TheIndyBlog

"A divisive labor bill is back in Republican hands after Indiana House Democrats on Monday ended a three-day boycott of the chamber to stall the measure.

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said the right-to-work bill will get a committee vote Tuesday morning and could make it out of his chamber by the end of the week if Democrats continue to attend House sessions.

Indiana House Democrats returned to the Legislature after spending three days blocking the contentious bill but did not promise to stay long enough to allow a final vote on the measure. House Democratic Leader Patrick Bauer told The Associated Press that Democrats were returning “just for today.”"

Read more.

Butler moves on to Monday

2010-04-03T23:20:00.002-04:00

Evansville Courier & Press

Butler Coach Brad Stevens does not possess a wealth of Final Four experience. In fact, the third-year, 33-year-old head coach never had stepped onto college basketball's grandest stage prior to Saturday night.

But it didn't take the sterling credentials of his counterpart, Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo -- whose teams have made six Final Fours in the past 12 seasons -- to understand that shooting 30.6 percent was not a prudent plan for success, which made Stevens that much prouder of his team's defensive effort in the aftermath of Butler's 52-50 win over the Spartans.

Ind. worker fires shotgun into office, no injuries

2010-03-07T08:49:00.000-05:00

Police say a state Department of Workforce Development auditor who had just received a poor job review shot at co-workers at an agency office in the northwest Indiana city of Portage.

No one was injured.

Sgt. Keith Hughes says the 60-year-old man became upset during his job review Friday and told his supervisor he needed to go to his car. When the man retrieved a shotgun, a manager locked the front door of the office and ordered the other 15 employees to the rear.

Tatum's Bags of Fun

2010-02-13T10:21:00.003-05:00

This morning I listened to a radio interview with Tatum Parker and her father, discussing this program called Bags Of Fun.
As a father of four myself, I was moved when I listened to this young girl and how much the Bags of Fun program has meant to her, her family, and the many other families that are affected by the horrible illness.
I am adding a link to the sidebar for those that wish to read more and donate to this program.

Here's a little info from the Bags of Fun website.

In July 2006, just before her 6th birthday, Tatum Parker was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer.

Tatum endured a year-long battle in which she smiled her way through 3 major surgeries and 13 rounds of chemotherapy, unfortunately in December 2008 she had a relapse. She's currently in the midst of another 12-round battle with chemotherapy.

Tatum’s Bags of Fun was formed in memory of Gabby Krause. Thanks to Gabby, Tatum received a Bag of Fun which helped her through her long hospital stays and year-long battle with cancer. Gabby had a vision that all children battling cancer in Colorado would receive a Bag of Fun. Our goal is to carry on Gabby’s legacy and bring Bags of Fun to children battling cancer in Indiana.

Man gets 53 years for shooting pregnant bank teller

2010-02-13T08:59:00.001-05:00

Indianapolis Star

An Indianapolis man was sentenced to 53 years in prison Friday for shooting a pregnant bank teller during a robbery, ending a case that inspired stiffer feticide penalties in state law.

Katherin Shuffield, 32, who lost both of her unborn twins after the April 2008 shooting, described her heartache in court before Brian Kendrick's sentence was announced.

She flashed between two moments; the first was just before the incident, when she and her husband learned their twins would both be girls. "We were so excited for our family to grow," she said.

Bayh, Coats face big question: 'Are you a Hoosier?'

2010-02-13T08:41:00.000-05:00

Both former Sen. Dan Coats, who moved back to Indiana to prepare a run for the seat he once held, and two-term Democratic incumbent Sen. Evan Bayh are fending off questions about their status as Hoosiers.

On Thursday, Democrats scrambled to respond when the prominent conservative blog FrugalHoosiers.com questioned the legitimacy of a modest condominium, valued at $59,500 that Bayh lists as his Indiana residency.

According to neighbors, the answer is that the place is large enough for Bayh to stay there a few weeks each year.

Peter Bergmann, who has lived in the complex for seven years, said he sometimes runs into Bayh in the summer.

Indiana Governor speaks at Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce luncheon

2010-02-13T08:37:00.001-05:00

Tribune-Star

When better economic times come to America, Gov. Mitch Daniels wants business opportunities to appear first in Indiana.

“We want Indiana to be well-positioned to be the first place people go when they have enough money and enough confidence to try to grow,” Daniels told about 220 members of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce on Thursday during a public policy briefing at The Landing on Terre Haute’s north side.

“Indiana is fighting back against this recession, more successfully than other states,” he said, shortly after his presentation.

“That is no consolation when so many people are hurting and out of work. If we continue to be careful about our tax dollars and make some of the hard calls that we would rather not make, we will be one of the few states that does not raise taxes and therefore is more attractive when jobs do start coming back to the American economy,” Daniels said, after the luncheon.

$2.5M winning lotto ticket expires

2010-02-13T08:29:00.002-05:00

WISH-TV

A $2.5 million winning lottery ticket expired Friday evening. The ticket was purchased on the south side of Indianapolis.

Six months ago, someone bought a ticket at the Meijer on Southport Road that would have made them a millionaire. A Hoosier Lotto ticket for the August 19 drawing hit the jackpot.

Friday at 5 p.m. was the 180-day deadline to claim the prize. While shopping at the store, Barbara Lock reacted to the realization that the multi-millions would go unclaimed.

Indiana smoking ban unlikely to move in Senate

2010-02-05T15:07:00.000-05:00

Business Week

A proposed statewide smoking ban in public places in Indiana won't be considered by the state Senate and is likely dead this legislative session.

An original bill in the House would have banned smoking in public places except casinos and pari-mutuel horse racing venues. But the final bill passed by the House included more exemptions, including those for bars, taverns and fraternal clubs.

Ind. Senate endorses meth bill, sends it to House

2010-02-03T17:25:00.000-05:00

A bill aimed at making sure Indiana's methamphetamine laws target people who try to buy cold medicines to make meth is now before the Indiana House.

The Senate voted 46-4 for the legislation on Tuesday.

The bill requires stores selling medications containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine to make clear to customers the legal purchasing limit of those ingredients.

Former Sen. Dan Coats to challenge Evan Bayh in Indiana

2010-02-03T17:23:00.000-05:00

Senate Republicans scored a major coup in their attempt to broaden the playing field this November by luring former senator Dan Coats (R) into the race against Sen. Evan Bayh (D) in Indiana.

Coats is expected to announce his candidacy today, according to informed Republican sources.

After serving four terms in the House, Coats was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by Dan Quayle's election as vice president in 1988. He was subsequently elected in 1990 to the remainder of Quayle's term and in 1992 won the seat outright. He retired in 1998, making way for Bayh, who had been a two-term governor, to cruise to an open-seat victory over then Ft. Wayne Mayor Paul Helmke.

State throws flag on IPS Super Bowl delay plan

2010-02-03T17:08:00.001-05:00

IndyStar

State officials have warned Indianapolis Public Schools officials that it cannot delay classes for two hours on the Monday after the Super Bowl and still count it as a full day of class.

School districts can institute two-hour delays only for emergencies, such as bad weather or utility problems, according to the state. Those kinds of delays receive automatic waivers from the state. Districts delaying for other reasons would have to apply for a waiver, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett signaled today that he would not look kindly on granting one for the Super Bowl.

“While we support the Colts, two-hour delays are reserved for emergency situations,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett said. “We have presented IPS with alternatives that ensure our children receive the instructional time they deserve.”

Indiana may lose local township boards and trustees

2010-01-22T21:50:00.001-05:00

NewsLink Indiana

Indiana’s local township trustees may be on the verge of having to report to a new boss.

Gov. Mitch Daniels has proposed to re-assign the 3,000 elected township officials across the state to county positions.

Daniels mentioned several areas where Hoosiers can maintain their local distribution of poor relief, local identity and leadership.

“I hope I have seen for the last time new half-million dollar fire trucks bought in fire stations a couple blocks apart because two totally separate township boards were involved,” Daniels said during his State of the State address on Wednesday night.

Indiana Democrat Feels Icy Breeze From Massachusetts

2010-01-22T21:48:00.001-05:00

Wall Street Journal

When Rick Berry heard on Tuesday that a Republican had won the U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts, he emailed one of his friends: "Maybe there's hope for the country after all!"

The message was bad news for Baron Hill, a five-term Democratic congressman who represents Mr. Berry's district.

Mr. Berry, the president of Madison's city council, is a registered Democrat and a former supporter of Mr. Hill.

The political winds that buffeted Massachusetts this week are now blowing across the cornfields of southeast Indiana—smack into Mr. Hill.

Indiana State Police closing post in Seymour

2010-01-22T21:46:00.000-05:00

A spokesman says the Indiana State Police post in Seymour will be closed within about four months.

First Sgt. Dave Bursten says the change is being driven by technology and efficiency and no jobs will be lost.

Battery Manufacturer to Open 3rd Indiana Plant

2010-01-22T21:44:00.000-05:00

ABC News

Lithium battery maker EnerDel says it will locate its newest manufacturing operation in Hancock County, bringing 500 jobs to the area.

Gov. Mitch Daniels joined EnerDel executives Thursday to announce the new operation near Mount Comfort just east of Indianapolis. He says he hopes EnerDel can help make Indiana the capital of the electric vehicle industry.

The developer of lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles announced in 2008 plans to create jobs by expanding its Indianapolis location and building a new assembly center in Noblesville. It also committed to locating a full-scale manufacturing site in Indiana.

Debate about nuclear power returns to legislature

2009-09-14T14:04:00.000-04:00

There are no nuclear power plants in Indiana, but lawmakers are expected to wrestle next year with whether to offer an incentive that could boost prospects for building reactors in the state.

Members of the legislature's Regulatory Flexibility Committee are scheduled to discuss nuclear energy in Indiana on Sept. 22, and panel's co-chairmen -- Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne, and Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis -- have already staked out opposing positions.

The debate centers on whether utilities should be able to charge customers for the cost of building a nuclear plant as soon as construction begins, rather than having to wait until the reactor is operating. Current state law only allows utilities building so-called "clean coal" power plants -- those that release less carbon dioxide -- to charge customers for construction that is still in progress.

Marvin Harrison’s accuser dies

2009-09-11T11:14:00.002-04:00

Philly.com

Dwight Dixon, who accused former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison last year of shooting him in the hand, died Friday at Hahnemann University Hospital of gunshot wounds he received in another shooting.

Dixon, of West Philadelphia, was shot multiple times July 21 as he sat in the driver's seat of a car in front of a Valu-Plus store in the city's Fairmount section.

Police said an unknown gunman approached Dixon on the 2800 block of Girard Ave. about 11 a.m. and peppered him with bullets from both sides of the car.

Dixon, 33, claimed he had been shot by Harrison during an altercation in April 29, 2008 outside a garage and car wash owned by Harrison at 25th and Thompson Streets in North Philadelphia.

Indianapolis’ Adult Business Ordinance Is Tossed

2009-09-11T11:10:00.001-04:00

XBiz Newswire

A federal appeals court, ruling that the city of Indianapolis has failed to offer evidence supporting tighter restrictions for adult video and bookstores, has struck down its six-year-old ordinance that broadens the definition of an “adult entertainment business.”

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in its decision, said that the city’s ordinance was flawed from the get-go because it mixed all adult establishments, including those that involve public booths, into one lump category.

“If there is more misconduct at a bar than at an adult emporium, how would that justify greater legal restrictions on the bookstore — much of whose stock in trade is constitutionally protected in a way that beer and liquor are not,” the court said in its ruling. “Indianapolis has approached this case by assuming that any empirical study of morals offenses near any kind of adult establishment in any city justifies every possible kind of legal restriction in every city.”

The 7th Circuit added that Indianapolis city leaders failed to offer "an iota of evidence" supporting stricter regulations on adult book and video stores.

The six-year-old ordinance expanded the definition of an adult business to include any retailer that devotes at least 25 percent of its space or inventory to adult books, magazines, films and sex toys. The definition also covered retailers who earned at least 25 percent of their sales from adult items. The threshold was 50 percent before 2003.

Senator wants to know if school starts too soon

2009-09-07T22:01:00.000-04:00

A state senator wants to know whether Indiana residents think public schools start their fall semesters too early.

Sen. Dennis Kruse, a Republican from Auburn who heads the Senate Education Committee, wants people to take an online survey and offer comments on a new Web site: www.IndianaEducationForum.com.

The site is paid for by Save Indiana Summers, a group of parents and businesses pushing for a law that would prohibit school from starting before the last week in August. But Kruse says he welcomes all opinions on the issue.

Kruse will also hear from the public at the Statehouse during a Sept. 30 meeting at which a legislative study committee will consider the feedback from web comments and survey results.

SW Indiana county looks to revive old rail line

2009-09-03T20:14:00.000-04:00

A southwestern Indiana county is working on plans to seek federal funding to revive a rail line that has been inactive since the 1970s.

Gibson County Commissioners unanimously agreed Tuesday to sponsor a grant application to study the possible rail line connecting the communities of Skelton, Owensville and Fort Branch.

The business development director for the Morley and Associates engineering firm says several shippers could be interested in using the line.

Pfizer Inc. to pay Indiana nearly $3.7 million in historic settlement

2009-09-03T20:13:00.000-04:00

Muncie Free Press

In one of the largest settlements of a healthcare-fraud case in U.S. history, the federal government, Indiana and other states have reached an agreement with Pfizer Inc. to settle allegations of kickback payments and illegal off-marketing campaigns that had improperly promoted drugs Pfizer manufactures.

Pfizer agreed to pay state and federal governments a total $1 billion in civil damages as compensation to Medicaid, Medicare and other federal healthcare programs harmed by the company’s conduct, the federal and state governments announced today.

Under the settlement with Pfizer, the total obtained for the Indiana Medicaid program -- including both the federal and state share -- will be $9,520,231.16 in restitution and other recovery. Of that, the state’s share of the multi-state settlement will be $3,694,888.19.

RNC chair to visit Indiana to discuss health care

2009-09-03T20:11:00.000-04:00

The chairman of the National Republican Committee is making stops in Indiana and Ohio targeting the health care positions of Indiana Rep. Baron Hill and three Ohio representatives.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele plans to visit the Physician Associates of Southern Indiana in Floyds Knobs on Thursday morning to discuss health care. Later, he'll travel to Ohio to target the positions of three Ohio Democratic members of congress.

Hill held a town hall meetings on health care in New Albany on Monday night and another one in Bloomington Wednesday night ahead of Steele's visit.

Federal rule similar to Indiana robo-call ban

2009-09-03T20:06:00.000-04:00

There's a new federal regulation similar to an Indiana law that prohibits the use of autodialing machines to make prerecorded telephone calls.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller says he welcomes the federal rule that took effect Tuesday, but says Indiana's law is stronger and is not pre-empted by the federal law.

Both laws prohibit the use of prerecorded telemarketing calls unless the consumer has given written permission to be called.

Indiana lottery says revenue drops 11 percent

2009-08-18T19:24:00.002-04:00

Hoosier Lottery revenue dropped 11 percent in the latest fiscal year, marking the weakest sales of lottery tickets in five years.

Lottery officials say revenue for the year that ended June 30 was $732 million, down from $822 million in fiscal 2008.

Hoosier Lottery spokesman Andrew Reed says the economy was a factor. He also says Hoosier Lotto sales were down from a "phenomenal" year in 2008.

St. Francis Hospital staff donates 200 DVDs to military clinic in Iraq

2009-08-18T19:22:00.001-04:00

The Indianapolis Star

While serving in Iraq, Army Staff Sgt. Andrea Cowden saw a need for a variety of DVDs to entertain military personnel awaiting treatment in a clinic at Camp Liberty, near Baghdad.

She contacted her mother, Kathleen Cowden, a Westside Indianapolis resident and staff dietitian at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove, for help.

Cowden's mother got the attention of hospital leaders. Staff at St. Francis' hospitals in Beech Grove, Mooresville and on Indianapolis' Far Southside then donated 200 new and used DVDs in the spring, and they were shipped to Cowden.

"It really meant a whole lot to us to have more than five movies to show," Cowden said Wednesday during a hospital visit, while she was on a two-week break from duty at Camp Liberty.

Indianapolis Colts Odds to Win 2010 Super Bowl

2009-08-16T16:29:00.002-04:00

Gambling 911

The Indianapolis Colts odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl have been set early at +1300 meaning that a $100 bet will pay $1300 at Sports Interaction.com (a $10 bet will pay out $130). These are pretty good payout odds all things considered. As long as Peyton Manning is on this team, the Colts always have a shot at going to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately they are also one Peyton injury away from going under .500.

There are a few concerns for the Indianapolis Colts, the biggest of which is the coaching change. Tony Dungy retired after last season and the club promoted long time assistant Jim Caldwell. Gambling911.com does not see this as having any major negative impact on the Colts chances in 2009/2010 however. Caldwell, after all, has been a key component of the Colts success over the years. But whenever there is a coaching change, there is always the potential for some glitches.

Jackson hometown left out of pocket

2009-08-16T16:26:00.000-04:00

Google News

The mayor of Michael Jackson's home town, Gary, Indiana, has revealed how the cash-strapped community paid US $5,000 to fly Michael Jackson's father and seven other people from Los Angeles to attend a July memorial service for his son.

Mayor Rudy Clay insisted Joe Jackson wasn't paid any money to attend the July 10 memorial in downtown Gary, near the Jackson family's former two-bedroom boyhood home.

"Joe Jackson came here for one reason: his son," he said. "He wanted to be with his 31 other family members who live in Gary. There was no fee for Joe Jackson to appear. Absolutely not."

Hayhurst Will Challenge Indiana GOP Rep. Souder

2009-08-16T16:22:00.000-04:00

CQ Politics

Indiana Democrat Tom Hayhurst will challenge Republican Rep. Mark Souder in the 2010 election, in what would be a rematch of their competitive 2006 matchup in the Fort Wayne-based 3rd District.

Hayhurst, a former Fort Wayne city councilman, this week filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission to initiate a 2010 campaign in Indiana's 3rd, which Souder has represented since 1995.

"I've been thinking about it a lot and talking it over with my family and other folks who supported me along the way and decided -- especially considering what's going on in this congressional district now and also in our entire country -- that it was my duty, my job, my obligation to file and run," Hayhurst told CQ Politics Friday afternoon.

Indiana's 8.4% spike in foreclosure filings worrisome

2009-08-16T16:20:00.000-04:00

Indianapolis Star

Indiana's high jobless levels could be behind an unhealthy jump in mortgage foreclosures in the state last month.

Lenders carried out 5,186 foreclosure filings last month in Indiana, an 8.4 percent upswing from the same month last year, according to a report from RealtyTrac, a California seller of distressed properties.

Indiana's rate of foreclosure filings now ranks it 17th on RealtyTrac's national list. That's far better than Indiana's top 10 showings several years ago.

Indiana wins Miss America 2009

2009-01-25T08:55:00.004-05:00

People

Denim-clad beauties stood in marked contrast to the traditional, more formal mood at this year's Miss America pageant, as young women from around the country vied for the crown at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

And the winner was? Miss Indiana Katie Stam, 22, a communications major at the University of Indianapolis.

Highway workers find 100k

2009-01-25T08:02:00.000-05:00

Three Indiana state highway workers picking up trash Friday along I-70 found a little something extra inside an abandoned tire: more than $100,000 in cash.

Police spent hours unfolding, separating, counting and drying the thousands of wet bills at the Indiana State Police post at Pendleton. Investigators are checking the abandoned tire's tread marks to see if they can help determine a possible source of the cash.

Indiana inmates sneak through ceiling to have sex

2008-11-19T16:34:00.000-05:00

iWon News

Three male and three female inmates at a southern Indiana jail face charges that they devised a way to sneak between cell blocks to help pass their time behind bars by having sex.

The inmates figured out how to remove metal ceiling panels in the Greene County Jail and used the passageway more than a dozen times in September and October, according to court documents.

The men - ages 44, 38 and 17 - and the women - ages 27, 26 and 21 - crawled through the ceiling after midnight, having sexual encounters and drinking homemade alcohol that was found hidden in the male cell block, a police affidavit said.

One male inmate who was not charged said the female inmates would "hang-out, play cards or have sex with some of the male inmates" in their cell block, the affidavit said.

Frail economy could cost state 15,000 jobs

2008-11-06T18:16:00.001-05:00

Indiana, already battered by a slowing economy that has closed or shrunk factories around the state, could lose up to 15,000 additional jobs next year as the business climate continues to sputter, according to new forecast by Indiana University economists.

The Hoosier state will almost certainly face at least a moderate recession next year, similar in severity to those in 1990 and 2001, according to the forecast, which was presented this morning by a panel of IU economists at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis.

"But we cannot rule out something worse -- comparable to the severe recession in the early 1980s," said Bill Witte, associate professor of economics and co-director of the Center for Econometric Model Research at IU.

Paving work to begin on section of B&O trail

2008-10-11T17:13:00.003-04:00

The first paved section of a trail in Hendricks County on the former B&O Railroad should be completed by the end of the year.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be Thursday on the trail just west of Raceway Road. The work marks a big step for trail enthusiasts who have planned for nearly two decades to turn the old railway corridor into a trail through Marion and Hendricks counties.

"We've had some rustic trail sections, but this will be the first tangible piece of the trail," said Carrie Walter, secretary of the B&O Trail Association. "In getting it paved, it allows people to see what it will be like when we get it all done. We are just very excited about it."

Michelle Obama to visit Fort Wayne next week

2008-10-11T17:10:00.001-04:00

Michelle Obama is scheduled to make a campaign stop on behalf of her husband in Fort Wayne on Wednesday.

The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says she'll talk with voters in what's being billed as a "community event." The campaign says additional details of the visit will be announced later.

Mass Murderer Dies in Prison Cell, Suicide Suspected

2008-10-11T17:09:00.001-04:00

Indiana's NewsCenter

Mass murderer Simon Rios dies in an Indiana prison, marking the end of a story that brought terrible pain and suffering to the Fort Wayne community.

Rios was found hanging after 12-30 a.m. Thursday in his cell at the Pendleton Reformatory.

There were indications the torment he caused others, became a burden too great to bear.

Attempts to revive Simon Rios failed, and he was pronounced dead before 1-30 a.m. at the Pendleton Correctional Facility.

Prison officials say there were no signs of foul play, and in fact, he left behind a suicide note.

Police Still Searching For Clues In 20-Year-Old Cold Case

2008-10-09T17:41:00.001-04:00

WRTV Indianapolis

He was shot and left for dead inside an Indianapolis-area parking garage and 20 years later police still don't know who killed a popular hospital administrator and father of four.

Charles McGraw was shot and killed on Oct. 7, 1988, after hosting a reception at St. Francis Hospital, where he worked as director of food services.

A co-worker found his body slumped in the front seat of his 1984 Cadillac Seville on the second floor parking deck at the hospital.

Since then, four different Beech Grove police detectives have worked the case, ruling out robbery. Instead, they classified the slaying as an execution.

New poll shows Daniels with slight lead

2008-10-09T17:39:00.001-04:00

A new statewide poll shows Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels with a slight lead over Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson.

The WISH-TV Indiana Poll released Tuesday night found 49 percent of likely voters supported Daniels, while 45 percent said they favored Long Thompson.

The four-point difference was just slightly greater than the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

That comes after a poll last week that found a one-point difference in the race, which was within that poll's margin of error.

Indiana may be ripe for Democrats' picking

2008-10-09T17:38:00.001-04:00

Chicago Sun-Times

The economic view from Northwest Indiana isn't pretty.

And if Indiana goes to Barack Obama on Nov. 4, get ready for an Election Day avalanche.

Remember, Indiana is as ruby red as we in Illinois are baby blue.

The last Democrat our neighbors to the east helped send to the White House was Lyndon Johnson in 1964. If you were born that year, you are middle-aged.

On Tuesday morning, as the breakfast crowd was thinning and the lunch crowd arriving, the customers at Schoop's Diner in Portage had a litany of worries as they prepared to watch last night's debate between John McCain and Obama.

Marion Co. GOP: Clerk Beth White violated election law

2008-10-09T17:36:00.001-04:00

Marion County Republican Chairman Tom John today accused Clerk Beth White of violating election law when she spoke on television about a get-out-the vote effort by the Barack Obama campaign.

White, a Democrat, said the Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign informed her office that it would give preferential seating at Obama’s speech at the State Fairgrounds tomorrow to people who vote early. She said she was simply relaying information passed on to her office.

John said White is misusing her office by encouraging people to vote in exchange for something of value — seating at an event that he compared to getting free tickets to a rock concert. He said local, state and federal law prohibits soliciting votes by promising something in return.

Indianapolis Day Trips

2008-10-07T17:24:00.001-04:00

The Visit Indiana Blog

We’ve been blogging recently about a bunch of different motorcycle rides you can take throughout the state and this last batch is for everyone living in Central Indiana. If you live in or around Indianapolis, here are some great, short trips to take on a lazy weekend day.

If your trip is planned for the fall, check out our Fall Leaf Cam and see when the leaves are changing in different areas of the state.

Indiana failing to cut energy costs

2008-10-07T17:20:00.001-04:00

WTHR

Natural gas bills are predicted to be 10-30 percent higher this winter, but a new scorecard is out on state efforts to curb energy use.

Whether you're talking about making it cheaper to heat your home or pay the electric bill, saving on energy is getting more local.

"Homeowners are facing higher energy prices, incomes are tight, I think states are trying to do more," said Steve Nadel with the American Council for Energy Efficiency.

Indiana ranked 38th among the states in taking new steps to cut energy costs. The study looked at things like state laws that encourage motorists to drive more fuel-efficient cars, policies aimed at getting people out of their cars and onto mass transit and building codes requiring new homes and businesses be more fuel-efficient.

Obama rally in Indianapolis

2008-10-06T23:04:00.001-04:00

The Journal Gazette

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Indiana gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson are to share a stage Wednesday in Indianapolis.

The two are scheduled to take part in the Change We Need Rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E 38th St., according to an announcement from the Long Thompson campaign.

Long Thompson's husband eyes 1st gentleman's role

2008-10-06T23:02:00.001-04:00

If Indiana voters next month select Democratic candidate Jill Long Thompson as the state's first female governor, they'll also see another first.

A first gentleman in Don Thompson, a 56-year-old farmer and airline pilot.

Thompson, who has kept a low profile during his wife's campaign, said he was ready to embrace an active role as first gentleman, although it could take time to get used to that moniker.

He is a former member of the Indiana National Guard and said he would like to focus on issues affecting soldiers and veterans. And he would like to help move the Hoosier mind-set away from traditional energy sources to renewable energy

Registering dead voters in Indiana

2008-10-05T10:06:00.002-04:00

Examiner.com

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, more commonly known "ACORN," has again been caught trying to steal the election.

This time it is in Indiana, where "a large portion" of 5,000 registration forms turned in by ACORN "community organizers" had to be rejected by Lake County elections officials.

Lake County Republican Chairman John Curley wants a federal investigation. An investigation into the "hundreds of voter registrations bearing fictitious signatures or the names of dead:"

McCain campaign to add staff in Indiana

2008-10-05T10:01:00.001-04:00

WLFI.com

Republican John McCain's Indiana campaign co-chairman says the campaign plans to add staff around the state next week.

McCain hasn't visited the state since July 1st and the campaign has no field offices, relying on state- and county-level organizations to build support.

But Luke Messer says that's changing. He says the campaign plans to add paid staff around the state. He says the campaign will place tens of thousands of yard signs and work to knock on more than 100,000 doors.

Brian Howey: The Blundering Veeps

2008-10-01T19:01:00.001-04:00

Howey Politics Indiana

I try to resist hypotheticals. Still, I cannot help but think about that Obama-Bayh ticket. Republicans last spring and summer always expressed great confidence that John McCain would carry Indiana, and he leads in most credible Indiana polls. But mention the Obama-Bayh ticket and there would be a pregnant pause and usually an admission: well, that would change everything.

So it was with considerable relief for Hoosier Repubicans that the text message at 3 a.m. on Aug. 23 from Chicago carried the news that Sen. Joe Biden had edged out our boy Evan for the Democratic ticket.

The latest credible poll - by SurveyUSA - showing McCain leading Obama in Indiana by a 48-45 percent margin accents what could have been the blunder on the blunder. The first blunder was the ridiculous Obama rollout (i.e. I know something you don’t know) of the veepstakes. McCain was much more clean, setting a time and date and essentially eclipsing the Obama convention bump with the temporarily politically savvy move of choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. What energy

Councilmember Charged

2008-10-01T18:58:00.001-04:00

Indiana Barrister

Indianapolis City-County Council Member Doris Minton McNeill has been charged with felony battery and resisting arrest for her alleged altercation with a police officer this past summer.

Special Prosecutor Jim Oliver charged McNeill with D felony battery and three county of resisting law enforcement, a class a misdemeanor.

McNeil was reportedly drunk and belligerent when police were called to her home in District 15. According to the police affidavit she shoved IMPD Officer Emily Perkins.

Veep Debate Moderator In The Tank With Obama

2008-10-01T18:57:00.001-04:00

Advance Indiana

The woman scheduled to moderate Thursday night's vice presidential debate between Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin has written a tribute book , The Age of Obama, to Sen. Barack Obama, which is scheduled for release on Inauguration Day (note the foregone conclusion that Obama has already won the election). Gwen Ifill of PBS' Washington Weekly wouldn't respond to reporters questions.

Ind. 38 to be first area for U.S. 31 upgrade

2008-10-01T18:54:00.001-04:00

The first intersection upgrade on U.S. 31 will take place at Ind. 38, a main gateway to the small town of Sheridan.

State officials said they plan to transform the intersection -- located on the north end of U.S. 31 in the county -- and turn it into an interchange. State officials said they chose that site because it's one of the roadway's most undeveloped areas

Panel Approves Indianapolis Commuter Rail Plan

2008-09-27T14:41:00.002-04:00

WRTV

It's been in the slow lane for years, but a rapid transit plan for central Indiana got a real jumpstart Friday with the unanimous approval of a plan that could cost up to $200 million.

The starter plan would establish a 19-mile commuter rail line between Noblesville and downtown Indianapolis that could be running by 2012, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

The Indiana Regional Transportation Council has been examining rapid transit alternatives for nearly 20 years, but economic need and hunger for travel alternatives is the current impetus for action.

County abortion regulations closely watched in Indiana

2008-09-27T14:39:00.001-04:00

USATODAY.com

Abortion opponents in Indiana are encouraging passage of regulations at the county level that abortion-rights groups say might be the leading edge of a nationwide effort to limit access to the procedure.

Two Indiana counties have passed ordinances that require doctors who perform abortions to have the authority to admit patients at local hospitals. A third county is considering a similar measure.

Some abortion clinics are staffed by doctors who are based elsewhere and are unlikely to have admitting privileges at local hospitals, so the rules present a new obstacle for abortion providers.

"Absolutely, it's a new strategy," says Mike Fichter, president of Indiana Right to Life. The ordinances ensure that women with complications after abortions can quickly get medical care, he says, but he hopes they also make abortions harder to get.

Mayors announce purchasing alliance

2008-09-27T14:36:00.001-04:00

WISH TV

Several Central Indiana cities and towns are pooling their pocketbooks to save taxpayer money.

In a meeting Thursday morning, the group which consists of Mayors of Westfield, Noblesville, Beech Grove, and Indianapolis announced the new "Central Indiana Purchasing Alliance".

The goal is simple; Buy more, pay less for things like salt, road construction materials or fuel for vehicle fleets.

"We all have basic needs; salt, toilet paper, paper goods, etc.," said Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear.

"Our state legislature, the governor, and certainly the citizens are demanding of us to become much more efficient," said Westfield Mayor Andy Cook.

Brightpoint Wins Indianapolis Business Journal's Fastest Growing Company Award

2008-09-27T14:31:00.001-04:00

Globe Newswire

"Brightpoint has been one of the real success stories among Indianapolis public companies in recent years. They have been a perennial on our fastest-growing public company list," said Chris Katterjohn, President and Publisher, Indianapolis Business Journal. "Last year, after a major acquisition and growing demand for their services, Brightpoint hit No. 1, more than doubling revenue over a three-year period. That's a lot of money when you're talking in the billions."

"I am proud of our 3000 associates in 28 countries who made it possible for us to win this award," said Robert J. Laikin, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Brightpoint, Inc. "We are positioned well in the global wireless value chain to take advantage of the many growth opportunities offered to us within the wireless industry. Our resolute commitment to enhancing long-term shareholder value remains unchanged."

Noblesville is Chamber's top city for 2008

2008-09-15T22:34:00.001-04:00

The Indianapolis Star

Buoyed by a corporate campus and a new shopping mecca, Noblesville today was recognized as the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 community of the year.

The Hamilton County city, whose population rose from less than 30,000 in 2000 to nearly 40,000 people in 2005, won the award for the first time. It succeeds Anderson, the winner for 2007.

The Indiana Chamber credited Noblesville with putting together "an aggressive plan to supplement its residential growth" with a 3,600-acre-plus Corporate Campus.

Obama Front Group Busted For Voter Registration Fraud In Michigan

2008-09-15T22:32:00.001-04:00

Advance Indiana

The stakes in this election could not be higher. Democrats are frustrated by the red state electoral college majority that has emerged in recent presidential elections. By hook or crook, they are determined to win back the presidency. To this end, we've been told about the millions of new registered voters Democrats have added to the election rolls this year. The group at the forefront of this effort is the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), a group with which Sen. Barack Obama worked closely as a community organizer and which is now spearheading his voter registration and GOTV efforts. In Michigan, a key battleground state where Obama is struggling against McCain, ACORN has registered 200,000 new voters in recent months. Election officials are only now beginning to uncover massive fraud committed by those "paid workers" of ACORN

Indianapolis honors Vietnam veterans by welcoming them home

2008-05-18T15:23:00.003-04:00

Hundreds of Vietnam War veterans and their family members filled the Indiana War Memorial auditorium Saturday for a long-overdue homecoming celebration.

A banner stating "The city of Indianapolis Welcomes Home Vietnam Veterans" was displayed outside the memorial, as the city held its first welcome-home celebration for the veterans. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, a Marine veteran of the first Gulf War, greeted guests before and after the ceremony.

"I thought it was important for the city to do it, so at least one municipality is saying, 'Thanks for what you did,"' said Ballard, who spoke at the ceremony along with Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard.

Pregnant teller wounded in robbery loses twins

2008-04-25T19:35:00.001-04:00

The Associated Press

A pregnant teller shot in a bank robbery has lost the twins she was carrying, and police continued to search for the gunman Friday.

Katherin Shuffield, who was five months pregnant, was critically wounded when a masked gunman shot her in the abdomen Tuesday morning at a Huntington Bank branch.

Authorities and the family had said the bullets had not hit the twins. Complications set in, however, and Shuffield's husband, Jason, said in a statement that the twins died late Thursday night. He said his 30-year-old wife remained in critical but stable condition at Methodist Hospital.

"Katherin's recovery is our top priority and she continues to receive the best possible care," he said.

Technology replaces parent-teacher meetings

2008-03-20T16:35:00.001-04:00

The Indianapolis Star

A steady decline in attendance at parent-teacher conferences and an increase in online access for parents to monitor their children's progress has led the district to cancel spring parent-teacher conferences for Grades 7-12.

No other public school district in Hamilton County offers spring parent-teacher conferences above the elementary grades, and some don't offer conferences in those grades, either.

"Our teachers association surveyed NHS teachers last year, and the overwhelming opinion was that dismissing school early on two days for spring parent-teacher conferences was not a good use of time that would otherwise be spent in class," high school principal Annetta Petty wrote in an e-mail.

Powered by ScribeFire.

Bird not sure he'll return as Pacers president

2008-03-18T11:08:00.001-04:00

ESPN

Even Larry Bird isn't sure of his future with the Indiana Pacers as ownership pledges big changes for the troubled franchise.

Bird, the team president, said Monday he can't be certain whether he will be back next season, The Indianapolis Star reported.

"I don't know," Bird said when asked if he believed he and team CEO Donnie Walsh would return to the front office next season. "We'll just wait and see."

The Pacers are 26-41 and have seen a number of players make headlines for bad behavior or trouble with the law in the past few years. Two weeks ago, Herb Simon, who co-owns the team with his brother Mel, said that he'd had enough and pledged changes would be made -- and that everything except ownership of the team would be on the table.

"If it's changing everybody, it's changing everybody," Bird said, according to the Star. "I would like an opportunity to try to do it. ... I think there's a lot of blame that can be passed around, and obviously it starts at the top. When you're at the top, you have to take the hits like everybody else."

Powered by ScribeFire.

Carson Becomes Second Muslim to Serve in Congress

2008-03-13T21:13:00.001-04:00

It's been a busy 48 hours for Carson, as he was already in the Capitol today for his ceremonial swearing-in. washingtonpost.com's Emily Freifeld, captured the moment on video. During and after the event, the House's newest member shared his thoughts on being a "proud Muslim, a proud American, and a proud Hoosier" -- and the grandson of a woman he calls his political "Obi-wan Kenobi."

New ozone standards likely to impact state economic development

2008-03-13T21:07:00.001-04:00

nwi.com

The federal government's new smog standards could push future industrial development in Indiana away from its urban areas and into rural counties _ or even out of the state altogether, an industry official said Thursday.

Environmental activists, however, said the stricter ozone standard announced Wednesday doesn't go nearly far enough to protect the public from dense, eye-stinging summertime smog that makes it hard for the elderly, children and others to breathe.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new rules lower its 8-hour standard for ground-level ozone _ smog's primary ingredient _ from 84 parts per billion to 75 parts per billion.

Based on air monitoring data from 2004-2006, the EPA said 14 Indiana counties currently do not meet the new standard. State environmental officials said the new standard could cause 24 Indiana counties to be designated as nonattainment, based on more recent data from 2005-2007.

Bob Knight joining ESPN studio team

2008-02-28T20:13:00.001-05:00

USATODAY.com

ESPN Thursday announced that Knight, the winningest coach in NCAA Division I men's college basketball, will be a studio analyst for its basketball coverage starting March 12. And not just for the occasional soundbite. Knight will be on hand for ESPN's wall-to-wall coverage of the major conference championships and continue through the NCAA title game – including working on ESPN's on-site set at the Final Four. He'll appear on pregame and postgame shows and on SportsCenter, says ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys, "and all the things we do tied to men's basketball."

Knight has appeared many times on ESPN, but mainly via game coverage or replays of his famed chair-throwing incident while coaching Indiana – that incident has been the most-replayed highlight on ESPN in its history. Knight, after being fired at Indiana in 2000, also chose ESPN for his one live TV interview – and got very testy while doing it.

Mellencamp, King musical set to haunt stage

2008-02-28T20:12:00.001-05:00

Reuters

A long-gestating stage musical from rock musician John Mellencamp and horror author Stephen King will open in April 2009 at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre ahead of a possible Broadway run.

Mellencamp wrote the score for "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County," while King wrote the script.

The story, set in rural Mississippi in 1957, revolves around two brothers who hate each other. Their father takes them to a cabin where they used to vacation as children.

Indiana set to announce Sampson's fate

2008-02-22T17:36:00.001-05:00

FOX Sports

Kelvin Sampson met with his athletic director Friday, and the Hoosiers then held a team meeting, heightening the possibility Indiana will soon have a new coach.

The university was expected to announce later in the day whether Sampson would keep his job after an investigation found he committed five major NCAA recruiting violations.

Athletic director Rick Greenspan met briefly with Sampson. A few minutes after Greenspan left the coach's office, Sampson walked down a ramp with his wife, Karen.

Players, managers, assistant coaches and the coach's son, Kellen Sampson, then gathered in the locker room for what appeared to be a team meeting. No one would comment to reporters, including senior captain D.J. White. The meeting broke up about midday.

New owners to rebrand Adam's Mark hotel

2008-02-09T15:56:00.000-05:00

"The new owners of Indianapolis' Adam's Mark Hotel intend to spend $18 million on renovations -- and it won't be an Adam's Mark for much longer.

Chartres Lodging Group of San Francisco, which announced the purchase Friday, did not elaborate on its planned overhaul of the 406-room Southwestside hotel, which will occur over the next 18 months.

But a 'rebranding' is planned by Chartres, which formerly was known as Oxford Lodging Advisory & Investment Group.

Chartres acquired five Adam's Mark hotels from HBE Corp. of St. Louis and is retooling the others, too. Adam's Mark hotels in Denver and Dallas each will become Sheratons, and an Adam's Mark in St. Louis will become a Hyatt Regency."

Lacy: Don't Squander Reform Opportuntiy

2008-01-28T17:27:00.000-05:00

Indiana Chamber:

"Longtime Indianapolis-based business leader Andre Lacy is serving as the 2008 chairman of the Indiana Chamber board of directors.

Prior to the legislative session, Lacy shared his views on the property tax/local government efficiency challenge facing Indiana."

Pfizer To Cut 660 Jobs in Indiana

2008-01-28T17:26:00.000-05:00

MLive.com:

"Six-hundred-sixty jobs will be lost by the middle of this year in Terre Haute, Ind., a result of Pfizer Inc.'s decision to stop production of its inhaled insulin product Exubera.

Saying it did not have another use for the specialized production operation at its central-Indiana facility, Nat Ricciardi, president of Pfizer Global Manufacturing, announced Pfizer's decision to cut staff in Terra Haute in a press release Monday.

Workers were told of the decision Monday morning by site leader Frank Foley. And they were told layoffs would begin in March, according to the press release."

Former Indiana Rep. McIntosh endorses Romney

2008-01-28T17:25:00.000-05:00

Alliance For The Great Lakes:

"Former Indiana Rep. David McIntosh, who had been an advisor to Fred Thompson's presidential campaign, is now backing Mitt Romney for the GOP nomination.

McIntosh said Romney 'has the vision to bring true conservative change to Washington and strengthen our economy.'
McIntosh had been volunteering with Thompson's campaign, helping pull together experts and proposals on various domestic policy issues. Thompson withdrew from the race last week after failing to catch fire with GOP voters."

Indiana Seeks To De-List Contaminated Waters

2008-01-28T17:23:00.000-05:00

"Indiana seeks to remove hundreds of mercury and PCB-tainted waterways from a statewide list of impaired waters -- including several Lake Michigan tributaries – in a move to free the state of a federal mandate to restore them.

Using new methodology, Indiana's Department of Environmental Management proposes to delete more than 800 stream and river segments from the list, even as state regulators warn the public that contamination makes fish from those waters unsafe to eat.

The proposed methodology would no longer determine a waterway's impairment based on the existence of fish consumption advisories, a measure the U.S. EPA has determined meets the intent of the federal Clean Water Act."

Hamilton County Groups Split $500,000 in Grants

2007-12-23T11:03:00.000-05:00

Inside INdiana Business:

"Ten local non-profit organizations will receive a total of $500,000 in grants from the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2008 as award recipients from the Destination: Hamilton County Community Development Fund, the bureau announced.

Nineteen organizations originally requested funds, and eleven county organizations were invited to apply for Destination: Hamilton County funds. Ten awards have been made in the highly competitive grant process. Grants were chosen by a committee that included tourism professionals, board and community representatives and, county council members, in a lengthy review process.

The Destination Hamilton County program is designed to encourage, support, and assist in the development or creation of projects to further the development of tourism in Hamilton County and to strengthen community."

Congresswoman Julia Carson dies

2007-12-15T10:16:00.000-05:00

The Other Side of Beech Grove:

"Congresswoman Julia Carson died this morning at the age of 69.

Carson’s death comes just weeks after she announced she was dying of lung cancer and would not seek re-election to a seventh term in 2008.
Two days later, she said she would not seek re-election, saying her time away from Congress would be “a time to weep and a time to laugh,” and she added, “a time to heal.”"

Swearing In Ceremony

2007-12-12T22:46:00.000-05:00

"You are cordially invited to attend the upcoming City of Beech Grove Swearing-in Ceremony of newly elected City officials on Saturday, December 29 from 2-4 p.m. at the Hornet Park Community Center.

Our new clerk-treasurer, first-ever city judge, seven council members and myself will be sworn-in at this public ceremony, which will include a program led by Master of Ceremonies West Point Cadet and Beech Grove native Eddie Mobley."

Child-alert system will start in days

2007-12-12T22:45:00.000-05:00

Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick:

"The system expected to debut in Marion County next week would tell police whether they are heading to an address under scrutiny by the Department of Child Services.

The plan to improve the sharing of information between law enforcement and child welfare agencies came out of a meeting Monday called by Marion County juvenile court Judge Marilyn Moores to discuss communications gaps revealed by the death of TaJanay Bailey. The 3-year-old died Nov. 27 as a result, prosecutors say, of abuse and neglect at the hands of her mother, Charity Bailey, and the woman's boyfriend, Lawrence Green."

Indianapolis Firefighters Rescue Two Children from Blaze

2007-12-12T22:43:00.000-05:00

Firehouse.com News:

"Two children were taken to a hospital in serious condition after firefighters rescued them from a burning home on the city's west side Monday night, officials said.

A man who escaped from the fire in the 3500 block of West 12th Street suffered minor injuries, officials said.

When firefighters arrived, the man, who was in the front yard, told them that the children still were inside the home. Firefighters found the children in a back bedroom, officials said."

Panel Plots 27 Steps To Fix Indiana

2007-12-12T22:41:00.000-05:00

Journal and Courier Online:

"A bipartisan panel on local government reform has suggested sweeping changes for Indiana: no township trustees, no elected sheriffs and no tiny school districts.

The commission wants one elected county chief executive who would oversee county government and appoint other county offices, including sheriff, assessor, coroner and auditor.

Township governments would be eliminated, with their duties shifted to the county executive. Small school districts would be reorganized to have at least 2,000 students."

High-Tech Company Investing in Former Indianapolis Mall

2007-12-09T10:36:00.000-05:00

"Mayor Bart Peterson today joined community and business leaders to announce a multi-million dollar investment that will transform the former Eastgate Consumer Mall on the city’s Eastside into a high-tech data hub and office center.

Lifeline Data Centers, LLC, a local high-tech company specializing in securely hosting and maintaining data and applications for businesses and government clients, will purchase the Eastgate property and invest nearly $23 million to transform the site into a state-of-the art facility to house it’s expanding business.

“Together, the City of Indianapolis and Eastside community leaders have made tremendous progress in bringing business and investment back to the East Washington Street corridor,” Mayor Peterson said. “Eastgate has always been a challenge in this vision for a revitalized Eastside, but this major commitment by Lifeline will open the floodgates for more investment and even greater progress.”"

Property tax foes join forces Alliance will lobby legislators not just to cut levy but repeal it

2007-12-09T10:34:00.000-05:00

Hoosiers For Fair Taxation:

"John Price, a lawyer who represented taxpayers in a lawsuit claiming the property-tax system was unconstitutional, said yesterday that the legislative tax debate is missing a serious discussion of the elimination of property taxes, despite the idea's popularity.

That's why 10 taxpayer groups have decided to create the Indiana Property Tax Repeal Alliance. Price, the alliance's chairman, said many of the members helped Republican Greg Ballard win the mayor's race in Indianapolis, where property taxes emerged as a key issue. 'The purpose of the alliance is to ensure the taxpayers who were heard in this election very soundly will be heard in this chamber and the chamber across the hall,' Price said, standing in front of the Indiana House."

Mike Dunleavy Jr. Has Been Reborn in Indiana

2007-12-09T10:32:00.000-05:00

HOOPSWORLD:

"So when Dunleavy was traded last season to the Indiana Pacers, he viewed it as a chance to wipe the slate clean. Chapter two of Dunleavy's career has proved to be his most prosperous as he's averaging over five points above his career average in his new home city of Indianapolis. He's also shooting over 41% from beyond the arc, which is seven percentage points higher than his career-average. After catching up with Dunleavy earlier this week in Los Angeles, the broad smile on his face told the entire story about just how happy he is now to be playing for head coach Jim O'Brien and the Indiana Pacers."

Effort begins on bid to get Super Bowl here in 2012

2007-12-09T10:31:00.000-05:00

"Work is under way on a bid to lure the Super Bowl to Indianapolis in 2012, the president of the city's convention and visitors association said Friday.

Indianapolis is the first city to publicly express its interest, though New Orleans, Phoenix and Tampa, Fla., are likely contenders.

The city faces an April 1 deadline to submit its bid. NFL team owners are expected to decide at their annual meeting in June in Atlanta where the 2012 Super Bowl will be held.

Bob Bedell, the president and CEO of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, said Indianapolis should have an easier time preparing this bid based on its experience in vying for the 2011 Super Bowl. That game went to Dallas."

Lugar Leadership Center To Open at University of Indianapolis

2007-12-09T10:29:00.000-05:00

WISH TV 8:

"Developing new leaders for Indiana, the nation and the world is the reason for a new center at the University of Indianapolis and Indiana senator Richard Lugar is at the heart of it.

The Richard G. Lugar Center for Tomorrow's leaders will be a permanent home for an annual symposium that gathers Indiana's top high school juniors for discussions on public issues and world events. Senator Lugar started the symposium back in 1977 and it's been held at the University of Indianapolis every year.

'The idea is that there is a sense in which p[eople can give back, but they need to prepare for that. Think about that as a career choice to have opportunities to see it in action and those are the kinds of things we want to do with the center,' said University of Indianapolis President Dr. Beverly Pitts."

ISO tunes up for the holidays

2007-11-25T19:58:00.000-05:00

"For the first time, the 22nd annual production will feature the African Children's Choir, composed of children from east Africa whose performances raise money for youth education. Grammy Award-winning vocalist Sandi Patty will return to host the extravaganza, which features more than 20 singers and dozens of dancers. Portraits of angels by Hoosier artist Nancy Noel will adorn the stage during the performance of 'Star of Bethlehem.'

The ISO and Duke Energy will conduct a warm-clothing drive through the 'Yuletide Stocking' program throughout December. The public is encouraged to bring new or slightly used items of warm winter clothing to the Hilbert Circle Theatre."

Is The Competition Faltering?

2007-11-25T19:51:00.000-05:00

Scout.com:

"So what's wrong with the Colts?

Nothing that getting some rest and a few injured players back in the starting lineup can't fix.

Indianapolis won't have much time to get that much-needed rest this week as the team will play at Atlanta on Thursday night in a nationally televised game. That means a day off on Monday, a full practice on Tuesday and most likely a short workout Wednesday before heading south to face the Falcons. The good news, however, is that after the Atlanta game, the Colts will have 10 days to recuperate before a Dec. 2 home rematch with AFC South rival Jacksonville."

Indiana SWAT Teams Raids Wrong Home

2007-11-21T20:03:00.000-05:00

FOXNews.com :

"Convinced the fugitive they were looking for was inside, a SWAT team raided the wrong apartment and left a single mother of two homeless, WLWT is reporting.

The SWAT team reportedly surrounded the apartment building and spent hours ordering the suspect to surrender, but when he didn't, they forced themselves into the apartment and sprayed tear gas, the station is reporting.

'It looked like my apartment was on fire,' Kayla Irwin told WLWT. 'The smoke was just blowing out of my windows.'"

Property tax debate begins as legislative session opens

2007-11-20T20:21:00.000-05:00

WTHR :

"Indiana lawmakers are beginning the hard job of finding a solution to skyrocketing property taxes.

Organizational Day at the Statehouse is normally an opportunity to set the agenda for the session, but this year, it marks the beginning of the property tax debate, one the entire state will be watching.

The debate can be broken down into a tale of two cities. Representative David Orentlicher believes he has a solution that will equalize property taxes in Hamilton and Marion Counties."

Assessors Crunch Reassessment Numbers as Deadline Looms

2007-11-16T19:58:00.000-05:00

WISH TV 8:

"Hundreds of thousands of Marion County property owners are anxiously waiting for the reassessment ordered by Governor Daniels. The deadline to get it done is now just over two months away.

Four new staff members and an outside vendor are working at the Marion County Assessors Office, crunching the numbers that will eventually give taxpayers an updated assessment.

The assessor needs to turn over numbers to the state for 330,000 residential and 23,000 commercial and industrial properties by February 1st. Marion County Assessor Greg Bowes says the assessment is ahead of schedule on the residential side, finding problems in only two of nine townships. "

Sheriff says vote should decide who leads IMPD

2007-11-16T19:57:00.000-05:00

"The Marion County sheriff wants a public vote on whether he or the mayor of Indianapolis should oversee the consolidated Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

But a referendum is not possible in Indiana unless the General Assembly passes a law to allow one. And before that vote could be set up, the City-County Council may have already acted to give Mayor-elect Greg Ballard the control he wants.
"It would take at least a year to go to a ballot, but the council has the power to (put the mayor in charge right away), and I think that's going to happen," said Bob Cockrum, the new leader of Republicans on the council. He is expected to be elected council president in January."

Small fire closes NCAA headquarters, museum

2007-11-15T15:43:00.000-05:00

SI.com :

"The NCAA museum and headquarters closed for the day because of a small fire, and some exhibits at the NCAA Hall of Champions sustained water damage from sprinklers.

The fire was reported Wednesday morning and apparently was caused by an electrical problem, Indianapolis fire Capt. Gregg Harris said.

Damage was confined to part of the museum's second floor. The area included interactive, electronic exhibits and displays on tennis and volleyball."

Justices hear police oath dispute

2007-11-15T15:41:00.000-05:00

Business First of Columbus::

"The Indiana Supreme Court heard arguments this morning in the appeal of a Marion Superior Court judge's ruling that could throw into question nearly all arrests made by Indianapolis police this year.
Judge Reuben Hill dismissed a woman's drunken-driving charges in August, ruling her January arrest was invalid because the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer in the case had not been sworn in again this year after the merger of county police agencies.

The former IPD and the Marion County Sheriff's Department became IMPD Jan. 1. The next day, some officers and top brass took part in a swearing-in ceremony, but attendance wasn't required."

Lt. Governor Skillman Announces New Foreclosure Initiative

2007-11-14T21:47:00.000-05:00

Indiana Real Estate:

"Last spring, the Indiana State Legislature passed a bill authorizing IHCDA to establish a statewide program to provide free mortgage foreclosure counseling and education to at-risk homeowners. This bill outlines a multi-tiered solution that includes a targeted public awareness campaign, a telephone hotline available seven days a week, and a local network of qualified advisors. The toll-free number, 877-GET-HOPE, is available starting today.

“There are far too many Hoosier homeowners having trouble making ends meet. They need to know help is available,” said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. “We want to encourage anyone who has fallen behind on their mortgage payments, or thinks they might, to call 877-GET-HOPE. The earlier homeowners reach out for help, the more options they have to avoid foreclosure.”"

Moochie opens Indianapolis store

2007-11-14T21:44:00.000-05:00

"Moochie & Co. has reached the 10-store mark with a new location in Indiana's largest mall. The Columbus-based pet apparel and accessories retailer opened a 1,245-square-foot location in Indianapolis' Castleton Square Mall, a 1.26 million-square-foot mall whose anchors include Macy's and JCPenney."

Freeney could miss next game after ankle injury

2007-11-14T21:43:00.000-05:00