Will This Election Run Smoothly?

Advance Indiana:

"Marion County Beth White tells reporters she is confident the problems of this year's May primary will not be repeated. As of noon, approximately 35 inspectors had not picked up election day materials. White told WTHR replacement workers would be contacted this afternoon to substitute if the materials weren't picked up. Walk-in absentee voting ended at noon today. Although WTHR reported absentee balloting would be up about 25% over four years ago, that number had already been reached by noon on Friday and walk-in voting occurred throughout the weekend. On Friday, White predicted absentee voting would increase by about 50%. That's remarkable, and it could suggest the low voter turnout predicted by WISH-TV's Jim Shella will be proven wrong."

New Study Gives Hovering College Parents Extra Credit

washingtonpost.com:

"'Compared with their counterparts, children of helicopter parents were more satisfied with every aspect of their college experience, gained more in such areas as writing and critical thinking, and were more likely to talk with faculty and peers about substantive topics,' said survey director George D. Kuh, an Indiana University professor.

The study found no evidence that helicopter parenting produces better grades. In fact, students with very-involved parents had lower grades than those whose parents were not so involved, but the authors suggest that 'perhaps the reason some parents intervened was to support a student who was having academic difficulties.'"

Pilot Lands Near Indiana Interstate

WNDU :

"An Indiana pilot was forced to make an emergency landing Sunday next to a busy interstate. Alan Gluff took off from Greenwood's airport today in his experimental plane. Minutes later, the oil light went off and the plane took a nosedive into a cornfield, next to Interstate 65. Though shaken, Gluff walked a way with only a scratch on his cheek."

Officials huddle over absentee ballots

IndyStar.com:

"Election officials in Hamilton County met for more than two hours Friday to clarify how to count ballots cast by absentee voters. The issue applied to voters who choose a straight-party ticket and then decide to choose a candidate from another party for a certain race. A provision in state election law that took effect in January could have voided a vote cast for that opposite party candidate. County officials said Friday if a voter chooses a straight-party ticket, then decides to vote for a candidate in the opposite party in a particular race, that vote will count instead of the straight party vote for that race."

Indiana coach satisfied with report

SFGate.com:

"Embroiled in the second investigation into improper telephone calls to recruits since his arrival at Indiana last year, coach Kelvin Sampson said Thursday that he is satisfied with a university report to the NCAA that has already led to the resignation of an assistant coach, the forfeiture of one scholarship and new restrictions on recruiting. Sampson, who also gave up a scheduled $500,000 pay raise, said he didn't know whether the self-imposed penalties would satisfy the NCAA in his first public comments since the resignation of assistant Rob Senderoff on Tuesday."

Indiana Call Center to Be Built

Houston Chronicle:

"A Florida company says it will spend more than $6 million to start a customer service center here and hire 750 people over the next year. Connextions Inc. will hire insurance agents to help sell and maintain individual policies for insurance companies. It also will hire registered nurses to provide health care advice to customers for some of those insurers. Connextions will fill other customer service and technical support jobs too. Outside the insurance industry, its clients include Sprint Nextel Corp., FedEx Corp., and Mercedes-Benz."

First Indiana Announces Special Shareholder Meeting

CNN Money:

"First Indiana has announced that it will hold a special shareholder meeting on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 to consider and vote upon the merger agreement between Marshall & Ilsley Corporation and First Indiana dated July 8, 2007. Shareholders of record as of October 17, 2007 are eligible to vote at the meeting. The exact time and location of the meeting are in the proxy materials for the meeting, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 5, 2007 and mailed to shareholders of record beginning on November 5, 2007. The merger is anticipated to close in early January 2008. First Indiana Corporation is a full-service financial services company offering comprehensive financial solutions to businesses and individuals. It is the holding company for First Indiana Bank, N.A., the largest commercial bank headquartered in Indianapolis. Founded in 1915, First Indiana Bank is a national bank with 32 offices in central Indiana. Information about First Indiana is available at (317) 269-1200, or at www.firstindiana.com, which is not a part of this news release."