Governor Braun Leads GOP Governors in Support of President Trump’s Budget Framework Passed by Senate
“We believe this budget resolution sets a strong foundation on which to build — it provides congressional Republicans with the tools they need to enact the entire Trump agenda.”
INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun led a group of 22 GOP Governors in a letter to President Trump supporting his budget framework, which was passed by the Senate on Saturday and will be considered by the House later this week.
In the letter, Governor Braun thanks President Trump for supporting this budget framework, which, overall sets up Republicans to deliver on the GOP’s biggest priorities in a forthcoming reconciliation bill: securing the border, unleashing American energy, fighting wasteful spending, making the tax cuts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, and several more priorities.
“We are on your side in supporting the Senate amendment to the House budget resolution because we know that failure cannot be an option,” Governor Braun and his 21 colleagues wrote, calling the budget resolution “a preliminary step to unlocking a reconciliation bill that delivers on all of the promises every Republican made to the American people.”
Together with Governor Mike Braun, the letter was also signed by the Governors of AL, AK, AR, GA, ID, IA, LA, MS, MO, MT, NE, ND, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, and WY.
To read the letter, click here.
UE Announces 2025 Outstanding Educator Winners
EVANSVILLE, IND. (04/09/2025) The University of Evansville (UE) proudly honored four outstanding educators in Vanderburgh County with prestigious awards during its 34th annual ceremony on April 9. Each recipient received a surprise announcement within their school, celebrating their remarkable contributions to education.
Specific to Vanderburgh County, this competition recognizes exemplary classroom teachers and building principals in grades K-12, each possessing a minimum of three years of experience. These esteemed awards are made possible through the generous sponsorship of UE, Evansville Liberty Federal Credit Union, and the Evansville Courier & Press.
Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year: Norah Ferguson
Norah Ferguson, a third-grade general education teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School, has been recognized as the Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year. With three years of teaching experience, Ferguson creates an engaging, student-centered learning environment where she instructs students in Math, Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Religion.
Beyond the classroom, Ferguson demonstrates leadership by founding and leading the Sunshine Committee, creating a positive school culture. She also volunteers as a judge for speech meets, assists with the STEM Club, and provides tutoring for students requiring additional academic support.
Ferguson’s teaching philosophy is rooted in hands-on, project-based learning, encouraging inquiry and collaboration among students. She incorporates innovative teaching strategies, such as classroom transformations that turn math lessons into surgical simulations and book tastings that introduce students to diverse literary genres. Her dedication to student success extends to professional development, including participation in ‘Get Your Teach On’ conferences and completing the Science of Reading program. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Administration and Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Indiana, set to graduate in May.
Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year: Stephanie Richie
Stephanie Richie, an eighth-grade English/Language Arts teacher at Thompkins Middle School, has been named the Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year. With 23 years of teaching experience-all at Thompkins-Richie has demonstrated unwavering dedication to academic excellence, student engagement, and fostering an inclusive classroom environment.
Richie serves on the school’s Leadership Team and Social/Remembrance Committee and has contributed significantly to extracurricular activities as a longtime coach. She currently serves as Assistant Varsity Girls’ Basketball coach at Central High School and was previously recognized as the IBCA Assistant Coach of the Year for Evansville Central.
Her teaching philosophy emphasizes high expectations, relationship-building, and creating a structured yet supportive classroom where students can thrive. She has engaged in extensive professional development, focusing on inclusive education and differentiation strategies, and has mentored future educators as a student-teacher host.
Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year: Krista Fleming
Krista Fleming, an Honors Biology teacher at North High School, has been named the Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year. With 30 years of teaching experience and 23 of them at North. Fleming is recognized for her dedication to student success, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment.
Fleming’s teaching philosophy incorporates diverse instructional strategies to cater to different learning styles. Her inquiry-based approach encourages students to explore concepts through hands-on activities and real-world applications.
Beyond the classroom, Fleming founded the North High School Step/Dance Team in 2001, the longest-running step team in EVSC. She has also played a key role in professional development by leading workshops that align middle school and high school biology programs. Her community involvement extends to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she works on initiatives supporting child hunger relief, youth development, and community service.
Her commitment to student engagement is reflected in her requirement that all Honors Biology students complete independent research projects. To support students facing financial barriers, she has secured funding to provide necessary materials, ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities.
Outstanding Principal of the Year: Brittney Brown
Evans School Principal Brittney Brown has been named the Outstanding Principal of the Year. A dedicated leader with a passion for fostering academic excellence and a positive school culture, Brown has made a profound impact on the students, families, and staff she is dedicated to whom she is dedicated.
Prior to her role at Evans, Brown led Oak Hill Elementary to earn the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School designation within two years. Now in her first year as principal at Evans, she continues to implement effective systems that support student achievement and staff development.
With 20 years of experience in education, including 10 years as a teacher, three years as an assistant principal, and seven years as a principal, Brown’s career has been defined by instructional leadership, equity, and community engagement. She has participated in professional development programs such as Mass Insight Special Education, Eureka Math, and National Blue Ribbon leadership training, equipping her with the tools to drive meaningful change in schools.
In recognition of her leadership, Brown previously received the Indiana Department of Education’s Literacy Achievement School honor for her work at Oak Hill, where at least 95% of third-grade students demonstrated reading proficiency. She remains committed to creating an inclusive environment where all students-regardless of background-can thrive.
Brown’s recognition as the 2025 Outstanding Principal highlights her dedication to excellence, innovative leadership, and commitment to student success.
Burdette Park Announces Temporary Closure Beginning Friday, April 11, 2025 Due to Historic Flooding
Evansville, IN – April 9, 2025 – Burdette Park and the surrounding areas are currently
experiencing severe flooding. According to recent forecasts, the river is expected to crest at 48 to
48.5, the highest since 1945. Over the past several days, Burdette Park has been closely monitoring the situation using GIS data and National Weather Service forecasts.
Currently the main entrance and exit is now closed as floodwater has overtaken much of the east side of the park. Nurrenbern Road is expected to become impassable by the end of Wednesday. For the time being, employees and guests should use the west entrance at the back of the park. It is expected that this route may also become inaccessible as river levels rise.
Due to the flooding and consultation with the Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County,
Burdette Park will be closed to the public starting Friday, April 11th until further notice, including all scheduled events.
Overnight campers have been personally advised to seek alternative accommodations though many have opted to remain.
“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our guests and staff,” said Park Director, Zach Wathen. “We will continue to work closely with the Vanderburgh County Commissioners and keep the public informed as the situation develops.”
For updates, please follow Burdette Park on social media.
Indiana SANE Training Project to bring national experts to Indianapolis for state-wide conference on sexual assault support
Because ongoing professional development is critical for all members of the medical forensic team–including nurses–the Indiana SANE Training Project is bringing national experts to Indianapolis for Empowering Medical Forensic Practice: Trauma, Teamwork and Transformation, a two-day conference May 14-15 at the Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel, Keystone Crossing.
The Indiana SANE Training Project is a program of the Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center (AHEC) that provides sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) training. Southwest Indiana AHEC is hosted by the University of Southern Indiana in the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions and is part of a national network with a mission to improve health by leading the nation in the recruitment, training and retention of a health workforce focused on rural and underserved communities.
The registration fee is $75 with continuing education hours available, provided by the University of Southern Indiana Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning.
Speaker lineup for the conference:
Jim Hopper, PhD, is an independent consultant and teaching associate in psychology at Harvard Medical School. His presentation on the psychological and biological effects of sexual assault and other trauma is backed by his 30 years of research, consulting and clinical work on this topic.
Renee Thompson, DNP, RN, FAAN, CSP, is the CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute. She works with healthcare organizations to cultivate a professional, supportive and respectful work culture. During this conference, she will lead an interactive workshop on the six essential skills for healthcare leaders to retain and grow a high-performing and cohesive team.
Russell and Myra Strand, co-owners of Strand Squared Solutions LLC (Strand²), will give a presentation titled, “Behind the Cloak of Darkness: The Impact of Pornography and Other Considerations.” Russell is a retired U.S. Army CID Senior Federal Special Agent and Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program Manager. Myra Strand, MA, CA, is the Advocacy Diplomat at Strand² and a Certified Comprehensive Victim Intervention Specialist: Advanced.
Nancy Norton, RN, CHP (Certified Humor Professional), is an award-winning comedian and keynote speaker. Her presentations are based on evidence-based studies about the benefits of therapeutic humor. She backs up the anecdotal evidence with funny, fast-paced storytelling.
Since late 2018, the Indiana SANE Training Project has been working to strengthen the state’s response to sexual assault and abuse by training nurses to become medical forensic nurses, which includes SANEs. “Through this initiative, nurses across Indiana are equipped with the specialized skills needed to provide trauma-informed, patient-centered care to survivors of sexual assault,” says Jane Friona, Executive Director of Southwest Indiana AHEC. “In addition, the Project offers tailored technical assistance to new and existing SANE programs to help ensure evidence-based practice, effective policies and procedures and sustainability.”
According to Friona, the Project has offered more than 100 educational opportunities, from didactic courses to clinical skills labs to courtroom testimony trainings to intimate partner violence courses, with more than 1,500 participants from primarily rural and urban underserved communities.
“These opportunities combine clinical education with a focus on compassionate survivor support, ensuring that SANEs are well-prepared to conduct forensic exams and serve as vital resources in their communities,” she says. “As a result of the ongoing effort since the project’s inception, access to medical forensic services has expanded by 11 counties for pediatric services and 12 counties for adult/adolescent services, bringing much-needed care closer to home for many survivors who previously had limited options. The Indiana SANE Training Project will continue to build a statewide network of skilled professionals committed to improving outcomes and restoring dignity for those affected by sexual violence.”
Vincennes University Education Department to host “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” Story Walk for kids
The VU Education Department and its students are hosting “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” Story Walk for kindergarten through second-grade children and their parents/caregivers.
The public and media are invited to the free event.
Children will walk along a path, reading the story as they go, and then they’ll visit literacy stations created by VU Education students. Kids will also receive a free book of their choice and a goody bag, plus there will be a petting zoo.
VU Associate Education Professor Lisa Miller and VU students are available for interviews during the event.
WHEN:
Thursday, April 17, 2025
3:30-6:30 p.m. (ET)
WHERE:
Field at the corners of Red Skelton Blvd. and 2nd St.
Across from the VU Phillip M. Summers Center, 118 E. St. Clair St.
Rain location: Summers Center
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.
USI runs out of innings, falls to #25 WKU, 13-9
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball rallied in the final innings before falling to #25 Western Kentucky University, 13-9, Tuesday afternoon at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green, Kentucky. USI, which saw its season-best six-game winning streak come to an end, is 16-16 overall, while WKU goes to 28-5.
USI fell behind early with WKU taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The Hilltoppers sealed the victory three innings later when they scored 11 times in the fourth to lead, 12-0.
The Eagles began to chip away at the deficit, scoring four times in the top of the sixth to trail 12-4. USI junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens highlighted the four-run frame with a three-run blast to left. The home run was Kitchens’ team-best fifth of the season.
USI closed the gap further in the seventh, scoring three times to trail, 12-7. USI senior leftfielder BJ Banyon started the scoring by crossing the plate on a balk, while junior third baseman Patrick McLellan doubled in junior shortstop Clayton Slack and junior catcher Charlie Marisca with the sixth and seventh runs, respectively.
After WKU responded with a tally to push the lead back to six, 13-7, USI rallied for the third straight inning with two more runs on an RBI walk by senior centerfielder Khi Holiday and an RBI single by Kitchens to close the margin to 13-9.
The eventual 13-9 final score would be as close as the Eagles could get after going down in order in the ninth inning.
Offensively, Kitchens finished the day two for five with four RBIs and a home run, while McLellan went two-for-five with a pair of RBIs. Marisca also had a pair of hits in the loss.
USI sophomore right-hander Brady Watts started and got the loss for the Eagles. Watts (0-1) allowed a run on one hit while striking out one in two innings of work.
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Screaming Eagles continue the nine-game road swing this weekend in OVC play when they visit Tennessee Tech University for a three-game set April 11-13 in Cookeville, Tennessee.
TTU is 21-12 overall and 6-3 OVC after taking two of three from Western Illinois University last weekend. The Golden Eagles host Lipscomb University Wednesday before hosting USI. The Screaming Eagles lead the all-time series with the Golden Eagles, 4-2, after winning two of three at home last year.
Rumsey adds 21st stolen base of the season in loss to Butler
