This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, January 5th, 2020.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty speaks with Dr. Andrew Downs, Associate Professor of Political Science at Purdue University-Fort Wayne, about twelve Republican Senators who say they will vote against certifying the 2020 Electoral College votes in "disputed states" on Wednesday. U.S. Senator Mike Braun from Indiana is among that list of Republican Senators. More on that in today’s feature reports.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the latest headlines from the prison system, brought to you by Kite Line - our public affairs program which covers issues in the prison system in and around the Midwest. That’s coming up in today’s headlines.

But first, your local news brief:

3,477 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Indiana on Monday, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. There were 142 newly reported deaths. Locally, Monroe County saw 37 new confirmed cases yesterday, while Lawrence County reported 44. Brown County reported no new cases, but one new Covid-19 death.

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The National Collegiate Athletics Association, or NCAA, announced Monday that this year’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament will be taking place exclusively in Indiana. In most years, rounds of the NCAA tournament, which famously runs throughout the month of March, are hosted by many different venues in many different states. This year, teams that qualify for the NCAA tournament will play in one of six locations in Indiana for each round of the event. Bloomington’s very own Assembly Hall will be one of six locations hosting NCAA tournament matches.

The idea is that, by hosting in one central area, travel will be kept to a minimum. This will hopefully keep players and staff safe, as the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic continues. Last fall, the National Basketball Association, or NBA, made similar moves to protect the NBA playoffs. By keeping the playoff teams in one location, in Orlando, Florida, and limiting contact only between players inside the figurative bubble, the NBA was able to finish their playoffs without a single positive case of Covid-19. The proposed NCAA tournament decision is not exactly a bubble; according to NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt, the families of players will be allowed to attend events. There has also been no official call on whether or not fans will be allowed to attend.

The Statehouse Reconvenes for 2021 Session

The Indiana General Assembly reconvened for the 2021 Legislative Session this week. Covid-19 will dominate the session, which will submit a budget and redistricting maps.

The Indiana General Assembly reconvened on Monday to kick off the 2021 Legislative Session.

This year, the session will look different due to Covid-19. State legislators arrived at the statehouse on Monday wearing masks and spaced six feet apart on the chamber floor.

Masks are encouraged but not required during the 2021 session. Each chamber will place plexiglass barriers around podiums. Hand sanitizer and free masks are available throughout the statehouse.

The House will meet once a week, rather than three-times-per week. Members of the House are allowed to attend meetings virtually, but all votes and amendments are required to take place in-person. The Senate will continue its Monday through Thursday session.

According to the state department of higher education, the House and most committees will meet in the Indiana Government Center South. Some senators will be seated in the gallery to allow for more social distancing. Recorded and written testimonies will be accepted.

The session is responsible for passing a budget and redistricting maps. Several organizations like the League of Women Voters and Common Cause advocate for an independent,