FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
BURTON ON GOV. BRAUN’S STATE OF THE STATE
INDIANAPOLIS – This evening, Jan. 14, State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) attended Gov. Braun’s State of the State address held in the House Chamber.
Burton released the following statement in response:
“I appreciate the governor’s directness to address housing, child care and energy costs. These are unavoidable expenses, and for too many Hoosier families, they have become overwhelming, forcing difficult choices between necessities like groceries, children’s activities or handling an unexpected expense such as a flat tire.
“There is real work ahead to make life more affordable while expanding opportunity for all Hoosiers. As the legislative session continues, I will keep working on behalf of my constituents by legislating, advocating and advancing meaningful policies that help families get ahead.”
Levi McKinney named MVC Men’s Diver of the Week
McKinney broke two program records last week
- LOUIS – A record-breaking week for Levi McKinney got even better on Wednesday when he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Diver of the Week. The native of Boonville, Ind. set University of Evansville program records in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives last weekend.
McKinney opened the week by setting the school record in the 3-meter dive against UIC. His score of 336.83 broke the previous record and qualified him for the NCAA Zones. He scored a 276.08 in the 1-meter dive to take third place.
One day later, McKinney broke another school mark in the meet at Southern Illinois. With a score of 335.80 in the 1-meter dive, McKinney reset the program record while earning another score that qualified him for the NCAA Zones. On top of that, he took the victory in the 3-meter event with a score of 329.05.
Vincennes University to announce Southern Indiana Aviation Initiative
Vincennes University, in partnership with the Prosser Career Education Center and the Clark County Regional Airport, will host a media announcement to launch the Southern Indiana Aviation Initiative, a new effort to expand aviation flight and aviation maintenance education opportunities in the region.
The initiative will increase access to training and career pathways in the aviation industry and is supported by funding from the State of Indiana and local partners. University and community leaders will share project details and discuss the initiative’s impact on students, workforce development, and the regional economy.
Friday, January 23, 2026
10 a.m. (ET)
Doors open at 9:30 a.m. (ET)
Clark County Regional Airport
Osborne Hangar
7009 Airport Drive
Sellersburg, Ind. 47172
• Vincennes University President Dr. Chuck Johnson
• Representatives from local and regional education and workforce development organizations
President Johnson and participating community leaders will be available for interviews following the announcement.
PARKING:
On-site parking is available at the airport. Event staff will direct attendees to designated parking areas upon arrival.
Two Arrested on More Than 50 Animal Neglect Charges
Officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of E Franklin St to assist Animal Control with an animal complaint. Officers and Animal Control discovered more than 20 cats, more than 10 dogs, 5 ducks and 4 chickens at the residence. Most of the cats were found inside a room where a child’s pool and multiple buckets were filled with feces. The cats did not have appropriate food or water available. Multiple cats also showed signs of injuries that were not properly treated. The dogs were found confined to kennels in the basement of the home without access to food and water. The ducks and chickens were found outside the home in a fenced in area without access to food and clean water.
According to animal control, many of the cats suffered breathing issues because of the toxic air quality inside the home. Officers had to use breathing masks to avoid breathing the toxic air inside the home. The effects of the air quality could still be felt with this protection in place.
Joshua D. Nelson (32) and Alee J. Nelson (27) were both arrested and charged with 54 counts of Neglect of An Animal.
USI Cheer Team set for UCA Nationals this weekend
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana Cheer Team is set to compete at the UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships Friday-Sunday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.
USI will compete for the first time in the Division I All-Girl Game Day competition as well as the Traditional Performance competition.
The Screaming Eagles, under the direction of Head Coach Megan Ringer, have been working extremely hard throughout the first semester and throughout the holiday break in preparation for this year’s competition. They’ve performed both routines during the halftimes of recent USI men’s and women’s basketball games.
In 2025, USI earned an eighth-place finish in the finals of the Small Coed Division I competition. The Screaming Eagles were one of four teams to post a clean sheet in the deduction’s column during the final round as they finished with 79.8 points.
This year’s trip marks the third straight season that USI will compete at the Division I level after they participated in the All-Girl Division I competition two seasons ago.
The prelims for this year’s All-Girl Game Day competition will take place Friday, while the prelims for the Traditional Performance competition are Saturday.
USI is slotted to compete Friday at 12:14 p.m. (CST) and Saturday at 8:09 a.m. (CST). The finals and award ceremonies for the All-Girl Game Day competition are Saturday from 1:45-8 p.m. (CST), while the finals and awards ceremonies for the Traditional Performance competition are Sunday from 6:45 – 1 p.m. (CST).
THUNDERBOLTS EXTEND POINT STREAK TO 3 GAMES DESPITE SHOOTOUT LOSS
Evansville, In.: Coming back twice to tie, the Thunderbolts battled the Birmingham Bulls to overtime and eventually a shootout, earning another standings point in the process, but fell just short 4-3 to Birmingham on Wednesday night at Ford Center. The Thunderbolts’ next home game at Ford Center will be on Friday, January 23rd against the Birmingham Bulls at 7:00pm CT.
Despite outshooting Birmingham 11-7 in the first period, the Bulls scored the game’s first goal at 11:14, with Philippe Caron scoring through traffic. Evansville played their strongest hockey in the second period, outshooting the Bulls 13-4. At 5:44, Evan Miller scored off a quick wrist shot from Dmitry Yushkevich to tie the game 1-1. On a power play a few minutes later at 8:39, Derek Contessa scored on a rebound from Joey Berkopec and Miller to give Evansville their first lead of the game, cancelled out at 13:57 as Colin Tracy tied the game once again for Birmingham. In the third period, Matt Myers scored on a rush to the net to once again give the Bulls the lead, 3-2 at 10:04. With 5:56 remaining, however, Miller scored his second goal of the night to tie the game 3-3, assisted by Tyson Gilmour and Berkopec. Miller nearly rounded out the hat trick in overtime but could not convert on a breakaway, and the game went to a shootout. The Bulls struck twice in the shootout while Evansville was denied on four opportunities, and the Bulls gained the second point, 4-3 the final score.
Miller scored two goals and added an assist, Contessa scored one goal, and Berkopec finished with a pair of assists. In goal, Kristian Stead stopped 17 of 20 shots on goal and 2 of 4 in the shootout. The Thunderbolts and Bulls meet again on Friday, January 23rd at Ford Center, with the regular season series tied 2-2.
Attorney General Todd Rokita responds to Governor Mike Braun’s State of the State Address
Attorney General Todd Rokita released the following statement in response to Governor Mike Braun’s State of the State address on Wednesday evening.
“From driving down costs created by the Biden administration to highlighting major job wins, celebrating school choice, and praising public safety gains, Gov. Mike Braun’s State of the State address hit the mark.
I look forward to continuing my office’s partnership with him to put Hoosiers first.”
State Rep. Tim O’Brien issues statement on Gov. Braun’s State of the State address
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 14, 2026) – “The State of the State address tonight highlighted the progress we’ve made in Indiana, emphasizing strong growth in our Hoosier economy. As we navigate complex issues, Indiana has an opportunity to be a leader by building upon that momentum while tackling issues head on, such as affordability, utility costs and housing. I will continue working alongside state leaders improving quality of life for Hoosiers and ensuring the state of the state remains strong.”
State Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) made the following statement today in response to Gov. Mike Braun’s 2026 State of the State address:
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 15, 2026) – “Gov. Braun gave a positive speech last night highlighting the accomplishments of our state.
“I appreciated him indicating Amazon would pay for the power their $15 billion data center in northwest Indiana will need. All data centers should pay their way so Hoosiers don’t experience rate increases.
“I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to achieve more for our great state this session.”