Evansville, IN – ECHO Housing & Community Development is excited to announce the launch of CANdid Conversations, a powerful new radio segment airing every other Saturday from 8:00–9:00 AM on WEOA (1400 AM, 98.5 FM, and 100.7 FM), beginning July 5, 2025.

About CANdid Conversations

CANdid Conversations is your front-row seat to the people, partnerships, and progress shaping the future of Southwest Indiana. Powered by ECHO Housing & Community Development, the show explores bold, honest conversations around the systems and solutions that impact our everyday lives—housing, neighborhood revitalization, mental health, youth opportunity, workforce development, and more.

Each episode brings real issues and real voices to the forefront, featuring leaders, service providers, and the voices of local residents. CANdid Conversations is rooted in the work of the Collective Action Network (CAN)—a regional, cross-sector collaboration focused on improving quality of life  2024.

ECHO serves as the backbone organization for CAN, helping to align dozens of partners in data-driven strategy and network-building that puts residents at the center. From neighborhood listening sessions to co-designed solutions, resident voice is a core driver of the initiative—and of this radio series.

“Communities don’t just need conversation—they need connection, coordination, and action,” said Merrick Korach, host of CANdid Conversations. “Every other Saturday, we spotlight real collaborations working together to solve real problems. These stories of local collaboration show what’s possible when residents are not only heard but empowered to lead change where they live.”

Tune In and Share Your Voice

Listeners are encouraged to visit ECHO Housing & Community Development’s Facebook page to share concerns, questions, and ideas about issues that matter most. These community submissions will directly help shape the conversations and guests featured on the show every other weekend.

When: Every other Saturday, beginning July 5, 2025

Time: 8:00–9:00 AM

Where: WEOA • 1400 AM | 98.5 FM | 100.7 FM

Are you a resident, partner, or changemaker in your neighborhood? Share Your Thoughts: go to echohousing.org/community-development and click on CANdid Conversations or go to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ECHOHousingCorp and find the featured (pinned) post on

CANdid Conversations.

Whether you’re a resident, neighbor, leader, or changemaker, CANdid Conversations invites you into a deeper dialogue on what it takes to build stronger, more connected, and more equitable communities.

At Gov. Braun’s request, Indiana’s public institutions commit to not increasing tuition or other mandatory fees for two consecutive academic years

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun today announced that all 15 of Indiana’s public colleges and universities, including main and regional campuses, have committed to holding tuition and mandatory fees flat for in-state undergraduate students for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years. This historic action is in response to Governor Braun’s request to implement a 0% increase in tuition and mandatory fees.

“A month ago, we challenged our state’s public higher education institutions to find efficiencies, eliminate redundancies and identify ways to streamline services without compromising quality,” said Gov. Braun. “The commitment made by all of Indiana’s public colleges and universities puts students and parents first and demonstrates to the rest of the country that Indiana is a leader in providing a high quality education at an affordable price.”

According to state records, this is the first time since at least 2010 that more than two campuses have simultaneously held tuition flat. Over the next two years, the Boards of Trustees at the following campuses have announced their commitment to holding tuition and fees flat for in-state undergraduate students:

• Ball State University,
• Indiana State University
• Indiana University Bloomington,
• Indiana University East,
• Indiana University Indianapolis,
• Indiana University Kokomo,
• Indiana University Northwest,
• Indiana University South Bend,
• Indiana University Southeast,
• Ivy Tech Community College,
• Purdue University West Lafayette,
• Purdue University Fort Wayne,
• Purdue University Northwest,
• University of Southern Indiana and
• Vincennes University

Pursuant to Indiana Code 21-14-2-12.5, during each biennium, the Commission for Higher Education must make tuition and mandatory fee recommendations for Indiana’s public institutions within 30 days of the enactment of the state budget. For the first time ever, the Commission unanimously voted in support of Gov. Braun’s recommendation to hold tuition and mandatory fees flat for Indiana students.

Samantha Fleischaker, the Commission’s student member and a student at the University of Southern Indiana, shared:

“Keeping tuition flat keeps the door open for students of all backgrounds, all ZIP codes, and all walks of life. It sends the message that education is not just for one demographic – it’s for all people. It’s not just a number. It’s the difference between opportunity and what feels impossible.”

Additional information regarding historic tuition and fee recommendations can be found  here.

Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers about an email and text message scam falsely claiming to be a “final notice” from the Indiana Motor Vehicle Administration (BMV), not the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. These fraudulent messages aim to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting individuals by threatening actions related to alleged traffic violations.  

“Don’t let fraudsters steal your identity or hard-earned money,” said Attorney General Rokita. “Scammers are using sophisticated tactics to trick Hoosiers. If you receive a suspicious text claiming to be from the BMV, do not click on any links and report it to our office immediately then call your phone provider for blocking solutions.”  

In previous scam messages – like June 5, 2025, scammers sent out different fraud texts from “DMV” instead of “BMV”. Scammers are using a new tactic in these deceptive messages and sending through Apple’s iMessage app rather than SMS messages. Our office has received multiple complaints and our Anti-Robocall Task Force is diligently working with three major Mobile Network Operators (MNO) to reach a solution in policing these new illegal behaviors.  

The scam messages claim that, by June 26, 2025, individuals with outstanding tickets will face the following actions if payment is not completed:   

• They will be reported to the BMV for ticket violation.   
• Their vehicle registration will be suspended.   
• Their driving privileges will be suspended for 30 days.   
• They will be transferred to a toll booth and charged a 35% service fee.   
• They may face prosecution and will suffer potential impacts to credit scores.  

Attorney General Rokita is calling on Hoosiers to remain vigilant and take the following precautions:   

• Do Not click on any links in unsolicited email or text messages claiming to be from the BMV.   
• Do Not provide personal information, such as your driver’s license number or Social Security number.   
• Do Not share any card or account information through text messages or unverified links.  
• Report the unwanted text messages as junk on the app you use and block the phone number or email address.  
• Contact your phone provider for call/text blocking solutions. Many manufacturers have built-in features to block unwanted calls or offer apps to block and label potential spam calls. Click here for a list of resources available.   
• Forward spam emails to the FTC at spam@uce.gov and report at reportFraud.ftc.gov.  

If you have already provided personal information or money through a link in these email or text messages, file a consumer complaint immediately online at indianaconsumer.com or call 317-232-6330.