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THUNDERBOLTS TRANSFORM INTO RIVERJACKS THIS WEEKEND AGAINST QUAD CITY

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Evansville, In.:  The Thunderbolts emerged strong after Christmas, taking 3 out of 4 points in Quad City this past weekend.  After hosting the Birmingham Bulls for New Year’s Eve, the Thunderbolts will rebrand for this coming weekend as the Ohio Valley RiverJacks when they take on the Storm this Friday and Saturday night at Ford Center.
Week In Review:
                Friday night in Quad City, the Thunderbolts had a 4-1 lead with goals from Evan Miller, Derek Contessa, Eelis Laaksonen and Myles Abbate, however Evansville was forced to settle for one point as Quad City came back to win 5-4 in a shootout.  The 4-1 lead stuck on Saturday night and became the final score for Evansville, with two goals from Scott Kirton and additional goals from Abbate and Matt Clark.  The Thunderbolts will host the Birmingham Bulls for the annual New Year’s Eve game before getting set to host Quad City.
The Week Ahead:
It’s time to roll the dice, Evansville — the Thunderbolts are cashing in a brand-new identity for one weekend only! Join us at the Ford Center on Friday, January 2nd and Saturday, January 3rd as your Thunderbolts rebrand to the Ohio Valley Riverjacks! We’re celebrating the rich casino and riverboat history of Evansville, bringing that high-stakes energy straight to the ice. From the jerseys to the lights, it’s a full house of fun, excitement, and hard-hitting hockey action! Place your bets on the home team — and get ready to hit the jackpot with the Ohio Valley Riverjacks, one weekend only!  Wyatt Riddle with BBB will be set up in the lobby for pictures and autographs ahead of puck drop on January 2nd. During the first intermission, take on the BBB talent for an on-ice competition and win 4 tickets! Throughout the game, the BBB crew will be throwing out merchandise to a few lucky fans! Looking to enjoy a rodeo show in January? Go see Bulls, Bands, and Barrels at the Ford Center on Saturday, January 10th by purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster.com or the Ford Center Box Office!  The Thunderbolts will conclude this coming weekend with a Sunday afternoon matchup at Quad City, opening face-off set for 2:10pm CT at Vibrant Arena.  Fans can watch on FloHockey or can listen for free on the Thunderbolts Mixlr Channel.

Governor Braun Launches Smart SNAP, Setting National Standard for Health and Nutrition

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INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun today announced the launch of Smart SNAP, a groundbreaking initiative beginning January 1, 2026, that prohibits the use of SNAP benefits for sugary drinks and candy. This policy, a cornerstone of Governor Braun’s Make Indiana Healthy Again plan, reflects Indiana’s commitment to improving nutrition and reversing troubling health trends statewide.

Under Governor Braun’s leadership, Indiana is taking decisive action to set a standard for healthy eating and provide a model for other states.

“This is a common-sense change that will help Hoosiers live healthier lives. By working hand-in-hand with retailers, community organizations, and food banks, we’re ensuring this transition is smooth and effective. Indiana is proving that practical, collaborative solutions can make a real difference—and we hope other states will follow our lead.” – Gov. Mike Braun

This policy change was first announced in April 2025 alongside Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

To ensure a seamless rollout, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has implemented a comprehensive strategy:

  • Retailer Engagement: Three meetings completed, eight more scheduled in January for compliance and training.
  • Smart SNAP Retailer Resources: FAQs, posters, labels, and compliance checklists available online, with regular updates.
  • Community Partnerships: Food banks and local organizations amplifying awareness statewide.
  • Direct Outreach: Posters in all Division of Family Resources offices to inform SNAP recipients.

Indiana was among the first states to secure a USDA waiver for this change, and other states are already exploring similar measures. Smart SNAP underscores Governor Braun’s vision for healthier communities and practical leadership that delivers results.

Men’s basketball opens New Year at Illinois State

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Aces and Redbirds set for 2 p.m. match-up

 

NORMAL, Ill. – The University of Evansville men’s basketball team rings in the New Year on Thursday afternoon with a 2 p.m. game at Illinois State. ESPN+ and Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast.

Last Time Out

– After opening Monday’s game at Bradley on a 13-0 run, the Purple Aces battled to the finish before dropping a 76-68 decision

– AJ Casey had a career night, converting 8 of his 11 attempts on his way to 21 points

– Josh Hughes drained four 3-pointers and tallied 14 points and 7 caroms while Bryce Quinet finished the night with 11 points

12 and Over

– Through his first three MVC games, AJ Casey is averaging 15 points per game

– After scoring 12 in the opening two league games, Casey registered a career-high 21 points at Bradley on 8-of-11 shooting

– Casey now has seven double digit games on the season and is averaging 9.4 PPG

– Casey picked up three steals in the first two MVC games and is 8th in the league with his season average of 1.43/game

– He is UE’s second-leading rebounder with 5.4 per game including 11 versus Ball State

– Casey is 14th in the MVC with 5.43 boards/game and is 5th in offensive rbs (2.50/gm)

Making his Mark

– Alex Hemenway hit three more triples in the road game at Bradley on the way to a 9-point game

– Over his last seven games, Hemenway is averaging 8.3 PPG while going 14-of-33 from downtown

– He is shooting 36.1% from long range on the season tying him for 13th in the Valley

Triple Play

– Looking to regain the edge he had in the opening games of the season, Josh Hughes has started to find his shot from long range

– Over the last four games, Hughes has converted 9 of his 19 3-point tries

– He opened the season averaging 13.2 PPG through the first six games while scoring at least 12 points in each contest

– In the last eight games, Hughes has reached double figures just twice and is averaging 6.6 PPG

– His top games over that stretch were 14 points at Notre Dame and Bradley

Governor Mike Braun and Attorney General Todd Rokita Ask Federal Court to Lift 20-Year Ban on Historical Monument at Indiana Statehouse

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Attorney General Todd Rokita and Governor Mike Braun announced this week that Indiana has filed a motion in federal court asking to remove a more than 20-year-old injunction that blocks the placement of a donated historical monument on the Indiana Statehouse grounds.

The motion, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in Indianapolis, seeks relief under a federal rule that allows courts to lift old orders when the law has significantly changed.

The monument—a gift from the Indiana Limestone Institute—displays the Ten Commandments on one large side, the Bill of Rights on the opposite side, and the Preamble to the Indiana Constitution on the smaller sides. A similar monument stood peacefully on the Statehouse lawn for over 30 years until it was vandalized in 1991.

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

 

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.

Lyft taxi and Logans Promise offering discount Fares for tonight

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Beginning at 10 p.m. on Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve revelers in Evansville and neighboring counties can call a Lyft taxi either for free or at a steep discount by using a Logan’s Promise promo code, “SAFERIDE2026,” slashing $25 from the total fare price. Rides with fares of $25 or less are thus free.

Governor Braun Leverages Indiana Workforce Development Board to Grow Jobs and Wages for Hoosier Workers

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INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun has signed an executive order reinstating Indiana’s State Workforce Development Board to strengthen Indiana’s statewide workforce development strategy, grow jobs and higher wage opportunities for Hoosiers, and ensure full alignment with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The executive order positions the Board as a central coordinating body to align employers, education and training providers, and state agencies around measurable workforce outcomes.

“My most important responsibility is making life better for Hoosier families on the kitchen table issues that really matter, and that means new job opportunities, higher wages, and a clear path to a high-paying skilled career. We will use the Indiana Workforce Development Board to bring together an elite team of job creators and workforce development experts to help create new opportunities and bigger paychecks for Hoosier workers.” — Governor Mike Braun

The Workforce Development Board will include entrepreneurs and representatives from businesses of all sizes. Members will represent urban, rural, and suburban Hoosier communities.

The Workforce Development Board will advise the Governor and the Secretary of Commerce on workforce development strategy, including a review of statewide policies and programs with recommendations on actions the state should take to strengthen Indiana’s workforce. The Board will develop comprehensive state performance accountability measures to track results and ensure success for Hoosier workers.

Reinstating the Board reinforces Indiana’s commitment to an employer-led, outcomes-driven workforce system that supports talent pipelines, regional economic growth, and long-term wage advancement.

Congressman Baird Announces Significant Health Care Funding for Indiana Through Rural Health Transformation Program

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Washington, D.C. –  Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) announced that the State of Indiana will receive nearly $207 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2026 through the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program.

“Hoosiers in rural communities deserve access to timely, high-quality care,” said Congressman Baird. “I was proud to support the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which authorized the Rural Health Transformation Program to deliver vital funding that will help address provider shortages, barriers to accessing care, and workforce shortages, while allowing our rural health care providers to continue to provide quality care. I am pleased to see these taxpayer funds returned to Hoosiers so Indiana can increase access to care and improve patient outcomes. I thank President Trump for signing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz for his leadership in delivering this critical funding for Hoosiers and Rural America.”

The RHT Program was created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The RHT Program empowers states to strengthen rural communities by improving health care access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the health care delivery ecosystem. RHT Program funding consists of $50 billion allocated to approved states over five fiscal years, with $10 billion available each fiscal year, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026 and ending in Fiscal Year 2030. Fifty percent of this funding is distributed equally to all approved states, and the remaining 50% will be allocated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) based on a variety of factors including rural population, the proportion of rural health facilities in the state, the situation of certain hospitals in the state, and other factors to be specified by CMS.

More information on the Rural Health Transformation Program can be found here.

Important Changes to SNAP Benefits Starting January 1

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Indiana is launching Smart SNAP, a new initiative to promote healthier food choices. Beginning January 1, 2026, sugary drinks and candy will no longer be eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. This change is part of Governor Braun’s Make Indiana Healthy Again initiative. Learn more about what this means for you by visiting the Smart SNAP webpage.

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