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Attorney General Todd Rokita Leads Multistate Coalition To Victory As Investment Firm Withdraws

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After Attorney General Todd Rokita co-led a multistate effort to stop The Vanguard Group Inc. from imposing woke ideologies onto the business models of utility companies, the firm has withdrawn its participation in the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative.

“Vanguard’s involvement in this leftist vendetta held the potential to cause real harm to Hoosier investors and energy consumers — affecting everything from retirement accounts to electricity bills,” Attorney General Rokita said. “By working together, fellow likeminded attorneys general and I have achieved an important win for free enterprise on behalf of our states.”

The Vanguard Group Inc. recently sought renewal of a blanket authorization for acquisitions of voting securities of publicly traded utilities. When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted that authorization in 2019, however, it did so on assurances from Vanguard that it would refrain from investing “for the purpose of managing” utility companies.

Vanguard also guaranteed at that time that it would not seek to “exercise any control over the day-to-day management” of utility companies nor take any action “affecting the prices at which power is transmitted or sold.”

The firm’s recent environmental activism, however, implied that it would use its financial influence to manipulate the activities of utility companies in its portfolio.

On Wednesday, Vanguard issued a statement announcing its withdrawal from the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative. The company promised to “provide the clarity our investors desire about the role of index funds and about how we think about material risks, including climate-related risks — and to make clear that Vanguard speaks independently on matters of importance to our investors.”

The coordination with the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative represented another example of so-called “ESG investing” — an emphasis on environmental, social, and governance issues by investment managers.

ESG strategies are designed not to maximize financial returns for clients but rather to impose leftist social and economic agendas that otherwise could not win approval at the ballot box.

Along with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, Attorney General Rokita has led the multistate effort to intervene in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s handling of this case.

“Vanguard’s announcement this week is an encouraging first step,” Attorney General Rokita said. “But Vanguard must do more to demonstrate that it is not attempting to impose its own leftist climate change policies on private companies and investors. We aren’t done.”

Senator Becker Receives Senate Committee Assignments

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STATEHOUSE (Dec. 10, 2022) – State Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) has been appointed by Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) to serve on three committees for the 123rd Indiana General Assembly.

Becker will serve on the Senate Committees on Health and Provider Services, Local Government and Public Policy.

“The health and well-being of Hoosiers is always a top priority of mine each session,” Becker said. “It is important to me to work within these committees to move legislation that addresses issues facing our communities and ensures our state is healthy.”

Committee hearings can be viewed online by visiting iga.in.gov. Legislative calendars, agendas, vote tallies and proposed legislation can also be found on this site.

The 2023 legislative session ceremonially began with Organization Day on Nov. 22. The Senate is scheduled to reconvene for session Jan. 9.

Lt. Gov. Crouch launch Crowdfunding Campaign For USI Bike Park And Trails

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$50,000 Goal Receive Matching Grant Through IHCDA’s CreatINg Places Initiative

Evansville, Ind. (Dec. 9, 2022) – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) today launched a crowdfunding campaign to help develop trails and bike parks for Evansville residents and USI students. If this campaign reaches its goal of raising $50,000 by Feb. 17, 2023, the project led by Trail Heads – Southwest Indiana will receive a matching grant as part of IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.

“CreatINg Places helps connect Hoosiers to their neighborhoods, towns and natural spaces,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “Projects like bike parks and trails improve quality of life and help attract new students and permanent residents to our state. I am excited to launch this campaign with IHCDA and continue community development in southwestern Indiana.”

Funds from this campaign will be used to develop and build the initial 1.2 miles of the Gateway Trails and Campus Loop on USI’s campus. When completed, the campus will have 20 miles of trails and 22 acres of bike parks. While this trail system will offer a much needed hub for local trail users, the scale and variety of features in this project will also help USI stand out as one of the best campuses in the country for trails. 

“We look forward to collaborating with Trail Heads on this project that will create an experience not found in most Midwestern college campuses,” said Jim Wolfe, Director of USI Facility Operations and Planning. “We hope to draw more of the community, near and far, to the USI campus, while also providing more outdoor recreational activities for our students.”

Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $7.2 million in public funds and an additional $5.9 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply.

Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.

VISIT EVANSVILLE’S MEGAN HERONEMUS RECEIVES STATEWIDE AWARD

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 Evansville, IN – December 9, 2022 – Megan Heronemus, Director of Sales with Visit Evansville, was named the 2022 Individual Supplier of the Year by the Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) at its annual STAR Awards on Thursday, December 8.

Selected among nominations from across the state, The Individual Supplier of the Year award recognizes a person that has provided outstanding customer service to ISAE member associations and has made a significant contribution towards strengthening the local association industry.

“We are so excited to see Megan honored with this award,” said Alexis Berggren, President & CEO for Visit Evansville.  “Her dedication to the hospitality community in Evansville has been unparalleled for over 15 years, having served our meetings and events customers in a variety of roles across hotels, venues, and now as Director of Sales with Visit Evansville.  Her ability to lead teams toward providing exceptional and collaborative service is extraordinary; she is one of the most partner-focused professionals I have ever had the pleasure of working alongside,”

Founded in 1960, ISAE serves Indiana’s association professionals that work to serve many types of industries, societies and social organizations.  Collectively, they represent hundreds of thousands of members throughout the state, country and world.  The STAR Awards was created to celebrate the success of its members and recognize visionary leaders across the state in order to motivate and inspire association professionals as they transition into a new year of serving their members.

Eagles Release 2023 Baseball Schedule Season Tickets Are On Sale Now!

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball is set to throw out the first pitch of 2023 and the Division I era February 17 when it plays Western Illinois University at USA Stadium in Millington, Tennessee. The four-game neutral site series (February 17-19) is the start of a 56 game slate.

The 56-game schedule includes a 24-game home slate of game that starts February 24-26 with a three-game series versus former Great Lakes Valley Conference rival Bellarmine University. The Bellarmine series is followed by three-game series with Oakland University, who finished second in the Horizon League last season (March 10-12); Morehead State University (March 24-26); Southeast Missouri State University (April 6-8); Eastern Illinois (April 20-22); and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (May 5-7).

The three-game sets with Morehead State, SEMO, EIU, and Little Rock are a part of the Ohio Valley Conference schedule.

The home schedule also includes single game against Southern Illinois University (March 15); Saint Louis University (April 11); Oakland City University (April 19); McKendree University (April 25); Miami University of Ohio (May 3); and Ball State University (May 16).

USI Baseball season tickets are on sale now on USIScreamingEagles.com. Fans can take advantage of Holiday Season Ticket deal of two tickets for $250 until January 9. Season tickets are regularly priced at $150 each. A special commemorative gift comes with each season ticket purchase before January 9 and the end of the Holiday Season Ticket sales.

Fans also can purchase a reserved parking pass for $100.

On the road this season, the Screaming Eagles have three-game series at Washington State University (March 3-5); Murray State University (March 17-19); Lindenwood University (March 31-April 2); the University of Tennessee-Martin (April 14-16); Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (April 28-April 30); Oral Roberts University (May 12-14); and Tennessee Tech University (May 18-20).

Series at Lindenwood, UT Martin, SIUE, and Tennessee Tech are a part of the OVC schedule.

The 2023 road schedule also includes single game visits to Lipscomb University (February 21); Austin Peay State University (March 7); Saint Louis (March 14); Belmont University (March 21); Ball State University (March 28); SIU (May 2); and Indiana University (May 9).

OVC Tournament action is scheduled for May 24-27 and will be played at Rent One Park in Marion, Illinois.

The Eagles begin their 17th season under the direction of Head Coach Tracy Archuleta, who has a 527-313 (.635) record at USI and is the all-time winningest coach in the history of the program. Archuleta also is 675-437 (.607) in 21 years as a collegiate head coach.

Virtual Author Talk: Fredrik Backman | TODAY

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UE Men’s Basketball Heads To Ball State

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Aces face Cardinals on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT

 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – On Saturday, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team travels to Muncie, Ind. for a non-conference game at Ball State.  Tip is set for 1 p.m. CT with the Purple Aces Radio Network and ESPN+ having the coverage.

Last Time Out

– Down by six points with three minutes remaining, the Purple Aces outscored Campbell by a 16-4 margin to finish the game before earning a 72-66 win

– Wednesday’s game against the Camels featured a season-high 19 lead changes

– Marvin Coleman II and Yacine Toumi each set their career highs with 18 points and interestingly enough – both were 7-for-11 from the floor

– Antoine Smith Jr. scored a season-high 15 points while hitting the triple that gave UE the lead for good

– Freshmen Gabe Spinelli (9 points) and Chris Moncrief (4 points) also had the top scoring games of their young careers

Clutch Hits

– With one minute remaining in the Dec. 7 game against Campbell, Antoine Smith Jr. drained a 3-pointer that gave the Aces a 66-64 lead that they would hang onto in a 72-66 win

– Smith completed the game with a season-high 15 points while draining 3 of his 4 outside attempts

– It was his second start of the season with his first being a 10-point game at UNI

– He has been on a roll of the last three games, averaging 12.3 points per game after recording a mark of 5.9 PPG through the opening eight contests

Back in the Fold

– Yacine Toumi missed the UNI game due to health protocols but returned with a vengeance against Campbell as he posted a career-high 18 points

– Toumi was 7-for-11 from the field while hauling in six rebounds

– The effort was his seventh double digit scoring performance in his 10 games

Locked In

– Marvin Coleman II enjoyed one his top collegiate games against Campbell as he set career-highs in scoring (18 points), field goals (7), triples (4) and minutes (38:20)

– It was his first double digit scoring game since opening the season with 11 at Miami

– Coleman entered the game hitting just two of his first 22 3-point tries but rebounded to hit 4 out of 7 against the Camels

– Over the last three games, Coleman has converted 14 out of 30 attempts (46.7%)…he opened the season hitting just 13 out of his first 70 field goal tries (18.6%)

– He is tied for 12th in the MVC with 6.2 rebounds and is tied for 16th with 2.7 assists per contest

Making Some Noise

– Every time freshman Chris Moncrief has taken the floor, he has evolved his game

– He enjoyed his best performance against Campbell where he hit both field goal attempts (including a dunk) while being credited with a pair of assists

– Moncrief has played 9 or more minutes in four of the last five games

Evolving his Game

– Gabe Spinelli has turned his season around over the last five games

– The freshman registered a career-high 9 points on 4-for-6 shooting versus Campbell and has averaged 5.8 points over the last five contests while hitting 14 of his 25 attempts (56.0%)

– In his first six games, Spinelli scored a total of 7 points (1.2 PPG) and hit 2 of his first 11 attempts

– His previous high of six points came against Fairfield and Southern Illinois

Scouting the Opponent

– Ball State sits at 5-4 on the season following a 76-59 road victory over Eastern Illinois on Wednesday

– The Cardinals are 2-0 at home with wins over Earlham and Indiana South Bend

– Four players average in double figures with Payton Sparks leading the way with 14.4 points per game  while hitting 61.3% of his attempts

– Sparks also leads the squad with 7.9 rebounds per game

– Jarron Coleman is averaging 12.7 PPG and has a team-high 32 assists

– Jaylin Sellers and Demarius Jacobs have scoring marks of 12.3 and 12.2 PPG, respectively

THE U.S.S.R. REVISITED

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THE U.S.S.R. REVISITED

GAVEL GAMUT By Jim Redwine

DECEMBER 8, 2022

In Batumi, Georgia there are many Ukrainian flags flying and the blue and yellow colors of Ukraine are displayed in shops, on cars, and even on whole sides of buildings. Georgians relate to, understand and support Ukraine which has a border along the Black Sea as do Georgia and Russia.

The Black Sea is an important shipping water and leads ultimately to the Mediterranean Sea and therefore the whole world economy. Just as the Black Sea port of Odesa is critical for Ukraine to access the Black Sea, directly across the Black Sea is the equally vital port city of Batumi, Georgia where Peg and I are living. We look out from our apartment’s balcony across the Black Sea and often wonder if Russia will invade Georgia as it has before. In fact, Russia’s military currently occupies 20% of Georgia.

Peg and I drove within a few kilometers of part of the Georgian territory claimed by Russia when we traveled from the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, to our judicial duty station in Batumi. We were warned not to try to get near the Russian military installation as Russia considers it a part of Russia, much like Ukraine’s Crimean area. And with our American passports, we might become fair game for a Gulag. Just ask Brittney Griner.

As I am writing this column on Sunday morning, December 04 (our son’s birthday, by the way) I am looking out our 17th floor window at merchant ships on the Black Sea. One of the ships has two large metal tanks that occupy almost the entire length of the ship and appear to be equipped to haul natural gas. Many of the ships that go by us are loaded with semi-trailers. Batumi has little in the way of exports except for wine; Georgia claims to be the 8,000-year-old birthplace of wine. However, as this is both a port city and a warm water tourist destination, a great deal of grain and manufactured materials are imported to Batumi. The concern, of course, is that Georgia with its 37,000-man military would be a mere nuisance if Russia and its million-man army decided this port is an attractive excuse to re-claim all of Georgia as part of historical Russia. After all, Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia, and even attended the Tbilisi Spiritual Seminary. Since Stalin was history’s greatest butcher of human beings and presided over the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.) for over 25 years, the concerns of Georgians do not seem unreasonable.

Speaking of the U.S.S.R., the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, I am currently reading a book that cites stories from Georgian persons who lived under the Soviet Union. The book contains 70 stories, one for each of the 70 years the U.S.S.R. existed, and was compiled by editor Buba Kudava. In his forward to the book, Kudava addresses the U.S.S.R. name:

“Until only recently, Georgia was part of a country whose falsity began with its very name. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, as it was called in full. Four assertions and all four of them lie!

How, after all, could the term “union” be applied to a group of territories brought together without their consent, through fear and violence, and held together through force of arms? How could the descriptor “soviet” be used when no true “councils” were consulted and no true counsel sought? How could rampant totalitarianism be described as “socialist”? And how could any of the “union’s” 15 shams “republics” be deemed worthy of that name, with all of its associated high ideals?

Four assertions, and the same number of falsehoods.”

Life in Soviet Georgia, ISBN 978-9941-487-64-4 (2021), p. 7

Literature often tells us more than news reports about what actually happened to people and how it felt to those affected by the events. The stories from this book strike me as valid observations of where Russia truly stands when it comes to Ukraine and Georgia and maybe the other thirteen “Republics” of the old U.S.S.R. I understand why Georgians stand with Ukrainians.

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

Or “Like/Follow” us on Facebook & Twitter at JPegOsageRanch

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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

 

Area lawmakers: State sends over $1.6M to accelerate local road improvements

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STATEHOUSE  – More than $1.6 million is headed to local communities to accelerate road and bridge improvements, according to area legislators.

State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville) said the local funding from the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program is for road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements and signage, and can cover material costs for chip sealing and crack filling operations. In total, 230 towns, cities and counties will receive over $119 million in state matching grants.

“These grants are a fiscally responsible way to ensure our area is able to maintain and improve our roads and bridges,” O’Brien said. “Partnerships between state and local governments are unique, and Indiana’s road funding program has proven to be successful and Hoosiers are seeing results.”

Area grant recipients include Evansville ($987,405) and Vanderburgh County ($657,378).

State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) said smaller municipalities provide a 25 percent match in local funds, while large communities provide a 50 percent match. State law requires 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer. To date, Hoosier communities are on the receiving end of more than $1 billion in Community Crossings Matching Grants, established in 2016 and expanded through laws supported by McNamara.

“Making ongoing investments in our local infrastructure ensures important upgrades are made to our roadways, while boosting our economy and improving quality of life,” McNamara said. “Hoosiers depend on local roads and with Community Crossings Matching Grants, we have a dedicated funding source to maintain them for years to come.”

“This partnership between the state and locals has really helped our communities complete much-needed projects,” said State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Pakota). “Whether it’s roads in our small towns or larger cities, this program continues to make a positive difference.”

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, which oversees and awards the grants, the next call for projects is expected in January. Awards are released two times a year. More information can be found at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings or by emailing LPAQuestions@indot.in.gov.

 

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