THUNDERBOLTS RALLY FALLS SHORT IN 4-2 LOSS TO PENSACOLA
Jerome Stewart The Word in 120
Romans chapter 15 vs. 4 says; For whatever things were written before were written for our learning that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Here’s lesson number 1. Ecclesiastes chapter 1 vss. 9 and 10 says; “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, “See this is new?” It has already been in ancient times before us.”
Lesson number 2. Mankind has always been hardheaded and fell short when it comes to overcoming the challenges of sin, which is why God sent Jesus into the world, to save us from the consequences of self-inflicted sinful behavior. Another great example of the sinful behavior of mankind can be found in the book of Ezekiel. Think about what is being said because it mirrors our behavior in this country today. The people were doing things contrary to the will of God and God was not pleased. The people were filled with sin sick behavior of all kinds, just like people are behaving today.
The prophet Ezekiel as a spokesman for God addressed the issue of their unfaithfulness. Chapter 14 vs. 12 he says; The word of the LORD came again to me, saying; “Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it.”
We need to hear and understand that there is a penalty for sinful behavior. Listen to what
the LORD said to Jerusalem by way of the prophet Ezekiel in chapter 16 vs. 49 where reference was made to Sodom. The bible says; “Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom. She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” The definition of haughty means thinking of being above God, pride arrogance and conceit. Vs. 50 says; And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit.”
This country used to be referred to as a Christian nation. We need to turn back to God!
Proverbs 14 vs. 34 says; “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.”
OP-ED: AI and High Tech Jobs Are Key to Indiana’s Future

In recent years, Indiana’s leaders and businesses have worked tirelessly to create a brighter future for all Hoosiers by embracing new and exciting technologies. Leading the pack to these emerging technologies is artificial intelligence and the possibilities that AI can create. Fortunately, our leaders are once again not missing a beat and are positioning our state as an AI economic leader. We here at Evansville Regional Economic Partnership could not be more excited about this future and these developments in AI.
There are numerous reasons why Indiana has become a beacon for AI businesses and their leaders. First, we have an incredible regulatory environment that, instead of holding AI back due to misconceptions and rumor, encourages and fosters growth in newer technologies. In Indiana we also have a talented workforce for tech companies and entrepreneurs to pull from, developed by our state’s world-class universities. Thus, when an AI company or leader considers Indiana, everything they need is available.
Examples of the tech progress being made are evident across the state. Purdue University, for instance, has grown its semiconductor laboratory into one of the best in the world thanks to being host to one of the country’s 31 designated technology hubs and being officially designated a leading state in microtechnology. This did not go unnoticed as in April of this year, South Korean microchip company SK Hynix announced plans to invest $4 billion in a factory near Purdue that will manufacture the newest and most sophisticated microchips. These chips will be used for a range of technologies, but particularly in artificial intelligence.
Semiconductor and microchip research is not the only way Indiana is leading in developing a high-tech and modern economy. Indiana University, Notre Dame and Purdue, for example, began collaborating this summer on a research consortium to examine advanced technologies critical to national defense. These include hypersonic flight, cybersecurity, micromachine systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced automation, all supporting the U.S. Navy. Another recent initiative is the Indiana Center for Emerging Technologies hub, launched in Evansville just a few weeks ago. This center will support high-tech startups in fields like robotics and advanced manufacturing, building their businesses and the future of our economy and world right in Indiana.
These strategies and commitments to developing our high-tech infrastructure are already bearing fruit. Last year, we saw more than $216 billion of venture capital investment into Indiana’s tech sector. This included $11 billion from Amazon Web Services for a data center in our state, which is the largest in its history.
Indiana, in many ways, is already a leader in new technologies, the businesses discovering, utilizing and expanding them, and the workers and entrepreneurs that are leading the charge into the future. At the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, we could not be more excited for this future and the work being done across Indiana. But we must continue to commit ourselves and our state to being a welcoming and leading partner for tech and AI companies and efforts. If we do this, the next Silicon Valley, the Silicon Valley of AI, could be in Indiana.
Justin Groenert is the Chief Strategy Officer at EREP Evansville Regional Economic Partnership
Hoosier History Highlights: Distasters This Week Include the Blizzard of ’78 and Flood of ’37


Courtesy of the David L. Rice Library University Archives & Special Collections at the University of Southern Indiana.
January 26, 1937
Evansville is under martial law as the Ohio River floods to 54 feet.
January 26, 1978
The state is paralyzed by a snowstorm that becomes known as the “Blizzard of ’78.” Wind gusts up to 55 mph bring snow depths of 20 feet in the central section to 40 feet in the south.
January 26, 1826
The “Boatload of Knowledge” (scientists and scholars from the East) arrives in the community of New Harmony.
January 27, 1967
A flash fire aboard the Apollo I test capsule took the lives of Hoosier astronaut Gus Grissom and two fellow astronauts.
January 28, 1822
George Smith and Nathaniel Bolton published the Indiana Gazette, the first newspaper in Indianapolis.
January 30, 1930
Frank Lewis O’Bannon was born in Corydon. He grew up to become Indiana’s 47th governor, serving from 1997 until his death in 2003.
January 31, 1871
Land was purchased to build the U.S. Quartermaster Depot in Jeffersonville.
February 1, 1870
A railroad bridge was built over the Ohio River at Jeffersonville.
Living organ donor bill sparks emotional discussion in the Senate
During Thursday afternoon’s Senate hearing, 10 bills were brought up for their final vote before moving to the House of Representatives. While nine of the bills passed without discussion, one of the bills, SB 111, which would, among other provisions, protect organ donors from being denied coverage by insurance companies, sparked debate that led to a room-silencing speech from Sen. La Keisha Jackson, D-Indianapolis.

Sen. Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis, who authored the bill with Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville, and Sen. Kyle Walker, R-Lawrence, began the discussion by describing the necessity of protecting Hoosier organ donors. She was then questioned by Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne.
“My concern is that if a trans woman wanted a uterine transplant, that would be covered under the bill,” said Brown.

Brown, who mentioned her concern about uterine transplants repeatedly during the discussion, was also concerned about possible raises in insurance rates for Hoosiers.
“We have 35 states that have already passed these protections, and any additions have been minimal. They haven’t seen an impact for the folks in that insurance pool,” said Hunley.
Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, was also concerned about higher premiums.
“If you can’t raise premiums for a single person who presents higher risks, then you will have to charge everyone a higher premium,” said Gaskill.
The room at this time was filled with side discussions before Jackson took the podium.

She gave a personal testimony about her own goddaughter who died after a failed kidney transplant. During her speech in favor of the bill, the room fell silent.
“Folks, we are talking about money here. I am talking about people’s lives,” Jackson said, fighting back tears.
Following Jackson’s speech, Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo, requested that Hunley pull back the bill so discussions can be had to garner more support for it. Hunley agreed, and it was placed back on second reading.
After the Senate session, Sen. Shelly Yoder, D-Bloomington, spoke with the media in attendance.
“SB 111 quickly became about something that we had never even considered,” Yoder said when questioned about Brown’s uterine transplant comment. “That is not what this bill is about. This is about making sure that people who have the courage to give part of their liver, that they are not discriminated against.”
During the bill’s discussion in the Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee on Jan. 15, lawmakers heard from several organ donation recipients.
Two and a half years ago, Danny Ernstess of Shelby County was told his kidney failure was inevitable and was given two options: to be put on dialysis or the kidney transplant list.
“As fast as that happened, I had end-of-life [care], and I went on dialysis for eight hours a day, seven days a week to stay alive,” said Ernstess.
A high-school friend he had not seen in over 40 years ended up being a compatible match.
“Every day I wake up and I’m grateful to a higher power for Tom. I’m grateful for his gift,” said Ernstess.
Curtis Warfield, a member of the board of directors for the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana, also testified in support of the bill. A stage 3 kidney disease survivor, Warfield received a life-saving kidney donation from Roslyn, his daughter’s college sorority sister and roommate. The two recently celebrated the ninth anniversary of their successful procedure.
“She was 26 years old at the time she donated. She was in her last semester of getting her master’s degree, which she got on time. She works in public health here in Marion County and runs a part-time business as a physical trainer,” said Warfield.
“She shouldn’t have to be punished because she is listed as either being disabled or having a preexisting condition for giving me future life.”
Schyler Altherr is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students. Chloe White contributed to this report.
Commonwealth Rolled Products and Ivy Tech Community College Partner on Two Apprenticeship Programs
“We are very pleased to partner with Ivy Tech on our apprenticeship programs. Having well trained skilled trades is critical to our business and to the economy of this nation,” said Ed Hemmersbach, chief operating office of Commonwealth Rolled Products. “Ivy Tech has a long and well-proven track record working with local industry in apprentice partnerships.”
Evansville campus Chancellor Daniela Vidal urges any company interested in partnering to develop an apprenticeship program to reach out. “Giving employers the ability to skill up their workforce, and provide meaningful training and skills to their employees, is one of the things Ivy Tech does best.” Employers may partner with Ivy Tech by contacting Ivy+ Career Link at 812 429-9847.
University of Evansville Breaks Ground on $3 million Freeland Baseball Clubhouse, Completion Set for Fall 2025
University of Evansville Breaks Ground on $3 million Freeland Baseball Clubhouse, Completion Set for Fall 2025
EVANSVILLE, IND. (01/24/2025) University of Evansville (UE) officials, Major League Baseball (MLB) Pitcher Kyle Freeland and his wife, Ashley officially broke ground on The Freeland Clubhouse during a ceremony Friday. The state-of-the-art facility will redefine the future of Purple Aces Baseball. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of alumni Kyle ’15 and Ashley ’15 Freeland, who contributed approximately $3 million, the clubhouse represents the largest philanthropic gift in UE Athletics history.
Announced in May 2024, The Freeland Clubhouse marks the launch of a pivotal project within the University’s athletics strategic plan, Pathway to Excellence. Located near German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium, The Freeland Clubhouse will include a locker room, offices for coaching staff, and a lounge designed to foster a culture of excellence and camaraderie. Completion is anticipated in Fall 2025.
“It’s truly an honor for Ashley and me to give back to the University of Evansville and support this baseball program,” said Kyle Freeland, a standout pitcher for the Colorado Rockies and former UE baseball player. “I owe so much of my development as a player and a person to my time at UE and Coach Wes Carroll. This gift is our way of saying thank you and ensuring future Purple Aces have the tools and environment to reach their potential. We can’t wait to see this vision become a reality.”
Ashley Freeland, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Sport Management at UE, echoed her husband’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of creating a lasting legacy for future student-athletes.
Just a month after the announcement, the UE baseball team won their first MVC tournament title since 2006 and made an historic run for the program’s first-ever NCAA Regional Tournament title.
UE Head Baseball Coach Wes Carroll has been instrumental in shaping a program renowned for its success and development of players. “This clubhouse is a game-changer for our program,” said Coach Carroll. “It represents the commitment of Kyle, Ashley, and UE to providing a first-class experience for our student-athletes. Their generosity will propel us forward as we continue to compete at the highest level.”
During the groundbreaking ceremony, UE Director of Athletics Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried praised the Freeland family’s transformational gift. “Aces Baseball is on the rise, and this generous investment further solidifies our position in the Missouri Valley Conference and beyond. Kyle and Ashley’s belief in Coach Carroll’s vision and their commitment to our student-athletes exemplify what it means to be a Purple Ace.”
Kyle Freeland’s journey from UE standout to Major League Baseball pitcher reflects the program’s ability to develop talent and build character. With The Freeland Clubhouse, UE aims to continue attracting top-tier recruits, fostering a team-oriented environment, and setting the stage for even greater success.
The University of Evansville extends its deepest gratitude to Kyle and Ashley Freeland for their historic generosity and creating a new exciting chapter for Purple Aces Baseball.
For more information, please visit gopurpleaces.com/
IT”S SUNDAY… Take a Little Time For Our Daily Crossword Puzzle
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.