INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun commends the Indiana State Police and their law enforcement partners for kicking off the new year by keeping Hoosier communities safe and getting dangerous drugs off Indiana streets. Gov. Braun made public safety a major priority for his administration by increasing drug interdiction efforts and law enforcement funding.

On Saturday, January 3, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m., an Indiana State Police Trooper stopped a blue International semi tractor-trailer on I-70 at the 41 mile-marker eastbound for a routine DOT compliance inspection.  During conversations with the driver, criminal indicators were observed.  The Trooper, who is assigned to the Indiana State Police Interdiction Team, requested assistance from a ISP Putnamville District canine trooper.  The ISP canine unit arrived, and a positive alert was indicated which led to a probable cause search of the semi tractor and trailer.

During the search, the troopers found 309 pounds of cocaine in the sleeper berth of the truck.

The two occupants were taken into custody without incident and transported to the Putnam County Jail. Both are being charged with dealing narcotics, a Level 2 Felony. ICE deportation holds were placed on each of them by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations(ERO) due to prior pending removal proceedings.

The semi tractor-trailer was enroute from Joplin, Missouri, to Richmond, Indiana.

This is part of an ongoing effort by the Indiana State Police to interdict dangerous drugs being transported through our state. At the outset of his Administration, Governor Braun emphasized the importance combatting crime and making our communities safe. Through the efforts of the Indiana State Police and their partners, positive results are occurring through significant seizures and dismantling large-scale drug organizations.

“Indiana has zero tolerance for drug traffickers,” said Gov. Mike Braun. “Through coordinated efforts with federal and local partners, the Indiana State Police are proactively stopping dangerous drugs from entering our communities and harming Hoosier families. I made public safety a priority for my administration on day one and I commend our State Troopers for their hard work keeping Hoosiers safe.”

The Indiana State Police Criminal Interdiction Unit was assisted by the Indiana State Police Putnamville District,  Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), and Curtis Garage and Wrecker service.

The estimated street value of the cocaine is $7 million dollars.

Arrested and Charges:

Gurpreet Singh, age 25, Fresno, CA

• Dealing Narcotics, Level 2 Felony

Jasveer Singh, age 30, Santa Clara, CA

• Dealing Narcotics, Level 2 Felony

Individual mugshots can be obtained through the Putnam County Jail.

Attached: Photo of drugs seized.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Attorney General Todd Rokita is intensifying his efforts to lower insulin prices and improve healthcare affordability for Hoosiers by filing a new lawsuit against Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Company.

This action, in conjunction with Indiana’s prior lawsuit against other insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), addresses deceptive market practices that artificially inflated prices and seeks structural changes through injunctive relief to promote fair competition and sustained lower costs for patients.

Nearly 700,000 Indiana residents have been diagnosed with diabetes, with millions more being pre-diabetic. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, and lower-limb amputations, and a major cause of death in Indiana despite effective treatments being available.

“Pharmaceutical companies should not take advantage of Hoosiers or any other American—this includes Lilly, regardless of its Indiana roots,” Attorney General Rokita said. “For two years, I attempted to resolve this matter with them amicably and without litigation—an effort not required by the state and one not afforded to Lilly’s out-of-state competitors. Lilly, which maintains by far the largest market share for insulin, rejected this outreach and consumed two years of time. Not to worry—we intend to have Indiana added to the ongoing multistate litigation, where we will share in the results of evidence already uncovered and any settlement or judgment.”

This lawsuit accuses Eli Lilly of participating in a scheme with other insulin manufacturers and PBMs that dramatically inflated insulin prices over the past decade by more than 1000% despite low manufacturing costs (estimated at just a few dollars per vial). Prior accountability efforts, including Indiana’s earlier lawsuit, have already prompted manufacturers—including Eli Lilly—to substantially reduce prices and introduce $35 monthly out-of-pocket caps for many patients. This new action builds on that progress by pursuing injunctive relief to drive structural market changes, along with damages and penalties to benefit affected consumers and ensure lasting accountability.

This action is part of Attorney General Rokita’s ongoing efforts to ease healthcare burdens for Hoosiers. Since taking office, he has secured a $66.5 million settlement against Centene; a $573 million multistate settlement against McKinsey & Company for its role in the opioid epidemic; nearly $7 million in a Medicaid fraud settlement against Mallinckrodt; a $39.1 million multistate settlement with Apotex over generic drug price-fixing; assisted in a multistate opioid settlement against the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma; and announced an 11th multistate opioid deal—bringing the total opioid funds secured for Indiana to $1.1 billion. Additionally, he has taken action against pharmaceutical companies for allegedly spiking EpiPen prices by 600% while deceiving Hoosier consumers.

Read the lawsuit here.

Donors have chance to win trip to Super Bowl LX during National Blood Donor Month

Red Cross, Saquon Barkley huddle up for a lifesaving play in January

[Jan. 5, 2026] — The American Red Cross is teetering on a blood shortage this winter, which could lead to a disruption in lifesaving care. Donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now.

The Red Cross blood supply is under pressure following a busy holiday season when winter weather and packed schedules made it even tougher to ensure hospitals have the blood products needed for critical care. Without immediate action, doctors may have to make difficult decisions about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait. Donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood are especially needed now.

Don’t wait – make an appointment to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

For the seventh year, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month to urge individuals to kick off 2026 with a blood donation. As a thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win an exciting Super Bowl LX giveaway. The winner and guest will get to enjoy Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, access to day-of in-stadium pregame activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 6-9, 2026), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Join a lifesaving team

The Red Cross and Pro Football Champion and blood donor Saquon Barkley are teaming up to remind donors that the best offense against a winter blood shortage is making and keeping blood donation appointments. The blood supply can drop quickly – now’s the time to get in the game and give blood or platelets.

“I gave blood once in college and that was the only time I had ever been asked to give, until the Red Cross reached out this fall,” said Barkley. “It was a no-brainer for me to give again. It only takes about an hour and once you realize in that short amount of time how much help it can bring – it’s a beautiful thing.”

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

A.	County Council Meeting – December 17, 2025

A.	Prosecutor

1.	Request to allow advanced Step 3 placement for Deputy Prosecutor 10001080-108117

2.	Request to fill vacancy for Deputy Prosecutor 10001080-108141

B.	Prosecutor – Pre-Trial Diversion – User Fees

1.	Request to retitle Trial Deputy Stipend 11820000-118227 to Investigations Technician Stipend and pay to Investigations Technician 10001080-108130

2.	Request to create position 11820000-199000 (Extra Help) PT Finance Manager and fill vacancy

C.	Public Defender

1.	Request to fill vacancy for PT Public Defender 10001420-142120

D.	CCPI – Work Release Grant

1.	Request to fill PT Extra Help 11222505-199000

2.	Request to fill vacancy for Intake Specialist 11222505-930435

E.	Health Department

1.	Request to fill vacancy for PT Child Fatality Review & Action Team Coordinator 11590000-199000

F.	Local Public Health Services

1.	Request to retitle and reclassify Disease Investigation Specialist II 11610000-116117 and fill vacancy

G.	Health Department – Strengthening & Prevention Control Grant

1.	Request to retitle and reclassify 84430000-844301 Disease Investigation Specialist II and fill vacancy

A.

Area Plan

B.	Burdette Park

C.	LIT – Jail

D.	Prosecutor – Pre-Trial Diversion – User Fees

A.	Modification to the Vanderburgh County Police Benefit Plan – Sheriff Noah Robinson

B.	Approval of 2026 Amended Salary Ordinance

C.	Appointment of Liaisons

D.	Appointment to ABC Board

E.	Other County Council Appointments

F.	Approval of 2026 Meeting Dates

A.	No P&F Meeting in January 2026

B.	County Council Meeting – February 4, 2026 @3:00 PM

EPD Pension Board Meeting Agenda