Indiana News & Current Events | Public News Service

According to the latest MLA survey, college-level enrollments in languages other than English peaked in 2009 at almost 1.7 million. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Colleges see big drop in foreign-language enrollments

Fewer college students are taking foreign language courses, and a new report warns this could affect how well students are prepared for a globalized …

The Thrive Indianapolis Annual Report 2022 says Indianapolis has been recognized as a Tree City USA for 35 consecutive years. (Adobe Stock)

Indy, Bloomington recognized for environmental action plans

Bloomington and Indianapolis are getting some international recognition for the work they're doing to help the environment. The two have been named …

Ryan White died in April 1990. He is buried in Cicero, Ind. (Joe Ulery)

World AIDS Day 35: Remember and Commit

As World AIDS Day turns 35, the mother of an Indiana teen who became the public face of the disease is a reminder of the importance of never …

Shoppers' guide directs people to products 'Made in America'

Consumer watchdogs say Black Friday sales might have set records this year, as retailers offer deep discounts to get shoppers into their stores…

A Small Business Consumer Insights Survey found projected spending among U.S. consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday in 2022 reached an estimated $17.9 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Small Business Saturday highlights survival, growth of entrepreneurs

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, an opportunity for small businesses to market their products and services out of the shadows of "big-box" stores …

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources launched the Sportsmen's Benevolence Fund, recently renamed Indiana Hunt for Hunger, in 2008 to create an easy way for hunters to help fight food insecurity in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Hoosier hunters team with food banks to fight hunger

Indiana food banks are in dire need of meat for families who simply cannot afford to buy it at the grocery store and local hunters are doing their par…

WGU Indiana stresses existing partnerships and creating new partnerships between higher education and employers will create a jobs pipeline of educated talent. (Adobe Stock)

New urgency to close skills gap between college and employment

Preparing students to find a job straight out of college is not always easy in Indiana. However, barriers graduates must jump to successfully …

A 2021 AARP report estimates the hourly economic value of unpaid family caregiving in Indiana at $14.61, and those hours add up to $10.8 million per year. (Adobe Stock)

IN family caregivers need more support

About 790,000 Hoosiers are family caregivers for relatives in declining physical or mental health. But Indiana ranks fairly low in support for family …

According to Clean Grid Alliance, Indiana ranks 19th in the nation for solar power and 12th for wind-energy production. (Adobe stock)

Renewable energy fuels major economic payoffs in rural Indiana

Wind and solar projects are powering a big surge for Indiana's economy. You've probably seen tall wind turbines and row after row of flat panels on …

The American Psychiatric Association says African Americans are less likely to be offered either evidence-based medication therapy or psychotherapy, compared with the general population. (Adobe Stock)

Wellness center offers mental-health services specific to people of color

No Indiana county has enough mental-health professionals to meet the local needs according to the Rural Health Information Hub. Add to that an …

Polls across the state will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. Voters must be registered to vote ahead of Election Day. Indiana does not offer same-day voter registration on Election Day. (Adobe Stock)

Mixed early voting turnout in Indiana municipal elections

Voters are selecting leaders for their cities and towns in Tuesday's 2023 Indiana Municipal Elections. Low voter turnout isn't unusual in many …

According to the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory, Indiana ranks third out of 56 U.S. states and territories that release the highest total chemicals and pollutants per square mile into the air. (Adobe Stock)<br />

IN gets multiyear grant for climate pollution research

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is using a $3 million federal grant to track greenhouse-gas pollution in the state. The Climate …

Indiana requires all prospective adoptive parents successfully complete tests, including aspects of their psychological and physical health, parenting values and beliefs, relationship and coping mechanisms and financial stability. (Adobe Stock)

November spotlights successful adoptions, Indiana kids still waiting

November is National Adoption Month, a time to boost awareness of the need for adoption and the number of children in foster care seeking permanent …

According to the Indiana Climate Change Impact Assessments from Purdue University, Hoosiers could see temperatures rise by up to about 6 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

Warmer temps take the October chill out of IN

This time of year, there's usually a seasonal crispness in the air, along with changing leaves and area pumpkin patches. But the warm temperatures …

The website 'governing.com' says according to recent assessments, three-quarters of American students lack sufficient understanding of civics concepts to apply them. (Adobe Stock)

National Civics Day encourages leadership, community engagement

Today is National Civics Day, rooted in history and a reminder of the importance of learning the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. On this …

According to the National Assembly of State Art Agencies, as of 2021, the arts and culture industry supports almost 82,000 jobs in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Arts, culture are economic drivers in Indiana, US

The nonprofit Americans for the Arts just released a study on the economic impact of arts and culture on communities, including in Indiana. Among …

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports one in three women in the United States has experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. (Adobe Stock)

IN domestic violence rates remain at troubling levels

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The most recent study from the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence cites a 181% …

Indiana is 23rd among states in annual rankings of internet coverage, speed and availability on the website BroadbandNow. This means roughly one in 10 residents is unable to purchase an internet plan with speeds of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. (Adobe Stock)

Purdue team pitches in to improve IN internet connectivity

Indiana's share of federal money to boost broadband access in underserved areas in the state is almost $870 million. The funding - through the …

According to 'Stacker.com,' in 2022, there were nearly 360 EV charging stations statewide in Indiana. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Environment, economy spark EV sales growth in Indiana

Electric vehicles are being called the "cars of the future." But how quickly are Indiana residents willing to drive into that future by buying one? …

The National Eczema Association estimates one in 10 individuals will develop eczema during their lifetime, with prevalence peaking in early childhood. (Adobe Stock)

National Eczema Awareness Month highlights causes, treatments

October is National Eczema Awareness Month. More than 31 million people in the U.S. have some form of the chronic skin disease, also known as atopic …

Beginning next year, Indiana law requires high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. College tuition and other related costs often play a role in the choice to pursue, or pass up, a college degree. (Adobe Stock)

Initiative launched to open avenues to a college education

Indiana is part of a new program created to help young people access early college credits, apprenticeships and certification programs. Many Indiana …

More than 4 million hogs reside in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

Feds warn IN pig farmers about fatal herd disease

This is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's third annual African Swine Fever Action Week, and as the nation's fifth-largest pork producer, Indiana …

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Indiana is home to 94 solar-energy companies, although the state still gets less than 1% of its power from solar. (Adobe Stock)

Growth of renewable energy in IN faces roadblocks

A proposal to allow utility-scale solar operations for Washington Township in Delaware County is meeting with some setbacks and one nonpartisan group …

According to the Education Data Initiative, the average annual cost of tuition at any four-year institution is $19,806. (Adobe Stock)

Student loan repayments add to already strained IN household budgets

After a three-year pause, student loan repayments begin next week. Some families, already stretching their dollars to cover basic living expenses…

A 2017 Purdue University research project found a more earth-friendly adhesive was created by sea mussels. They extend hair-like fibers that attach to surfaces using plaques of adhesive. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Purdue University touts research on environmentally safer adhesive

Scientists at Purdue University have been experimenting to create adhesives designed to be easier on the environment. So many products from …

USAFacts.org reports in 2020, $12,268 was the average amount spent on health care per Indiana resident. (Adobe Stock)

Time to check out health insurance options for 2024

Open enrollment begins soon for employer-sponsored health insurance for coverage starting Jan 1. Most people will have multiple options to choose …

The Indiana Girl Report says from 2015 to 2021, the rate of physical and sexual dating violence among high school girls in Indiana increased to 17%. (Adobe Stock).<br /><br /><br />

Coalition Highlights How Trauma Impacts IN Girls' Growth, Development

A new report focuses on "girl power" in Indiana - with an analysis of how young girls are faring in the state, and recommendations for improving …

Education watchdog Chalkbeat Indiana says members of the Class of 2021 went to college at a rate of 52.9%, down from 53.4% for the Class of 2020. (Adobe Stock)

IN Foundation Challenges States to Rethink College Admissions Process

The number of Indiana high school graduates who go on to college is dropping - and one reason may be the admissions process, which can be complex and …

A 2022 Audubon Society poll found 92% of Hoosiers surveyed said

Vanishing Indiana Wetlands Threaten Water Quality, Hike Flood Risk

Indiana is losing wetlands even as the state has made some effort to protect them. Wetlands provide wildlife habitat, purify and recharge …

The CDC says about one in three Indiana adults lives with some type of disability, in categories that include mental, cognition, hearing, vision or self-care. (Adobe Stock)

Today: Virtual Session to Boost Participation for IN Voters with Disabilities

This election season, Indiana will have a new governor or perhaps a new mayor of Indianapolis. One group is working to increase voter participation …

The Indiana Literacy Organization says children who lack good reading skills in their early years are prone to leaving school without a diploma, which can lead to perpetuation of a cycle of poverty and illiteracy. (Adobe Stock)

State Kicks In to Help Boost Literacy Rates for IN Children

Reading may not be a favorite activity for some kids, but a new program aims to change that - by sending books directly to their homes. The Dolly …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in five people reports mistreatment while receiving maternity care. Mistreatment is reported most often by Black, Hispanic and multiracial moms, and those with public health insurance or no insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Pregnant Patients of Color Report Mistreatment by Medical Providers

A new study finds that people of color often experience different treatment during and after their pregnancy than do their white counterparts in encou…

The Emergency Food Assistance Program determines the amount of food Indiana and other states receive. The totals are based on the number of unemployed persons and number of people with incomes below the poverty level in a state. (Adobe Stock)

IN Food Banks Question Congress' Inactivity on Farm Bill

The Farm Bill is federal legislation governing many nutrition, agriculture and rural development programs, and as the clock ticks down toward its …

Numbering fewer than one in 50 U.S. adults, individuals with untreated severe mental illness may be involved in as many as half of all fatal police shootings, according to the Treatment Advocacy Center. (Adobe Stock)

Indy's Clinician-Led Community Response Team Steps Up

What began as a conversation between Indianapolis community leaders about public health and criminal-justice reform in 2021 has led to formation of a …

According to an Indiana University Public Policy Institute study, nearly 68% of the state's unhoused population identifies as male, 32% as female, and less than 1% as transgender. (Adobe Stock)

Extreme Heat Creates Dangerous Conditions for Unhoused in IN

An excessive heat warning and an air quality alert are making life challenging in Indiana and across the Midwest this week. For those who are …

Federal spending on USDA's food and nutrition assistance programs totaled $183 billion in fiscal year 2022. Adjusted for inflation, that's 6% less than the previous year. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana Food Banks Step Up to Use Funding from Legislature

It has been one month since Indiana announced food banks across the state will share $2 million in state funds, and those food banks say it cannot …

In 2022, the wind energy sector employed nearly 7,000 workers in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

DOE Job Report Shows Gains in Indiana

A new look at clean energy jobs in the U.S. shows growth in Indiana and the prospect of greater gains in the future. The Department of Energy …

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Indiana ranks 18th among states for the rate of dis-enrolling Medicaid enrollees after pandemic-era

Help Available to Hoosiers Navigating Medicaid Purge

Thousands of Hoosiers who got their health coverage through Medicaid during the COVID-19 outbreak risk losing it now that the pandemic has ended…

In the 2018-2019 academic year, the Indiana Dept. of Education identified 16,380 unhoused students enrolled in Indiana schools, or about 1.5% of the total student population. (Adobe Stock)

A New Resource for Indiana Youth Facing Homelessness

The number of homeless adults in Indiana was at a troubling level even before the pandemic, and today, another demographic is facing the same …

Data show the United States has by far the highest rate of child and teen firearm mortality among peer nations. (Adobe stock)

Report: Most Young People Believe Gun Violence is Major Problem

Some 74% of young people in the United States believe gun violence is a problem and almost 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new …

According to the Education Data Initiative, although the average student loan balance in Indiana is lower than the national average, Hoosiers borrowers owe about $30-billion. (Adobe Stock)

Hoosiers Anxious Budgeting Again for College Debt

Hoosiers are reworking monthly budgets as the pause for federal student loan payments comes to an end, and the stress of another monthly expense …

The U.S. Census Bureau describes a small town as having a population of less than 5,000. Small towns typically have lower property taxes, which makes homeownership more affordable. (Adobe Stock)

IN Lawmaker Testifies for Growth of Rural Small Business, Infrastructure

Some smaller Indiana cities and towns are lagging when it comes to growth and development of amenities that larger cities have, but they need funding…

The Center for American Progress reports Black mothers are significantly more likely to be their family breadwinners, with 68% in that role, compared to 37% for white mothers and 41% for Latina mothers. (Adobe Stock)

Black Women's Equal Pay Day: Wage Gaps Persist in Indiana

Today is Black Women's Equal Pay Day. It represents the "extra" months a Black woman, working full time, has to work to earn the same pay as a white …

A bipartisan group of attorneys general in 31 states and the District of Columbia are partnering with USDA to enhance competition and protect consumers in food and agricultural markets. (Adobe stock)

IN Joins Bipartisan Effort to Investigate Food Prices

Indiana is part of a bipartisan effort among law enforcement leaders around the U.S. to beef up enforcement and prevent antitrust activity within the …

Purdue University researchers say the ultra-white paint remains cool to the touch, even in direct sunlight. (Purdue University/John Underwood)

Paint Created in Purdue Lab Could Cool Earth

An ultra-white paint developed in a Purdue University lab is making its way through the innovation pipeline, and it seems its market debut could not …

In 2015, according to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, 63% of Indiana high school students went to college. In 2020, that number dropped to 53%. (Adobe Stock)

IN College Applications On Decline as High School Grads Delay Higher Ed

College enrollment numbers are down in Indiana as more high school graduates are choosing to take one or more gap years, pursue vocational …

A new economic impact study suggests every job at GM translates to more than six additional jobs in the automotive industry. (Adobe stock)

Report: GM 'Integral Part' of IN Economy

General Motors is touting its return to the top in 2022 as the largest automotive manufacturer in America while it also takes a victory lap to remind …

Forbes magazine reports 38% of men work remotely full time, while 30% of women work remotely full time, suggesting a gender gap in remote work. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana's Tug-of-War: Work Remotely, or Head Back to Office?

About one in three Indiana workers now works remotely, according to the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University, and some …

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