Good morning! Here are some stories we are following today.
1. Western wildfires force U.S. Forest Service to take funds from Indiana.
The Herald Times reports that with the U.S. Forest Service spending over half its budget to fight fires in five Western states, the agency has begun to take money from states that have money not already appropriated to salaries or contracts.
This could delay or postpone projects at the Hoosier National Forest.
2. Bartholomew County has budget deficit of $3.9 million
The City Council meets today to continue the task of eliminating $4.7 million in expenses.
The Republic reportsthat the city has already been able to cut $1 million from the 2016 budget as of Friday.
3. Richmond High School students protest anti-backpack policy
About 50 students gathered outside the school before classes chanting and protesting the policy.
Last week, Superintendent Todd Terrill announced that students would not be able to carry their backpacks to classes this year.