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.”
CHICAGO – Josh Hughes tied for the game high with 16 points to pace the University of Evansville men’s basketball team in a 76-49 defeat at UIC on Tuesday evening inside Credit Union 1 Arena.
Along with his 16 points, Hughes led the Purple Aces with six boards. Bryce Quinet joined Hughes in double figures with 10 points. Elijah Crawford led UIC with 16 points while three players finished with 10 including Rashund Washington Jr., who posted his first double-double with 10 boards and 10 tallies.
“I thought we came out and were able to punch first, but give UIC credit, they took control from there,” UE head coach David Ragland exclaimed. “The way we played is not our brand of basketball; it is disappointing to make the trip to Chicago and play the way we did.”
Evansville converted its first two attempts of the evening to take an early 5-0 lead. Josh Hughes found a cutting Leif Moeller for the opening basket of the game before Bryce Quinet connected from downtown. The defense for the Purple Aces was locked in, holding the Flames to eight consecutive misses to begin the contest.
Following the dry spell, the Flames rebounded to hit five of their ensuing eight attempts to go up 13-7. UE would miss six consecutive attempts before Chicago native AJ Casey found the scoreboard. His basket ended a run that saw UIC score 11 in a row. The Flames did not take long to regain their edge as their defense forced 10 turnovers in the opening 11:30 as they went up 22-9 with 8:30 remaining in the half. One minute later, they added another basket to go up 24-9. After trailing by a 5-0 tally, the Flames outscored UE by a 24-4 margin to open the lead.
Quinet’s driving layup with 4:07 on the clock cut the deficit to 11 points at 28-17, however, six in a row by UIC push the lead to 34-17 with exactly one minute on the clock. Alex Hemenway’s first 3-[pointer of the game completed the first-half scoring as UIC held a 34-20 edge at the break. Hughes led UE with six tallies.
After closing the opening period with a triple, Hemenway started the second half with his second field goal from downtown to cut the gap to 11, but six in a row by UIC matched the largest lead of 17 points. With 13:39 left in the game, the Flames opened their largest lead of 19 points (49-30). Josh Hughes did his best to keep the Aces in the contest, knocking down a pair of triples to keep his squad within 16 points at 52-36 with 11:20 left.
With the final half approaching its final 10 minutes, UIC opened a game-high 21-point lead at 57-36. James Dyson-Merwe converted his first field goal of the night while Trent Hundley hit a triple to get back within 16. Unfortunately, UIC would not let the Aces get any closer. The final score was also their largest lead of the night as they took the game by a final score of 76-49.
UIC shot an even 50.0% for the night while holding the Aces to 30.2%. The Flames completed the game with a slight 36-33 rebounding edge. Evansville committed 19 turnovers, which led to 29 points by the Flames. Another difference came in the paint as UIC outscored the Aces by a 46-18 margin. UE returns home Sunday for a 3 p.m. game against Southern Illinois.
Evansville, In.: Returning home from a very successful road trip to Pensacola, the Thunderbolts are back on Ford Center ice this weekend, looking to extend their five-game point streak against the Birmingham Bulls on Faith Night this Friday and the Quad City Storm on Star Wars Night this Saturday, before concluding the weekend with a Sunday afternoon matchup in Peoria against the Rivermen.
Week In Review:
The Thunderbolts roared back from a 2-0 deficit on Friday in Pensacola to defeat the Ice Flyers 3-2 in a shootout, with Connor Tait and Joey Berkopec scoring in regulation along with shootout goals from Scott Kirton and Myles Abbate. On Saturday, the Thunderbolts shut down the Ice Flyers with a 2-1 victory to complete the weekend sweep, with goals scored by Derek Contessa and Eelis Laaksonen. Cody Karpinski got the win in goal on Friday with 30 saves on 32 shots along with 4 saves on 5 shootout attempts, while Kristian Stead picked up Saturday’s win, stopping 20 of 21 shots.
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Indiana is one of 48 states, two US territories
involved in $150 million national settlement
Attorney General Todd Rokita announced today that Mercedes-Benz will send $12.7 million to Indiana to settle allegations the companies violated state laws prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices by marketing, selling and leasing vehicles equipped with illegal and undisclosed emissions “defeat devices” designed to circumvent emissions standards.
Under the settlement, the State of Indiana will receive a payment of $4,765,500, and Hoosier consumers of 16,521 vehicles sold in Indiana can receive up to $7,976,304 in restitution.
“Hoosiers deserve to be treated with fairness, honesty, respect and transparency by companies doing business in our state,” Attorney General Rokita said. “At the bare minimum, they should be able to trust that companies will follow our laws rather than deliberately attempt to cover up violations.”
Attorney General Rokita thanked members of his team who worked on this settlement, including Deputy Attorney General Mark Snodgrass, Chief Counsel and Director of Consumer Protection Scott Barnhart, and Section Chief of Consumer Litigation Corinne Gilchrist.
Indiana is one of 48 states and two U.S. territories involved in a $150 million national settlement.
Beginning in 2008 and continuing to 2016, the states allege Mercedes manufactured, marketed, advertised and distributed nationwide more than 211,000 diesel passenger cars and vans equipped with software defeat devices that optimized emission controls during emissions tests, while reducing those controls outside of normal operations.
The states allege the defeat devices enabled vehicles to far exceed many legal limits of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, a harmful pollutant that causes respiratory illness and contributes to the formation of smog. Mercedes allegedly engaged in this conduct to achieve design and performance goals, such as increased fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance, that it was unable to meet while complying with applicable emission standards.
Mercedes concealed the existence of these defeat devices from state and federal regulators and the public. At the same time, Mercedes marketed the vehicles to consumers as “environmentally-friendly” and in compliance with applicable emissions regulations.
The settlement requires Mercedes-Benz to pay $120 million to the states immediately upon the effective date of the settlement. An additional $29,673,750 will be suspended and potentially waived pending completion of a comprehensive consumer relief program.
The consumer relief program extends to the estimated 39,565 vehicles, which as of Aug. 1, 2023, had not been repaired or permanently removed from the road in the United States. Mercedes must bear the cost of installing approved emission modification software on each of the affected vehicles. The company must provide consumers with an extended warranty and will pay consumers $2,000 per subject vehicle.
The company must also comply with reporting requirements and reforms to its practices, including a prohibition on any further engagement in unfair or deceptive marketing or sale of diesel vehicles, misrepresentations regarding emissions and compliance.
Today’s settlement follows similar settlements reached previously between the states and Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler and German engineering company Robert Bosch GmbH over its development of the cheat software. Automaker Fiat Chrysler and its subsidiaries paid $72.5 million to the states in 2019. Bosch paid $98.7 million in 2019. Volkswagen reached a $570 million settlement with the states in 2016.
Indiana firefighters logged elevated levels of potentially hazardous PFAS chemicals in their blood serum, the state has found — with some connections to the frequency with which they handled firefighting foam, protective gear and specialized emergency responses.
PFAS is an abbreviation for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They have water, oil and heat-resistant properties but have been linked to health effects including potential increased risk of cancer.
The study, conducted by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and external diagnostic laboratory Eurofins Scientific, was authorized in House Enrolled Act 1219 from 2023. The results were prepared by consultant Delineate and released last week, although the report is dated November.
“These findings confirm what firefighters and their families have been raising alarms about for years,” said the law’s author, Rep. Maureen Bauer, in a news release. “PFAS exposure is not isolated. It is systemic, occupational, and statewide. Because of (House Enrolled Act) 1219, we now have real data instead of unanswered questions.”
“Biomonitoring is about prevention and accountability,” added Bauer, D-South Bend. “You cannot fix what you do not measure. This program gives us the tools to protect the people who protect us.”
About 930 Hoosier firefighters — mostly active but some retired — responded to an initial online survey launched August of 2024 about their demographics, occupational history, potential exposure and more.
Respondents primarily served municipal fire departments, with about a quarter stationed in volunteer or combination departments and small numbers working for airports or industry, according to the report.
They were largely highly experienced, with 70% serving 15 years or more.
Testing performed
Of the 485 who reconsented to blood testing following procedural changes, 380 were selected in stratified random sampling and 316 returned their kits.
The samples were tested for 45 different PFAS analytes.
Most — 88% — had between 2 and 20 nanograms per milliliter of PFAS in their blood, putting them at medium risk of potential adverse health effects.
About 8.5% of those tested were in the low risk category, while 3.5% — all with 15 years or more of experience — were living at high risk.
The highest results were observed in two northwest Indiana Preparedness Districts, while the lowest came out of an east-central district.
Frequent exposure to PFAS-containing firefighting foams, which was self-reported, was statistically significantly associated with higher blood PFAS.
So was frequent contact with PFAS-containing equipment or gear, particularly among those handling or wearing gear on most or all shifts.
Residue on gear, along with dust in fire stations, can also contain PFAS.
Researchers observed a statistically significant association between how often firefighters decontaminated their gear and their biomarker category.
Firefighters who reported cleaning their gear after every exposure showed a modestly higher proportion of lower-level PFAS results, and those who rarely or never decontaminated it tended to cluster in the medium- or high-risk categories.
There was a similar trend for self-decontamination — like handwashing or showering — but it wasn’t statistically signifiant, according to the report.
Firefighters who frequently participated in hazardous materials response, water emergencies, construction-related rescues and other specialized tasks also recorded slightly higher PFAS concentrations.
About three-quarters of respondents reported at least some knowledge of PFAS safety, leaving a quarter with no awareness at all. Nearly all were at least moderately concerned about PFAS risks — especially those in higher-risk categories — but most hadn’t completed any safety training.
“This combination, broad concern and limited formal training, suggests strong receptivity to practical guidance, standardized procedures and targeted education at the department and state levels,” researchers wrote.
Recommendations made
The report called the results a “foundation” for further study.
“This pilot establishes an initial, preliminary baseline understanding of PFAS levels in a targeted population of Indiana firefighters,” researchers wrote. “While these data are not conclusive, they serve as a foundation for future, larger-scale efforts, enabling longitudinal studies that track changes in PFAS levels over time and correlate them with health outcomes.”
They recommended a variety of ways to reduce inhalation, skin and hand-to-mouth PFAS exposure: on-scene decontamination, bagging gear after use and laundering it promptly, keeping gear out of living spaces, HEPA-filtered vacuuming and wet-mopping, dedicated extractors and more.
They also aimed some suggestions at PFAS-containing foams: using non-PFAS alternatives “where mission-appropriate,” avoiding foams in training, pre-planning “containment” for emergency foam use and so on.
There are no approved medical treatments to remove PFAS from the body.
(Image from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Formal safety training was another recommendation.
All active and retired firefighters should have access to voluntary serum testing, possibly with an exposure history survey, per the report.
But the state should also expand the scope of testing to measure non-occupational exposure, like how close respondents live to industrial sites, their primary drinking water sources and dietary habits — and sample for PFAS contamination in fire station dust, turnout gear, apparatus cabs and training grounds, researchers said.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management could pursue federal and other grants to fund such work.
The study acknowledged some limitations, like challenges in establishing a baseline for PFAS levels.
New protocols for handling participant data were also introduced partway through the pilot, requiring a reconsent form. It came with delays and researchers “lost nearly half … of our sample,” limiting the data analysis they could perform.
Under a proposed bill, a lot of Indiana townships will be left with two options: consolidate or dissipate.Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler, R-Noblesville.House Bill 1315 currently sits in the House Ways and Means Committee. Last week in the House Local Government Committee, it passed 9-3 along party lines.
The goal of this bill is to remove the redundancy in townships’ roles. It would apply to townships that serve less than 667 people, operate no fire department and meet other provisions and would give them until June 1 to designate a merger. These new rules are estimated to affect about 650 of Indiana’s 1,008 townships.
“I don’t want to eliminate services,” said Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler, R-Noblesville, the author of the bill. “I want to make sure that we need that layer of government, and if we don’t, let’s get rid of it.”
Twenty people testified before the committee, most of them expressing frustration with the performance of their townships.
“Fayette County has nine townships. With nine townships, that means nine trustees and 27 board members,” said Christina Neeley, a former township trustee from Fayette County. “Only two of those nine townships actively help families on a regular basis, covering funerals, preventing utility shutoffs and helping families through emergencies. … Right now, this system creates inefficiency.”
Another township trustee criticized the responsiveness of local officials.
“When you look at some of the townships, you see that they’re ineffective,” said Kathy LaRue, a trustee in St. John Township. “They don’t even see people, or they don’t answer the phone.”
Shonkwiler and other proponents of the bill said if a township is already engulfed in another unit of government, its responsibilities should fall under the city. The township should not exist, for it’s a waste of Hoosier’s money.
However, some were concerned with the exact wording of the bill, particularly because it does not include the parks and recreation systems.
“Parks and recreation departments continue to contribute to the economy, health and wellness, and environmental stewardship of our communities, making them better places to live, work and play. This, in turn, helps make Indiana more competitive in attracting and retaining businesses and employees they desperately need to succeed,” said Michael Klitzing, president-elect of the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association.
“Since informed decisions usually result in the best decisions, IPRA encourages this committee to seek more data and consider talking to parks and recreation departments affiliated with townships before making any decisions regarding HR 1315.”
Shonkwiler said the bill “is about recognizing that Indiana’s communities have changed.”
“The intent is not to eliminate services, but to modernize governance, so services are delivered more efficiently, and with a clearer accountability to taxpayers,” she said.
Reagan Cox is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 20, 2026) — State Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) recently authored legislation that would allow school corporations to display commercial advertising on school buses, providing districts an optional tool to support school operations.
House Bill 1059 would allow school districts to display limited commercial advertising on school buses under locally adopted guidelines.
“House Bill 1059 gives school districts the ability to sell commercial advertising space on their school buses as long as they adopt policies prohibiting inappropriate advertisements,” Ledbetter said. “This is an innovative opportunity that other states have used to improve their schools, letting them use existing resources as a new revenue stream.”
Under the bill, advertisements would adhere to several restrictions. Each school bus could display no more than two advertisements, each measuring up to 36 inches in height by 90 inches in width, including borders and framing. Advertisements must also feature black text on a white background and may not cover structurally important areas or cause damage to the bus. School corporations could impose other restrictions as they determine what advertising is appropriate.
Similar laws allowing school bus advertising are already in place in several states, including Arizona, Texas and California. These states have used revenue generated from school bus advertising to support teacher pay increases, purchase instructional materials, address facility maintenance needs and offset rising transportation costs such as fuel.
House Bill 1059 was referred to the House Education Committee for consideration. To learn more about the bill and follow session, visit iga.in.gov.
Screaming Eagles begin four-game homestand Thursday
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball begins a four-game homestand at Liberty Arena Thursday when the Screaming Eagles host Eastern Illinois. The four-game homestand, USI’s longest on the OVC schedule, also features Western Illinois Saturday; Lindenwood January 29; and SIU Edwardsville January 31. The USI-EIU matchup, which is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff, is a White Out Game with fans encouraged to wear white and a t-shirt giveaway to the first 500 USI students. Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. USI-WIU contest is the Hoops for the Troops/Military Appreciation Game, sponsored by the USI Student Veteran Association. Veterans and their guests will receive free tickets (limit to five per veteran) with proof of service. The pre-game will feature a special full-court flag presentation for the national anthem by Rolling Thunder Chapter 6, Honor Flight of Southern Indiana, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Both games are scheduled to be streamed on ESPN+. All USI games are aired live on ESPN 97.7FM and The Spin 95.7FM. The Screaming Eagles (4-14, 1-7 OVC) are coming off their first .500 week in OVC play this year after winning at Tennessee Tech, 71-54, and falling at Tennessee State, 73-67. USI senior guard Cardell Bailey led the Eagles at TTU and TSU with 18.0 points per game, while senior guard Ismail Habib and junior guard /forward Amaree Brown added 16.5 points and 11.5 points per outing, respectively. Junior forward Tolu Samuels controlled the boards with 10.5 rebounds per contest. For the season, Habib has been posting 16.5 points per game to lead USI in scoring. Senior guard Cardell Bailey is second on the team in scoring with 14.6 points per contest this season and is averaging 16.1 points per outing in the last nine games. Brown rounds out the active USI double-digit scorers with 13.8 points per game. EIU (8-11, 4-4 OVC) has won four of its last five after falling at Little Rock last week, 74-63, and winning a rescheduled non-conference game with Blackburn, 105-49, Sunday. The Panthers also have won six of the last nine contests overall. The series is tied, 4-4, after the teams split last season with each winning on the other’s home court. WIU (4-15, 0-8 OVC), which visits Morehead State Thursday before coming to USI, starts the week in search of its first OVC win of 2025-26. The Leathernecks have lost their last eight games. WIU leads the all-time series USI, 6-2, and is 5-1 against the Screaming Eagles since 1980-81.
Evansville, IN – March 7, 2026 – The Junior League of Evansville (JLE) will celebrate 100 years of service and community impact with a Centennial Gala on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Venue 812.
Founded in 1926, JLE has invested more than $1 million and countless volunteer hours to support women, children, and families across the Evansville community. Signature projects include the Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville, Wesselman Woods Nature Center, the Reitz Home Preservation Society, Hillcrest Washington Youth Home, and the Neighborhood Food Market, which addresses local food insecurity.
“The Centennial Gala honors our legacy while looking ahead to the future,” said Stephanie, President of the Junior League of Evansville. “For 100 years, our members have been dedicated to strengthening our community.”
The formal evening will include dinner, entertainment, and a program recog
