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Shabazz: Score One For Journalism And The Good Guys

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Shabazz: Score One For Journalism And The Good Guys

  • By Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, IndyPolitics.org
  • APRIL 2,  2022 

Indy Politics has reached a settlement with Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokitaover access to the AG’s news conferences and media events.

Back in October, your favorite Indy Politics publisher and editor was not allowed to enter an attorney general news conference on robocalls because the office did not consider me credentialed media.

We filed an informal and formal records request to find out what he considered credentialed but got nowhere, so last month we filed suit in federal court.

In a settlement reached this week, the attorney general’s office stipulated the following:

“The parties stipulate and agree that the plaintiff is not barred from future in-person press conferences held by the defendant and will be allowed admission consistent with terms and conditions utilized for other press or media.”

This is a major victory for yours truly as well as the media as a whole as the attorney general should have never banned me in the first place, especially in light of being labeled a “gossip columnist who promotes disinformation so much so that he must disclaim his work as ‘gossip, rumor, and blatant innuendo.’”

This is also a total victory as it not only says we can get into future press conferences, but it states that we are “other press or media.”

And as much as I disagreed with what the attorney general did, I will admit he was right in one area: Fighting the lawsuit would be a waste of taxpayer money.  And on that he was right, it was a waste of valuable taxpayer resources and attorneys whose time could have been spent focusing on other matters.

I was asked why the attorney general decided to settle this case. To be honest, I don’t know—especially when you take into account his earlier statements. What I am willing to speculate though is as we got closer to depositions, his lawyers likely told him it was not going to look good for Rokita so his best bet was to go ahead and move for a settlement as quickly as possible.

I want to personally thank the good folks over at the American Civil Liberties Union for taking up this case; they were a good group to work with, and I never questioned their dedication.

I also want to thank everyone who offered their support both inside and outside the Statehouse—and especially to those who aren’t necessarily big fans of yours truly but expressed their support for my First Amendment rights.

And by the way, this was the second victory I had with the AG. The first victory came from public access counselor Luke Britt, who issued an informal opinion telling Rokita that he had to get me the documents I requested regarding how his office determines who credentialed media are. Rokita tried to argue that since I was suing him, I could get the documents in discovery. Luckily, Britt shot that one down.

So what’s next? Well, I wait to get notice of another attorney general’s news conference and show up. I seriously doubt if I’ll be called on; luckily, I tend to get the first questions in Statehouse news conferences. And while the attorney general is under no obligation to answer my questions, at least I will be in the room.

And let me close with this for any government official, not just Rokita: If you want to keep me out of your news conferences, I suggest next time to try kryptonite.

FOOTNOTE: Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is the editor and publisher of Indy Politics. He is also a licensed attorney in both Indiana and Illinois.

Ensuring Parents’ Voices Are Heard

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Last Week To Purchase April 21st Dinner Tickets From Local Democratic

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  • Spaghetti Dinner
  • Primary Voting Information
  • Karen Reising Campaign Kickoff
  • Katherine Rybak Wine & Food Party
  • Poll Workers Needed
  • Meet the Candidates

LAST DAY TO PURCHASE AND PAY FOR TICKETS – IS APRIL 7, 2022

TICKETS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR!

Social hour begins at 5:00 p.m. with a cash bar; Dinner is served at 6:00

Tickets ($25 each) may be purchased online via our website (www.vancountydems.org) and Facebook page, or by mailing a check to VCDP, PO Box 3208, 47731, or by Square or Venmo (@VCDP-22).
View Event on Facebook
Purchase Ticket on ActBlue

The deadline to register to vote is MONDAY, APRIL 4th. Visit www.indianavoters.com to request your ballot or call the Election Office at 812-435-5122.

Early voting begins TUESDAY, APRIL 5th, at the Old National Events Plaza, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Voting at the libraries is April 25 – 29 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Vote on Saturdays, April 23 & 30 from 8:00 – 4:00 at Old National Events Plaza and from 8:00 – 3:00 at Northeast Park Baptist Church or Cedar Hall School.
View Event on Facebook

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters

Enrolling New Students In On My Way Pre-K

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Enrolling New Students In On My Way Pre-K
Hoosier families can now apply for help paying for pre-kindergarten education for the 2022-23 school year through the “On My Way Pre-K” program.
With On My Way Pre-K, which I supported establishing, young Hoosiers can get an early start on developing important life skills like following directions and teamwork, as well as learning their ABCs and 123s. These skills provide students with a strong foundation of learning before they enter kindergarten.

 

In fact, recently released results of a Purdue University long-term study show that children who attend On My Way Pre-K are better prepared for school and that the benefits continue well into elementary school.

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THUNDERBOLTS’ COMEBACK FALLS SHORT IN LOSS TO ICE FLYERS 

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Pensacola, Fl.: After falling behind 4-0 in the second period, the Thunderbolts rallied to pull within a pair, but could not complete the comeback in a 4-2 loss in Pensacola on Saturday night. The Thunderbolts next home game will be on Thursday, April 7th at 7:00pm CST as they host the Vermilion County Bobcats.  For tickets, call (812)422-BOLT (2658), buy online at EvansvilleThunderbolts.com, or buy tickets in person at the Ford Center Box Office.

 

Pensacola opened a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Andrew Shewfelt and Frederic Letourneau, and further extended the lead to 4-0 in the second period off goals from Malik Johnson and Jan Salak.  By no fault of his own, goaltender Chris Janzen was swapped out after the 4th goal and replaced with Evan Moyse, and the Thunderbolts soon found life late in the second period as Scott Kirton got the Thunderbolts on the board at 16:41 from Vincenzo Renda.  Evansville’s best period by far was the third period, outshooting the Ice Flyers 15-4 and getting another goal on the board as Kirton scored again from Derek Osik at 16:23, however that would be as close as the Thunderbolts got, losing 4-2

 

Kirton scored both Evansville goals.  Janzen stopped 18 of 22 shots faced, while Moyse stopped all 10 shots faced in relief.  The Thunderbolts and Ice Flyers do not meet again this regular season.

 

USI splits doubleheader with Quincy

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball split a doubleheader with Quincy University Saturday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI took the opening game, 5-1, while Quincy held off the Screaming Eagles in the nightcap, 5-3.
 
The Eagles are 12-13 overall and 1-2 in the GLVC, while Quincy is 14-11, 5-2 in the league.   
 
Game 1:
In the opening game win, the Eagles struck early and cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Hawks.
 
USI opened the scoring in the first inning when freshman catcher Cordell Coburn (Evansville, Indiana) doubled in junior centerfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) with the first run. The Eagles followed the first inning tally with a four-run second to increase the margin to 5-0.
 
Sophomore second baseman Alex Archuleta (Evansville, Indiana) knocked in the second run of the game with a sacrifice fly, while senior shortstop Ethan Hunter (Terre Haute, Indiana) extended the margin to 3-0 with a RBI-bunt single.
 
Junior leftfielder Evan Kahre (Evansville, Indiana) scored on an error for the 4-0 lead before Coburn finished up the USI scoring with his second RBI double to put the Eagles up 5-0.
 
The Hawks closed the gap to 5-1 in the fifth before USI senior right-hander Brice Stuteville (Rockport, Indiana) finished off his team-best fourth win of the year. Stuteville (4-1) allowed the one run on five hits and a walk, while striking out five in the complete game victory.
 
Game 2:
USI missed opportunities in the nightcap and fell to Quincy, 5-3, to end the second day of the series.
 
After spotting the Hawks a trio of runs in the opening frame, the Eagles rallied to cut the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the first. USI sophomore first baseman Michael Conner (Moline, Illinois) pushed the Eagles first run across with a RBI-single, while sophomore third baseman Nolan Cook (Evansville, Indiana) drove in the second tally with an RBI-walk.
 
The Hawks re-extended the lead to three runs, 5-2, with a tally in the third and the fifth, while the Eagles squandered a bases loaded frame in the second and had a runner thrown out at the plate in the fourth, but scratched a run across in the fifth to close the gap to 5-3 when sophomore pinch hitter Gavin McLarty (Buckner, Kentucky) drove in a run with a bases loaded walk.
 
Quincy held off USI rallies throughout the remainder of the game as 12 Eagles were stranded on base throughout the seven inning contest.
 
Sophomore right-hander Parker Maddox (Columbus, Indiana) took the loss for the Eagles. Maddox (0-2) went 1.1 innings, allowing three runs on one hit and five walks in his third start of the season.
 
 Up Next for the Eagles:
USI and Quincy conclude the four-game set Sunday with a noon single game.
 

Fino sets school record as VU Track and Field competes at George Glass Invitational

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UPLAND, Ind. – Vincennes University freshman Giorgia Fino (Italy) set a new school record in the javelin throw Saturday afternoon as the Trailblazers took part in the George Glass Invitational hosted by Taylor University.

Fino’s throw of 112 feet or 34.13 meters set a new Vincennes University Women’s Outdoor school record, surpassing the previous set by Sue Buechler in 1988.

The VU Track and Field teams faced tough competition Saturday afternoon, with Fino’s record-setting throw giving her a second-place finish in the meet.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Koenig (Terre Haute, Ind.) was the only other Vincennes Women’s podium placer, finishing in sixth place in the 3000 meter Steeplechase with a time of 13:19.98.

Sophomore Kyra Young (South Bend, Ind.) just missed the podium with a ninth-place finish in the Women’s 5000 meter race, ending with a time of 19:38.54.

“Weather again was a big factor, effecting times and distances,” VU Track and Field Head Coach Marty Rogier said. “It was another cold, windy day, but we competed well against some very good competition.”

“On the ladies side, we were led by Giorgia who finished second and set a new school record in the Javelin,” Rogier added. “We had solid races by Kyra Young, Kaitlyn Koenig and Brittany Page (Bicknell, Ind.).”

On the men’s side, freshman Nicholas Stanislaus (Grenada) took home the top spot in the Triple Jump with a distance of 13.55 meters.

Stanislaus would also go on to place third in the Long Jump at 6.56 meters.

Sophomore Kyle Stewart edged out Stanislaus in the Long Jump, with Stewart taking second with a jump of 7.15 meters.

Stewart was also part of the Men’s 4×100 Relay team with sophomore Damian Ross (East St. Louis, Ill.) and freshmen Collin Sutton (New Albany, Ind.) and Jalen Bowman (Evansville, Ind.) that took the top spot with a time of 43.04 seconds.

Bowman would also finish second in the 100 meter sprint at 10.82 seconds.

Sophomore Trenton Faulkner (Vincennes, Ind.) ended with an eighth-place finish in the 800 meter race, ending with a time of 2:02.30.

Sophomore Manamanya Opiew (Indianapolis, Ind.) rounded out the VU scorers Saturday with a fifth-place finish in the Men’s 5000 meter race, finishing with a time of 14:57.97.

“On the men’s side, Nicholas had a very good day in the long jump and triple jump,” Rogier said. “Jalen ran another solid 100 meter and anchored our winning 4×100 Relay team.”

“Yamar Lyons (Kalamazoo, Mich.) had a big PR in the 200 meter,” Rogier added. “Collin Sutton turned in a good effort in the 400 as well. Most of our distance crew stepped up to run the 5000 meters against some really good runners. I think this weekend will really help them when we drop back into their normal events next week.”

“Kyle Stewart earned the Trailblazer Willie Award this week for his efforts in the long jump, where he was just 5 centimeters shy of qualifying for National and ran a very fast leg of the 4×100 Relay.”

The Trailblazers will look to continue to improve and earn National Qualifiers as VU gets ready for next weekend’s Pacesetter Invitational hosted by Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind.

The two-day meet will begin on Friday, April 8 and conclude Saturday, April 9.

VINCENNES RESULTS

WOMEN’S RESULTS

Javelin

Giorgia Fino – 2 (34.13m) – SCHOOL RECORD

3000m Steeplechase

Kaitlyn Koenig – 6 (13:19.98)

MEN’S RESULTS

Jalen Bowman – 2 (10.82)

800m

Trenton Faulkner – 8 (2:02.30)

5000m

Manamanya Opiew – 5 (14:57.97)

4×100 Relay

Ross, Stewart, Sutton, Bowman – 1 (43.04)

Long Jump

Kyle Stewart – 2 (7.15m)

Nicholas Stanislaus – 3 (6.56m)

Triple Jump

Nicholas Stanislaus – 1 (13.55m)

 

Eagles walk off with sweep of Rockhurst

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EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Softball picked up a pair of walk-off victories Saturday at the USI Softball Field as the Screaming Eagles swept a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader against visiting Rockhurst University, winning game one, 5-4, and game two, 3-2, in nine innings.

In the opener, USI rallied from a 4-1 deficit to earn its 11th consecutive victory. Junior pitcher/designated player Allie Goodin (Evansville, Indiana) hit a three-run bomb over the fence in left-center to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning after the Hawks has scored four times in the top of the fifth to build the 4-1 lead. Goodin, who was 2-for-3 in the game, put the Eagles up, 1-0, with an RBI-single in the fourth.

The Eagles (24-8, 10-0 GLVC) capitalized on an error to lead off the home half of the seventh inning as senior pitcher/designated player Katie Back (Indianapolis, Indiana) found herself on second base with no outs. Freshman infielder Hannah Long (Haubstadt, Indiana) came in to pinch-run for Back and scored three batters later when sophomore catcher Sammie Kihega (Greenfield, Indiana) hit a two-out, bloop single over the first base bag.

Kihega, who was a combined 3-of-6 on the day with the game one-winning RBI, raced down the line before diving into first base to ensure she beat force-out throw at the bag.

Back (5-1) got the win in the circle after giving up just one hit with four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Neither team could get much going early in the second game, but a solo home run by junior shortstop Maya Gallagher in the top of the fourth inning put the Hawks up, 1-0. Gallagher also had a three-run home run in the fifth inning of game one.

A lead-off double by Kihega got the Eagles going in the bottom of the fifth inning. Back followed with a pinch-hit double to opposite field to push the game-tying run across the plate.

Rockhurst (12-18, 6-8 GLVC) used a solo home run off the bat of senior designated player Emily Clark to take a 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth inning and looked like a lock to forge a split on the day as it had the Eagles down to their final out with no runners on base in the home half of the ninth inning.

Kihega, however, drew a two-out walk to keep USI’s hopes alive before being taken out of the game for a pinch-runner. Freshman pitcher Hailey Gotshall (Lucerne, Indiana) followed with a pinch-hit double that put runners at second and third for senior third baseman Mary Bean(Schaumburg, Illinois).

Bean, who was a combined 3-of-6 on the day, rewarded the Eagles with a hit into left field that scored both runners and gave USI its 12th consecutive victory.

Freshman pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) got the win in the circle for the Eagles. Newman (7-3) gave up two runs off six hits in nine innings of work. She racked up 12 strikeouts and did not issue a walk on the day.

USI returns to action Sunday at noon when it hosts William Jewell College in a GLVC doubleheader at the USI Softball Field. The Cardinals (10-20, 4-10 GLVC) dropped both games of a conference twin bill to No. 5 University of Indianapolis Saturday in Indianapolis.

Dove Breaks Hammer Throw Record, Lasam Wins Triple Jump At EIU

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CHARLESTON, Ill. – University of Evansville junior Zach Dove (Princeton, Ind./Princeton Community) broke the UE hammer throw record on Friday, and freshman Denzel Lasam (St. Louis, Mo./De Smet) won the title in the triple jump to pace the Purple Aces’ track and field teams at the Eastern Illinois Big Blue Meet in Charleston, Illinois.

Dove broke the UE school record by nearly a full meter, as he recorded a personal-best toss of 47.96 meters (157’4″) to break teammate Mike Boots’ (Evansville, Ind./Mater Dei) previous record of 46.97 meters.  For Dove, it continues a strong start to his 2022 season, as he has set a personal-best mark in five of his first six meets this spring.

“Zach has been on fire this year,” said UE head coach Don Walters.  “He has really put in the time in the off-season and in the weight room, and it is paying dividends right now.  You love to see that kind of hard work get rewarded.”

Lasam, meanwhile, took home the individual title in the triple jump with a distance of 12.81 meters (42’0.50″).  He has finished in the top 10 of all five collegiate triple jump competitions in which he has competed in so far for UE.  Lasam also posted a personal-best time of 11.93 in the 100-meter dash, as overall, the Purple Aces recorded 15 personal-best marks on the day.

“Denzel continues to impress in his first year with the team,” said Walters.  “I love his attitude.  He is always upbeat and always trying to get better.

“When you consider the elements and the fact that we had some key people out due to injury, to set 15 PRs on a day like today is pretty impressive.  I am really proud of both teams, as we had a lot of different people step up today.”

Joining Lasam in setting a PR time in the 100-meters were junior Giovanni Purser (11.02) and senior Joey Rucinski (11.93).  Rucinski also set new personal standards in the long jump (5.91 meters) and javelin (44.45 meters), as his toss in the javelin also earned him fourth place overall.  Dove also set a PR in the javelin with a toss of 36.95 meters, while senior McKenna Sapp (Bloomington, Ill./University) also set a PR mark in the women’s javelin with a toss of 23.87 meters.

Seniors Andrew Schuler (Ferdinand, Ind./Forest Park) and Brendon Smith (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) set PR marks in the men’s hammer throw (41.53 meters) and long jump (6.40 meters), respectively.  On the track, freshman Kara Yunker (Evansville, Ind./North) set a personal-best mark in the 100-meters (13.29), while senior Sam Weldon (5:17.72), freshman Ellie Stewart (5:31.90) and junior Claire Griffy (6:57.23) established new personal standards in the 1,500-meters.  Sophomore Peter Epur (Eldoret, Kenya) also set a new PR with a time of 16:05.54 in the men’s 5,000-meters.

Evansville will return to action next weekend, as the Purple Aces will travel to Louisville, Kentucky to take part in the Jim Vargo Invitational hosted by Bellarmine University.  The meet will begin on Friday, April 8 and conclude on Saturday, April 9.

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