Rep. O’Brien authors legislation to strengthen critical EMS services
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 6, 2026) – A bill authored by State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville) would classify emergency medical services as essential under Indiana law.
House Bill 1251 would formally recognize EMS as an essential public service, similar to police and fire departments. O’Brien said this classification emphasizes the importance of EMS first responders and the need to address shortages in areas that are currently underserved by emergency ambulance services.
“Emergency medical services, including ambulance services, play a vital role in safeguarding public health, safety and welfare,” O’Brien said. “In too many areas, especially rural communities, people worry about whether an ambulance will arrive quickly when they call 911. This bill is about recognizing EMS as essential and making sure counties are identifying areas in need and covering those lapses.”
O’Brien authored a law in 2024 to have the Indiana Department of Homeland Security conduct a comprehensive overview of EMS services across the state. The report found significant gaps in EMS staffing levels across districts, notable variation in basic and advanced life support services across counties, including no coverage in some townships, and difficulty recruiting and retaining EMS workers in certain areas.
O’Brien said his bill would also have county commissioners identify underserved areas and contract with providers to establish EMS services.
House Bill 1251 was referred to the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee for consideration. To learn more about the bill and follow session, visit iga.in.gov.
Attorney General Todd Rokita and team once again beat the hell out of Satanic Temple’s efforts to undermine Indiana’s commonsense pro-life law
A bigger whooping than when the devil went down to Georgia
Attorney General Todd Rokita and his legal team today celebrated a major victory for life after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit unanimously affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by the Satanic Temple challenging Indiana’s landmark 2022 pro-life law.
The federal appeals court ruled that the Satanic Temple lacked standing to bring its claims, meaning it failed to show any real injury to itself or its members from Indiana’s prohibitions on telehealth abortions and related criminal penalties. This decision upholds the lower court’s ruling and reinforces Indiana’s strong protections for unborn life.
“This lawsuit was ridiculous from the start, but this unanimous court decision is a critical victory because it continues to uphold our pro-life law that is constitutionally and legally rock-solid,” Attorney General Todd Rokita said. “Our state has proudly built a strong culture of life, and no satanic cult—or any extremist group—is going to stop us.”
The case stemmed from the Satanic Temple’s attempt to operate a telehealth abortion clinic in Indiana, claiming its “Satanic Abortion Ritual” entitled it to exemptions under the U.S. Constitution and Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Seventh Circuit rejected the lawsuit on jurisdictional grounds, declining to reach the merits.
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade in the 2022 Dobbs case, Indiana was the first state in the nation to enact a sweeping pro-life law.
Attorney General Rokita thanked his team for their work on this case, mentioning in particular the strong efforts of Solicitor General James Barta and former Deputy Solicitor General Jenna Lorence—who, since successfully arguing this appeal, was appointed Alaska’s Solicitor General.
“We’re proud to have secured another win that keeps Indiana’s pro-life law firmly in place,” Solicitor General James Barta said. “This unanimous ruling is a major step forward for protecting unborn life, and we’re grateful to stand with Hoosier families in defending these essential safeguards.”
Attorney General Rokita has consistently defended Indiana’s commonsense pro-life laws against multiple challenges, securing victories that protect women and unborn children across the state.
Conference Road Test at SIU Next for Aces
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – On Thursday, the University of Evansville women’s basketball team looks to build off their first MVC win of the year when they travel to Carbondale, Ill. to take on Southern Illinois. Tip-off is set for 6 PM.
Series History
– Thursday marks the 61st meeting between Evansville and Southern Illinois
– SIU leads the series 32-28
– Last season, the Aces and Salukis split the season series, with each team winning at home
– The Aces have won two of the last three match-ups, but the Salukis hold an 8-2 advantage in the last 10 meetings
– Evansville last won in Carbondale in 2016-17
Impact Freshmen
– Evansville has seen a number of freshmen make an impact of their first season of collegiate basketball
– Sydney Huber has made eight starts and played an average of 21.3 minutes per game. The sharpshooter has connected on 20 three-pointers and scored 5.9 ppg
– Backcourt mate BreAunna Ward has started six games and played 17.3 ppg
– Georgia Ferguson has made an impact in the frontcourt, appearing in all 14 games with three starts, scoring 5.2 ppg while racking up a team-leading 12 blocks
Double the Fun
– In Evansville’s win over Valpo on Friday, Camryn Runner recorded her second career double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds
– Runner’s 13 rebounds were a career-high and the most by an Ace in a game this season
– Runner is one of three MVC guards with multiple double-doubles this season, while her double-double against the Beacons was the second by a guard in MVC play this year
– Entering the weekend, Runner ranks eighth in the MVC with 16.1 ppg and is one of three Valley players to average 16-plus points and 5.5-plus rebounds per game
Otters hire Trevor Lakins as new General Manager
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Otters are excited to announce the hiring of Trevor Lakins as the ninth General Manager in team history.
“We are thrilled to have Trevor as General Manager of the Otters,” Otters Team President John Stanley said. “Trevor’s experience in baseball management, his love of the game, and his overall enthusiasm will make him a popular and effective leader.”
Lakins, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., joins the Otters after spending nearly a decade in different baseball front offices across the country. Lakins spent the 2025 season as Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Triple-A Affiliate for the New York Yankees.
“I want to thank Mr. Bill Bussing and Mr. John Stanley for the opportunity to lead an organization as prestigious as the Evansville Otters,” Lakins said. “I am looking forward to continuing the long-standing tradition of the rich history of baseball in Evansville and Otterball, make sure to come out to Bosse Field on Thursday, May 7th to celebrate the opening of the 2026 season!”
Prior to his time in Triple-A, Lakins spent two seasons within independent baseball from 2023-’24 as the Assistant General Manager for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League.
“We are pleased to welcome Trevor to the Otters’ family,” Otters Owner Bill Bussing said. “His wealth of experience should enable us to continue to offer compelling entertainment to the Tri-State.”
Lakins has a rich sales background, including a season as the Director of Sales for the Lake County Captains, the High-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians in 2022.
Throughout his collegiate years, Lakins continued his work within baseball front offices. Like most of the Otters front office, Lakins also built his career in baseball up from seasonal work, getting his start as an Assistant Groundskeeper and Food and Beverage Intern in his first two seasons within professional baseball with the Tennessee Smokies, the Double-A Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.
Lakins graduated from East Tennessee State University with a degree in Business Management. When he isn’t at the ballpark, Lakins enjoys golfing and snowboarding.
Six of the Otters’ eight full-time staff members began their tenure with the Otters as interns and worked their way to full-time positions. 2026 summer internship applications are open now on TeamWork Online here. If interested, applicants are encouraged to apply quickly as positions are filling quickly.
Season tickets and group offerings are available now for the 2026 season. Single game tickets will go on sale in February.
Vincennes University hosts 48 robotics teams for LEGO League Semi-State competition
VINCENNES, Ind. — The Vincennes University Center for Applied Robotics and Automationturned the Vincennes Campus into a hub of innovation, teamwork, and competitive energy for students aged 9 to 16 on Saturday, Dec. 20.
The CARA hosted the FIRST LEGO League Challenge Semi-State South UNEARTHED tournament in the VU P.E. Complex, which featured 48 robotics teams from throughout Indiana.
The tourney brought together students who showcased their technical skills and collaborative problem-solving through hands-on research, coding, and engineering. They designed LEGO robots in an attempt to navigate the tourney’s mission-based robot game with precision and strategy, with each team competing for a coveted spot at the state championship in Indianapolis on Saturday, Jan. 10.
VU provided an electric atmosphere that was akin to an athletic event. Matches were intense and enthusiastic, while blending technology and science.
“The passion from these competitors was powerful,” said Kimberly Wright, Director of the Center for Applied Robotics and Automation and Interim Dean of the College of Technology. “This challenge reflects exactly what hands-on STEM education should look like. Supporting students who are competing, collaborating, and innovating is important to the University and the future of STEM education.”
By hosting impactful STEM competitions, VU strengthens pathways for exploration and prepares the next generation for careers in STEM fields.
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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.
FIRST CADIDATE FILLING FOR 2026 ELECTION
Exciting news – our first candidate is officially filing for the 2026 election! We invite you to come out and show your support for Jason Jett as he kicks off his campaign for a seat on the Vanderburgh County Council. Join us on Wednesday, January 7 at 11 AM in Room 216 at the Civic Center Building. Let’s rally behind Jason and start this journey off with a strong show of support!