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.”
The word of God is the most sophisticated spiritual weaponry available to mankind, with the capacity to navigate us through the situational difficulties within this life. Which begs the question? Who are you placing your trust in?
Proverbs 30 vs. 5 says; “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”
The words in Numbers 23 vs. 19 still hold true today, because He is the exact same God today. The bible says; “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
Psalm 46 vs. 1 says; “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
For those who know and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we must hear and obey His words, even if we are in the minority as related to our convictions. We must follow the words of Jesus!
We often hear the words “the devil is busy.” But Jesus is busier! 1st Peter 5 vs. 8 says; “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.”
Whenever we see or hear the word sober mentioned, we usually think of it as referring to someone who has a drinking problem, or suffers from the many different forms of substance abuse.
It is much more wide ranging than that. Sober means; having a clear mind, a vigilant mental state, clarity, sound judgment and self-control. The definition of sobriety means, “the quality of being serious, sensible, and solemn.”
The Apostle Peter said to the brethren in 1st. Peter chapter 1 vss. 13 thru 16; “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
The definition of holy means set apart, pure, and sacred. Followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ must strive to be holy everyday. That want be the case for those who have rejected the gospel and will suffer the consequences of their actions.
1st Corinthians chapter 1 vs. 18 says; “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
The Apostle Paul said to the brethren in Philippians 3 vss. 17 and 18; “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.”
Indiana Statehouse Tour Office
Guided tours of the Indiana Statehouse are offered Monday through Friday.
For more information contact us.
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December 1, 1891, t he first game of basketball is played in Springfield, MA. It soon becomes the sport most closely identified with Indiana.
December 2, 1840, William Henry Harrison is elected President of the United States, defeating incumbent Martin Van Buren. Voter turnout is 80.2%.
December 5, 1679 , Robert LaSalle reaches the portage between St. Joseph and Kankakee Rivers. He is considered the first explorer to reach Indiana.
December 6, 1924 , “Limberlost” author Gene Stratton Porter dies in Los Angeles when her limousine is struck by a streetcar. Her novels, poetry and nature books capture her love of outdoor Indiana.
Where in Indiana
Do you know where this photo was taken?
Visit us on Instagram to submit your answer.
1. Who is the “bird woman” who made an Indiana swamp famous?
2. What is the title of Gene Stratton-Porter’s first book?
3. How many novels were authored by Gene Stratton-Porter?
4. How many nature books were authored by Gene Stratton-Porter? Answers Below
Our Where in Indiana? from last week was taken in Lebanon, along Witt Road.
“Times change, and we change with them.”
-William Henry Harrison
The prospects of President Donald Trump getting a new Indiana congressional map have been revived as state Senate Republicans on Tuesday reversed their refusal to meet next month.
Minutes after the Indiana House speaker announced the chamber’s return to the Statehouse on Monday to take up redistricting, the Senate’s leader said it would meet beginning Dec. 8 to “make a final decision on any redistricting proposal sent from the House.”
House Speaker Todd Huston said in a statement released Tuesday that “House Republicans will gavel in on Monday, Dec. 1, reconvening the 2026 regular session. All legislative business will be considered beginning next week, including redrawing the state’s congressional map.”
No proposed maps have been released as of Tuesday afternoon by legislative leaders showing how the General Assembly might accede to Trump’s wish for Republican-led states to draw more GOP-friendly U.S. House districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The move presents an intra-Republican Party challenge to the state Senate, where Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray has declared too few senators are in support for redistricting to pass.
But Bray confirmed Tuesday the chamber will convene: “The issue of redrawing Indiana’s congressional maps mid-cycle has received a lot of attention and is causing strife here in our state. To resolve this issue, the Senate intends to reconvene.”
Trump on Tuesday celebrated the House and Senate announcements after he had repeatedly blasted Bray and other Senate redistricting foes, threatening to support Republican primary challengers against senators who crossed him.
Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray speaks during the Dentons Legislative Conference on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
“I am glad to hear the Indiana House is stepping up to do the right thing, and I hope the Senate finds the Votes,” Trump said in a social media post. “If they do, I will make sure that all of those people supporting me win their Primaries, and go on to Greatness but, if they don’t, I will partner with the incredibly powerful MAGA Grassroots Republicans to elect STRONG Republicans who are ready to do what is needed to protect our Country and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Republican Rep. Ed Soliday, of Valparaiso, called the incidents “disgusting and repulsive.”
“Anybody associated with it, they come to me with anything, and I will kill their bill,” he told the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
“Good people being dragged through the mud just because they speak their conscience. Death threats — it’s just wrong, and I’m not the only one,” he continued. “Redistricting or not, behavior matters, and this is just flat wrong. So, if you’re on the redistricting side and you don’t like the way I vote, please primary me.”
He said he’d “do what’s right.” But when asked to clarify his position on redistricting, he said, “none of your f****** business.”
Last week, the House and Senate both set Jan. 5 as the date lawmakers would start the new legislative session — not on Dec. 1, as previously planned.
But Huston instructed House members to remain prepared for a possible return to the Statehouse during the first two weeks of December. He told reporters the House had enough support to pass redistricting and that it was “prepared” to act.
Redistricting supporters want Indiana lawmakers to craft a map with all nine of the state’s congressional districts favoring Republicans. Those would be based on 2020 census data, like the current maps.
Those were drawn by Republicans in 2021 and maintained a 7-2 GOP majority — with Democrat Frank Mrvan holding the 1st District in northwestern Indiana and Democrat André Carson holding the 7th District, which covers much of Indianapolis.
Senate Democratic Leader Shelli Yoder denounced Senate Republicans, saying that “the moment Donald Trump intensified his bullying campaign, they caved.”
“Our democracy does not survive when fear becomes policy,” Yoder said. “It does not survive when a state abandons its own people to serve the ambitions of one man. It does not survive when politicians cheat to win, cutting voters completely out of the process.”
Braun praised the House and Senate decisions to take up redistricting.
“This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly convening to vote on fair maps,” Braun said in a social media post. “ Hoosiers deserve to have fair representation in Washington and now the General Assembly needs to deliver a 9-0 map which will help level the playing field.”
Legislative Democrats have too few members to prevent a congressional redistricting if Republicans remain largely united on new maps.
House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta blasted the Republican plan for taking up the proposal.
“Hoosiers have already said loud and clear that they don’t want redistricting,” he said in a statement.” Why are we wasting valuable time and resources on this when we could be lowering costs for Hoosiers? Under the Republican supermajority in the House, Hoosiers have been faced with decades of decay. They deserve better, and House Democrats plan to prioritize their needs this session.”
House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta talks to reporters on Organization Day, Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
During a video news conference Tuesday afternoon, GiaQuinta indicated his caucus may not show up in December, emphasizing the previously agreed-upon date.
“The motion said that we will be reconvening on Jan. 5, at 1:30. And that’s my understanding as to when we are to return,” he told reporters.
GiaQuinta cited the House’s rules. A line there reads that the chamber shall convene at the time provided in a successful motion, but that it can be changed with the agreement of both the speaker and minority leader.
GiaQuinta said he wasn’t consulted – just informed of the new date in a call with Huston on Tuesday morning.
But House Republicans have cited a provision in Indiana Code. During the regular session, the law says, the General Assembly shall adjourn until either the day specified in a concurrent resolution, or when both chambers gavel in with a quorum.
The House GOP is a supermajority, meaning that Democrats aren’t needed for a quorum.
The early gavel-in carries a price tag — but legislative leaders argue that reconvening in December won’t increase the overall cost of the 2026 session, since both chambers now plan to finish their work by the end of February, rather than in mid-March.
Legislative staff noted that each chamber is currently scheduled to meet for one week at a time.
Once a chamber convenes, members are eligible for the full legislative business per diem of $213 per day. Those who commute from outside Marion County additionally qualify for mileage reimbursements at 70 cents per mile.
Lawmakers’ salaries are fixed annual payments that don’t change based on whether they come in early for a session. The per-diem is a separate reimbursement for meals and lodging while engaged in legislative business.
If the entire 100-member House shows up, the daily per-diem bill adds up to $21,300. For the chamber, a five-day week would total roughly $106,500 in per diems for all members. For the 50-member Senate, one week would cost $10,650 per day for the full chamber, adding up to roughly $53,250 for all members over five days.
Mileage payments vary depending on where lawmakers live. Those who commute from outside Marion County additionally qualify for mileage reimbursements at 70 cents per mile.
For one week of session, the combined total for both chambers would be approximately $159,750, not including mileage.
A special session in Indiana in 2022 cost about $240,000, with both chambers meeting for two weeks.
CONSENT AGENDA: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A.
ORDINANCE G-2025-25 An Ordinance to Amend Evansville Fire Merit Commission Ordinance Sponsor(s): Trockman, Heronemus, Green Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Carothers Discussion Date: 12/15/2025 Notify: Marco DeLucio, ZSWS
ORDINANCE G-2025-26 An Ordinance Granting A Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the Operation of Taxicabs for the Year 2026 (Dave’s Taxi Service) Sponsor(s): Carothers Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Carothers Discussion Date: 12/15/2025 Notify: David Goldblatt, Dave’s Taxi Service
ORDINANCE F-2025-20 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Repeals and Re-Appropriations of Funds within the Department of Metropolitan Development Sponsor(s): Allen Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Allen Discussion Date: 12/15/2025 Notify: Kolbi Jackson, DMD
ORDINANCE F-2025-21 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Allen Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Allen Discussion Date: 12/15/2025 Notify: Robert Gunter, Controller
ORDINANCE R-2025-32 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1521 & 1523 W Missouri St Owner: Habitat for Humanity of Evansville, Inc Requested Change: M3 to R2 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Patrick Landry, Habitat for Humanity of Evansville, Inc
REGULAR AGENDA: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A.
ORDINANCE F-2025-19 AMEDNED An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Allen Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Allen Discussion Date: 12/1/2025 Notify: Robert Gunter, Controller
RESOLUTION C-2025-26 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana Approving the 2026 Budget of the Downtown Evansville Economic Improvement District, Inc Sponsor(s): Allen, Carothers, Heronemus, Trockman Discussion Led By: President Trockman Discussion Date: 12/1/2025 Notify: Joshua Trockman, KDDK
Hoosiers with farmland, rental properties and vacation homes won new benefits under recent law, tax expert says.
Recent changes to Indiana’s property tax system will likely cut bills for most Hoosier homeowners, a new analysis has found.
But owners of pricey houses are expected to get bigger breaks, while those with low-valued dwellings may pay more, according to an Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute report released Friday.
Its author, Indiana tax expert Larry DeBoer, said Gov. Mike Braun’s hallmark tax law may squash growth in assessed value statewide through 2031, when key changes take full effect.
Chief among them is the homestead standard deduction, which Senate Enrolled Act 1 phases out by 2031. The fixed deduction lops $48,000 off the taxable value of a primary residence.
“If you’ve got a half-million-dollar house — you got a million-dollar house — $48,000 is nothing,” DeBoer said. “If you’ve got an $80,000 house, $48,000 is very significant.”
DeBoer, an emeritus agricultural economics professor at Purdue University, presented his results Friday at the Indiana Farm Bureau’s headquarters in Indianapolis.
The supplemental deduction, however, will rise from its current 37.5% to a whopping 66.7% by 2031. Because it’s a percentage, homeowners will save less on cheap homes than pricey ones.
The breakeven point — at which the two policies yield the same taxable value — is a home worth $102,740, per DeBoer. He estimated the average in Indiana at $234,500.
Counties with high homestead values, particularly Boone and Hamilton, will take harder hits to their tax bases, he said.
If Senate Enrolled Act 1 restricts assessed value growth but levies — the total governments can collect — rise, tax rates will also creep higher. DeBoer calculated that most property will hit the property tax caps at a rate of $3 per $100 in assessed value.
Homestead property owners get a circuit breaker credit on the amount of property taxes over 1% of assessed value. Many primary residences will likely reach the caps by 2031, according to the analysis. Property tax bills for those houses will be higher than now, but lower than they would’ve been without the law.
A graph of Indiana’s average property tax rate statewide, extrapolating into 2032. Assuming an annual 4% increase in the levy — which tax expert Larry DeBoer dubbed “conservative” considering big levy jumps in recent years — the average rate is expected to rise. (Screenshot from presentation)
DoBoer joked that when Hoosiers complain bills went up, local officials can reply, “‘Ah, had we not changed the policy, it would have gone up even more!’ And the taxpayer will be satisfied.”
“Rueful laughter, right?” DeBoer said. Under his projections, it “really is a tax reduction … for the average homeowner, but the average homeowner is not going to believe it!”
But, for those not at the caps? Pricey homes are expected to carry smaller increases in their bills — or even slight drops. Low-value homes could see double-digit percentage hikes, per the report.
Also, beginning in 2026, a new supplemental tax credit will apply after the caps, taking off 10%, or up to $300.
More changes
Property types that hit the caps at 2% of assessed value get new breaks under Senate Enrolled Act 1 — “the first deduction that those folks have ever really gotten,” DeBoer said.
Non-homestead residential, like apartment buildings or vacation houses, falls under that category. So does farmland.
The new deduction phases into 33.4% by 2031.
DeBoer estimated that, if gross assessed value for non-homestead residential rises 5% annually through 2031, the net assessed value would fall each year over that time period.
Farmland net assessed value is also projected to fall most years, and. Under DeBoer’s assumptions, the net would be 33.4% lower in 2031 than it is in 2025.
Senate Enrolled Act 1 also raised the business personal property exemption from $80,000 to $2 million. DeBoer said that will impact small and medium-sized firms more, since larger ones with more property will continue paying as before.
Counties with a high share of business personal property will see lower losses from the exemption, like rural counties hosting large electric utility installations, according to the analysis.
Estimated loss of net assessed value due to changes in Senate Enrolled Act 1, by 2031, according to an Indiana Fiscal Policy report released Nov. 14, 2025. (Screenshot from presentation)
The law also ditches a 30% floor on those property assessments after 2025. DeBoer predicted little effect in the short term, higher assessed values in the medium term and lower assessed values in the long run, once the business personal property purchased before 2026 has been retired.
But there could be loopholes.
One attendee asked what happens if, when a company purchases $2 million worth of equipment, it does so under a new entity.
“One of the goals of property tax policies is to create a neutral system that does not influence business decision-making,” DeBoer replied, to laughter. “And I suspect they’ve created something that (could) …”
“Obviously, the big ones aren’t going to be able to divide themselves up into little, $2 million segments, but a medium-sized business, one could manage it,” he continued. “… Accountants and lawyers are going to earn their money.”
Business real property gets no new deductions.
“Taxes in SEA 1 are shifting to big businesses with lots of personal property, and to rural homeowners with very low value homes,” DeBoer said. “It’s an interesting policy mix.”
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FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Peoria, Ill.: After briefly trailing 1-0 in the first period, the Thunderbolts scored four unanswered goals to defeat the Rivermen 4-1 in Peoria on Friday night, the win setting a new franchise record for their longest streak without a regulation loss, now at nine consecutive games. The Thunderbolts’ next home game at Ford Center will be on Friday, December 5th against the Macon Mayhem at 7:00pm CT.
The Rivermen grabbed the game’s first lead at 10:29 of the first period, with Griffen Fox scoring on a power play net-front deflection. At even strength, Evansville responded just over 3 minutes later at 13:42, with Scott Kirton scoring on a rebound from John Woernle and Tyson Gilmour. In the second period, the Thunderbolts took the lead at 11:22 as a tic-tac-toe passing play from Joey Berkopec to Isaac Chapman connected to Aidan Litke on a cross-slot one-time snapshot. Evansville kept rolling in the third period, as Kirton scored on a power play 55 seconds into the period from Keanan Stewart and Gilmour to extend Evansville’s lead to 3-1. In the final stretch of regulation time, Connor Federkow added an unassisted empty net goal, shot from deep in the Thunderbolts’ zone with 1:03 remaining to seal the victory, 4-1 Evansville the final score. With the victory, Evansville has set a new franchise record with nine consecutive games without losing in regulation, with a record of 8-0-1 over the stretch. Previously, the record was eight games, accomplished twice between January 5th and 23rd of 2018 (6-0-2) and between February 21st, 2020, and October 16th, 2021 (6-0-2).
Kirton led the way with two goals, Litke and Federkow scored one goal each, and Gilmour tallied two assists. In goal, Kristian Stead finished with 31 saves on 32 shots for his 10th win of the season. The Thunderbolts and Rivermen meet again on Saturday, November 29th at Peoria Civic Center, with Evansville leading the season series 3-0.
Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has created the America First Trade Promotion program (AFTPP) and applauded the agency for establishing this initiative. The AFTPP is a $285 million program designed to help farmers, ranchers, and producers leverage new market opportunities through President Trump’s trade deals and export more of their agricultural products worldwide. Applications for the AFTPP are due January 23, 2026.
“President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ leadership has ensured that our farmers will benefit from historic trade deals that finally level the playing field and expand their opportunities for export growth,” said Congressman Baird. “I am glad to see the USDA continue to deliver on its commitment to our farmers and producers by creating the America First Trade Promotion Program to help our farmers take full advantage of these opportunities. This program is a historic investment in our great agricultural industry that will allow our farmers to sell their quality products on the global stage. I encourage eligible organizations in Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District to apply.”
A plethora of professional football, a cornucopia of college football and, most importantly, the hallowed echoes of high school football. Thanksgiving brings out the America our Founders dreamed of, “A more perfect union”. One where the battles almost never involve fatal blows but where due process on the field requires impartial officials, the Judiciary (?), involved and spirited fans, citizens (?), teams with different positions, players and coaches who are leaders and standard bearers for the hopes of countless constituencies, fans (?).
Peg and I almost surfeited on football last week but our stomachs have about recovered from gastronomical excess and our eyes and seats are ready for more football. Unfortunately, we are already ruing the long, dark journey from February until the fall of 2026. Ah well, we do have a few other things to attend to. And the memories of this season and seasons past will sustain us until then. For example, my favorite Thanksgiving Day football game occurred during my senior year of high school in 1960. I have carefully and constantly rearranged that game, especially the role of my favorite seventeen-year-old player in the outcome.
I was a linebacker who was not particularly gifted in the speed department. All right, I was on defense because my time in the forty was not clocked, but calendared. On the other hand, as I was a catcher on the baseball team, I was fairly adroit at retrieving fumbles; I just did not usually advance them.
Anyway, as I relive that glorious Thursday afternoon in November of 1960, I see myself clutching a blocked punt from our opponent. Only an uncharitable observer would have pointed out that my teammate actually blocked the punt. Regardless, when the football bounced into my arms, I took off like a lightning bolt for the goal line fifty-one yards away, my player number on the team. Mercury could not have caught me.
The next day the newspaper showed why people dislike the media. My heroic touchdown was described thusly, “Jim Redwine, reputedly the slowest player on the team, lugged the ball over the goal line”. That is why my football career ended in high school.
However, Peg and I still plan to cheer on Indiana and Oklahoma University teams as they conquer the playoffs, cheer on Army in the Army Navy game, watch every single college bowl game late into the nights of January then end the season with the Super Bowl in February. Who knows, with coaches making more money than Croesus, maybe some school will hire me to coach linebackers on how not to run.
