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Eagles fall in late minutes against Trojans

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women Basketball suffered its second consecutive setback at home Thursday night, falling 75-61 against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

After a 10-0 start in home games this season, Southern Indiana has had a tough 0-2 start to the three-game homestand. Thursday’s home loss moved USI to 16-8 overall and 8-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Little Rock got back to .500 overall with an 11-11 record and improved to 9-4 in conference play. The two sides entered the game tied for fourth in the OVC standings, but the Trojans grabbed sole possession of fourth place by the end of the night as USI moved down to fifth.

Defenses made good shots on offense come at a premium in the opening minutes Thursday. Neither side gathered a lead larger than one possession in the early going. With the game tied at 10, sophomore forward Chloe Gannon gave USI its first lead, 12-10, at the 1:32 mark of the opening frame, which carried over into the start of the second period.

After a three-pointer from sophomore guard Triniti Ralston that put USI up by three 90 seconds into the second quarter, Southern Indiana endured nearly a four-minute scoreless drought in the middle of the second. Little Rock took advantage and would go on a small run in the back half of the second quarter to grab an eight-point lead, 27-19. With two minutes left in the first half, consecutive from junior guard Ali Saunders and senior guard Vanessa Shafford helped cut the Trojans’ lead down to four. Little Rock led 34-30 at halftime.

At the start of the second half, graduate forward Meredith Raley got USI on the scoreboard while reaching double figures for the game. USI hit a bit of a dry spell from the floor in the middle of the third, but a layup by Gannon brought the Eagles within two. Gannon continued to make a big impact throughout the third quarter. Gannon hit a layup in the final seconds of the period to reach 11 points in the game and make the score a one-point difference, 45-44, in favor of Little Rock.

Little Rock started the fourth quarter with a small run in the first two minutes to jump ahead, 51-44. The Trojans’ advantage reached double digits near the six-minute mark, 56-46. The Screaming Eagles chopped that lead in half thanks to a layup by Saunders and a three-point play by Gannon. As Little Rock tried to pull away, a three from Ralston kept USI within five, 61-56, with three and a half minutes to go. However, the Trojans finished the game outscoring the Eagles 14-5 in the final three minutes.

Southern Indiana shot for just above 40 percent (20-49) from the floor and under 28 percent (5-18) from beyond the arc. USI was 16-20 for 80 percent at the foul line. Gannon paced USI with a season-high 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Ralston tallied a dozen points, Saunders scored 11, and Raley added 10 points to round out USI’s double-figure scorers.

Little Rock went for 53 percent (26-49) shooting overall and 40 percent (6-15) from three. The Trojans were 17-28 for 60.7 percent at the free-throw stripe. Little Rock had three players finish in double digits with two scoring 20-plus points. Graduate guard Sug Williams and senior forward Jordan Holman dropped 21 and 20 points, respectively.

The Screaming Eagles get back on the court at Liberty Arena on Saturday for a 5 p.m. contest against Southeast Missouri State University. The game can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM with additional radio coverage on WREF 97.7 FM. Tickets for all home games at Liberty Arena can be purchased online at usiscreamingeagles.com or the USI Ticket Office.

Gov. Mike Braun to meet with Hoosiers in need of property tax relief

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INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun has invited individuals who expressed property tax concerns to join him for intimate discussions tomorrow in Terre Haute and Evansville. Gov. Braun will host a one-on-one fireside chat with a constituent in Terre Haute and will host a roundtable discussion with invited constituents in Evansville. Every year for the last six years, Governor Braun has visited all 92 counties in Indiana, and one consistent issue that Hoosiers share is the rising costs of property taxes. Through Gov. Braun’s Freedom and Opportunity Agenda, Hoosiers will get much needed property tax relief.

Terre Haute Fireside Chat (Eastern Time)

WHEN: Friday, February 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM ET

WHERE: 680 Poplar St, Terre Haute, IN 47807 – Vigo County Public Library, Room C

Evansville Roundtable (Central Time)

WHEN: Friday, February 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM CT

WHERE: 200 SE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Evansville, IN 47713 – Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library

BURTON ON CENTERPOINT ELECTRIC UTILITY RATE INCREASE: ‘NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT ANY LONGER’

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By: State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) 

February 7. 2025

Energy utility costs in Southwest Indiana have been unreasonably high for more than a decade, and recent decisions are making matters worse. On Feb. 3, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) voted to approve CenterPoint’s latest rate increase proposal for electricity. As a City Councilor, I supported efforts to intervene in such rate hikes, and now, as a state legislator, I remain committed to finding lasting solutions. My goal is to legislate effective measures that address the root causes of these high utility costs. This includes: (1) implementing payment deferment on rate hikes during periods of economic hardship, (2) ensuring residents have a fair voice by creating a voting seat on the IURC, (3) promoting non-burdensome renewable energy options, and (4) establishing fair and transparent formulas for determining rate increases.

Unfortunately, these goals are not yet reality. As it stands, the Indiana General Assembly (IGA) has shown little interest in providing relief to residents who are struggling under the weight of high utility costs. While I understand that achieving change is an uphill battle, the impact of these costs is felt across every household, nonprofit, and business in House District 77. For this reason, I actively sought a seat on the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee and will continue to legislate our best tomorrow.

But my concerns go beyond just this immediate issue. I fear our current path is setting the stage for even higher utility bills down the line. That’s why I’m working closely with my colleagues in the legislature, Attorney General Todd Rokita and housing organizations to raise awareness of Evansville’s reality and advocate for change. Utility relief shouldn’t be a partisan issue, which is why I’m working across the aisle to find solutions.

We must be proactive in expanding energy options that offer both long-term sustainability and affordability. We also need to identify real, actionable solutions that reduce utility costs while simultaneously boosting efforts to increase safe, high-quality and affordable housing. Hoosiers deserve more than just rising utility rates; they deserve real relief.

Now is the time for action. We cannot afford to wait any longer.

Softball opens 2025 season on Friday

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 Aces travel to Greenville, S.C.

 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A trip to Greenville, S.C. for the Paladin Invitational opens the 2025 season for the University of Evansville softball team.

The Purple Aces open the season on Friday at 8:30 a.m. CT against Stonehill before resuming action on Saturday with games against UT Martin and Tennessee Tech.  Sunday’s final day will see UE face TTU and Furman.

Evansville’s top three hitters from last season return as Zoe Frossard, Jess Willsey, and Brooke Voss will anchor the offense.  Frossard, a member of the 2025 All-MVC Preseason Team, led UE with a .301 average last season.  She drew a team-high 28 walks and was second on the team with nine stolen bases and 26 runs scored.

Willsey completed the 2024 campaign with a .284 average.  Her 23 RBI from last year paces all of Evansville’s returners.  Voss had a solid freshman campaign, batting .270 with six home runs, 18 RBI, and 25 runs scored.

Sydney Weatherford is back for her senior season in the circle.  In 2024, she led the Aces in wins (8), ERA (3.42), and innings pitched (116.2).

 

Settlement with Indianapolis home builder protects Hoosiers’ rights to freely share customer reviews

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Attorney General Todd Rokita has obtained a settlement with an Indianapolis home builder resolving allegations that the company illegally included a gag clause in contracts that imposed $2,000 fines on homebuyers who made statements portraying the company “in a bad light.”

As part of the settlement, Davis Homes has agreed not to interfere with customers’ liberty to speak freely about their experiences. The company denies the allegation that it violated the Consumer Review Fairness Act and admits to no other wrongdoing.

“Under the law, Hoosiers have the right to share their opinions about products and services,” Attorney General Rokita said. “With this action, we are protecting that right.”

The Consumer Review Fairness Act of 2016 makes it illegal for companies to include in form contracts a provision that restricts a consumer’s ability to communicate reviews or assessments of a seller’s goods, services, or conduct. The Act also outlaws imposing a penalty or fee on any consumer who does make a review or assessment of a seller.

Before obtaining the settlement, Attorney General Rokita’s team also alleged that Davis Homes violated the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act with its contract language.

The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance requires the home builder to immediately end the use of the offending clause in its consumer contracts and to not attempt to enforce the clause on anyone who has already signed a contract with the builder. The home builder is also required to notify consumers who recently signed a contract with the builder that the clause is null and void.

Any Indiana consumers who signed a contract that contains a similar clause restricting or penalizing their ability to give honest reviews of a business can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the Indiana Attorney General’s Office at IndianaConsumer.com or by calling 1-800-382-5516. 

The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance is attached.

UE to Host Community Racial Justice Prayer Service

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u of E

EVANSVILLE, IND. (02/06/2025) The University of Evansville (UE) will host a Community Racial Justice Prayer Service on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in Eykamp Hall, Ridgway University Center. This interfaith gathering is part of Racial Justice Faith Week, an initiative that encourages faith communities to emphasize their teachings on social justice and racial equity.

The prayer service will provide a space for reflection, unity, and a shared commitment to justice, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and traditions. Open to the public, the event aims to foster understanding, and a collective effort toward building a more welcoming and inclusive society.

Faith leaders and community members are encouraged to attend and participate in this meaningful observance.

The University of Evansville is a private, comprehensive university with a solid foundation in the arts and sciences and professional schools in business, engineering, education, and health sciences. Established in 1854, UE is recognized across the globe for its rich tradition of innovative, academic excellence and dynamic campus community of #Changemakers.

 

Rep. Ledbetter authors resolution to recognize women’s heart health during American Heart Month

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STATEHOUSE (Feb. 6, 2025) – State Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) recently presented a resolution to raise awareness of heart disease in women during American Heart Month.

Nearly 45% of American women over the age of 20 are living with a cardiovascular disease, yet awareness of the risks, symptoms and precursors to heart disease has decreased by almost 20% in the last decade. Ledbetter said House Resolution 10 urges Hoosiers to learn more about cardiovascular health and show support for women fighting against heart disease.

“We know women are underrepresented in research on heart disease and strokes, leading to a lack of awareness on this important issue,” Ledbetter said. “I hope that by recognizing these gaps through my resolution, more women will take charge of their heart health and learn about the risks, potentially saving lives.”

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. To counteract the trend, the “Go Red for Women” movement by the American Heart Association is dedicated to educating America on the impact heart disease has on women and the steps to prevention.

Register Today: Improve 64 Industry Day

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Limited appointments are available for confidential, one-on-one meetings for interested design-build contractor proposers with the project team following the presentation. Please send meeting requests to Kyanna Wheeler or Dan Thatcher. Project materials can be viewed here.

Improve 64 will reduce congestion as well as improve safety and mobility along I-64 in Floyd County. The project includes additional travel lanes, interchange reconfigurations, and replacement and rehabilitation of bridges and pavement. Construction letting is scheduled for November 2025.