Attorney General Todd Rokita & Comptroller Elise Nieshalla tell IU’s Kinsey Institute to follow State law
Attorney General Todd Rokita & Comptroller Elise Nieshalla tell IU’s Kinsey Institute to follow State law
Attorney General Todd Rokita and State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla are calling on Indiana University (IU) to show proof of compliance with a clear and unambiguous state law, whichprohibits the Kinsey Institute from using taxpayer funds.
“My office works tirelessly to protect Hoosiers’ hard-earned tax dollars and Indiana law is clear – no state funds may be used to fund the Kinsey Institute,” Attorney General Rokita said. “More than a year has passed since IU assured the public and state officials that it would follow the law, yet we have seen no indication that any serious actions have been taken. IU is not above the law, and Hoosiers deserve answers.”
An Indiana law passed by the General Assembly prohibits state funding of the Kinsey Institute in any way. The 2023 law cites more than a dozen potential funding loopholes which must now operate using zero taxpayer dollars. A joint letter sent this week by Attorney General Rokita and Comptroller Nieshalla demands IU’s President and Trustees confirm compliance with the state law that went into effect on July 1 – of last year – more than ample time to provide such proof.
“As the state elected leader responsible for the accounting and reporting of state funds, I take seriously my responsibility to document and provide complete transparency for tax dollars spent within state government,” stated Comptroller Elise Nieshalla. “With the absence of evidence per state law that tax dollars are no longer supporting the Kinsey Institute, we are calling for necessary financial information to prove adherence to state statute.”
Indiana University issued a press release in April of 2023 promising a “thorough legal review to ensure the University follows state law.” But rather than show simple proof of compliance, the administrators of Indiana’s largest public university school system voted to table and ultimately declined to separate the controversial sex research center from the University itself. Instead, IU proposed a plan to use accounting methods to ensure compliance, yet two quarterly meetings have passed since this proposal with no public update as to the implementation of an appropriateaccounting plan. Now, another semester is set to begin and Indiana taxpayers deserve answers.
The law passed by our General Assembly uses succinct language forbidding state funds frombeing used in the administration, operation, or any programs of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction.
Indiana State Police Seeks Recruits for the 87th Recruit Academy
Indiana State Police Seeks Recruits for the
87th Recruit Academy
AUGUST 2, 2024
The Indiana State Police is accepting applications for the 87th Recruit Academy for traditional and lateral applicants. Individuals interested in beginning a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper must apply online at IndianaTrooper.com. This website provides a detailed synopsis of the application process and information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police. Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm (EST) on Sunday, October 13, 2024.
Probationary Troopers graduating from the 87th Recruit Academy, who successfully complete their Field Training Officer (FTO) program, receive a $5,000.00 dollar one-time cash bonus (taxable) in addition to their regular salary.
 |
Included Benefits:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits during the academy and probationary year.
- Military and Law Enforcement service purchase options. Service Purchase Calculator
- NEW take-home patrol vehicle issued after completing the FTO period (includes off-duty use).
- Uniforms and over $9,000 of NEW equipment are issued at no cost.
- 3 hours of on-duty physical training per week.
- 40 paid days of leave annually and 150 hours of New Parent Leave per qualifying event.
- Health/Vision/Dental and Life Insurance options for actives and retirees.
- Lifetime pension and deferred compensation w/State matching.
- Endless Opportunities and Career Advancement.
Basic Eligibility Requirements and Consideration Factors for an Indiana State Trooper:
- Must be a United States citizen.
- Must be at least 21 and less than 40 years of age when appointed as a police employee. (Appointment date for traditional applicants is July 17, 2025)
- Must meet a minimum vision standard (corrected or uncorrected) of 20/50 acuity in each eye and 20/50 distant binocular acuity in both eyes.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license to operate an automobile.
- Must be willing, if appointed, to reside and serve anywhere within the State of Indiana as designated by the Superintendent.
- Must be a high school graduate as evidenced by a diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED or HSE).
Current Law Enforcement Officers:
Current Law Enforcement Officers must be full time merit law enforcement officers with a minimum of three continuous years of law enforcement service as of December 11, 2024, and if they choose, they will be assigned to the district where they currently reside.
Current Out of State Law Enforcement Officers with a minimum of three continuous years of merit full time law enforcement service as of December 11, 2024, if they choose, may be afforded their district of choice if their home state certification is determined equivalent to the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board standards.
Recruits in the lateral academy will have periodic structured performance reviews with the Training Academy staff. Performance expectations for graduation on June 5, 2025, will be continually monitored. If your performance does not meet the criteria for graduation as determined by the Superintendent, you will have the option to continue in the traditional recruit academy with a graduation date of July 17, 2025.
*Note: Lateral Police Officers must be at least 21 and less than 40 years of age when appointed as a police employee on June 5, 2025.
Recruits of the 87th Recruit Academy are offered an excellent health care plan, including medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy coverage for current and retired employees, along with their families, until reaching age 65. The Indiana State Police pension program provides a lifetime pension after 25 years of service. Additionally, the Indiana State Police Department provides comprehensive disability coverage and a life insurance program. Student loan forgiveness programs are being offered at this time through the following: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Interested applicants can obtain additional information about an Indiana State Trooper career by visiting IndianaTrooper.com. Applicants can also contact a recruiter at isprecruiting@isp.in.gov.
Dylan Anderson named Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach
Kathryn Tyler taking part in Summer Undergraduate Research Training
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville women’s soccer player Kathryn Tyler has earned a prestigious opportunity that she has been participating in throughout the Summer of 2024.
Set to begin her junior campaign with the Purple Aces, Tyler was accepted into the Summer Undergraduate Research Training (SMART) program at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. The SMART Program is recognized throughout the nation as an excellent research program with unique educational components.
“One of my neuroscience teachers suggested that I apply for a summer research program and I wanted to find something closer to home in Texas,” Tyler said. “With this program, you are basically put in a lab that aligns with your interests. This experience allows you to work in lab while going through different seminars.”
Many educational and career development opportunities include: research seminar series specifically for SMART students encompassing a range of topics, graduate school application workshop series, one-on-one advising, tours of biomedical facilities, career professional development workshops, seminars, and panels, meet and greet with the MD/Ph.D. program director, social events sponsored by the graduate council and much more.
Her experience will be at Jiang Lab at the Baylor College of Medicine. This lab specializes in multiple facets of brain circuits and he goals of the project center around the type of research they perform.
“My main goal is to study brains with different types of diseases (cerebellar ataxia’s) to see how a specific genetic mutation changes how cells behave. Specifically I am looking at cells within the cerebellum to understand why this mutation causes some cells types to die and stop functioning correctly.”
Tyler has been working an average of 45 hours per week on research and program activities. The program provides frontier-level, biomedical summer research projects for undergraduates in a supportive environment with supplemental educational activities. The length of the program is set for nine weeks and has gained nationwide recognition from students, their advisers, and granting agencies as one of the most successful ever created due to the incomparable resources in the Texas Medical Center and people who truly believe in opening doors of opportunity to college students.
“I never thought the opportunity would come up to do this in undergrad,” she stated. “I only read about this type of research in textbooks.”
Baylor College of Medicine has multiple specializations and one that Tyler is especially interested in is their Space Medicine Program. With the school being located near NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, the school has the unique chance to work within that industry. Growing up in Texas, Tyler had a lifelong interest in astronomy and looks to get a glimpse of what the school does within that program. She has an interest in studying how astronauts live in isolation and confined space and how to help them survive in those conditions. As a whole, the experience has been beneficial in giving her a new focus for life after college.
“This program has helped me develop a focus on my career path,” she added. “It made me realize how many opportunities there are in this field.”
Vanderburgh County Retail Food Establishment Inspection Report
Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Expands Recall for Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
The products subject to recall were distributed to retail locations nationwide and some were exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. The products shipped to retailers bear establishment number “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.
The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified that a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for L. monocytogenes. The Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department, collected an unopened liverwurst product from a retail store for testing as part of an outbreak investigation of L. monocytogenes infections. Further testing determined the product sample tested positive for the outbreak strain. Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare provider.
FSIS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners to investigate the multistate outbreak of L. monocytogenes infections linked to meats sliced at delis. As of July 30, 2024, 34 sick people have been identified in 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths. Samples were collected from sick people from May 29, 2024, to July 12, 2024. The investigation is ongoing, and FSIS continues to work with the CDC and state partners. The CDC Food Safety Alert, Listeria Outbreak Linked to Meats Sliced at Delis, will continue to be updated with the latest investigation details.
Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In people who are pregnant, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators and in retail deli cases. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and retailers are urged not to sell these products with the referenced sell by dates. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Consumers who have purchased these products are also urged to clean refrigerators thoroughly to prevent the risk of cross-contamination.
FSIS recommends retail delis clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces and discard any open meats and cheeses in the deli. Retailers may refer to FSIS’ guideline, Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes in Retail Delicatessens, for information on steps to prevent certain ready-to-eat foods that are prepared or sliced in retail delis and consumed in the home, such as deli meats and deli salads, from becoming contaminated with L. monocytogenes.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., Customer Service at 1-800-352-6277. Media with questions can contact Elizabeth Ward, Vice President of Communications, Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., at media@boarshead.com.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
IHCDA Board of Directors invests $1.5 million in placemaking program
IHCDA Board of Directors invests $1.5 million in placemaking program
Creating Places has funded nearly 300 place-based projects since 2016
INDIANAPOLIS (August 2, 2024) – The IHCDA Board of Directors has allocated an additional $1.5 million to its signature placemaking program, CreatINg Places. Creating Places employs a donation and reward-based method of crowdfunding called ‘crowd granting’ by which citizens actively support community-oriented projects through donations that can be matched by IHCDA.
“For the last eight years, CreatINg Places has illustrated the power of communities coming together around a common vision,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “We are tremendously proud of the hundreds of successful crowdfunding projects the program has launched, and with additional funding from the board, we look forward to assisting many more projects in the future.”
Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $11 million in public funds and an additional $9.4 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities 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.
CreatINg Places has seen successful campaigns in 137 communities and 77 counties around the state of Indiana. 270 campaigns have been reached their goal, a 96% success rate. The projects have crowdfunded $11,038,719 from donors, receiving $9,407,650 in matching grants from IHCDA. The average project goal is $34,625 and the average raised per project is $39,620. The projects have created 2,019 jobs and activated more than 13 million square feet of space.
“CreatINg Places continues to meet Hoosier communities where they are and provide the technical support they need to improve their public spaces by dynamically engaging community members as critical investors through crowdfunding, resulting in over $11 million from donors statewide,” said Bridget Anderson, vice president of Patronicity. “By making additional matching funds available, IHCDA and our team at Patronicity can empower more changemakers to transform their communities, improve quality of life, grow connections, and instill community pride.”
The CreatINg Places program has given rise to two cadet programs, CreatINg Livable Communities and My Community, My Vision. CreatINg Livable Communities is a partnership with AARP Indiana and focuses on projects geared toward senior citizens. My Community, My Vision works with high school student groups to foster placemaking in the students’ communities.
Evansville Regional Economic Partnership Breaks Ground on Ohio Township Park
Evansville Regional Economic Partnership Breaks Ground on Ohio Township Park
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (August 1, 2024) – The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP), in collaboration with the Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA), the Lt. Governor’s Office, and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, announced today the groundbreaking of Ohio Township Park, a significant project under the READI 1.0 initiative. The READI program accelerates investment across the state by matching private and local government funding for regionally transformational projects.
“This park exemplifies the positive impact of the READI program, enhancing our community and providing valuable recreational opportunities for residents,” said RDA Chair, Beth McFadin Higgins.
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch joined Ohio Township Trustee Chad Bennett, along with elected officials, community members, and regional leaders to celebrate this milestone. The celebration included the groundbreaking of the park, the ‘hose-cutting’ for the new firehouse, and a reception inside the community center.
“Ohio Township Park is a testament to what can be achieved when state and local entities come together with a shared vision for community development,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “This park will be a cornerstone for recreation, community events and family activities, enriching the lives of residents for years to come.”
This $15 million project showcases the profound impact of READI 1.0 and how public-private partnerships can drive regional growth. Ohio Township Park will serve as a central hub for gatherings, recreational sports, community events, and more.
Key components of the park include a modern, zoned playground, a splash pad and slide, outdoor fitness stations, running and walking trails, yard games, sport courts, event lawns, a lake feature, pavilions, and more. Each element is designed to challenge children to discover and explore, fostering cognitive, social, physical, and creative skills.
“This park will be a vibrant community asset, offering diverse activities for all ages and promoting healthy lifestyles,” said Chad Bennett, Ohio Township Trustee. “It’s a place where families can create memories, and our community can come together.”
Located a mile east of I-69, the park is connected via a walking trail to the Warrick Wellness Trail, as well as shopping, restaurants, hotels, and workplaces.