Transgender disputes and tax reform dominate first half of the session

While hundreds of bills made it to the half-way point, two major themes rose to the forefront — disputes over transgender and gay youth and a Republican push for tax cuts. State lawmakers have directed intense legislative focus toward transgender Hoosiers this session — centered on school-age children — with more than two-dozen such bills filed.... Read More

Improving student outcomes thru the arts

The Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana Department of Education have developed a partnership to expand classroom teaching through arts and creativity. The IAC says by integrating arts as part of teaching strategies, student retention improves, literacy skills grow, and they’re more engaged in the classroom.... Read More

$3M grants to combat rural homelessness

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) has awarded more than $3 million in grants to combat rural homelessness. The funding, which comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will support three projects in nine Hoosier counties over the next three years.... Read More

Best small towns list includes three Hoosier communities

A travel review website has released a list of its best 150 small towns to visit in the U.S. and three Indiana communities are named. Family Destination Guide polled 3,000 families to develop its list of communities to get away from the hustle and bustle of metro areas.... Read More

Allison Barber to chair Sagamore Institute board

The president and chief operating officer of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever has been named chair of the board of trustees for Sagamore Institute, an Indianapolis-based think tank. Allison Barber succeeds Katie Mote, who will continue to serve as a trustee.... Read More

Ivy Tech Fort Wayne ‘lands’ flight simulator

Students enrolled in Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne’s aviation technology program will now have the ability to train on a flight simulator. The school says the system, valued up to $200,000, was given to the program from an anonymous donor.... Read More

GE making $7M investment in Lafayette engine plant

GE has announced plans to invest more than $450 million in its U.S. manufacturing facilities, including $7 million at the GE Aerospace Lafayette Engine Facility. The funding will provide tooling support for the plant's LEAP and Passport engine production.... Read More

Record year of life sciences exports

New data shows Indiana continues to lead the nation in life science products exports, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and agbiosciences. BioCrossroads, Indiana’s initiative to grow the life sciences sector, says $13 billion of the products were shipped out of the Hoosier State in 2022, compared to $12.7 billion the previous year.... Read More

Valparaiso approves annexation for sports complex

The Valparaiso City Council this week approved an ordinance to annex 200 acres of land northeast of the city. Our partners at Lakeshore Public Radio report the move was made primarily to support the city's planned sports and recreation campus.... Read More

New Regenstrief chief: Data provides solutions to health inequities

The incoming president and CEO of Indianapolis-based Regenstrief Institute says data plays a key role in developing solutions for health inequities across the U.S. Last month, the Indiana University School of Medicine announced it had selected Dr. Rachel Patzer to lead the world-renown medical research organization.... Read More