Operations are returning to normal at Bally’s after a strange incident this morning.
In the midst of the normal morning routine at Bally’s Casino, the sense of normal disappeared in one frightening moment when a car came crashing through the roof of the conference center. That car came from the top floor of the attached parking garage.
At the time of the crash, Koorsen Fire and Safety was hosting a conference for building inspectors and firefighters at the site. Koorsen is the fire protection company for Bally’s, and they aided in getting the building’s systems turned off. Firefighters and others attending the conference rendered aid at the scene.
The vehicle hit a concrete barrier, causing it to drop through the roof of the conference center, followed by the Ford SUV. The driver of the vehicle was the only injury.
A crane was brought in during the afternoon to lift the SUV and the concrete barrier out of the conference center.
The unanswered question is, “Why?” Police are putting together all of the information, looking at video footage, and planning to talk to the driver to determine what happened.
Bally’s was able to continue with normal casino operations through the day today and the parking garage will remain close until further notice.
Bally’s released the following statement: “We are currently investigating an incident involving a vehicle that drove off the seventh floor of our parking garage and will provide updates as necessary. Upon initial review, the incident appears to be the result of driver error. There are no signage or structural issues with the parking garage. The safety of our guests and staff remains our top priority.”
Discover Indiana’s Hidden Wonders with Author Jamie Ward!
Join us in the Browning Gallery for a presentation and book signing with Jamie Ward, as she discusses her latest work, Secret Indiana: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure.
Journey to the unique and fascinating destinations that set Indiana apart. Discover an underground tunnel in the floor of a bookstore, a 64-ton fountain shipped to Indiana from Brazil, and even a jail that rotates with the turn of a hand crank. This guide will lead you to Indiana’s most unusual gems, providing a fresh perspective on the state’s history, culture, and attractions.
Don’t miss this chance to meet the author, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and get your book signed! Purchase your copy of Secret Indianaonline now or in-person on May 10th!
By Caleb Crockett and Schyler Altherr, TheStatehouseFile.com
On Aug. 24, the Indiana General Assembly declared “sine die,” effectively ending the 2025 legislative session. Out of the hundreds of bills that made it to Gov. Mike Braun’s desk, here are the favorite and least favorite in the eyes of Indiana lawmakers and other stakeholders from both sides of the aisle.
Indiana Chamber
David Ober, Indiana Chamber senior vice president of business operations and finance.
The 2025 legislative session concluded with many victories and losses for both parties, with no bill drawing more controversy than the state budget, House Bill 1001.
David Ober, Indiana Chamber senior vice president of business operations and finance, shared two of his favorite bills and one bill he opposed.
“Two longtime Indiana Chamber goals passed this session as aspects of comprehensive bills: reforming business personal property tax (in Senate Bill 1), which is key for Hoosier small businesses, and increasing the state’s cigarette and vaping taxes,” Ober said. “That’s long been a priority of ours to provide a needed improvement to workforce health, so we’re quite pleased that was put into the budget bill (HB 1001) as well.”
Another bill Ober found favorable was House Bill 1461, a bill that introduces a range of changes to Indiana’s transportation funding system, including new tax credits, increased local tax rates and expanded grant flexibility.
“House Bill 1461 is another favorite as it provides much-needed infrastructure funding for local governments by increasing flexibility in transportation taxes,” Ober said. “Providing local units with a means of securing additional revenue for road and bridge projects and enhancing the state’s transportation network will benefit businesses and citizens alike.”
While the Chamber sees many bills as positive, Ober found comfort in House Bill 1032 failing to make it through the session.
“Among the bills we opposed, the defeat of House Bill 1032 concerning foreign interests was significant. We understand the need to safeguard national security, but the bill was overly expansive in its treatment of business and property ownership by individuals and entities associated with a foreign adversary,” Ober said.
“As drafted, it risked discouraging legitimate foreign investment, displacing current employees and creating unnecessary disruptions to business operations and financial planning.”
Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, was elected to the Indiana Senate in 2021, but despite being a relative newcomer, he has worked his way into the role of chair for the Indiana Senate Democratic caucus.
Pol takes great pride in his ability to work across the aisle.
“Persistence, patience and collaboration are necessities in that building,” said Pol.
His proudest moment of the session was saving two bills from dying: SB 409, a bill providing workplace protections for families with students that have Individualized Education Programs and attendance issues, and HB 1416, for which Pol proposed an amendment that requires gas stations to hang up human trafficking awareness signs.
“I challenged the industries that had concerns to work with Rep. Bartlett and I to keep the protections for victims alive while meeting their business concerns,” said Pol. “Working across the aisle, we were able to keep the protections and the teeth in the bill.”
However, the curse of being the minority party in a Statehouse run by a supermajority party seems to weigh on Pol, in particular with the passing of the controversial SB 1, a bill that will lower homestead tax credits, give money to charter schools and cut Indianapolis Public Schools funding.
“I can’t help but feel that I failed our local communities and school districts by not being able to stop the detrimental effects of SB 1 and the budget cuts,” said Pol.
Democrats all session also voiced their disapproval of SB 289, which made headlines for becoming the “anti-DEI” bill.
Pol gave insight into how, despite the passage of those two items, he is continuing to gain support for the Republican opposition.
“I’ve been hosting town halls, and the locals are incredibly worried, and you can’t help but feel like giving it your all wasn’t enough,” said Pol. “I don’t give up though, so it’s fuel for the fire going into the next session to right the ship.”
—Schyler Altherr
Caleb Crockett and Schyler Altherr are reporters for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news outlet powered by Franklin College journalism students.
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The (Part-Time Front Desk Receptionist) is responsible for providing superior customer service to our customers throughout the sale and service processes.
Seton Residence is the home to 65 retired Catholic Sisters, we’re located on the West Side of Evansville just down the road from University of Southern Indiana…
We are seeking a dedicated and organized Office Assistant to join our team. The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of our…
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
The National Association of Letter Carriers and Tri-State Food Bank would like to invite the media and the public to attend the official kick-off of this year’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive at a press conference this Friday, May 9th at 9:00 AM CST in the lobby of the Downtown Evansville Post Office, located at 800 Sycamore Street. Mayor Stephanie Terry will read the official Mayoral Proclamation for Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day. Among those in attendance will be representatives of the National Association of Letter Carriers and Tri-State Food Bank.
Now in its 33rd year, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is the largest one-day food drive in the U.S., with more than 10,000 cities and towns across America participating. It provides an opportunity for all residents to come together with a common goal of helping our neighbors who face food insecurity and are at risk of hunger. Residents can simply leave a bag of non-perishable food in a bag near their mailbox this Saturday, May 10th, and their letter carriers will collect the food donations as they deliver mail along their routes that day. All food collected in the Evansville area will be distributed by Tri-State Food Bank to local food pantries, shelters, and other hunger-relief programs.
Over its history, Stamp Out Hunger has collected over 1.9 billion pounds of food nationwide to help feed those in need. In Evansville alone, over two million pounds of food have been collected since the first Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive was held in 1983.
Must have a valid Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record. Key words: Courier, delivery, driver, lab. No weekend or holiday coverage required.
The ability to communicate technical and regulatory requirements to key stakeholder groups, including patient and family, accurately and in a service-oriented…
Completes case-finding and follow-up of reported cancer cases. Level 4 children’s enrichment centers. The cancer registrar is an expert on all types of cancer.
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The coordinator creates and maintains clinical and statistical data, AIS coding, ICD9CM codes and abstracts various data elements required by The American…
Position requires licensure in the state of Indiana, with certification by the ANCC/AANP as a Certified Nurse Practitioner (acute care or family practice) or…
As a Radiology Patient Assistant, you will perform various clerical duties and related services necessary in ensuring care for the personal needs, comfort, and…
College degree, business or computer sciences technical desirable with a minimum of five years’ experience in a health care environment or business-related…
VINCENNES, Ind., May 5, 2025 – The Honorable Eric Holcomb has a lifelong connection to Vincennes University, the city of Vincennes, and Knox County. This connection spans generations, making it fitting and profoundly personal for VU to bestow an honorary doctorate upon the 51st Governor of Indiana.
Holcomb, who served as Indiana’s Governor from 2017 to 2025, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service during Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 3, in the P.E. Complex. VU began the tradition of awarding Honorary Doctorates in 1952.
“As someone with deep Knox County family roots dating back to the 1800s and a lifelong history buff, I couldn’t be more sentimental and grateful to Vincennes University for this recognition,” Holcomb said.
His parents, Neil and Marcia Holcomb, are Knox County natives who met as students on the Vincennes Campus and graduated from VU in 1961.
Eric Holcomb said, “Six decades later, I, as Governor, got to work with President (Dr. Chuck) Johnson, faculty, and trustees to support VU’s vital state mission. The future productivity of Hoosiers calling Indiana home, both citizens and companies alike, has become dependent on VU’s areas of expertise.”
University leaders recognize Holcomb’s strong connection to VU, which is enhanced by his exceptional professional reputation, which is rooted in innovative leadership.
VU Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Sievers said, “Vincennes University is incredibly proud to award an honorary doctorate to the former Governor Eric Holcomb. His distinguished public service and deep-rooted ties to our institution embody the very essence of leadership and civic dedication. We are sincerely grateful for his tireless advocacy on behalf of Hoosiers.”
As Governor, Holcomb championed initiatives that propelled Indiana to new heights in economic growth, global engagement, and workforce development. He is a true catalyst for transformation and advancement. There’s no denying his powerful impact on driving forward-thinking initiatives that foster growth. His leadership instills a sense of motivation that encourages Indiana residents to transcend limitations and strive for excellence.
President Johnson said, “VU welcomes Eric Holcomb among our esteemed honorary doctorate alumni, celebrating his distinguished career in public service. As Governor, he demonstrated extraordinary leadership during extraordinary times and a steadfast commitment to enhancing the lives of all Hoosiers. His many contributions to education, economic development, and community development serve as an inspiration to VU students and graduates. The University is honored to recognize his remarkable achievements, which are even more special because of his strong personal connections to VU and Knox County.”
Holcomb speaks warmly about his time in the 1990s living in Vincennes, his mother’s hometown. His father hails from Oaktown.
Holcomb said, “When I got out of the U.S. Navy from overseas, I moved back to Vincennes, Indiana, into the home my mother was raised in and where our family spent annual holidays with my grandmother.”
Living in Vincennes gave him ample chances to explore VU and its campus. Holcomb commends VU for its impact across the state and its advancements in higher education.
He added, “As a Vincennes resident, I immediately started to attend what would become countless events on this beautiful campus, which has remained in lockstep with the industry of tomorrow while providing upward mobility today for those who seek to make and use the products that make our future.”
The University of Southern Indiana Radio and Television (RTV) Program has, once again, earned high rankings according to the Broadcast Education Association (BEA). This year, BEA ranked USI as sixth in audio programs, 27th in sports programs and 22nd overall out of over 150 schools in the nation. In two years, USI has jumped 15 spots in overall rankings.
The rankings are founded on results from the BEA Festival of Media Arts; an international media competition focused on student and faculty creative endeavors. The rankings are not an overall evaluation of an academic program, but rather an evaluation of the quality and consistency of students’ creative works produced at one institution compared to those at other institutions.
“These rankings are a reflection of the great students we have and the hard work that they have put in both this year and over the past five years,” says John Morris, Instructor in Radio and Television. “These students are dedicated to their craft and take great pride in the finished product. And for students considering a college, this says that as you consider USI, you know that you will be at an outstanding program and working with other students and faculty that will help make you better each day.”
USI’s Radio and Television major prepares students for the media industry by providing a foundation in media production, analysis, and theory, along with hands-on training in creating, editing and producing digital media. Students learn how to produce and distribute audio and video programs and receive on-air experience.
The Trump administration and the Braun administration have both release Executive Orders related to First Amendment rights and antisemitism. However, what the government has said and done is far more dangerous than what they have written in official Executive Orders.
The Trump administration’s detention of Mahmoud Khalil and so many others is an affront to our country’s laws and values. Mahmoud Khalil used his voice to protest something that he believes to be wrong, inhumane, and immoral. This simple, foundational First Amendment right must be extended to U.S. citizens and residents alike. The Trump administration is attempting to equate speaking out on behalf of Palestinians with support of a terrorist organization. The administration is also attempting to equate protesting the policies and actions of the government of Israel with antisemitism. These equivalencies are false. They are dangerous. These actions deprive people in the U.S., like Mahmoud, of their rights. This perpetuates a dehumanizing narrative that Palestinian lives do not matter and emboldens anti-Muslim hate and violence. This also obscures actual antisemitism which is incredibly damaging to our Jewish neighbors locally and around the world.
BRIDGE stands for human rights, including First Amendment rights. BRIDGE values the dignity of human life, including residents of the U.S., Palestine, Israel, and the rest of the world.
At BRIDGE, we are working locally to raise awareness of inequities and facilitate transformative change. If you, your company, congregation, or other group want to join us in this work, please email bridge.evv@gmail.com or message us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BRIDGEevv) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/bridgeevv).
