Indiana News & Current Events | Public News Service

Brian Spane assembles a Weber speaker by hand at the company located in Kokomo, Ind. (TA Weber)

Friday, November 29, 2024

Indiana-built, American-made sound rocks the world

A family-run business in Indiana strikes a chord worldwide with its American-made craftsmanship. The TA Weber Company launched 27 years ago…

Randi Atwell packed up all her belongings last July and left Lucky Turn Apartments, located in Beech Grove. (T Fenwick/Mirror Indy)

Agency failures push Indy families toward homelessness

By Emily Hopkins and Tyler Fenwick for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press In…

According to a National Survey of Children's Health, one in four Hoosier kids aged six to 17 aren't involved in extracurricular activities.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Winter after-school programs foster skills for Hoosier kids

As winter sets in, advocates are spotlighting the need for after-school programs to provide Indiana youth with safe spaces to build skills, stay …

Food insecure research site Feeding America reports nearly 951,000 or 1 in 7 Hoosiers face hunger.(Adobe Stock)

USDA grant helps stock IN food pantries

People will gather over the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends to count their blessings. While the holiday feast is plentiful for many…

Health experts said young children often catch walking pneumonia at school and bring it home, spreading it to their families. (Adobe stock)

Hoosier health alert: Walking pneumonia cases increasing

By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service C…

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has released the final phase of its tax study, focusing on advocacy. (Adobe stock)

Hoosier leaders tackle child care, workforce issues

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce outlined six key priorities for lawmakers ahead of the legislative session in January. Rather than releasing …

The American Library Association reported in 2023, Hoosiers challenged 346 books with LGBTQ+ themes, people of color as the main characters and the Bible in statewide libraries. (Adobe Stock)

IN librarians fear book bans in 2025

As the nation prepares for the second term of President-elect Donald Trump, librarians are increasingly worried about his agenda and what it might …

The Hoosier Environmental Council reports Indiana has more unlined coal ash pits that contaminate our groundwater than any other state in the nation. (Adobe stock)

Hoosier green goals at crossroads amid federal shifts

Indiana environmental advocates are facing uncertainties following the election. Changes in federal leadership could shift key environmental …

The federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program has issued almost $40 million in grants for repairs and improvements to Indiana rail lines. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Infrastructure Act grants aimed at Indiana regional rail improvements

A federal program for infrastructure improvements has awarded Indiana rail lines almost $40 million in grants for major rail projects across the state…

Eligible Hoosiers can access additional benefits beyond doctor visits and prescriptions with a Dual Special Needs Plan. (Adobe stock)

Dual health plans offer extra support for low-income Hoosiers

Nearly 13 million people nationwide, including thousands of Hoosiers on Medicare and Medicaid, may qualify for additional coverage through a Dual …

Bobcats are elusive, native predators known for their sharp senses and solitary nature, typically hunting at dawn or dusk. (Adobe stock)

Hoosiers push back on bobcat hunting season

Indiana's Department of Natural Resources is pushing a bobcat trapping plan after a new law required a hunting season by 2025. Opponents said the …

Experts said when it comes to implementing and changing the country's agricultural policies, presidents have several tools at their disposal. (Adobe stock)

Indiana’s farmers and Trump’s deregulation dilemma

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration A…

According to the American Society of Hematology, anemia, the blood clotting disorder hemophilia, and blood cancers such as leukemia, are the most common blood disorders. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana's hematologist shortage affects patients

Routine blood draws during a doctor's visit can reveal disorders or diseases and as the number of patient caseloads inches upward as the population ag…

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education reports in 2021, 81% of 21st Century Scholars graduated, compared to 30% of low-income, non-scholar peers. (Adobe stock)

Automatic enrollment sparks record high for Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars

Enrollment in Indiana's 21st Century Scholars program has surged, reaching record levels. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education reports the …

Ind. Dept. of Education ILEARN Spring 2024 test results show reading proficiency for third through eighth grade spanned from 38% to 42%. (Adobe Stock)

Online reading tool boosts IN students' reading abilities

Reading scores for Indiana's grade school students have reflected below average readiness levels on the state's recent achievement tests. Educators …

American Psychological Association research reveals politics can impact a person's mental and physical health, sometimes negatively. (Adobe stock)

Indiana’s election survival kit: Breathe, pause, repeat

On this Election Day, Indiana residents may be feeling the effects of what some are calling election stress disorder, but there are several ways to …

The FTC says in 2023, emails replaced texts as the most common tool used by scammers, followed by phone calls as the second most commonly reported contact method for fraud. (Adobe Stock)

IN residents should use caution to avoid scams

The FBI says Indiana's older population lost almost $38 million to fraud last year, according to a new report. The Federal Trade Commission says …

The Election Protection coalition has fought against disenfranchisement and promoted fairness in elections since 2001. (Adobe Stock)

Clear the confusion: Voter hotline ready for Indiana’s Election Day

The Election Protection Hotline is open and ready to assist voters through the 2024 election season. Ami Gandhi, director of strategic initiatives …

National election analysts rated Indiana's open Senate race as

IN Senate candidates debate calmly without GOP front-runner

Democratic and Libertarian candidates for Indiana's U.S. Senate seat debated health care and immigration with minimal drama or personal attacks…

Accessible on any device, the IN Tech for Progress app aims to inform public policy by highlighting areas with excessive wait times. (Adobe Stock)

IN Tech for Progress expands voting wait-time app

By Marilyn Odendahl for The Indiana Citizen.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Indiana Citizen-Free Press India…

According to Pew research, a lack of public awareness coupled with long hours for low pay are challenges to obtaining poll workers. (Adobe Stock)

IN county votes 'yes' for poll worker pay raise

A shortage of poll workers and volunteers for election day has officials worried. Currently, the number of available staff is less than desired as …

The Indiana University PPI report explores the loss of public trust in institutions and the impact on the future of the nation's democratic system. (Adobe Stock)

Decision 2024 series offers insights for Hoosier voters

Indiana voters have a new resource for making informed choices in the upcoming election. The Indiana University Public Policy Institute has released …

Abbey Hall, the daughter of a former Delaware County Sheriff, said the experience of having to cross state lines for medical care made her feel like a fugitive. (Adobe stock)

Indiana’s restrictive abortion laws force mother to seek care in Illinois

A Carmel, Ind., mother of two is sharing a very personal story hoping it affects Hoosiers ahead of Election Day. Abbey Hall was forced to travel to …

The Indiana Youth Institute reports one of the biggest challenges to improving youth mental health in Indiana is the persistence of barriers to accessing care. (Adobe stock)

Indiana teens face rising mental health crisis

Indiana's youth are facing a growing mental health crisis, and officials say urgent action is needed. Nearly half of high school students in the …

The Indiana Secretary of State's office reports only 59% of registered voters in Marion County, the state's largest, cast a ballot in the 2020 presidential election. (Adobe Stock)

ACLU of Indiana stands ready to support voter safety

Voter apprehension is reaching record levels for this year's general election, with dueling poll results and debates only adding to the anxiety…

Loretta Rush, Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court, said the state's protective order registry had more than 1 million protective orders for workplace or domestic violence in 2023. (Adobe stock)

New report: Indiana courts face mental health crisis

Loretta Rush, Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court, has released the 2023-24 annual report for the state's courts. The report shows Indiana's …

Michael Hicks at Ball State University said over the past two decades, average real wages for manufacturing workers in Indiana dropped by a stunning 14.4%, compared to a 1% rise nationwide. (Adobe stock)

Ball State economist: IN lags as income, education levels decline

Despite Indiana's recent high-profile business deals, the state's economic fundamentals are lagging, with declining income and education levels …

The gubernatorial race in Indiana includes three candidates: Republican Mike Braun, Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater. (Adobe stock)

Supermajority and party-switching: features of IN governor race

With just three weeks until Election Day, Indiana's race for governor is heating up as Republican Mike Braun and Democrat Jennifer McCormick vie for …

According to the Public Policy Initiative, Indiana's incarceration rate is 721 per 100,000 residents.<br />(Adobe Stock)

IN correctional facilities show higher cancer rates

Two specific types of cancer are showing up in high numbers among people in jail and prison and Indiana is no exception. A new study found a lack of …

The Indiana Citizen launched its virtual ballot in 2020. The tool has become more robust during the last four years. (Adobe Stock)

Hoosier voters gain access to nonpartisan election information tool

The Indiana Citizen, a nonpartisan voter information platform, aims to improve civic engagement in Indiana by helping voters make informed choices…

Indiana law requires electricity utilities to issue long-term plans for power plants every three years. (Adobe stock)

IN environmentalists push back on Duke’s coal extension

By Dan Gearino for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public N…

According to the Indiana Bar Foundation Civic Health Index, Indiana has consistently had some of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country. (Adobe Stock)

Early voting begins in Indiana; registration deadline passes

It is now too late for Hoosiers to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election, as the window has closed. Indiana is now in the next …

The nonprofit Greater Indiana predicts sales of electric vehicles will equal almost 30% of all new car sales in the state in the year 2030. (Adobe Stock)

More prospective tax breaks for EV charging infrastructure

Electric vehicles are considered one solution for a cleaner environment and Indiana has just over 26,000 EVs already on the road. Energy officials …

The Indiana Secretary of State calculates the registration percentage by dividing the state's voter registrations by the total number of eligible Hoosier voters. (Adobe stock)

Inflated voter rolls in Indiana? Critics say yes

By Marilyn Odendahl for The Indiana Citizen.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Indiana Citizen-Free Press India…

America's Health Rankings places Indiana as 15th in the nation in the percentage of adults age 60 and older who faced food insecurity in the past 12 months. (Adobe Stock)

IN seniors lack of nutritious meals tied to income, physical challenges

Baby boomers are getting older, and an adequate diet is vital to this demographic in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Data in a 2022 report from the …

The Indiana State Democratic Party says without an Election Day on-campus voting site, Purdue students, faculty and staff will be disenfranchised. (Adobe stock)

Purdue students: What do we want? On-campus voting

Purdue University students are pushing back against Tippecanoe County's plan for limited voting access on campus. The county has announced only a 10 …

Research from John Hopkins Medicine shows as many as one in five new moms have postpartum depression, a more serious, but highly treatable, condition. (Adobe Stock)

IN experts urge Hoosiers to seek help for postpartum mental health issues

Postpartum mental health issues are often misunderstood, but help is available for Hoosiers who may be suffering. It's an ideal time to talk about …

IEDC reports Indiana ranked third in nation and first in Midwest for utility-scale solar in development in Q2 2024. (Adobe stock)

IN emerges as national leader in clean energy innovation

Indiana is positioning itself as a national leader in clean energy, driving economic growth through innovative projects and significant investments…

Bobcats were protected in Indiana until 2005, when they were removed from the state's endangered species list. (Adobe stock)

Public hearing planned for Indiana bobcat trapping proposal

Indiana is considering a limited bobcat trapping season and the Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on the proposal. The plan …

IN small businesses resist potential tax hike

A large tax hike could be awaiting small businesses still rebounding from the pandemic. One group hopes Congress will act before two bills expire and …

According to the Indiana Area Health Education Centers Network, 76% of students enrolled in the Pathway Program plan to pursue a medical career. (Adobe Stock)

IN looks to high school students to spark medical careers

Indiana's health care employee pool is shrinking. As the medical profession faces increased demand for mental health management, chronic illness …

The Indiana Legislature passed a bill requiring school libraries to publicly post a list of books they offer and provide a complaints process for community members. (Adobe stock)

Indiana Libraries rally against rising censorship efforts

Libraries across Indiana are observing Banned Books Week. The observation started in the 1980s to highlight ongoing censorship efforts aimed at …

If Duke Energy has its way, some Hoosiers may soon face higher electric bills. (Adobe Stock)

Duke Energy's proposed rate hike, profits under fire

Duke Energy is facing criticism over its proposed rate hikes of up to 16%, while delaying the retirement of its coal-fired power plants in Indiana…

IU Health is expanding its suicide prevention efforts by training staff to better support individuals from different backgrounds. (Adobe stock)

Suicide rates rising among Indiana's diverse communities

By Reyna Revelle for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service …

Maplewood Guest House in Muncie serves as a residential hub for third- and fourth-year medical students. (Ball State University)

Ball State, IU team up for medical student housing

By Katherine Hill for the Ball State Daily News .Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Ball State Daily News-Free …

According to the research website Definitive Healthcare, consumers spent $603 billion on prescription drugs in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

IN residents await price reductions on costly prescriptions

Indiana ranks 20th among states for its prescription drug spending and especially for older adults, some help is on the way. The Inflation Reduction …

Hunger Action Month started in 2008 when Feeding America's food banks came together to encourage individuals to take action against hunger in their local communities. (Adobe stock)

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry calls for action as food insecurity worsens

Hoosiers are marking Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign led by the Feeding America Network, to raise awareness and fight hunger across the U.…

Lead contamination poses serious health risks, especially to children, and has been linked to<br />developmental issues and organ damage. (Adobe Stock)

Indianapolis neighborhood fears ongoing lead contamination Superfund site

By Enrique Saenz for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press Indiana-Public News …

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