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HOT JOBS
USI Student Government Association inducts members for 2025-26 academic year
The University of Southern Indiana Student Government Association (SGA) inducted its 2025-26 Executive Board, Administrative Vice Presidents, Members-at-Large and College Representatives on Thursday, April 24 in a private inauguration ceremony. Students elected for the 2025-26 term are as follows:
Executive Board
- President: Alicia Cotton
- Executive Vice President: Leonna Benton
- Attorney General: Keaira Richmond
Administrative Vice Presidents
- Administrative Vice President of Recruitment and Retention: Mackenzie Hinton
- Administrative Vice President of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Sophia Driver
- Administrative Vice President of Campus Engagement: Delaney Anthis
- Administrative Vice President of Environmental Protection: Bella Dilk
Members-at-Large
- Housing: Emily Solorza
- Commuter Student: Reegan Summers
- Fraternity and Sorority: Ethan Shourd
College Representatives
- College of Liberal Arts: Kennadi Scott, Cole Barnett and Cade Smithson-Cox
- Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education: Joseph Cirrincione and Arya Shah
- Romain College of Business: Wesley Brown and Michael Solliday
Aces hit first back-to-back home runs of 2025 at Missouri State
The Purple Aces last back-to-back long balls came against the Bears in 2024
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The University of Evansville baseball team took an early lead on Saturday afternoon but ultimately fell to the Missouri State Bears 7-2.
The Purple Aces added their 19th and 20th home runs of the season in their second game against Missouri State. But the long balls from left fielder Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind. / Seymour HS) and infielder Cal McGinnis (Kimberly, Wis. / Bradley) weren’t enough to push UE past the Bears. McGinnis, along with catcher Evan Waggoner (Bedford, Ind. / Bedford North Lawrence HS), led Evansville at the plate with two hits each while Waggoner and first baseman Jake McGhee (Fenton, Mo. / Christian Brothers Academy) had two walks.
“Our offense didn’t have an answer for their two pitchers today,” said Head Coach Wes Carroll following the loss. “It’s tough to lose a series on a Saturday. But tomorrow is an important game in the big picture of the conference season.”
The Aces got on base early Saturday afternoon as UE had a batter reach first in three straight innings. Evansville’s first hit didn’t come until the top of the second when shortstop Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo. / Blue Springs HS) put a single into right center. But the Aces’ defense kept Missouri State quiet early to give the offense time to bring in a run.
And bring in a run, UE did as Longmeier hit his fourth home run of the year to right field. The homer gave Evansville a 1-0 lead early, and the team soon got another run on the board. McGinnis took two pitches from Bears starter Jason Schaaf before hitting his own bomb past the right field fence.
McGinnis’ third home run of the season gave the Aces a 2-0 lead after only two and a half innings on Saturday. Two more batters reached base for UE in the third as McGhee walked, and Waggoner added his fifth double of the year. But the two runners remain stranded as Evansville went into the bottom of the frame with its first lead of the series.
The Aces’ defense took Missouri State down in order to close out the first third of the game on top. But UE’s offense struggled the next two innings, going down in order twice. While the Bears cut Evansville’s lead by a run in the bottom of the fourth with a lead-off solo home run. The Aces held onto their lead through the fourth with three straight outs after the lead-off run.
Missouri State was able to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth with another solo shot to begin the frame. The Bears quickly took over on offense in the inning as they put a fielder’s choice and four straight hits into the field to score three more runs. The game score remained 5-2 for the next two and a half innings.
UE added two more hits and loaded up the bases on two separate occasions through the sixth and the eighth. McGhee and Waggoner again went back-to-back on base in the top of the sixth with a single each. Evansville didn’t have another hit in the inning but did load the bases with a hit-by-pitch. But with two outs on the board already, the Aces stranded three with a strikeout.
The second loaded bases situation of the game for UE came in the top of the eighth inning. McGhee and Waggoner were walked by Missouri State reliever Max Knight to begin the eighth. A third walk to pinch hitter Brodie Peart (Markham, Ontario) after a strikeout put Evansville into another bases-loaded situation. But again, the Aces left all three runners stranded on base with a strikeout and a flyout.
The Bears added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth with their own back-to-back home runs. UE’s defense got the next three batters down in order, heading into its final chance at the plate. McGinnis got his second hit of the day in the top of the ninth with a one-out single to right center. But Evansville wasn’t able to bring McGinnis home, falling to Missouri State 7-2.
The Aces will try to steal a game from the Bears on Sunday in the series finale. The rubber match is currently set for a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday, April 27.
EVSC MEETING
The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet inexecutive session at 4:00 PM. on Monday, April 28, 2025 in the Schroeder Conference Centre located in the EVSC Administration Building, 951 Walnut, IN 47713, Evansville, IN. The session will be conducted according to I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1. The purpose of the meeting is: collective bargaining, (b)(2)(A) initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing,(b)(2)(B); purchase or lease of property, (b)(2)(D); receive information about and interview prospective employees (b)(5); and to train school board members with an outside consultant about the performance of the role of the members as public officials (b)(11).
Attorney General Todd Rokita and Secretary of State Diego Morales continue work to verify that Indiana voters are U.S. citizens
Attorney General Todd Rokita and Secretary of State Diego Morales continue pressing the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to help verify the citizenship status of voters who registered in Indiana without providing state-issued forms of identification.
Despite first receiving Indiana’s written requests last October, federal officials have failed to provide information that would enable Indiana to verify that only eligible voters participated in elections. This month, Attorney General Rokita and Secretary Morales filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — of which USCIS is part — to compel federal cooperation.
“Following the Biden administration’s obstruction here, I expect that President Trump’s team will resolve this matter,” Attorney General Rokita said. “This lawsuit is another important step in ensuring the integrity of our elections. Hoosiers have a right to know that legitimate ballots are not being diluted by noncitizens. I promised that I would get citizenship information from USICS, and that is exactly what I am doing by filing this suit.”
Last year, Attorney General Rokita and Secretary Morales sent then-USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou lists of certain voters who registered without state IDs — along with a joint letter formally requesting the agency’s assistance in verifying those individuals’ citizenship status. No response ever came.
“As Indiana’s Chief Election Officer, ensuring the integrity of our elections is non-negotiable. This legal action is a continuation of our efforts for Indiana to lead the way in election integrity. Since we never received a response from the Biden administration, we know that under President Trump’s leadership and based on his recent Executive Order, there’s a stronger commitment to the election process. Hoosiers deserve nothing less than full confidence in the security of their vote,” said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State.
Federal law requires USCIS to respond to inquiries from state government agencies “to verify or ascertain the citizenship or immigration status of any individual within the jurisdiction of the agency for any purpose authorized by law.”
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.
Aces battle in doubleheader at Bradley
UE falls in both contests
PEORIA, Ill. – A long day on the field that included a 12-inning marathon saw the University of Evansville softball team drop both games to Bradley at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.
Game 1 – Bradley 10, UE 9 (12 innings)
In a back-and-forth contest that saw multiple rallies by each team, it was Bradley who had the final one as they took a 10-9 win in 12 innings to open the series. Things remained scoreless through 5 ½ innings before the game took a turn in the bottom of the sixth.
Before that time, UE had multiple opportunities to get on the board. The Purple Aces put two runners on in three of the first five innings while Miriah Powell had the first hit of the game for UE in the second. Evansville pitcher Gracie Hollingsworth kept the Braves scoreless through the first five innings, but they broke through with three runs in the sixth.
Down to its final three outs, UE erupted for seven runs in the top of the 7th to go up 7-3. Taylor Howe and Morgan Adams each walked while Niki Bode added a hit to load the bases with no outs. Howe and Bode would score when Eliza Piggott hit into a fielder’s choice that resulted in a Bradley error. Jess Willsey came to the plate and delivered a 3-run home run that gave the Aces their first advantage of the game.
Evansville continued to apply the pressure in the inning as Howe added a 2-run single that extended the lead to 7-3. In the bottom of the frame, Bradley staged a rally of its own, scoring four times to send the game into extra innings. Cassidy Gall entered the contest in the 8th and kept her team in the game as the teams battled to the 12th inning.
Powell delivered an RBI single while Abby Bode hit a sac fly that gave the Aces a 9-7 lead. Once again, Bradley would storm back. The first four batters reached to cut the deficit to one. Hollingsworth re-entered the game and picked up two quick outs, but an error and single would give the Braves the victory.
Niki Bode had three of UE’s 12 hits in the game while Howe and Powell recorded two apiece. Willsey led the way with three RBI.
Game 2 – Bradley 10, UE 6
Evansville took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth before the Braves scored nine times on their way to a 10-6 win in game two.
Kynadee Warner led the top of the third off with a walk before stealing second. She would cross the plate on Morgan Adams’ 2-out single. Zoe Frossard added a sacrifice fly in the fourth that pushed lead to 2-0.
Jess Willsey continued her strong doubleheader with a 2-run double in the fifth. Eliza Piggott and Adams scored on the play to double the lead at 4-0. In the bottom of the inning, the Braves rallied with nine runs to take a 9-4 lead.
Despite the deficit, the Aces did not give up. Two bases-loaded walks made it a 9-6 game in favor of the Braves heading into the bottom of the 6th. A solo home run pushed the BU lead to 10-6 and that would be the final. UE had two hits in the game with Willsey and Adams picking those up. The Aces accumulated 11 walks with Frossard and Bode registering two apiece.
Sunday’s series finale is set for a 12 p.m. first pitch.
BURTON VOTES AGAINST BUDGET BILL: ‘WE NEED A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS OUR VISION, NOT JUST NUMBERS ON A SPREADSHEET’
INDIANAPOLIS – Today, April 25, the Indiana General Assembly approved the final version of House Bill 1001, advancing the state’s next two-year budget to the governor’s desk. State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) voted against the bill, citing critical gaps in education, housing and support for immigrant communities.
“Hoosiers deserve better than what this legislation proposed,” Burton said. “Our focus should be on building the best pre-K through 12 school system, embracing those new to America and improving housing for all Hoosiers. These aspects are crucial in building our strongest future.”
The budget, which includes cuts to key investments and fails to meet the moment on immigration or housing infrastructure, comes at a time when Indiana’s once-boasted fiscal cushion is eroding. Despite touting $6 billion in reserves just months ago, the state has already lost $800 million since December, and economists remain uncertain about what lies ahead thanks to last week’s $2.4 billion revenue shortfall forecast.
“Instead of using our surplus to make smart, forward-looking investments, this budget backs away from bold action,” Burton said. “Now more than ever, we should be investing in families, schools and communities – not tightening the belt when so many Hoosiers are struggling to make ends meet.”
Burton has long-championed affordable housing, equitable education and policies that support newcomers to Indiana.
“We can’t afford short-sighted budgeting when the long-term health of our economy depends on the success of our people,” Burton concluded. “We need a budget that reflects our vision, not just numbers on a spreadsheet. For these reasons, I voted against this bill.”
HEALTH DEPARTMENT URGES PRECAUTIONS AGAINST TICK-BORNE ILLNESS
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana health officials are urging Hoosiers to protect themselves from tick bites as ticks are active from early spring through late fall. A fatal case of ehrlichiosis in Floyd County has already been reported this month. The Floyd County Health Department and the Indiana Department of Health are working on the investigation. Indiana reported two ehrlichiosis deaths last year.
In addition to ehrlichiosis, Hoosiers are at risk for several other potentially severe tick-borne diseases. While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Indiana, Hoosiers are also at risk for a group of diseases that includes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. They are also at risk for alpha-gal syndrome, a condition caused by tick bites that can trigger an allergic reaction to red meat. The risk for tick-borne diseases is present in all parts of the state.
Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases. We encourage Hoosiers to take the following precautions to prevent tick bites:
- Know where ticks are likely to be present (close to the ground in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas)
- Treat boots, clothing and outdoor gear with 0.5% permethrin (NOTE: permethrin should NOT be used on bare skin)
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents with active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone
- Treat your pets for ticks in consultation with a veterinarian
Once indoors, people should thoroughly check for ticks on clothing, gear, pets and skin. Tumbling clothes in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes will kill ticks, and showering can help remove any unattached ticks. Attached ticks may be safely removed by using tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and then pulling outward with steady and even pressure. After the tick is removed, the area should be washed thoroughly. Ticks should never be crushed with the fingernails.
Anyone who becomes ill after finding an attached tick should see a healthcare provider immediately and alert the provider to the exposure. Most tick-borne diseases can be treated with antibiotics, and prompt diagnosis can help prevent complications. Testing ticks to see if they are carrying diseases is not generally recommended, as the information cannot reliably be used to predict whether disease transmission occurred.