WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Braun released the following statement on the White House’s failure to declassify all COVID origins and Wuhan lab leak intel within the 90 days required by the law President Biden signed in March.Â
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The White House passed the 90 day deadline as Secretary of State Blinken met with President Xi Jinping in China, whose regime has covered up the origins of the COVID pandemic.Â
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“The White House is now overdue to declassify their COVID lab leak intel, and there is no ‘Secretary of State is meeting with Xi Jinping’ exception in the law President Biden signed,â€Â Senator Braun said. “We need to know the truth about how this pandemic started and China’s role in covering it up, and the White House must respect the text of the law passed unanimously in both chambers by the people’s representatives.â€
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Last week, Senators Braun and Hawley sent a letter to President Biden demanding he implement the COVID Origins Act of 2023, and declassify and release all information related to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Their COVID Origins Act of 2023 was signed into law by President Biden in March. The legislation requires the Biden administration to declassify intelligence related to any potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the origins of the Covid pandemic within 90 days, which expired on Sunday.Â
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Last week, reporters Michael Shellenberger and Matt Taibbi reported the names of the three Wuhan Institute of Virology researchers who were the first to contract COVID, as sourced from multiple government officials.
(Evansville, Indiana) The Vanderburgh County Health Department and NAACP Evansville Branch, #3048-B announce our joint community health initiative, “Get the Lead Out,†an opportunity for families with at-risk children to become more informed about lead exposure and its consequences, to be screened for lead, and to receive essential information for following up on results.
Many in the community know of the risks from lead through exposure to paint chips or dust in houses built before 1978. But there are other ways families have been exposed. Lead poisoning has had devastating effects on children and families in Flint, Michigan, for instance, as a result of poor decision-making and systemic biases. Locally many in the Jacobsville area of Evansville have seen the Superfund effort to remove contaminated soil from yards and lots over the past decade, again a result of decisions made not by those living in those homes but by business and civic leadership decades ago. We at NAACP Evansville Branch and the Vanderburgh County Health Department take seriously our charge to elevate health equity and environmental justice.
Lead is a heavy metal used for centuries for a number of purposes, including plumbing, and in the past century as a fuel-additive. Lead is relatively easy to extract and use for industrial purposes. But lead is not easy on the human body. Lead plays NO role in normal human metabolism and is, in fact, toxic. Acute lead poisoning can result in muscle pain, weakness, difficulty concentrating, abdominal pain, constipation, anemia, and seizures. Lead exposure is potentially devastating, especially for young children, whose brain development can be critically harmed by the metal. It was only in the late 20th century that compelling evidence on lead’s harmful effects finally resulted into policy change. Communities are still dealing with the legacy of lead contamination across much of the environment.
Why does screening for lead matter? Â There are several risk factors in addition to the age of the home in which a family presently resides. Despite the various symptoms some may show from lead exposure, many children with elevated lead levels may look and act healthy. Identifying those cases and taking corrective steps may prevent long-term health consequences. While lead screening is recommended for all children under 7 years of age and while Medicaid requires screening for all participating children at 1 and 2 years, there are still families who may have not had updated testing.
We recognize some families may have not had the chance for well-child visits lately for many reasons, including the pandemic. This community screening event sponsored by VCHD and Evansville Branch NAACP and hosted by Zion Missionary Baptist Church is the opportunity for all families to be checked.
This free event will be 6 pm on JUNE 15 2023 at Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Advanced registration/parental consent is encouraged. Vanderburgh County Health Department staff will be there to answer additional questions you may have about potential lead exposure. On-site testing will be provided for eligible children and results will go to the parent/caregiver within minutes.
The health department will notify doctors’ offices of test results and coordinate with families on follow-up for any abnormal results. NAACP Evansville Branch Health Committee will also be there to hear the family’s additional concerns and connect them with the advocacy work of the NAACP.
Families interested in having their child tested at the event should complete the online consent form –
BCI Foods Inc., the importer of record located in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, is recalling approximately 13,561 pounds of chicken noodle soup products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States.
Distribuidora El Paisano Import, LLC, a distributor and the importer of record located in Providence, R.I., is recalling approximately 1,715 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork rind product that was imported from Guatemala, a country ineligible to export meat products to the United States.
Two Franklin College journalism students wrote more than 100 stories covering the 2023 legislative session during what proved to be a fruitful awards season for TheStatehouseFile.com.
Franklin College journalism majors Ashlyn Myers, left, and Xain Ballenger completed more than 100 stories while covering the 2023 legislative session at the Indiana Statehouse. Â Staff photo.
Sophomore Ashlyn Myers and junior Xain Ballenger spent the spring semester working full time at the Indiana Statehouse press corps, reporting on everything from school censorship to throwing stars, as part of the immersive program that has helped send FC Pulliam School of Journalism grads everywhere from Indianapolis Business Journal to CNN.
Franklin is one of just 20 colleges or universities maintaining a student newsroom in a state capitol. It’s also among the smallest and one of just two private schools. Previously sharing its coverage with 35 paying media outlets, The Statehouse File is now able to offer its content for free to any professional outlet thanks to a fall 2022 grant from Lumina Foundation.
“Our students learn by doing under tremendous pressure, and they rise to the occasion every time,†said Executive Editor Colleen Steffen. “It’s a unique and really effective way to learn, and I’m always impressed with their tenacity and determination.
“At the same time, they are filling gaps in state news coverage and helping give Hoosiers the information they need, so I’m very proud of them and what they’re able to accomplish in a short time.â€
Myers, of Franklin, ended her semester at the Statehouse in time to start an internship at The Daily Journal. This spring, she won the Jerry Miller Memorial Scholarship and the Marilyn Leap Student Fund Scholarship, with which she traveled to Atlanta this month to speak at the Education Writers Association National Seminar. She was also named incoming editor-in-chief for campus news outlet The Franklin.
A feature writer by inclination, Myers learned to love hard news at the Statehouse, writing stories about the state budget and the efforts to restrict trans health care.
“My semester with TheStatehouseFile.com was fully transformative,†said Myers. “Prior to this spring, I felt that I only had real skill when it came to human interest and feature stories, but the Indiana Statehouse quickly pushed me out of my comfort zone. Digging through legislative jargon and finding out the causes and effects of different political decisions made me realize that any topic is fundamentally human interest. You just have to find the right humans and give them a voice.
Alexa Shrake, pictured conducting an interview in this 2022 file photo, won a national SPJ award for her part in TheStatehouseFile.com and The Franklin’s investigation into the downfall of a former Franklin College president. Â Staff Photo
“I pushed myself, and it was hard, but I’m a different and better journalist because of my experience. With the help of my colleague, Xain Ballenger, we put faces and names to the Hoosiers that really depend on their lawmakers to make educated choices, and I’m so proud of our work.â€
Ballenger, originally from Mooresville, will continue to work for The Statehouse File this summer as a freelancer. He received the TSF Transformation Award at May’s Pulliam School of Journalism annual banquet for his dramatic growth over the spring semester. A photographer and videographer, he came to the Statehouse wanting to improve his abilities as a writer.
“My time at the Statehouse was very unique,†said Ballenger. “The thing I really wanted to work on was writing. I felt it was not up to par with some of my other skills, so the Statehouse helped me develop that skill.
“However, it wasn’t just in writing. I learned how to really prepare, take notes, ask questions, and how to really focus even if the information isn’t the most exciting. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be good enough, but with the help of my editors Colleen, Kevin and Marilyn, and my colleague Ashlyn, I was able to grow my confidence as the semester went on.
“This was the best experience a journalism major could have because even though you aren’t thrown into shark-infested waters, it still gives you a real look into being a journalist and what it takes to be a professional. This semester solidified that this is what I want to do.â€
Kevin Morgan, former editor of The Indiana Citizen, helped edit student work as part of a partnership with The Statehouse File before retiring earlier this year. Taking over for him in both capacities is longtime Indianapolis reporter Marilyn Odendahl.
This spring also saw The Statehouse File collect a spate of awards in both student and professional journalism contests—most recently, when four students were tapped as 2022 Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence National Winners.
Franklin College Pulliam School of Journalism students Isaac Gleitz left, and Sydney Byerly were just two Statehouse File reporters earning national recognition this spring. Staff photo
Finalist, general news reporting: “Twitter beef raises the specter of Lucas’ 2020 divorce hearing†by Jack Sells
Finalist, in-depth reporting: “Hoosiers see lasting effects from time KKK dominated state politics†by Taylor Wooten
Finalist, in-depth reporting: “The social symptom: Educators worry about the pandemic impact that has not healed†by Zachary Roberts
Recent FC grad Taylor Wooten won a national SPJ award for a story from the 2022 legislative session. She is currently employed at Indianapolis Business Journal. Â Staff Photo.
Third place, use of social media: Election Night 2022 by Maggie McGuire, Sydney Byerly, Jack Sells, Tabby Fitzgerald
Third place, breaking news reporting online: “Anticipating state abortion ban, protesters descend on Statehouse†by Zachary Roberts
Second place, news/feature reporting online: “Uncovering Thomas Minar†by Isaac Gleitz
The Statehouse File publishes year-round. This summer, a small team will follow up on many of the new Indiana laws set to take effect July 1, and reporters also will spend three weeks creating feature content at the Indiana State Fair before the fall semester ushers in a new class.
CRAIG FERGUSON RETURNS TO VICTORY THEATRE ON NOV 9THÂ
TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 23 @10AM
Evansville, IN– Craig Ferguson returns to the Victory Theatre with his “The Fancy Rascal Tour†on Nov 9th! Tickets are on sale Friday, June 23 @ 10 AM! Craig Ferguson (born 17 May 1962) is a Scottish-American comedian, actor, writer, and television host. He is best known for hosting the CBS late-night talk show The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005–2014), for which he won a Peabody Award in 2009 for his interview with South African archbishop Desmond Tutu that year. He also hosted the syndicated game show Celebrity Name Game (2014–2017), for which he won two Daytime Emmy Awards, and Join or Die with Craig Ferguson (2016) on History. In 2017 he released a six-episode web show with his wife, Megan Wallace Cunningham, titled Couple Thinkers.
After starting his career in the UK with music, comedy, and theatre, Ferguson moved to the US, where he appeared in the role of Nigel Wick on the ABC sitcom The Drew Carey Show (1996–2004). Ferguson has written three books: Between the Bridge and the River, a novel; American on Purpose, a memoir; and Riding the Elephant: A Memoir of Altercations, Humiliations, Hallucinations & Observations. He holds both British and American citizenship.
He has written and starred in three films, directing one of them, and has appeared in several others. In animated films, he provided the voices of Gobber in the How to Train Your Dragon film series (2010–2019), Owl in Winnie the Pooh (2011), and Lord Macintosh in Brave (2012).
Tickets may be purchased at Ford Center Ticket Office or www.Ticketmaster.com
For more information about the Victory Theatre, visit:
Evansville, Ind. – The Sussex County Miners tied the game in the ninth and scored two in the tenth to edge the Evansville Otters 5-3 on Tuesday night.
Sussex County used back-to-back base hits and an error, all with two outs to score the tying run in the ninth inning.
A hit batter and base hit nearly gave the Otters a walk-off win in the ninth but an inning ending double play ended the threat.
The Miners scored two in the tenth as a base hit scored the ghost runner at second and the second run scored on two stolen bases and an error.
A hit Otters’ batter put the tying runner on base in the bottom of the tenth but a flyout ended the game.
The loss spoiled an excellent outing by Zach Smith. The starter struck out a season high eight batters in seven innings of work allowing just two runs and five hits.
Noah Myers appeared to have the game winning hit in the sixth, a two-out two RBI double broke a 1-1 tie.
The Miners got one run back on a solo homer in the seventh before tying things in the ninth.
Jomar Reyes’ had a base hit to reach a 12 game hitting streak, tied for the longest of any Otter this season. George Callil notched three hits on Tuesday, including a double and a run.
Evansville and Sussex County quickly return to action Wednesday afternoon with a 12:05 p.m. first pitch in the middle game of the series. The game is a Senior Connection Wednesday with discounted senior (55 and older) GA tickets.
All home and road Otters games this season are televised on FloSports with audio-only coverage available for free on the Evansville Otters YouTube page.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer has released its schedule for the 2023 championship season, which officially kicks off Saturday, August 17 when the Screaming Eagles open at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
“We are extremely excited to announce our 2023 schedule,” USI Women’s Soccer Head Coach Eric Schoenstein said. “We will be playing an all-Division I slate, featuring a balanced schedule with 10 home games and 10 away games.”
Prior to the season opener, USI will compete in a pair of exhibitions in early August, traveling to Middle Tennessee State University on August 8 before hosting an exhibition against Murray State University on August 12 from Strassweg Field.
Following the season opener at IUPUI, USI will open its home slate against the University of North Alabama on August 20. The Screaming Eagles will also host Purdue University Fort Wayne on August 27 and have a three-match homestand against the University of North Dakota (September 3), Austin Peay State University (September 7), and Northern Illinois University (September 10) during the non-conference season.
The remaining non-conference road schedule includes stops at Wright State University on August 24, Miami University (Ohio) on August 31, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City on September 14 as USI’s final tune-up match before the start of the conference season.
Southern Indiana will kick off the Ohio Valley Conference season with a pair of road matches, traveling to the University of Arkansas Little Rock on September 21 and visiting the 2022 OVC regular-season champion Tennessee Tech University on September 24. USI will then return to Strassweg Field to take on Morehead State University (October 1) before traveling a few days later for a road matchup against the newest OVC member in Western Illinois University on October 5. The Screaming Eagles will host a pair of home OVC matches against Lindenwood University (October 8) and reigning OVC tournament champion Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (October 12). The matchup against Lindenwood on October 8 will be Senior Day and Alumni Day.
The final week of the 2023 regular season will include a road match at the University of Tennessee at Martin (October 15), a home match against Southeast Missouri State University (October 19), and a road match at Eastern Illinois University (October 22).
The OVC Championship Tournament will take place from October 27 through November 5.
“Our OVC schedule will be very challenging with several key matches on the road and the addition of Western Illinois to the OVC,” Schoenstein added. “We are looking forward to an exciting second season at Division I.”
USI Women’s Soccer heads into its second season as an NCAA Division I program in 2023, coming off an inaugural D-I campaign that saw Southern Indiana go 5-8-4 and earn a postseason in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament.
INDIANAPOLIS, June 21, 2023 – The Vincennes University Aviation Technology Center in Indianapolis is hosting its annual Aviation Community Day on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Individuals interested in aviation careers and enthusiasts can learn about educational paths and engage in exciting aviation-related activities.
The free, family-friendly event is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (ET) and is in collaboration with Purdue Polytechnic Institute Indianapolis.Â
Aspiring aviators will see their future in aviation by climbing aboard airplanes, taking a photo in a cockpit, piloting a flight simulator, meeting with aviation professionals, and touring the facility at 2175 S. Hoffman Road. They can also learn about the VU and Purdue 2+2 bachelor’s degree program. Rides on the Boilermaker Special are also available.
VU has a long history of aviation education that stretches back to the 1960s.
The ATC offers high-quality education and is a vital part of VU, which has trained professional pilots since 1964. The ATC has been home to the Aviation Maintenance program since 1993 at the Indianapolis International Airport. In 2010, the VU Flight program joined the Maintenance program in Indianapolis, operating ground school classes and flight simulation at the ATC. Eagle Creek Airpark, just a few miles from Indianapolis International, is home to the University’s fleet of aircraft.
“The Aviation Technology Center provides the opportunity for bright minds to pursue high wage and high demand careers in aviation,†VU Director of Aviation Mike Gehrich said.
The ATC underwent a $6 million renovation in recent years. The 92,000-square-foot facility has two hangars and houses a fully functional Boeing 737-200, Gulfstream GI, and multiple full-motion flight simulators and stationary simulators.
VU students can earn an associate degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology plus a Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate. VU students training to become commercial pilots can earn private, instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings, an associate degree in Aviation Flight, and certified flight instructor qualifications.
VU and Purdue University offer a joint degree program that provides significant savings to students looking to earn a bachelor’s degree from Purdue in Aeronautical Technology. Students who complete an associate degree in Aviation Flight or Maintenance with VU are eligible to enroll in the Purdue Aeronautical Technology program at the ATC. Students study with Purdue at the ATC and pay VU tuition rates.
Explore VU’s Aviation Flight and Maintenance programs at www.aviationtechcenter.com or by calling 317-381-6000.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball announced the addition of 11 new players for the 2024 campaign next spring. right-handed pitchers and a pair of outfielders for the 2024 season. The Screaming Eagles and USI Head Coach Tracy Archuleta have added five right-handed pitchers; one left-handed hurler; two outfielders; and a pair of utility players (pitcher/infielders).   The new Eagles join catchers Logan Mock (Livermore, California) and Conner Anglin (Lynnville, Indiana); pitchers Braden Watts (Scottsburg, Indiana) and Abdriel Figueroa (Yauco, Puerto Rico); and infielder Yahir Fonseca (Arroyo, Puerto Rico) who signed last fall.          The Spring Additions For 2024 Are:  Carson Seeman (Auburn, California), RHP:
Seeman is transferring to USI from Butte College (Oroville, California) where he split time as a right-handed pitcher and a catcher…had a 9-2 record in 2023 with a 2.85 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 13 games and 82.0 innings of work…also had a .276 batting average with two home runs and 21 RBIs…played one season with the University of California Davis. He appeared in nine games and made four starts on the mound, posting a 0-4 record, while making 19 appearances at catcher. Â
Gavin Wilson (Lee’s Summit, Missouri), RHP:
Wilson comes to the Eagles team after spending a pair of seasons with St. Charles Community College (Cottleville, Missouri), posting a 4-4 record in 22 total appearances…was 2-4 during 2023, making 14 appearances and one start…the right-handed Lee’s Summit High School alumni also struck out 38 batters in 32.2 innings of work. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Grant Parson (Owensboro, Kentucky), RHP:
Parson joins the Eagles after graduating from Owensboro Catholic High School…was 4-3 in 2023 with a 1.14 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 49.0 innings of work…was one batter shy of a perfect game versus St. Mary’s High School during the post-season…also batted .333 (32-96) with 17 runs scored and 19 RBIs…was 6-1 with a 1.83 ERA on the mound, while batting .258 in 2022.                Cameron Boyd (Villa Hills, Kentucky), OF:
Boyd comes to USI after finishing his prep career at Beechwood High School (Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky) where he lettered in baseball and basketball…was first-team All-State, Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player, and 9th Region Player of the Year after batting .546 with 49 RBIs and 11 home runs as a senior…also helped Beechwood to four-straight region championships.
Terrick Thompson-Allen (Sioux City, Iowa), OF:
Thompson-Allen transfers to USI from Iowa Western Community College following two seasons with the Reivers…had a two-year .288 batting average with 24 RBIs, two home runs, and 32 RBIs…batted .265 in 2023 with 14 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, and nine RBIs this spring after starting his career with a .333 batting average with 15 RBIs, 18 runs scored, and five stolen bases as a freshman in 2022…lettered in baseball and football at Sioux City East High School. Â Mitchell Renfro (Evansville, Indiana), RHP:Â Â Â Â Â
Renfro lettered in baseball, football, and soccer at Evansville North High School…helped lead North to the 2023 sectional title game with a 6-2 record and a 2.65 ERA…was 3-1 with a 1.90 ERA with the Huskies in 2022.                Jesus Rivas (Yabucoa, Puerto Rico), OF:
Rivas comes to USI after graduating from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, joining teammate Figueroa, who signed with USI last fall. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Gage Smith (Garrett, Indiana), RHP:
Smith transfers to USI from IVY Tech Community College (Ft. Wayne). He was 4-3 in 2023 with 69 strikeouts and a 4.37 ERA in 59 innings pitched…had an 8-4 overall mark with a 4.64 ERA during his two years at IVY Tech…also was a .300 hitter for the Tritans, knocking in 19 RBI. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bryson Reif (Yuba City, California), LHP:
Reif crosses the country to USI after playing two seasons for Butte Junior College (Oroville, California)…had a two-year record of 13-1 and a 4.03 ERA, while striking out 69 batters in 58.0 innings of work…was 6-0 with 54 strikeouts and a 2.98 ERA in 2023…played baseball at Yuba City High School prior to playing at Butte. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Clayton Weisheit (Ferdinand, Indiana), RHP:
Weisheit is a Forest Park High School (Ferdinand, Indiana) product and has been dominating the last two seasons on the mound…was 7-4 last spring with a 2.05 ERA, striking out 68 batters in 61 innings of work…named first-team All-PAC hurler and IHSBCA District Player of the Year…had a no-hitter versus Hauser High School this spring. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jack Hendrix (Ft. Thomas, Kentucky), RHP:
Hendrix was dominating hitter at Highlands High School, posting a .432 average the last two seasons (82-190) and knocking in 47 RBIs…also was 7-2 on the mound with a 1.65 ERA in 19 games as a junior and senior…also struck out 94 batters in 60.1 innings of work, including a 12-strikeout performance versus Conner High School this spring. Â
The members of Los Chicos del 512 came together for one reason. That one reason is to bring the magic of Selena to old and new fans worldwide. Since the group’s inception in 2014, they have been successfully doing just that.
Having sold out venue after venue and with a most recent performance for the Chicago Bulls and the Marines in Okinawa, Japan, Los Chicos del 512 are on fire! This show is a mind-blowing experience and the closest one can get to live a Selena concert. Simply, the best Selena tribute production out there! These musicians came together and orchestrated an extraordinary show that will have you back to 1995 within seconds of their first song. Los Chicos del 512 will bring to you the finest Selena tribute that you can possibly imagine. Now, get ready to sing, dance and relive Selena!
Tickets may be purchased at Ford Center Ticket Office or www.Ticketmaster.com
For more information about the Victory Theatre, visit:
