Podcasts about indiana department

School leaders, This week's IASP Advocacy Podcast serves as our season wrap-up episode before we pause for summer and return as the 2026–27 school year begins. This episode focuses on three reminders—and one challenge—as we close the loop on one school year and begin setting the course for the next. In this episode, we discuss: • Preparing now for smoother implementation later • Engaging with legislators and community leaders locally • Investing in your own professional growth  • And one final challenge: putting yourself on the calendar this summer As additional implementation guidance and resources are released by the Indiana Department of Education, IASP will continue sharing updates and information with Indiana school leaders throughout the summer. Have an awesome summer, IASP. Thank you for the incredible work you do for Indiana students and schools! Cindy Long Assistant Executive Director Indiana Association of School Principals

Indiana has a theory for why Richard Allen confessed to the Delphi murders while sitting in solitary confinement at Westville. According to the State's appellate brief, Richard Allen found religion in his cell. He had a spiritual awakening. He decided to come clean.What the defense has documented is something else entirely. A man who lost 45 pounds in solitary. A man who tore up his legal mail. A man who ate his Bible. A man who drank from the toilet. A man who asked his own father, on a recorded phone call, how much longer he was going to be lucid. A man whose Major Depressive Disorder was documented before he ever entered Westville — and whose decline was so visible that the defense team described him as psychotic and gravely disabled.The Indiana Department of Correction's own written policy says inmates with serious mental illness cannot be kept in solitary for more than 30 days. Allen was kept there for 13 months.Defense attorney Bob Motta joins Tony Brueski for Part Two of a three-part panel on the Richard Allen appeal. They put the State's religious-conversion narrative next to the contemporaneous medical and behavioral record. They walk through what an appellate panel actually does when a confession is extracted from a man in that condition. They examine the institutional knowledge the State had before placing Allen in solitary, the policy the State broke by holding him there, and the confession the State is now trying to protect.Three judges at the Court of Appeals are reading both stories. Only one of them is going to survive review.LINKS:Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodDISCLAIMER:This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.HASHTAGS:#RichardAllen #DelphiMurders #DelphiAppeal #ReligiousConversion #BobMotta #TrueCrimeToday #AbbyAndLibby #SolitaryConfinement #CoercedConfession #TrueCrime

The Richard Allen appeal has moved into its final procedural stretch. The defense filed its reply brief at the end of April. The motion for oral arguments was filed alongside it. The case is now fully briefed. Three judges at the Indiana Court of Appeals are reading the record. A decision is coming.This is what is actually on the table.The defense's reply brief identifies a van timeline contradicted by FBI cell data and surveillance footage. It identifies a confession in which Allen told his prison psychiatrist he shot Abby Williams and Libby German — when the medical examiner concluded the girls were killed with a blade. It identifies an alternative suspect whose interview was allegedly recorded over by Indiana investigators, whose weapon was never collected, whose phone was never searched. Indiana's response brief leans on waiver, harmless error, and procedural default rather than rebutting any of it.The reply brief also walks through the 13 months Allen spent in solitary confinement at Westville — under an Indiana Department of Correction policy that caps such confinement at 30 days for inmates with serious mental illness. He lost 45 pounds. He stopped knowing whether he was alive. He asked his father how much longer he was going to be lucid. Then he confessed. The State's theory now is religious conversion.Defense attorney Bob Motta joins Tony Brueski for a three-part panel on all of it — the procedural-versus-factual collision, the solitary confinement collision, and the strategic oral-arguments collision now sitting in front of three judges with the power to ask any question.Three judges. No more paper. Everything new in the Delphi appeal, in one place.LINKS:Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodDISCLAIMER:This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.HASHTAGS:#RichardAllen #DelphiMurders #DelphiAppeal #IndianaCourtOfAppeals #AbbyAndLibby #BobMotta #TrueCrimeToday #BridgeGuy #SolitaryConfinement #TrueCrime

Indiana's response brief in the Richard Allen appeal does not read like the work of a State that's confident in its conviction. It reads like the work of a State trying to keep three judges from ever opening the trial record.The defense brought specifics. The van timeline contradicted by FBI cell data. The confession that doesn't match the cause of death. The alternative suspect whose interview was allegedly recorded over by investigators. The 13 months Richard Allen spent in solitary confinement at Westville while the Indiana Department of Correction violated its own written policy by more than a year. The .40-caliber pistol recovered from a search warrant that the defense argues was based on omitted and altered facts.The State's response across all of it: harmless error, waiver, procedural default. Not rebuttal. Not engagement. Just a procedural firewall built tall enough that an appellate panel can affirm the conviction without ever having to look at what's underneath.Defense attorney Bob Motta joins Tony Brueski for a three-part panel on where the Delphi appeal actually stands. Three collision points. The procedural-versus-factual fight. The 13 months Allen spent in a cell built for 30 days. The strategic asymmetry of one side asking for oral arguments while the other side stays silent and prays the panel decides on paper.Three judges. No more paper. A conviction the State doesn't seem to want to defend on the merits.LINKS:Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodDISCLAIMER:This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.HASHTAGS:#RichardAllen #DelphiMurders #DelphiAppeal #IndianaCourtOfAppeals #AbbyAndLibby #BobMotta #HiddenKillers #HarmlessError #SolitaryConfinement #TrueCrime

Richard Allen walked into Westville Correctional Facility weighing 180 pounds. By April 2023, he weighed 135 pounds. He had been in solitary confinement the entire time. He was not under sentence. He had not yet been to trial. He was a pretrial detainee in a maximum-security prison's most restrictive housing — and the documented evidence is that he was losing his mind.He tore up his legal mail. He drank from the toilet. He ate his Bible. He hit his head against the cell door. He asked his own father, on a phone call, how much longer he could stay lucid. And then he confessed to the Delphi murders.The Indiana Department of Correction has a written policy. Inmates with serious mental illness — and Allen had a documented diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder before he ever arrived at Westville — cannot be held in solitary for more than 30 days. Richard Allen was held there for 13 months. The Indiana Attorney General is now asking three judges at the Court of Appeals to call all of that constitutionally fine.Defense attorney Bob Motta joins Tony Brueski for Part Two of a three-part panel on the Richard Allen appeal. They walk through what the documented decline at Westville actually looked like in real time. They examine the religious-conversion theory the State has offered to explain why Allen confessed, and they put it next to the contemporaneous behavioral record. They get into the jailhouse calls — one heard by the jury, two excluded — and what selective admission of evidence around a confession does to the voluntariness question three judges now have to answer.The State broke its own rule by more than twelve months. Three judges are reading.LINKS:Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodDISCLAIMER:This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.HASHTAGS:#RichardAllen #DelphiMurders #DelphiAppeal #SolitaryConfinement #Westville #BobMotta #HiddenKillers #AbbyAndLibby #IndianaDepartmentOfCorrection #TrueCrime

According to Richard Allen's appellate brief, the Indiana Department of Correction knew. They knew that solitary confinement could worsen Allen's Major Depressive Disorder. They knew it could cause psychosis. Their own written policy restricts inmates with serious mental illness to 30 days in solitary for exactly that reason.They held Richard Allen in solitary for 13 months.By April 2023, the man who would later confess to the Delphi murders weighed 45 pounds less than when he arrived at Westville. He was, in the defense's own words, gravely disabled. He was eating his Bible. He was drinking from the toilet. He was asking his own father how much longer he could stay lucid.The Indiana Attorney General now argues that none of this rises to coercion. The State offered a religious-conversion theory to explain Allen's confessions instead. The defense has documented a psychiatric collapse.Defense attorney Bob Motta joins Tony Brueski for Part Two of a three-part panel on the Delphi appeal. They sit with the institutional knowledge the State had before it ever put Richard Allen in that cell, and the decision the State made to leave him there anyway. They get into what an appeals court does when a state agency violates its own written rule by more than a year and then asks a panel of judges to call the resulting confession voluntary. They walk through the religious-conversion narrative the State is selling and the medical record sitting underneath it.Three judges. Indiana's own rulebook. The State's own warning. A pretrial detainee who lost his mind in a cell he was never supposed to be in.LINKS:Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodDISCLAIMER:This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.HASHTAGS:#RichardAllen #DelphiMurders #DelphiAppeal #SolitaryConfinement #Psychosis #BobMotta #HiddenKillers #AbbyAndLibby #IndianaDepartmentOfCorrection #TrueCrime

After five and a half months in solitary confinement at Westville, Richard Allen had reached a state his own defense team described as gravely disabled. He was no longer sure whether he was guilty or innocent. He was no longer sure whether he was dead or alive. According to the appellate brief, he stayed in solitary for another seven and a half months after that. He lost 45 pounds. He confessed.The Indiana Department of Correction's own written policy says inmates with serious mental illness cannot be held in solitary for more than 30 days. Richard Allen was held there for 13 months. The State is now asking three judges to find that none of this constituted coercion.Defense attorney Bob Motta sits down with Tony Brueski for Part Two of a three-part panel on the Delphi appeal. They walk through the documented timeline of Allen's decline at Westville. They examine the State's religious-conversion narrative against the contemporaneous medical and behavioral record. They get into the jailhouse calls — one the jury heard, two it was never allowed to hear, including the call where Allen asks his own father how much longer he is going to be lucid.And they sit with the institutional question hanging over all of it. Indiana knew solitary could push Allen into psychosis. The State's own policy contemplated that risk. The State broke that policy by more than a year. And the State is now arguing that a confession extracted from the resulting wreckage is voluntary.Three judges are reading the full record. The State broke its own rulebook to get those confessions. Whether the Court of Appeals lets that stand is the entire question of Part Two.LINKS:Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodDISCLAIMER:This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.HASHTAGS:#RichardAllen #DelphiMurders #DelphiAppeal #SolitaryConfinement #AbbyAndLibby #BobMotta #HiddenKillers #Westville #CoercedConfession #TrueCrime

The Delphi appeal is now fully briefed. Three judges at the Indiana Court of Appeals are reading the full written record. The defense has formally asked to stand in front of them at oral arguments. The State of Indiana has not joined that request. Richard Allen is sitting in an Oklahoma prison for safekeeping while the courtroom that will decide his fate sits more than a thousand miles away.This is where the procedural posture sits. And this is what it actually contains.The defense's reply brief lays out a van timeline contradicted by FBI cell data and surveillance footage, a confession to shooting two girls who were killed with a blade, and an alternative suspect whose interview was allegedly recorded over by investigators. Indiana's response brief answers most of it with waiver and harmless error rather than rebuttal.The reply brief also documents the 13 months Allen spent in solitary at Westville — well past the Indiana Department of Correction's own 30-day cap for inmates with serious mental illness. He lost 45 pounds. He stopped knowing whether he was alive. He ate his Bible. Then he confessed. The State's theory now is that he found religion.And the search warrant — the foundation for the .40-caliber pistol recovered from Allen's home — gets de novo review. No deference owed to Judge Fran Gull. If three judges rule the warrant was bad, the State's central piece of physical evidence is gone for good.Defense attorney Bob Motta joins Tony Brueski for a three-part panel on all of it. Three collision points. One fully briefed case. Three judges with the power to take this conviction apart at the seams.LINKS:Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodDISCLAIMER:This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.HASHTAGS:#RichardAllen #DelphiMurders #DelphiAppeal #IndianaCourtOfAppeals #AbbyAndLibby #BobMotta #HiddenKillers #OralArguments #SearchWarrant #TrueCrime

How does INDOT know when it's time to replace a bridge or culvert? Special guests Sidney Nierman and Bob Tally join hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. Sidney is the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) District PR Director and Bob serves as the INDOT District Asset Engineer.  In this episode, Bob and Sidney will share about their career paths and how they ended up working for INDOT, and Bob will shed some light on how his team evaluates the various INDOT assets to determine what needs to be repaired or replaced. We'll also hear how INDOT determines how and when to communicate road closures to motorists and media outlets and how agriculture equipment impacts the modifications that are made to roadways. If you've ever been curious about why there are so many additional roundabouts or why there are so many orange barrels on the roadways, this is an episode you're not going to want to miss!To subscribe to traffic updates from INDOT, visit alerts.indot.in.gov.

Indianapolis City-County Councilor Ron Gibson said his home was the target of an overnight shooting incident. A candidate for Marion County Clerk, Bobby Kern, passed away on Friday. Indiana Governor Mike Braun says a new law gives the state tools to hold utility companies accountable for residents. Residents, business owners and elected officials took aim at NIPSCO during a listening session in Goshen last week. The student responsible for one of Indiana's most violent school shootings, will soon be free from house arrest and any further monitoring by the court. The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team are national champions. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is trying to remove invasive carp from the state's waterways. Indiana drivers will soon be paying a few more cents per gallon in taxes at the pump. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have five stories for you this week. First, Oregon exposes the real cost of the DJI ban. Second, the FAA reveals DJI makes up 96% of US drones. Third, the Commerce Department updates drone export rules. Fourth, Indiana prosecutes illegal drone deer scouting. And finally, a drone assists in a 900-foot tower rescue. Let's get to it.First up, the Oregon Department of Aviation has released a white paper exposing the real-world cost of the federal DJI ban. They surveyed 25 state transportation departments, and the numbers are staggering. Across those states, at least 467 drones are currently grounded or restricted. The total national exposure is estimated to be anywhere from $50 million to $2 billion! Wisconsin reported that 100% of its fleet is grounded. Colorado lost 90% of its capacity, and Oregon itself has exactly ONE compliant drone still operational out of 22. The white paper is recommending a waiver until September 2027 to give our drone industry time to catch up.New FAA-funded research puts a hard number on DJI's market dominance. The ASSURE A83 2025 Annual Report analyzed Remote ID telemetry data from 64 monitoring locations. DJI platforms make up more than 96% of detected drones in US airspace. Skydio accounted for just over 1%, and all other manufacturers combined made up less than 2.4%. Looking at the specific models, the DJI Mini 4 Pro alone accounts for 19% of all detected platforms. The Air 3 sits at 13%, and the Mavic 3 Pro holds 8%. More than 93.7% of the top 22 detected platforms weigh 3 pounds or less. Heavy-lift models like the Matrice 400, Agras T50, and FlyCart 30 remain a tiny fraction of overall flights. The US Commerce Department is streamlining drone export controls. The Bureau of Industry and Security published an interim final rule that makes two big changes. It removes the license requirement for commercial drones with a maximum endurance under one hour when exported to allied nations. Second, it opens a faster pathway for certain longer-range systems, like heavy-lift 25-liter agricultural sprayers and cargo delivery drones. Previously, these drones were caught up in the Missile Technology Control Regime, which was designed to restrict systems capable of carrying a 500-kilogram payload at least 300 kilometers. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is bringing its first-ever prosecution for illegal drone deer scouting. Under Indiana law, you can legally use a drone to recover an animal that has already been harvested, but using it to scout or locate game during the season or 14 days prior is strictly illegal. Conservation officers seized a drone and pulled the forensic data. The GPS logs, timestamps, flight paths, and other data reportedly showed hundreds of images systematically tracking a specific trophy buck to a baited area. The suspects are allegedly facing charges for drone scouting.In Texas, two people were trapped in a hot air balloon basket that collided and became snagged on a communications tower 925 feet in the air. Longview Fire and first responders had to execute a highly complex high-angle rescue, assisted by drone. The passengers were safely rescued after a four-hour operation, but the crew still had to remove the tangled balloon using a cage and cable system. That's all we've got this week, we'll see you in the community for Post Flight where we share our opinions that aren't suitable for YouTube. Have a great weekend! https://dronexl.co/2026/03/03/oregon-exposes-real-cost-dji-ban/https://dronexl.co/2026/03/02/indiana-drone-deer-scouting-prosecution/https://dronexl.co/2026/03/02/925-feet-down-one-drone-call/https://dronexl.co/2026/03/01/us-commerce-department-drone-export-controls/https://dronexl.co/2026/03/03/faa-research-dji-us-drone-platforms/

AES Indiana cancelled the first of three open houses in Indianapolis Tuesday evening due to threats. A conservative legal group is celebrating a $650,000 settlement for a former Brownsburg teacher who resigned instead of using the preferred name and pronouns of transgender students. A new law will change how Marion County judges get selected. The Indiana Department of Transportation is equipping highway workers across the state with additional safety equipment to keep them safe in low-visibility conditions. The Marion County Jail detained over a thousand immigrants for ICE in 2025, according to a new WFYI analysis. Hamilton Southeastern Schools is looking for a new leader. Superintendent Pat Mapes announced he is stepping down next month. Data center developments are one of the most controversial issues in Indiana right now. Indianapolis officials started work on a decade-long project meant to make streets safer for bikers, pedestrians and drivers.

AES Indiana cancelled the first of three open houses in Indianapolis Tuesday evening due to threats. A conservative legal group is celebrating a $650,000 settlement for a former Brownsburg teacher who resigned instead of using the preferred name and pronouns of transgender students. A new law will change how  Marion County judges get selected. The Indiana Department of Transportation is equipping highway workers across the state with additional safety equipment to keep them safe in low-visibility conditions. The Marion County Jail detained over a thousand immigrants for ICE in 2025, according to a new WFYI analysis. Hamilton Southeastern Schools is looking for a new leader. Superintendent Pat Mapes announced he is stepping down next month. Data center developments are one of the most controversial issues in Indiana right now. Indianapolis officials started work on a decade-long project meant to make streets safer for bikers, pedestrians and drivers. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Good morning, Indiana School Leaders — As the General Assembly moves toward adjournment, the pace at the Statehouse has accelerated. Conference committees have dominated the week, and final votes may still be occurring as this message reaches you. In this week's Legislative Update Podcast, I focus on legislation that has officially crossed the finish line. At the time of recording, Governor Braun has signed four bills we've been following into law. Below you'll find direct links and a brief summary of each. ✅ HEA 1035 – Permissible Unsupervised Activity Author: Representative Teshka This new law defines "independent activity" and clarifies that a child is not considered a Child in Need of Services solely because a parent allows age-appropriate independence — including walking, biking, playing outdoors, remaining at home, or remaining briefly in a stationary vehicle. While not an education-specific bill, this legislation shapes the broader child welfare framework impacting our students and families. ✅ HEA 1195 – High School Equivalency Diplomas Author: Representative Davis This legislation extends pilot timelines through 2028 and requires students pursuing a High School Equivalency diploma to: Complete the Indiana Career Explorer program Complete a DOE-approved readiness assessment Effective upon passage. This reinforces structure and accountability within alternative diploma pathways. ✅ HEA 1325 – Special Education Author: Representative Pfaff HEA 1325 requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Health, Department of Child Services, and the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services, to collect data and make recommendations regarding: Residential placements Developmental preschool Special education services With next year being a budget year, this data-driven approach positions Indiana for more informed conversations about special education funding and service alignment.     ✅ HEA 1036 – Children in Need of Services Author: Representative Wilburn This law requires the Department of Child Services to have in-person contact with an alleged victim before: Concluding an abuse or neglect assessment, and Dismissing or terminating a pending CHINS case. Given recent statewide discussion around DCS processes, this legislation strengthens procedural safeguards. School leaders — often mandatory reporters and partners in these cases — should be aware of this procedural shift. As session concludes, remember: IASP will continue monitoring conference outcomes and agency guidance and will provide additional updates as final language settles. Thank you for your leadership, your advocacy, and your steady presence for Indiana students.  

Indiana lawmakers are reviving legislation that would restrict social media use for children, this time with an emphasis on parental controls and forcing social media platforms to be less addictive. Indiana residents will no longer be able to change their gender marker on driver's licenses. An Indiana House committee moved a bill forward Tuesday to extend syringe services programs. Members of the Martindale-Brightwood community and local activists are calling on Mayor Joe Hogsett to stop the proposed data center development in the historically Black neighborhood. Volunteers gathered Tuesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the Million Meal Marathon, an annual event to help address food insecurity across the state. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources will host seven workshops across Indiana to allow Hoosiers to provide input on the development of a statewide water inventory and management plan under an executive order by Gov. Mike Braun. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Indiana lawmakers are reviving legislation that would restrict social media use for children, this time with an emphasis on parental controls and forcing social media platforms to be less addictive. Indiana residents will no longer be able to change their gender marker on driver's licenses. An Indiana House committee moved a bill forward Tuesday to extend syringe services programs. Members of the Martindale-Brightwood community and local activists are calling on Mayor Joe Hogsett to stop the proposed data center development in the historically Black neighborhood. Volunteers gathered Tuesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the Million Meal Marathon, an annual event to help address food insecurity across the state. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources will host seven workshops across Indiana to allow Hoosiers to provide input on the development of a statewide water inventory and management plan under an executive order by Gov. Mike Braun.

Daniel Dove v. Indiana Department of Correcti

A bill to force state and local law enforcement to comply with federal immigration efforts passes out of committee. Hoosier students join nationwide walkouts to protest ICE, with the Indiana Department of Education and GOP lawmakers condemning the students. A long-time member of the Indiana GOP leaves his party and will run as an independent candidate for mayor of New Albany. Host Jill Sheridan is joined by Democrat Terri Austin, Republican Mike O'Brien, Oseye Boyd of Mirror Indy, and Ben Thorp of WFYI to debate and discuss this week's top stories.

What if your Australian Shepherd's biggest superpower isn't speed or herding instinct… but their nose? In this episode of The Instinctive Australian Shepherd, host Jacque Tinker sits down with Kallie Bongtrager, a Nursery Inspector and Compliance Officer with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources—and a handler who takes her working Aussies into the field to help detect one of the most disruptive invasive pests in the U.S.: the spotted lanternfly. Kallie shares what her job looks like on the ground—inspecting nurseries, tracking plant pests and pathogens, and responding to public reports—then takes us deep into the real-world process of training detection dogs on lanternfly egg masses (including the surprising challenges: "dead" vs. "live" eggs, changing scent over time, tiny odor cones, and why trust in your dog matters more than your eyes). You'll also meet her three Aussies: Que (retired, still brilliant, still hungry) Epic (the seasoned field dog with the "freeze-and-dance" alert) River (the young trainee learning the difference between "search" and "follow my footsteps") Along the way, you'll hear a jaw-dropping story about egg masses hidden inside a woodpecker hole and under bark—found by scent alone—plus a candid look at how conservation detection work is built through experimentation, mistakes, and miles. If you've ever wondered what "a real job" for an Aussie can look like outside the ranch—or you're looking for ways to channel that busy brain into meaningful work—this one will light you up. Topics include: conservation detection dogs, spotted lanternfly impact, training aids and scent tubes, field searches on the edge of infestations, handler trust, and why mental work can tire an Aussie better than endless fetch. www.theinstinctiveaussie.com  

Indiana's senior U.S. Senator is one of just five Republicans to vote in favor of a war powers resolution limiting President Trump. Several hundred people gathered in downtown Indianapolis Thursday night to protest the killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this week. Mayor Joe Hogsett has appointed Police Chief Chris Bailey as the new Chief Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff. Indiana is attracting data centers from tech companies across the country. A federal court ruled Thursday that IU violated the First Amendment rights of pro-Palestine protesters it banned from campus in 2024 and found the expressive activity policy it passed that August unconstitutional. Republicans in the House and Senate have released their priorities for the 2026 legislative session, prioritizing public safety and deregulation. The Indiana Department of Transportation is postponing more than 300 projects due to funding issues. Indiana University Hoosiers face off with the Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl.

Indiana's senior U.S. Senator is one of just five Republicans to vote in favor of a war powers resolution limiting President Trump. Several hundred people gathered in downtown Indianapolis Thursday night to protest the killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this week. Mayor Joe Hogsett has appointed Police Chief Chris Bailey as the new Chief Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff. Indiana is attracting data centers from tech companies across the country. A federal court ruled Thursday that IU violated the First Amendment rights of pro-Palestine protesters it banned from campus in 2024 and found the expressive activity policy it passed that August unconstitutional. Republicans in the House and Senate have released their priorities for the 2026 legislative session, prioritizing public safety and deregulation. The Indiana Department of Transportation is postponing more than 300 projects due to funding issues. Indiana University Hoosiers face off with the Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Lauren Schregardus is Vice President of Strategic Communications for BAR Communications   Listen to Circle City Success Podcast episode 223, where you'll hear Lauren tell us about...   ● Her dream was to be a sports announcer and attended theatre school at Miami University ● How she became one of the youngest Directors of Communication for FSSA, landed as press secretary for Indiana Department of Education, and that knowing the right people will open career opportunities ● BAR Communications builds and executes strategies to share client messages that help connect them to targeted audiences   Circle City Success Podcast Sponsors

How do we build up agriculture economic development?  Returning guest, Don Lamb joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett in the podcast room for today's episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  As you may remember, Don is the Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.  In addition to sharing about his career background and what his role looks like on a day-to-day basis, he'll discuss why Indiana's department of agriculture is so special.  You'll also hear how Don and “Team Ag Indiana” were able to successfully deliver a pitch to bring a USDA hub to Indiana and potential benefits to Indiana growers to have them local.  Don will also explain his thoughts around successfully tracking and managing agriculture economic development despite urban sprawl and large industrial sites.  “When I think about… economic development and agriculture, the doing should be happening locally… Get active.”

Welcome back to another episode of Crawfordsville Connection! This week we take a deeper dive into the City of Crawfordsville's 2026 Budget following final approval from the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF). In this episode, we walk through the full budget process, explain how tax rates are set, and break down the approved fund amounts so residents can better understand where dollars are allocated and how City services are funded. Yodel Community Calendar & News Feed: https://events.yodel.today/crawfordsville To ask any questions about this podcast or submit topic ideas, please email Sarah Sommer at ssommer@crawfordsville-in.gov.

How do we build up agriculture economic development?  Returning guest, Don Lamb joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett in the podcast room for today's episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  As you may remember, Don is the Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.  In addition to sharing about his career background and what his role looks like on a day-to-day basis, he'll discuss why Indiana's department of agriculture is so special.  You'll also hear how Don and “Team Ag Indiana” were able to successfully deliver a pitch to bring a USDA hub to Indiana and potential benefits to Indiana growers to have them local.  Don will also explain his thoughts around successfully tracking and managing agriculture economic development despite urban sprawl and large industrial sites.  “When I think about… economic development and agriculture, the doing should be happening locally… Get active.”

Daion L. Daniels, Director of Research for the Indiana Department of Education, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts Program, which documents how many students took advantage of the Arkansas choice program, and its results in student achievement. The 2024-25 Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts Program Annual Report, co-written with Alison Heape Johnson, Joshua B. McGee, and Patrick J. Wolf, is available now. https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Files/2024-25_Arkansas_Education_Freedom_Accounts_Program_Annual_Report_100125_OSCPE.pdf

Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal will run for the state Senate District 31 seat in central Indiana. The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance votes Wednesday on a plan to reshape how district and charter schools are governed. Indianapolis Public Schools is backing down in a legal fight with the state's attorney general over immigration. More than seven million borrowers will need to change repayment plans for federal student loans. An Indianapolis police task force released a report that breaks down efforts to get illegal guns and drugs off city streets. The Indiana Department of Health has launched a new drug overdose dashboard that expands access to key information.

Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal will run for the state Senate District 31 seat in central Indiana. The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance votes Wednesday on a plan to reshape how district and charter schools are governed. Indianapolis Public Schools is backing down in a legal fight with the state's attorney general over immigration. More than seven million borrowers will need to change repayment plans for federal student loans. An Indianapolis police task force released a report that breaks down efforts to get illegal guns and drugs off city streets. The Indiana Department of Health has launched a new drug overdose dashboard that expands access to key information. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Indiana lawmakers voted 19 to 31 against the congressional redistricting called for by President Donald Trump in his attempt to help Republicans win the 2026 midterm elections. President Donald Trump is lashing out at Indiana's top state senator after legislation to redraw congressional districts failed Thursday in the General Assembly. House Republicans and the Trump administration have proposed significant cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency next fiscal year. Indiana's infant mortality rate was at a historic low last year according to the Indiana Department of Health. Severe winter weather is headed to central Indiana. The Allen County Public Library is hosting the monks of the Labrang Tashi Kyil monastery in India this week as part of the monks' tour for world peace. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Indiana lawmakers voted 19 to 31 against the congressional redistricting called for by President Donald Trump in his attempt to help Republicans win the 2026 midterm elections. President Donald Trump is lashing out at Indiana's top state senator after legislation to redraw congressional districts failed Thursday in the General Assembly. House Republicans and the Trump administration have proposed significant cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency next fiscal year. Indiana's infant mortality rate was at a historic low last year according to the Indiana Department of Health. Severe winter weather is headed to central Indiana. The Allen County Public Library is hosting the monks of the Labrang Tashi Kyil monastery in India this week as part of the monks' tour for world peace.

About 300 Indiana National Guard troops arrived in Washington, D.C., over the weekend to assist local and federal law enforcement The bobcat trapping season ends early, says the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, after the statewide quota was met... Jury selection begins this week for the trial of Larry Richmond, accused of murdering an Evansville firefighter in 2019. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode SummaryIn this episode of The Stream by AASHTO, George McCue, Emerging Mobility Assistant Director at the Indiana Department of Transportation, and Dr. Steven Pekarek, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University, discuss a new electric vehicle project that seeks to create a wireless, electrified roadway that charges vehicles as they drive across the road. The pair discuss the science behind the project, the partnership between the university and Indiana DOT, and what it could mean for the future of electric vehicles.Episode NotesThis podcast series is part of the AASHTO Environmental Management technical service program operated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. It explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect state departments of transportation and the infrastructure programs they oversee.In this episode, George McCue with the Indiana DOT and Dr. Steven Pekarek from Purdue University are interviewed by Bernie Wagenblast regarding an electric vehicle charging project they are conducting under the auspices of the Joint Transportation Research Program. The project is testing a dynamic wireless power transfer or “DWPT” system, whereby transmitter coils underneath the road can send energy to an electric vehicle without ever having to plug it in – a power transfer system that is similar to wireless charger technology for smart phones.In West Lafayette, Indiana, Indiana DOT and Purdue have successfully tested a quarter mile of highway on U.S. Route 231 and U.S. Route 52 equipped with over 80 transmitter coils that carried charge to the test vehicle.On the podcast, McCue and Pekarek discuss the multi-faceted aspects of the DWPT project, including the economic viability of the project's technology, potential size limits of vehicles able to use the road, and working on public roadways that can see thousands of drivers daily. Both stress that this DWPT project could significantly expand the range of electric vehicles on U.S. highways.

A bill that would redraw Indiana's congressional map to benefit Republicans was passed through committee Tuesday after hours of testimony. A push to redraw Indiana's congressional districts has divided Republicans in the solidly conservative state. Last year, Indiana froze enrollment for a program that helps low income families pay for child care and preschool, and the state has kept making cuts. More than 36 percent of people released from prison return within three years, according to the Indiana Department of Correction. Officials in Clark County, Indiana report drug overdose deaths so far this year are half what they were last fall. The City of Indianapolis says it's been hard at work making roads and trails safe after Monday night's snowfall.

A bill that would redraw Indiana's congressional map to benefit Republicans was passed through committee Tuesday after hours of testimony. A push to redraw Indiana's congressional districts has divided Republicans in the solidly conservative state. Last year, Indiana froze enrollment for a program that helps low income families pay for child care and preschool, and the state has kept making cuts. More than 36 percent of people released from prison return within three years, according to the Indiana Department of Correction. Officials in Clark County, Indiana report drug overdose deaths so far this year are half what they were last fall. The City of Indianapolis says it's been hard at work making roads and trails safe after Monday night's snowfall. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Indiana just told the cement industry it won't accept any blended cement with more than 10% limestone. That's a first - and it's not sitting well with the people who pushed Type IL cement in the first place. For the first time, a state DOT pushed back on Type IL cement—and the industry fired back. Indiana's Department of Transportation says it's protecting performance after bridge decks started scaling. The American Cement Association says the DOT's new limits are unnecessary, confusing, and unscientific. So, who's right—and what does it mean for the rest of the country's concrete? What You'll Learn • Why INDOT limited Type IL limestone content to 10% • The ACA's objections — and what's left unsaid • How PCA's 2021 carbon-neutrality roadmap and the federal Buy Clean program accelerated the switch to Type IL • Why the “one-to-one replacement” claim may have been oversold • How variable limestone content (≈7.6–12.4%) affects consistency and performance • Why admixtures and curing aren't substitutes for good practice • What INDOT's maintenance and inspection programs get right • Why other DOTs may follow Indiana's lead next Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & ACA Briefing Overview 01:00 – INDOT's 10% Limit and Industry Response 04:00 – How Type IL Cement Took Over the Market 07:30 – PCA Roadmap & Federal Buy Clean Pressure 10:30 – Complacency and the One-to-One Myth 14:00 – What Really Drove the 2021–2023 Flip 18:00 – Cement Chemistry and QC in the Field 22:00 – The Variability Problem: 7.6% vs 12.4% Limestone 26:30 – Are Admixtures and Curing the Real Culprits? 30:00 – INDOT's Data-Driven Maintenance Approach 32:00 – Why Other States Are Watching Closely Guest Info Dr. Jon Belkowitz – Chief Technical Officer, Intelligent Concrete Email: jon@intelligent-concrete.com Website: https://www.intelligent-concrete.comConcrete Logic Academy Earn your PDHs the logical way. Explore practical courses made for contractors, engineers, and producers. Free trial: https://www.concretelogicacademy.comSupport the Podcast Support the show and be listed as a Producer for life on the episode page: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/supportMedia & Sponsorship Inquiries: seth@concretelogicpodcast.comPodcast Partners Intelligent Concrete At Intelligent Concrete, we combine lab precision with field expertise to help you understand what your concrete is telling you. Our services include mix troubleshooting, forensic and petrographic testing, performance-based specification and admixture development, and training for engineers, contractors, and producers. Whether you're chasing consistency, durability, or answers after a failure, Intelligent Concrete delivers the data and insight to solve problems and improve performance. Learn more: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/intelligent-concreteKUIU (Affiliate Link) – https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiu15% off the first order. CreditsProduced by Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic Media Music by Mike Dunton — https://www.mdunton.comConnectivity Host: Seth Tandett Concrete Visionary | Business Development at Baker Construction | Host of the #1 Concrete Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethtandett/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.comIf you learned something new, share this episode with your team and help more engineers and builders think logically about concrete. Until next time, let's keep it concrete! Reference Links ACA Briefing: “Portland-Limestone Cement Limits in Indiana Department of Transportation Specifications” (October 2025 Update) — https://tinyurl.com/TypeILINDOT Recurring Special Provision 901-M-069 (Effective December 1, 2025): https://www.in.gov/dot/div/contracts/standards/rsp/sep25/900/901-M-069%20251201.pdfINDOT Testing Memos Referenced in ACA Briefing: • 21-05 • 22-02 • 23-01 • 24-03 • 25-02 (Available at https://www.in.gov/indot/doing-business-with-indot/contractorsconstruction/division-of-materials-and-tests/current-testing-memos/)

The family of 5-year-old Kinsleigh Welty has initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Indiana Department of Child Services, asserting that their negligence contributed to the child's tragic death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, Cesar and Sarah dives deep into the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, exploring its evolution, impact, and what the future holds for private school participation in Indiana. This episode breaks down the latest 2025 Choice Report from the Indiana Department of Education, providing insights into how school choice is shaping educational opportunities and equity across the state. Key Takeaways: Historical Evolution of School Choice in Indiana Indiana's journey to educational freedom, beginning with the first charter school law in 2001, major reforms in 2008 that enabled public-to-public school transfers, the introduction of tax credit scholarships and vouchers for private schools, and recent expansions to universal eligibility. The Choice Scholarship Program: Opening Doors Impact on Hoosier families, making private school education accessible to more students. How expansions have progressively reduced barriers, especially income requirements, paving the way for nearly universal eligibility by the 2026–27 school year. By the Numbers: School Choice Participation Enrollment breakdown: ~80% of students attend their assigned traditional public school. 20% participate in some form of school choice (public-to-public transfers, charter, innovation network, or private schools). Largest group: ~95,000 students using public-to-public transfer. Private school choice: 8% overall, 6% using vouchers (~74,741 students). Growth in private school enrollment—steady increase of ~5,000 students per year. Who is Participating? Spotlight on demographics and financial background: Average participating family size is about 4.6 people. Average family income: just under $100,000. Majority white, split evenly male/female, with strong representation from other ethnicities. Higher participation at elementary levels (K-5). Average voucher received: ~$6,000; average private school tuition: just under $8,000. Geographical Trends Highest choice participation in metropolitan/suburban areas due to more available options (private and charter schools). Some rural/small-town counties have limited or no private schools, affecting participation. Looking Forward The imminent shift to universal school choice and its potential implications. Challenges in expanding access to options in underserved areas. Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice For more information about school choice and the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, visit our website at https://www.i4qed.org

From The Void: The Ammons Family Exorcism   In 2011, in a small house in Gary, Indiana, something terrifying took hold of a family. The Ammons household became the site of strange noises, violent possessions, and chilling encounters that drew in police, social workers, and eventually the Catholic Church.   This case would come to be known as the “House of 200 Demons”—a story so unsettling that seasoned professionals walked away shaken. From levitating children to inexplicable footprints, from midnight terrors to an exorcism documented in official records, the Ammons case has been called one of the most compelling modern American hauntings.   In this episode of From The Void, we sit by the fire and dive deep into the chilling events of the Ammons Family Exorcism. Was it genuine demonic possession? Mass hysteria? Or something stranger still?   Resources & Further Reading   Want to dig deeper into the Ammons case? Here are some of the primary sources and reports referenced in this episode: •Indianapolis Star Investigation by Marisa Kwiatkowski (January 2014): “The Exorcisms of Latoya Ammons” – the definitive longform piece that first broke the story nationally. •Indiana Department of Child Services reports (2012–2013) documenting unusual events and observations by caseworkers. •Father Michael Maginot's testimony and diocesan records from the Catholic Diocese of Gary. •Police Captain Charles Austin's statements about his own experiences at the Ammons house. •Zach Bagans' documentary Demon House (2018) – a sensationalized but notable pop-culture treatment of the case. •Coverage in The Washington Post, USA Today, and The Daily Mail (2014) reporting on the story's reach.   Follow & Support   If you enjoyed this episode: •Subscribe to From The Void wherever you get your podcasts. •Follow along on social media for my 31 Days of Horror film challenge and behind-the-scenes looks at upcoming episodes. •Share this episode with friends who love true hauntings and unexplained mysteries.

Pete Buttigieg speaks at a rally against redistricting. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith proposes a pause on the state sales tax amid soaring utility bills. The Indiana Department of Corrections receives $16 million to convert the Miami facility for ICE use.

Former South Bend Mayor and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joins hundreds of Hoosiers at the Indiana Statehouse to rally against redistricting. Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith calls for a moratorium on the state sales tax amid soaring utility bills. The Indiana Department of Corrections receives $16 million to convert the Miami facility for ICE use. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Chris Mitchem, Democrat Ann DeLaney, Leslie Bonilla Muñiz of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers to debate and discuss this week's top stories.

Dr. Lindsay Weaver, State Health Commissioner of Indiana, discusses the public health programs that Indiana employed to achieve its lowest infant mortality rate in more than a century; Corinne Gillenwater, Analyst of Chronic Disease and Health Improvement at ASTHO, shares how ASTHO's new e-learning module can equip Community Health Workers (CHWs) with the tools and resources they need to support healthy aging in individuals with Alzheimer's disease; the highlights from ASTHO's recent INSPIRE: Readiness webinar on communicating with data during infectious disease emergencies are now available online; and the PHIG Partners Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program is hosting two Q&A sessions for public health agencies to learn more about applying to Wave 2. Indiana Department of Health: HEALTH DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES HISTORIC DECREASE IN INFANT MORTALITY RATE ASTHO Learning Module: Equipping Community Health Workers to Address Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in Their Communities ASTHO Web Page: Highlights from INSPIRE: Readiness - Communicating About Data and Surveillance During Infectious Disease Emergencies PHIG Partners: Public Health Data Modernization IC Program Wave 2 Q&A (Session 1)  

A piece of Marion County history has landed on an annual list of the state's most endangered landmarks. Parents and educators are pushing for major changes in how Indianapolis schools are governed. The Indiana Department of Health is reminding parents about how to put infants to sleep safely following an increase in deaths. Youth violence in Indianapolis recently received high profile local and statewide attention after a number of shootings involving teens.

A piece of Marion County history has landed on an annual list of the state's most endangered landmarks. Parents and educators are pushing for major changes in how Indianapolis schools are governed. The Indiana Department of Health is reminding parents about how to put infants to sleep safely following an increase in deaths. Youth violence in Indianapolis recently received high profile local and statewide attention after a number of shootings involving teens. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

In this episode of Education Matters, hosts Sarah Milligan and Cesar Roman break down the newly released 2025 ILEARN test scores—what they reveal, why they matter, and how parents can use them to make informed school choices for their children. ILEARN, Indiana's statewide assessment, measures how well students are meeting state academic standards in English Language Arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies. The 2025 results show encouraging progress in math proficiency, with 42.1% of students meeting the mark—a steady climb since 2021. ELA scores, however, remained largely unchanged at 40.6% proficiency. In fact, 7th and 8th grade performance slipped slightly, signaling ongoing challenges in middle school literacy development. The Indiana Department of Education is also rolling out a new “through-year” ILEARN model beginning in 2025–26, which will include checkpoints in the fall, winter, and spring to give families and educators more actionable data throughout the year. Key Takeaways: Math scores are on the rise across all grade levels—8th grade saw the biggest jump. ELA remains flat overall, with declines in 7th and 8th grade performance. Subgroup success stories: Special education, low-income, Black, and Hispanic students are making important gains. Through-year testing will provide families with real-time insight into student progress. Parents have options: Use ILEARN data alongside your instincts to explore public, charter, private, online, or hybrid school options.

Vice President J.D. Vance meets with Governor Braun and GOP legislators to push for midterm redistricting. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Correction, and the Indiana National Guard agree to assist ICE with deportations and immigration enforcement in the state, though Governor Braun says the focus will be on those with criminal backgrounds. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Whitley Yates, Ebony Chappel of Free Press Indiana, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss some of this week's top stories.

The Indianapolis Vision Zero Task Force has released an initial plan to make the city safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. The Indiana Department of Child Services is undergoing what it calls a “transformational” reorganization of its agency. Indiana officials seek to execute a third death row inmate less than a year after the state ended its 15-year pause on capital punishment. Mothers are now able to purchase and drop off donated human breast milk at an Ascension St. Vincent site in Carmel. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

The Indianapolis Vision Zero Task Force has released an initial plan to make the city safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. The Indiana Department of Child Services is undergoing what it calls a “transformational” reorganization of its agency. Indiana officials seek to execute a third death row inmate less than a year after the state ended its 15-year pause on capital punishment. Mothers are now able to purchase and drop off donated human breast milk at an Ascension St. Vincent site in Carmel.

Julia A. Wickard serves as the Executive Director of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association and Constituent Liaison. Previously she served as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Indiana. Wickard also has served as the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Program Support and the Agricultural Liaison at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) for the State of Indiana. In addition, Wickard served as the State Executive Director for FSA in Indiana from 2008-2017. Before her federal service, Wickard served as the Executive Vice President of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association. She also worked for Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Inc., and served as Deputy Director in the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture for seven years. She has worked for two members of Congress in Washington D.C., and she serves on several agricultural and community boards and commissions. Wickard graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in agricultural communications and political science. She received the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association Certificate of Distinction and was selected as a College of Agriculture Distinguished Alumni. She is a graduate of the two-year Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program through AgrIInstitute where she has served as Chairperson of the Board of Directors. She received the Purdue Women in Agriculture Leadership Award in 2024 and was recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Administrator as the Supervisor of the Year, as well. Wickard was a recipient of the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association Certificate of Distinction in 2022. She was awarded as a 2019 Distinguished Alumni from the Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication Department in the College of Agriculture at Purdue University. Wickard received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 2004 from Governor Joseph E. Kernan, and the Beck's Hybrids “Beyond the Fence” in 2015. She received numerous national awards during her USDA tenure and was appointed to the Indiana State Fair Board of Directors by Governor Mike Pence in 2015. Wickard, her husband, Chris, and their two young adult children – Jordyn and Jacob, reside in Hancock County on their 100-year homesteaded family farm where they raise registered Angus cattle, Boer goats and assist in operating the farm with her family. Chris also is a graduate of Purdue, BS agribusiness management in 1993, and their kids are students at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.

How can 4-H prepare students for life after school?  Returning guest Heather VonDielingen is in the podcast room with Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Her responsibilities have changed a bit since she last met with us, and Heather is now working as the Juntos 4-H Lead for the Indiana State 4-H Office.Heather will share with us about the Juntos program which exists to help students gain the skills and resources to help them graduate high school and open up a new realm of career and academic opportunities upon graduation.  You'll also learn about the programs that exist for the families of students in the Juntos program and the Next Chapter, a program through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, that exists to increase the employability skills and readiness for the workforce or additional studies.  “We're really trying to give those kids practical skills that they'll use…  We're really preparing these kids for life and work.”

Sen. James Buck and Sen. Susan Glick introduce Senate Bill 202, which seeks to strip away the lieutenant governor's authority over the Indiana Department of Agriculture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.