SHELTER GAP OR THE HOUSING GAP, PASSES ALL THE COSTS TO DEALING WITH THIS DOWN TO THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, TO THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

>> BLOOMINGTON'S MAYOR SAYS THE CITY HAS ALREADY BEEN OPERATING UNDER ITS OWN ENCAMPMENT POLICY AND IN SOME CASES HAS CLEARED OUT CAMPS AROUND THE CITY.

FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, BLOOMINGTON HAS USED A 30-DAY NOTICE PROCESS THAT DEPLOYS OUTREACH WORKERS AND CASE MANAGERS BEFORE CLOSING CAMPS.

>> IF YOU ARE GOING TO COMPEL A LOCAL JURISDICTION TO MAKE AN ARREST AFTER A 48-HOUR WARNING, THAT IF WE HAVE A PROCEDURE ALREADY IN PLACE, THAT SHOULD SUPERSEDE THE LAW COMPELLING US TO MAKE AN ARREST.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

>> THE CITY'S LAST COUNT IDENTIFIED 116 PEOPLE SLEEPING OUTSIDE OR IN CARS.

>> IT'S A NUMBER THAT WE CAN MEET WITH PARTNERSHIP FROM BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND NONPROFITS, AND -- AND I THINK IT'S ENTIRELY DOABLE.

IT'S NOT DOABLE BY JULY 1st, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THIS BILL DID NOT COME WITH ANY FUNDING.

>> THOMSON SAYS THE CITY AND THE COUNTY HAVE BEEN MEETING TO PREPARE FOR THE LAW'S IMPLEMENTATION.

>> WE KNOW WE CAN'T ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.

IT WILL ACCUMULATE FINES FOR PEOPLE AND CREATE SITUATIONS THAT ARE MORE COMPLICATED.

>> THE MONROE COUNTY JAIL ALREADY FACES ISSUES OF OVERCROWDING.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DIDN'T RESPOND TO HOW THEY ARE PREPARING FOR THIS NEW LAW IMPLEMENTATION BUT IN A STATEMENT, THEY ARE AWARE OF LAW AND APPROACH SITUATIONS WITH, QUOTE, PROFESSIONALISM, COMPASSION AND RESPECT.

THE OFFICE SAYS DEPUTIES ARE TRAINED TO PRIORITIZE SAFETY AND CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WITH AVAILABLE RESOURCES WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

THERE ARE ADDITIONAL CONCERNS FROM ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF INDIANA.

HELPING VETERANS AND FAMILIES OR HVAF OF INDIANA PROVIDES HOUSING AND SERVICES TO VETERANS FACING HOMELESSNESS.

>> THE REALITY IS THAT THERE -- THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH SERVICES FOR VETERANS AND NONVETERANS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> SHE SAYS IN CENTRAL INDIANA, MORE THAN 95% OF HOMELESS VETERANS ARE ALREADY CONNECTED WITH A HOUSING PROVIDER.

THEY ARE SIMPLY WAITING FOR UNITS TO BECOME AVAILABLE.

THE BILL INCLUDES CERTAIN PROTECTIONS INCLUDING ONE THAT PREVENTS CHARGES OF NO SHELTER BEDS ARE AVAILABLE IN A FIVE-MILE RADIUS.

BUT HILDEBRAND SAYS THAT DEFENSE MAY NOT BE EASY TO PROVE.

>> I THINK THEY PUT THE BURDEN ON PROVING THAT, ON THE PERSON EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND WHAT WE SEE HERE AT HVAF, WHEN A PERSON IS HOMELESS, THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT WHERE I'M GOING TO SLEEP TONIGHT, HOW I'M GOING TO EAT AND HOW I'M GOING TO SURVIVE.

>> BACK IN BLOOMINGTON, GILMORE SAYS YEARS FROM NOW, HE DOESN'T EXPECT THIS LAW TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS.

>> IT'S CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO HELP MORE PEOPLE GET HOUSED OR GET HEALTHCARE OR RECOVERY CARE.

>> FOR HIM, THE SOLUTION REMAINS THE SAME.

>> PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE SOME KIND OF STABLE, SAFE, PLACE TO LIVE AND TO HEAL.

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

>> A DISPUTE OVER PROPOSED CHANGES TO BLOOMINGTON'S HOPEWELL NEIGHBORHOOD ORDINANCE HAS DELAYED A DECISION ON THE PROJECT FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER WEEK.

CITY COUNCIL PROPOSED 13 CHANGES OR REASONABLE CONDITIONS FOR WEDNESDAY'S MEETING.

THE CITY AGREED TO FOUR OF THEM, BUT SAID THE OTHERS WOULD BE CONSIDERED AMENDMENTS AND ACCORDING TO STATE LAW, ARE NOT PERMISSIBLE.

>> WE CAN'T MOVE FORWARD IN A PRODUCTIVE WAY UNDER THE NEW CONDITIONS WHEN WE HAVE NEW LEGAL GUIDANCE.

>> COUNCIL VOTED TO POSTPONE THE ORDINANCE TO WEDNESDAY'S MEETING TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY ON THE LEGALITY OF REASONABLE CONDITIONS AND CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS OF AFFORDABILITY, TRANSPORTATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY.

>>> WE ARE JOINED BY SHELBY BROWN FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW, SHELBY.

>> THANKS, JOE.

GRANFALLOON, THE ANNUAL I.U.-HOSTED ARTS AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL IS EXPANDING ITS SCHEDULE FOR 2026.

IT WILL HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF SHOWS BUT WILL STRETCH FROM APRIL THROUGH EARLY SEPTEMBER INSTEAD OF CONCENTRATING EVENTS IN JUNE.

PAST FESTIVALS PACKED NEARLY 30 EVENTS INTO ONE WEEKEND WHICH LIMITED ATTENDANCE.

>> WE REALLY MISSED A LARGE POPULATION WITH THAT.

SO WE WANTED TO, AGAIN, EXPAND INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR, ON THE BACK AND FRONT END OF THAT.

>> THIS YEAR'S EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE ACROSS MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, INCLUDING INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS, THE BUSKIRK-CHUMLEY THEATER AND FOR FIRST TIME SWITCHYARD PARK.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE'VE OUTGROWN KIRKWOOD IN SOME WAYS.

SO BEING AT SWITCHYARD, WHICH IS JUST SUCH A BIGGER -- A BIGGER SPACE, SOMETHING THAT MAYBE IS A LITTLE UNDER UTILIZED AT POINTS TOO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND BEING ABLE TO BRING SOME OF THE GRANFALLOON SPIRIT THERE, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> THE FESTIVAL IS INSPIRED BY LEGENDARY HOOSIER AUTHOR KIRK VONNEGUT, Jr.

>>> A FOUR-STORY 172 BOUTIQUE HOTEL IS EXPECTED TO BREAK GROUND THIS SUMMER.

THE CITY AND ALLUINN SIGNED THE DOCUMENTS.

IT HAS RESTAURANT AND RETAIL SPACE AND A ROOF TOP BAR.

OFFICIALS HOPE THE HOTEL WILL SUPPORT THE AREA BY HOSTING ENTREPRENEURS, INVESTORS AND OTHER CORPORATE PARTNERS.

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION IS PLANNING TO SELL THE FORMER HERALD-TIMES BUILDING.

THE CORPORATION PURCHASED THE BUILDING IN 2022 TO POSSIBLY USE AS A FAMILY WELCOME CENTER, A HEALTH CLINIC, MEETING SPACE OR US ABOUT PARKING, BUT DUE TO BUDGET CUTS AND RENOVATION COSTS THEY DECIDED SELLING WAS A BETTER OPTION.

MCCSC PURCHASED THE PROPERTY FOR $2.9 MILLION.

IT'S ESTIMATED WORTH NOW IS $1.4 MILLION.

>>> THE BLOOMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT NOW HAS A TOOL TO ASSIST DRIVERS WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IF THEY SIGNALED THEIR DISORDER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT CONSISTS OF A BLUE ENVELOPE WHERE DRIVERS CAN STORE I.D., REGISTRATION AND OTHER IMPORTANT PAPERS.

THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE WILL HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DRIVER, TIPS ON WHAT TO EXPECT AT A TRAFFIC STOP AND GUIDANCE FOR THE OFFICER.

>> THEY ARE YOUR FRIENDS IF YOU WILL START TO TRUST THEM.

AND THIS IS THEIR OPTION TO GIVE TO YOU, TO SAY, WE WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW TO BETTER SERVE YOU.

BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR JOB.

THEIR JOB IS TO SERVE US.

>> MONROE COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN OBTAIN PROGRAM MATERIALS AT BPD OR CITY HALL.

>>> A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE OVERDOSE LIFELINE AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS TRYING TO REDUCE OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS FOR BLACK HOOSIERS.

THE MACRO B PROJECT STARTED IN 2022 AFTER OVERDOSE DEATHS SKYROCKETED AMONG BLACK AMERICANS.

IT FOCUSED OWN HELPING BLACK AMERICANS WITHIN FOUR INDIANAPOLIS ZIP CODES, WITHIN FOUR YEARS IT DECREASED.

>> AT THE END OF THE THREE YEARS, OUR GOAL WAS TO SEE A 25% DECREASE IN OUR BLACK OVERDOSE DEATHS IN OUR TARGET ZIP CODE AREAS.

THE 45% IS UNPRECEDENTED.

>> LOCAL LEADERS AND FIRST-RESPONDERS MAKE UP A COALITION THAT MEETS MONTHLY.

>>> BLOOMINGTON PET OWNERS NOW HAVE A NEW OPTION FOR EMERGENCY CARE.

PITIES AND PALS.

A PIT BULL NEIGHBORS NOODLES HELPED TO BITE THROUGH THE RED RIBBON AN WEST SECOND STREET.

>> I THINK IT'S JUST A HUGE NEED THAT I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE IN THE TOWN, FOR EVEN AFTER HOURS, LIKE, NOT OVERNIGHT, BUT 'TIL8 P.M., WEEKENDS, JUST WHEN PEOPLE NEED IT MOST.

>> PITIES AND PALS WILL BE OPENED THURSDAYS THROUGH MONDAYS.

>>> GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN SAYS STATE MAY HAVE TO ADDRESS MEDICAL USES FOR MARIJUANA DURING AN EVENT IN INDIANAPOLIS.

HE NOTED THE FOUR STATES SURROUNDING INDIANA HAVE ALL LEGALIZED MARIJUANA IN SOME FASHION.

RECREATIONAL USE IS PERMITTED IN OHIO, MICHIGAN AND ILLINOIS, AND KENTUCKY ALLOWS FOR MEDICINAL USE.

>> SO THE WHOLE IDEA OF ARRESTING PEOPLE FOR A SMALL AMOUNT OF PLANT MATERIAL, ESPECIALLY A PLANT MATERIAL THAT WILL HELP THEM ALLEVIATE A LOT OF THEIR PAIN AND TROUBLES IS NOT ONLY COUNTERPRODUCTIVE, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY IMMORAL.

>>> A 2025 SURVEY FROM BALL STATE SHOWED ABOUT 60% OF HOOSIERS SUPPORT LEGALIZING MARIJUANA.

>> BLOOMINGTON MAYOR KERRY THOMSON WILL DELIVER HER THIRD STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS TUESDAY AT THE BUSKIRK-CHUMLEY THEATER.

SHE'S EXPECTED TO HIGHLIGHT PROGRESS MADE OVER THE PAST YEAR, AND OUTLINE PRIORITIES FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.

>>> AND JOE, THE DOORS OPEN AT 5:30 P.M., WITH THOMSON TAKING THE STAGE AT 6:00.

>> ALL RIGHT, I WILL BE THERE.

WE WILL HAVE FULL COVERAGE.

>> SHELBY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

ONLINE GAMBLING HAS BECOME MORE ACCESSIBLE AND MORE POPULAR BUT THERE ARE PITFALLS TO AVOID, ESPECIALLY ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

AND THE DEFENDING NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPION, INDIANA HOOSIERS OPEN THEIR SPRING PRACTICE SESSIONS THIS WEEK.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WELL, SPRING IS OFFICIALLY HERE AND THAT MEANS IT'S TIME TO START TENDING TO YOUR GARDENS.

ON LAST WEEK'S NOON EDITION, WE SPOKE WITH A PANEL OF EXPERTS ABOUT BEST PLANTING PRACTICES AND HOW TO GET THE PERFECT LAWN AND GARDEN.

ONE TOPIC THAT CAME UP WAS WHAT'S BEST WAY TO MULCH AND WHAT SHOULD YOU USE?

HERE'S WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> SO I -- I PREFER AND RECOMMEND UNDYED HARDWOOD MULCH.

I THINK THAT WORKS SUPER WELL.

THERE'S ALSO -- YOU CAN DO WOOD CHIPS.

THE BIGGEST THING IS, YEAH, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE PUTTING MULCH AGAINST THE TRUNK OF THE TREE.

IT INVITES A LOT OF MOISTURE AGAINST THE TRUNK OF THE TREE AND YOU CAN CAUSE IT TO ROT AND CAUSE WOUNDS AT THE BASE OF THE TREE.

I USUALLY RECOMMEND DOING -- IF YOU ARE ESTABLISHING A NEW BED, A GOOD THICK LAYER OF MULCH TO HELP SUPPRESS THE WEEDS FAVORITE.

IF YOU ARE REFRESHING BEDS, AN INCH OR LESS, YOU PROBABLY NEED TO TOP DRESS.

YOU WANT TO AVOID THE MULCH PRESSED UP AGAINST IS THE TRUNK AND STEMS OF THINGS.

THAT INVITES ISSUES FOR FUNGUS AND MOISTURE AND ALL OF THAT.

>> YOU WANT TO CREATE A BAGEL OR DOUGHNUT EFFECT AROUND THE MULCH, THAT WILL HOLD THE WATER AND KEEP IT AWAY FROM THE TRUNK.

WE LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE IDEA OF GREEN MULCH, THAT IS PLANTING GROUND COVERS, EVEN THOSE BEAUTIFUL VIOLETS IT'S A WONDERFUL GROUND COVERAGE THAT FEEDS EARLY POLLINATORS AND SUE PRESS WEEDS.

THEY OUT COMPETE -- SUPPRESS WEEDS AND OUT COMPETE WEEDS AND REDUCE THE NEED FOR YOU TO KEEP ADDING WOOD CHIPS OR BARK MULCH.

SHREDDED LEAVES ARE I GREAT MULCH ALSO, AS LONG AS THEY DON'T HAVE WEED SEEDS IN THEM.

SO -- SO MULCH -- MULCH IS A BIG TOPIC, I CAN TALK ALL DAY ABOUT MULCH.

>> I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP THEN.

I'M NOT SAYING THIS BEFORE, WE HAVE NEW NEIGHBORS AND THEY REALLY HAVE A LOT OF GARDENING IDEAS AND THEY HAVE DONE SOME REALLY GOOD WORK.

THEY, LAST YEAR, JUST GOT A BUNCH OF MULCH AND THERE'S SOME YARD THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE GRASS ON ANYMORE AND THEY JUST SPREAD THICK MULCH OVER THE GRASS.

IS THAT -- IS THAT GOING TO WORK, JUST CHOKE OUT THE GRASS?

>> IF YOU DO IT RIGHT.

>> YOU MIGHT HAVE PLUCK IF YOU DO CARDBOARD UNDERNEATH IT.

THAT'S WHAT I HAVE ALREADY DONE.

>> I THINK THEY DID.

>> CARDBOARD THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY SLICK PICTURES, SOMETHING THAT WILL BREAK DOWN.

I USUALLY LAY CARDBOARD DOWN AND MAKE SURE IT'S OVERLAPPING SO YOU DON'T HAVE ANY SPACE WHERE GRASS CAN POKE UP AND THEN PUT THICK MULCH ON IT.

IT WILL HELP QUITE A BIT.

>> WOOD CHIPS ARE WHAT WE LIKE TO USE FOR IT.

IT'S CALLED SHEET MULCHING.

YOU PUT THE CARDBOARD OR THE NEWSPAPER THICKLY DOWN AND THEN 4 TO 6 INCHES OF WOOD CHIPS DOWN AND THOSE WOOD CHIPS SUPPRESS THE WEEDS AND IT KILLS WHATEVER VEGETATION AND THEN YOU PLANT RIGHT IN IT.

IT'S WIN/WIN.

>> AND I HAVE DONE THAT FOR THE PATHS AND MY VEGETABLE GARDENS TO PUT DOWN THE CARDBOARD AND MULCH ON TOP AND THEN YOU CAN MOVE THAT AROUND.

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

>>> LEGAL SPORTS GAMBLING IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE ACCESSIBLE AND POPULAR IN INDIANA.

AND EVENTS SUCH AS THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS AND MARCH MADNESS ARE HUGE DRIVERS OF ONLINE BETTING, BUT AS ISABELLA VESPERINI REPORTS, EXPERTS SAY THERE'S A LIMIT TO WHAT COLLEGES CAN DO TO ADDRESS THE FALLOUT.

>> A FEW HOURS BEFORE INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S FOOTBALL TEAM PLAYED IN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, GRADUATE STUDENT LIAM QUINN VOTED $50 ON I.U.

WINNING AND THAT INCLUDED QUARTERBACK FERNANDO MENDOZA SCORING A RUNNING TOUCHDOWN.

>> WHEN INDIANA WAS IN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, I DECIDED TO PUT $50 DOWN, JUST BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THEM.

>> I.U.

WON THE GAME, MENDOZA SCORED A RUSHING TOUCHDOWN AND COOPER HAS 71 YARDS RECEIVING, QUINN MADE $300.

QUINN STARTED SPORTS BETTING A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

>> I'M A BIG LIVE EVENTS PERSON.

AND IT HELPED ME KEEP INTO THE GAME, ESPECIALLY IN THIS DAY AND AGE, IS PEOPLE GO TO THE GAME OR THE EVENTS AND THEY WOULD BE ON THEIR PHONES A LOT BEING BORED.

IT HELPS TO KEEP YOU INTO THE GAME AS WELL.

>> HE DOESN'T USUALLY BET $50 ON A GAME.

NORMALLY HE PUTS BETWEEN $5 AND $10 DOWN ON I.U.

BASKETBALL AN FOOTBALL GAMES, AS WELL AS ON THE CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL TEAM.

HE'S BET SPECIFICALLY ON I.U.

BASKETBALL PLAYER LAMAR WILKERSON AND CUBS PLAYER IAN HAPP.

>> YOU CAN FOLLOW ONE PLAYER, AND ACTUALLY REALLY -- YOU CAN GET REWARDED FOR BELIEVING IN THIS PLAYER, PRETTY MUCH, AND THAT'S MY GAME, BASKETBALL CAN BE KIND OF SLOW SOMETIMES, BASEBALL.

SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO MAKE IT A MORE FUN ENVIRONMENT.

>> WHILE SOME STUDENTS LIKE QUINN BET TO ENGAGE MORE IN THE GAME AND SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS.

ONE RESEARCHER SAYS PEOPLE MAY DO SO TO COPE WITH STRESS.

>> WITH ONLINE GAMBLING, YOU CAN DO IT IN PRIVATE.

NO ONE CAN SEE YOU DO IT.

IT'S VERY ACCESSIBLE.

IT MIGHT NOT BE NOTICED BY OTHER PEOPLE.

THEY CAN'T KIND OF SEE IT IN YOUR EYES OR SMELL IT ON YOUR BREATH LIKE ALCOHOL.

>> THE DATA SHE GETS IS SPORTS GAMBLING, SOME OF THE ITEMS INCLUDE NOT COMPLETING SCHOOL WORK AND NOT DOING SCHOOL WORK AND WITHDRAWING FROM CLASS.

>> WITHDRAWING FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS, ACTIVITIES THAT THEY USED TO DO WITH OTHERS AND MAYBE WITHDRAWING MORE INTO THEMSELVES.

>> TO ADDRESS THE RISES IN SPORTS GAMBLING, THE COLLEGES SHOULD INCREASE AWARENESS BY PROVIDING INFORMATION ON THE SUBJECT DURING NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION AND IN WELLNESS PROGRAMS.

>> THEY COULD LEARN HOW DO YOU -- IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO GAMBLE, LEGALLY, ILLEGALLY, YOU KNOW, HOW DOUCET LIMITS?

MAYBE ON MONEY, ON TIME, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR TO WHEN YOU MIGHT BE GETTING INTO SOME RISK BEHAVIOR AND HOW TO STEP BACK FROM THAT?

AND THEN OF COURSE, ALL OF THE WARNING SIGNS ON WHEN IT'S MAYBE REALLY DEVELOPED INTO A PROBLEM AND THEN WHAT TO DO TO GET HELP.

>> QUINN CONTROLS HOW MUCH HE BETS BY SETTING A LIMIT ON HIS BANK ACCOUNT.

HE CAN'T SPEND MORE THAN $50 A MONTH ON BETTING.

>> USUALLY I TRY TO TAKE MOST TV AND PUT IT BACK IN MY BANK BUT I LEAVE SOME IT TOO.

OKAY, I CAN DO SIX SMALL BETS.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY DOESN'T HAVE A SPECIFIC POLICY ON SPORTS BETTING IT.

ONLY RESTATES AND ABIDES BY THE NCAA'S POLICY AGAINST STAFF AND STUDENT-ATHLETES WAGERING ON ANY SPORT THAT NCAA SPONSORS.

>> IT'S NOT REALLY I.U.

'S JOB TO ENFORCE THAT.

THEY ARE NOT, LIKE, THE POLICE.

SO, I MEAN, IF I.U.

WANTED TO, THEY COULD SIMPLY BLOCK THESE WEBSITES FROM THE CAMPUS WIFI, LIKE, THAT -- THEY COULD DO THAT IF THEY WANTED TO.

>> BUT I.U.

'S ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT IS CONSTANTLY EDUCATING STUDENT-ATHLETES ABOUT SPORTS BETTING, AT TEAM ORIENTATION MEETINGS AND GUEST SPEAKER EVENTS.

>> WE SEND PUSH NOTIFICATIONS VIA TEXT AND EMAIL THROUGH A SOFTWARE WE HAVE CALLED TEAM WORKS BEFORE MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS LIKE MARCH MADNESS, THE SUPER BOWL, AND HUGE INTERNATIONAL SOCCER COMPETITIONS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE REMINDING THAT THEY CAN'T BET ON IT.

>> THEY WILL GET THE OCCASIONAL DIRECT MESSAGE FROM A GAMBLER WHO CLAIMS IT COSTS THEM MONEY BUT IT'S RARE.

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

>>> A 2022 SURVEY BY THE INDIANA PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS PROGRAM STATES 30% OF PEOPLE AGED 18 TO 34 REPORTED PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS GAMBLING.

>>> THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM HIT THE FIELD THURSDAY FOR ITS FIRST PRACTICE SINCE WINNING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

AS PAT BEANE REPORTS IS, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF NEW FACES THIS SEASON, BUT THE SAME EXPECTATIONS FROM HEAD COACH CURT CIGNETTI.

>> A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO MONTHS AGO, CURT CIGNETTI WAS THRUSTING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY INTO THE AIR AS THE CONFETTI RAINED DOWN ON THE HOOSIERS.

IT WAS ONE THE TOP SPORTS STORIES OF ALL TIME.

HOW DOT HOOSIERS TOP THAT?

>> YOU CAN'T REALLY IMPROVE ON 16-0, RIGHT?

16-0!

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

BECAUSE THERE WERE 16 GAMES YOU WON EVERY WON OF THEM.

OKAY?

WHAT YOU CAN IMPROVE ON IS YOUR DAY-TO-DAY CONSISTENCY.

>> THAT BEGAN THURSDAY WHERE CIGNETTI GOT THE FIRST LOOK AT THE 2026 INDIANA HOOSIERS.

GONE ARE STAR PLAYERS THAT YOU WILL SEE IN THE NFL, FERNANDO MENDOZA AND GONE ARE THE JAMES MADISON TRANSFERS THAT CAME TO I.U.

WITH CIGNETTI.

THEY CHANGED THE CULTURE AND LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS.

>> WE PROBABLY HAVE MORE WORK TO DO WITH THIS GROUP THAN THE FIRST TWO TEAMS SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY THAT WE DON'T HAVE A ONE TO THREE-YEAR RELATIONSHIP WITH.

>> THE HOOSIERS DO RETURN A SOLID CORPS OF PLAYER BUT THEY WILL HAVE THEIR THIRD QUARTERBACK IN THREE YEARS, JOSH HOOVER.

THE 6'2" SENIOR THREW FOR 125 YARDS AND 29 TOUCHDOWNS FOR TEXAS CHRISTIAN BUT HE ALSO THROUGH 13 INTERCEPTIONS.

ANOTHER NEWCOMER EXPECTED TO BE A BIG CONTRIBUTOR IS NICK MARSH FROM MICHIGAN STATE.

>> I DIDN'T LOVE THE GOLD SHOES HE CAME OUT IN TODAY.

HE LEARNED WHAT GETTING YOUR ASS RIPPED IS ALL ABOUT.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAPPENED TO HIM VERY OFTEN IN MICHIGAN STATE.

>> IT WAS DAY ONE OF THE SPRING SESSION BUT IT WAS THE FIRST STEP IN LEARNING HOW TO PLAY CIGNETTI'S WAY.

>> THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART IN TERMS OF PUTTING IT BETWEEN THE WHITE LINES AND, YOU KNOW, UNDERSTANDING THE STANDARD, THE EXPECTATION LEVEL, THE ACCOUNTABILITY.

DOING THE THINGS THAT WE PREACH, THAT LEAD TO WINNING FOOTBALL GAMES.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> THE SPRING SESSION WRAPS UP ON THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd WITH THE ANNUAL INTRASQUAD SPRING GAME.

>>> 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