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“It’s Half-Time, and We’re Playing to Win” — Governor Braun Talks About the First Half of Legislative Session

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mike braun
mike Braun
“It’s Half-Time, and We’re Playing to Win” — Governor Braun Talks About the First Half of Legislative Session

This report provided by the governor’s press office.

INDIANAPOLIS – Today Governor Mike Braun highlighted his successes so far in the first half of the legislative session, with major pieces of his Freedom and Opportunity agenda on health care, education, public safety, and economic development well on their way to becoming law.

He also outlined his priorities for the second half of the legislative session and commended his partners in the General Assembly for their commitment to getting results for Hoosiers.

“It’s half-time in my first legislative session, and we’ve already put big points on the board for the Freedom and Opportunity agenda on kitchen table issues like lowering health care prices, putting parents in charge of their kids’ education, cracking down on drug dealers and repeat violent criminals, and making government more efficient,” said Governor Mike Braun.

“We’ve had a strong start, and we’re not letting up in the second half. I’m going to continue to work closely with my partners in the General Assembly to get results on our Freedom and Opportunity agenda and achieve historic tax relief for Hoosiers.”

Governor Braun highlighted several bills that are part of his Freedom and Opportunity agenda which have already passed either the House or Senate:

Health Care

•    House Bill 1003, the biggest package of reforms, contains:

•    Site neutral pricing reform
•    Prior authorization reform
•    Stricter enforcement for Medicaid fraud
•    Data ownership and sharing reforms
•    And many other reforms that will lower prices and improve outcomes for Hoosiers.

•    House Bill 1004, which will make sure non-profit hospitals actually act like non-profits.

•    House Bill 1666, which establishes an approval board for health care mergers and acquisitions and makes ownership information more transparent.

•    Senate Bill 118, a bill that will bring transparency to the 340B program and reveal prescription markups.

•    Senate Bill 140, which takes on prescription benefit managers (PBMs) that are driving up prescription drug prices for Hoosiers.

Education

•    House Bill 1001, which will:

•    Fully fund universal school choice
•    Increase funding for school safety
•    Expand Career Scholarship Accounts for kids with special needs and
•    Increase funding for the Education Savings Accounts program

•    Senate Bill 146, which increases minimum teacher salary by $5,000

•    Bills ensuring age-appropriate curriculum for students, re-instating A through F grades, and a suite of solutions to improve our academic achievement in math have passed as well.

Public Safety

Senate Bill 324, landmark legislation for keeping Hoosiers safe:

•    Increases penalties for drug dealers and repeat violent offenders, and
•    Sets mandatory minimum bail for repeat violent offenders

House Bill 1006, which creates an opportunity for the state to address non-compliant prosecutors and increase funding for prosecutors across the state.

Economic Development

•    HB 1001 includes Hoosier Workforce Upskill Tax Credit to give employers a financial incentive to upskill their employees.

•    SB 346 includes the Rural Hoosier Business Growth Program to spread economic development throughout the state.

Charles Schefer to give USI Alumni in Residence Lecture

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Charles Schefer to give USI Alumni in Residence Lecture

The University of Southern Indiana Philip H. Hagemann Performing Arts Department and the College of Liberal Arts are excited to welcome Charles Schefer, a 1996 graduate in communications, as the presenter of the annual Alumni in Residence lecture. His lecture is titled Actor, rapper, banker and will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, March 3 in Kleymeyer Hall, located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center. This event is open to the public at no charge.

From working with Oscar winners, to sharing the stage with Grammy winners, to sitting in boardrooms with CEO’s, Schefer has a lot of stories to tell. He will share his experiences from the University of Southern Indiana to Hollywood and back home again and explain how his four years at USI led to a lifetime of adventures by simply applying the lessons he learned in the classrooms at his alma mater.

The Alumni in Residence program is designed to bring successful USI alumni back to campus to share their experiences and provide guidance to current students. The program highlights the diverse career paths of USI graduates and proves the value of a USI education.

For more information, visit USI.edu/air.

USI Friday Night in the Forum film series returns this spring

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USI Friday Night in the Forum film series returns this spring

The University of Southern Indiana College of Liberal Arts and English Department will host the Friday Night in the Forum film series on Fridays beginning March 21 and running through April 25. All films will be shown with English subtitles and will begin at 5 p.m. in WA1 (Forum I), which can be accessed from the first floor of the Forum Wing in the Wright Administration Building. The series is open to the public at no charge.

The venue features stadium seating, digital projection and digital surround sound. Immediately following each film, Eric Braysmith, Lecturer in English, will lead an informal discussion.

Five films have been selected for the spring series:

  • March 28: The Bikeriders (in collaboration with Tri-State VinMoto)
  • April 4: Boogie Nights
  • April 11: Who Wants to Kill Jessie?
  • April 18: Head
  • April 25: Hundreds of Beavers

For more information, visit the Friday Night in the Forum film series webpage.

Collective Action Network (CAN) Summit 2025: Local Residents Leading the Path to Change

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Collective Action Network (CAN) Summit 2025: Local Residents Leading the Path to Change

ECHO  STAFF

FEBRUARY 26, 2025

Evansville, IN – ECHO Housing and Community Development is proud to host the upcoming Collective Action Network (CAN) Summit on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Carter Hall, University of Southern Indiana. This dynamic, full-day event will bring together community partner organizations, leaders, stakeholders, and neighborhood residents to explore collaborative solutions for neighborhood challenges. Are you interested in voicing the most pressing issues in your neighborhood and learning about how those issues can be addressed? Join us for this one-day event

Keynote Speaker: Danielle Varda

The summit will feature Danielle Varda, Founder and CEO of Visible Network Labs, as the keynote speaker. Varda will present on “Thinking Like a Network Scientist”, offering insights into the power of community connections and data-driven collaboration.

What to Expect:

• Attendees will pinpoint their neighborhood’s most urgent concerns, shaping the summit’s focus and discussions.

• Public Release of the Ecosystem Mapping – A real-time visual of how community partners are connected and work across private, public, and non-profit sectors to address issues such as housing, government services, Veterans programs, education, healthcare, public safety,

workforce, arts & culture, and much more.

• Resident-Led Panel – Firsthand experiences and insights from neighborhood residents

• Engaging Work Sessions – Interactive discussions informed by the pressing needs of

neighborhood residents

Who Should Attend?

• Neighborhood Residents – Panel discussions will be based on issues neighborhood residents find most important

• Community Partner Organizations & Stakeholders – We encourage each organization to invite

a resident from the neighborhoods they serve.

• Anyone interested in making our neighborhoods betterRegistration & Cost:

• Neighborhood Residents – FREE

• Community Partner Organizations – $25 per person – each paid registration also covers the

cost of a neighborhood resident

• See more details and register at: echohousing.org/can-summit

Join us in fostering stronger community connections and impactful collaborations at the CAN Summit 2025!

####

ABOUT COLLECTIVE ACTION NETWORK: The Collective Action Network (CAN) is a cross-sector group of community leaders who come together to create positive change. Using the collective impact

model, this approach unites multiple organizations to tackle systemic challenges through sharedgoals, data-driven strategies, and coordinated efforts. Together, we strive to enhance community outcomes and build a stronger support system for those seeking to improve their qualitof life..

ABOUT ECHO HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: ECHO Housing Corporation is a

designated non-profit 501(c)(3) Community Development Corporation (CDC) with a mission to improve lives by reducing barriers to housing, social wellbeing, and economic opportunity. Since its founding, ECHO Housing and Community Development has been the leading provider of homeless services, including permanent supportive housing, for individuals experiencing homelessness in the community, and a primary convenor of collaborative community development efforts. ECHO tacklesthe root causes of housing instability and homelessness by addressing critical community challenges.

ECHO’s community development efforts focus on three key areas: physical, social, and economic

develop

Hoosier Seniors Seek Sweep of Big Ten Championships

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – No. 2-ranked Indiana men’s swimming and diving looks to extend its conference title streak to four years running this week at the 2025 Big Ten Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships inside the Jane K. Freeman Aquatic Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

The meet begins Wednesday (Feb. 26) evening with the first set of finals in the 200-yard medley relay and 800-yard freestyle relay. The following three days will consist of two sessions, with preliminaries in the morning to determine final seeding for the evening sessions. Fans can stream all seven sessions via the B1G+ digital platform.

IU is the top-ranked program coming into the meet, ahead of No. 10 Michigan, No. 13 Ohio State, No. 16 USC and No. 24 Minnesota. Northwestern also received votes in February’s CSCAA poll.

“I can’t wait to compete with this men’s team in Minneapolis,” IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. “We have many things to be excited about, and this will be an important step toward our goal at the end of the season.”

“The team has another opportunity to win a Big Ten Championship,” IU head diving coach Drew Johansen said. “It’s never easy to win. I look forward to seeing how we compete with the target on our back.

“Whatever the result, this meet with prepare us for the NCAA Championships. It’s another opportunity to compete for a title.”

The Hoosiers “three-peated” in 2024, scoring 1,520 points to win the program’s 30th conference title. During the meet, the Hoosiers totaled 10 individual and relay titles and 24 medals.

Indiana will try for a senior sweep as its fourth-year class has never lost a Big Ten Championship. That group includes Luke Barr, Finn Brooks, Jackson Carlile, Mason Carlton, Quinn Henninger, Josh Matheny, Rafael Miroslaw, Lucas Piunti and Carson Tyler. Fifth-year seniors Tomer Frankel, Gavin Wight and Jassen Yep were also members of the 2022, 2023 and 2024 title-winning teams. Senior Kai van Westering has helped IU win the last two.

Supporting the senior class is a mix of experienced and talented first-year Hoosiers. That list includes five transfers that have won conference championships across the country: graduate students Brian Benzing and Caspar Corbeau as well as juniors Matt King, Owen McDonald and Zalán Sárkány. McDonald has the conference’s top marks in the 100 back (44.93), 200 back (1:38.07) and 200 IM (1:40.86), while Benzing leads in the 100 breast (51.03) and Sárkány in the 1,650 free (14:37.49).

Benzing and Corbeau are additions to an already loaded breaststroke group. Indiana only lost Maxwell Reich from its group that took each of the top four spots in last year’s 200-yard breaststroke final. The program owns the Big Ten’s top five times in the 100 breast and four of the top five in the 200 breast.

Freshman Miroslav Knedla, one of 10 Olympians on the roster, is among the first-year class that will look to make its mark in a conference championship debut. Knedla ranks No. 2 in the Big Ten behind McDonald in the 100 back (45.27), 200 back (1:39.88) and 200 IM (1:42.44).

Indiana divers have won eight of the nine titles available during the three-year title streak. Four-time Big Ten Champion Carson Tyler and Quinn Henninger embark on their final Big Tens as seniors, having combined for 11 medals during their careers. Junior and NCAA platform medalist Maxwell Weinrich, classmate Dash Glasberg and freshman Joshua Sollenberger will help maximize points from the diving well.

MEET INFO

Wednesday, Feb. 26 – Saturday, March 1 • 11 a.m. ET (prelims), 6 p.m. (finals)

Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center • Minneapolis, Minn.

Live Results (Swimming): bit.ly/43bVyWb

Live Results (Diving): divemeets.com

Live Stream: bigtenplus.com

SCHEDULED EVENTS (Finals)
Wednesday (6 p.m. ET) – 200 Medley Relay, 800 Freestyle Relay
Thursday (6 p.m. ET) – 500 Freestyle, 200 IM, 50 Freestyle, 1-Meter Dive, 200 Freestyle Relay
Friday (6 p.m. ET) – 100 Butterfly, 400 IM, 200 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Backstroke, 3-Meter Dive, 400 Medley Relay
Saturday (6 p.m. ET) – 1,650 Freestyle, 200 Backstroke, 100 Freestyle, 200 Breaststroke, 200 Butterfly, Platform Dive, 400 Freestyle Relay

OF NOTE…

PODIUM WATCH – HOOSIERS WITH TOP FIVE TIMES IN BIG TEN

Toby Barnett – 200 breast (1:53.02), 400 IM (3:41.31)

Luke Barr – 200 IM (1:41.91)

Brian Benzing – 100 breast (51.03)

Finn Brooks – 50 free (19.24), 100 breast (51.13), 100 fly (45.15)

Caspar Corbeau – 100 breast (51.59), 200 breast (1:51.65)

Tomer Frankel – 100 fly (45.11)

Matt King – 50 free (19.24), 100 free (42.04)

Miroslav Knedla – 100 back (45.27), 200 back (1:39.88), 200 IM (1:42.44)

Mikkel Lee – 50 free (19.18)

Josh Matheny – 100 breast (51.15), 200 breast (1:50.31)

Owen McDonald – 100 free (42.17), 100 back (44.93), 200 back (1:38.07), 200 IM (1:40.86), 400 IM (3:41.69)

Rafael Miroslaw – 100 free (41.99), 200 free (1:31.94)

Zalán Sárkány – 500 free (4:12.56), 1,650 free (14:37.49)

Jassen Yep – 100 breast (51.59), 200 breast (1:50.71)

BIG TEN MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS HISTORY

Indiana has won 30 Big Ten Championships including the last three, six of the last eight and seven since the beginning of head swimming coach Ray Looze’s tenure. The Hoosiers have also managed 14 consecutive top three finishes going back to 2011.

IU athletes have combined for 395 Big Ten Championships, including 256 swimming titles, 80 relay championships and 59 diving titles.

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Trailblazers drop home opener pitcher’s duel to D-III No. 15 Joliet

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Trailblazers drop home opener pitcher’s duel to D-III No. 15 Joliet

VINCENNES, Ind. – After a lengthy break with multiple game cancellations due to weather, the Vincennes University Baseball team returned to the field Friday afternoon for their home opener at Jerry Blemker Field against NJCAA Division III No. 15-ranked Joliet Junior College.

The Trailblazers got off to a slow start and had trouble getting the bats going after not playing a game for over two weeks as the Wolves came away with the 6-0 victory over the host Blazers.

Joliet was the first to crack the scoreboard Monday afternoon, plating a pair of runs in the second and two more in the third to take an early 4-0 lead over VU.

The Trailblazers were unable to get a runner on base until the bottom of the third when the Blazers would get the bases loaded with two out but were unable to push a run across.

Vincennes would get opportunities late in the game with VU leading off the sixth and seventh innings with singles by sophomore Bradyn Douglas (Frankton, Ind.) and Corbin Napier (Indianapolis, Ind.) but those scoring opportunities were ended quickly with a pair of double plays.

Joliet’s offense was silenced throughout the middle innings of the game but were able get a pair of insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings to stretch their lead to 6-0 going into the bottom of the ninth.

Vincennes would once again look to string together some base runners and get a late comeback, loading the bases in the bottom of the eighth with two outs but were again held off the scoreboard.

VU’s last chance attempt in the ninth closed quickly as well after freshman Carter Gricius (Scottsburg, Ind.) was hit by pitch but was unable to advance past first base as Joliet closed out the 6-0 victory over the Trailblazers.

Offensively, one bright spot on the day did come from the top of the batting order, where leadoff hitter Bradyn Douglas collected two hits and a walk to reach base in three of his four plate appearances, while freshman Jevan Andrews (Hobart, Ind.) followed him in the two-hole with a single and a walk.

Another bright spot on the day for Vincennes came on the mound as sophomore Carson Allen (Louisville, Ky.) got the start for VU, throwing four innings and allowing four runs on four hits and striking out three.

Allen then turned the game over to freshman Jacob Allen (Vincennes, Ind.) who closed out the final five innings on the mound, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out seven and not allowing a walk in the game.

The Trailblazers will look to bounce back and get back in the win column when VU returns to Jerry Blemker Field Tuesday, Feb. 25 for a split doubleheader starting against Morton College at 11 a.m. eastern, before ending the day with a rematch against D-III No. 15 Joliet J.C. at 4 p.m. eastern.

Softball defeats Western Michigan and UT Martin

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Softball defeats Western Michigan and UT Martin

Aces wrap up home weekend

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Morgan Adams hit three home runs in two games on Monday to lead the University of Evansville softball team to victories over Western Michigan and UT Martin at Tri-State Orthpaedics Field at Cooper Stadium.

Game 1 – UE 7, Western Michigan 2

Evansville opened the day with a 7-2 victory over Western Michigan as Jess Willsey and Morgan Adams each recorded a home run to lead UE to a victory.

After the Broncos posted the first run of the game, the Aces tied the score in the bottom of the second with Adams hitting a solo home run.  UE took the lead an inning later when Jess Willsey launched a 2-run shot.  Keghan Pye, who hit a 1-out single, also scored on the play.

WMU picked up its second run of the game in the top of the fourth before the Aces countered with four scores in the bottom of the frame.  Adams, Jenna Donohoo, and Brooke Voss each batted in a run while Niki Bode scored on an error.  From there, UE held the Broncos in check to take the win.

Elle Jarrett made the start and allowed two runs, one earned, in four innings of work.  She earned her first win of the season.  Gracie Holingsworth tossed the final three frames and allowed just one hit.

Game 2 – UE 9, UT Martin 0

Kate Ridgway allowed just two hits in five innings of work to lead the Purple Aces to a 9-0 win to wrap up the day.  The freshman walked just one batter while striking out seven as the Aces won their second contest of the afternoon.

Evansville took control with a 5-run second inning.  Morgan Adams hit a leadoff solo home run to open the scoring while Niki Bode and Abby Bode both followed up with singles.  Both would score on an RBI single by Keghan Pye.  Brooke Voss and Jess Willsey added RBI knocks in the frame.

Two more runs scored in the bottom half of the third with Adams hitting her second solo home run of the game with one out.  Jenna Donohoo added an RBI single to extend the lead to 7-0.  UE put the finishing touches on the day with two more scores in the fourth.  Niki Bode and Miriah Powell knocked in the runs.Ridgway shut the Skyhawks down in the fifth to clinch the victory.  Evansville had 11 hits with Willsey, Adams, and Niki Bode picking up two apiece.  Adams scored twice, both on solo home runs.

UE is back on the road this weekend for a tournament at Western Kentuky.

-www.GoPurpleAces.com-

Tayshawn Comer named MVC Newcomer of the Week

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Tayshawn Comer named MVC Newcomer of the Week

Comer averaged 21.5 PPG last week

For the first time this season, University of Evansville junior Tayshawn Comer has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week.

The Indianapolis native averaged 21.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game in two contests for the Purple Aces over the last week.  He played all 80 minutes while shooting 46.2% from outside and 78.6% from the line.

Comer opened the week with 21 points, 5 boards, and 5 assists in the win at Indiana State.  His efforts helped UE earn just its second win at the Hulman Center since 2011.

He followed that up with another strong effort against UIC on Saturday.  He scored 22 points to go along with 7 caroms, and 7 assists.  He was 7-of-8 from the line while adding a block and steal.

This marks the first Newcomer of the Week award for Comer.  He was the league’s Player of the Week on Jan. 6.

-www.GoPurpleAces.com-

Eagles set for OVC Indoor Championships

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Eagles set for OVC Indoor Championships

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Men’s & Women’s Track & Field competes at the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championships Tuesday and Wednesday at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Running events on Tuesday are set to begin at 1:40 p.m. (CST), while Wednesday’s running events are slated to start at 11:30 a.m. (CST).

The Screaming Eagles have performed well this winter as USI’s women own the top two times in the OVC in the 800 meters and the 5,000 meters. They also rank first in the 3,000 meters and have three of the top five times in the mile.

Freshman Hadessah Austin has the league’s fastest times in both the 3,000 meters (9:40.99) and the 5,000 meters (16:28.57) this season. The All-OVC honoree on the grass this fall has been named OVC Freshman of the Week as well as OVC Track Athlete of the Week this winter.

Another freshman making a mark on the Eagles’ lineup is Abrielle Richard, who was named the OVC Freshman and Track Athlete of the Week on February 7. She holds the fastest time in the 800 meters (2:12.15) this season and the third-fastest time in the mile (4:57.74).

Senior Audrey Comastri is second in the OVC in both the 800 meters (2:12.46) and the mile (4:51.12), while junior Ellie Hall is second in the 5,000 meters (16:58.46).

Sophomore Alex Nolan has the league’s top time in the men’s 5,000 meters (14:14.18) and is second in the 3,000 meters (8:14.52), while junior Isaac Stanford is second in the mile (4:06.44) and eighth in the 800 meters (1:53.05).

USI’s men also have gotten solid performances out of OVC Cross Country Runner of the Year Brady Terry, who ranks third in the OVC in the 3,000 meters (8:15.84) and seventh in the 5,000 meters (14:45.16).

The OVC Indoor Track & Field Championships can be watched on ESPN Plus with a subscription. Links for tickets, ESPN Plus, meet schedule and live results can be accessed at USIScreamingEagles.com.

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