FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Howey Daily Wire April 8, 2025
Happy Tuesday!
Gov. Mike Braun is sticking with a return-to-office directive for state employees. Watch for the latest news about property tax legislation from State Affairs later today. More news below. — Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs
Braun holds firm on return-to-office order for state employees: Braun signed the executive order eliminating work-from-home options for potentially thousands of state employees on Jan. 15. (Davies, State Affairs)
State attorneys general seek common ground amid national contentions: The National Association of Attorneys General in Nashville runs through Wednesday and will cover topics like prison mobile phone jamming legislation, Supreme Court cases, human trafficking, cannabis and artificial intelligence. (Baker, State Affairs)
STATE
State to host national nuclear energy planning retreat: The office of Gov. Mike Braun announced a retreat co-sponsored by the National Governors Association and the U.S. Department of Energy is slated for sometime this summer and will focus on enhancing nuclear energy education and engagement. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)
Indiana needs to retrain 82k+ workers annually to meet demand, Ivy Tech finds: “Indiana needs to improve productivity with the workforce it already has,” according to a report from Ivy Tech Community College, which found that about 70% of job openings across four in-demand industries will require additional training. (Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Rural communities finding solutions to EMS coverage issues: As rural communities are taking the brunt of the hit caused by an EMS and paramedic shortage, communities, nonprofits and government officials are taking action to provide more coverage for rural areas. (Joslin, Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Measles case confirmed in Allen County: The Allen County Health Department said in a press release that one case of measles was found in an unvaccinated minor and that the patient is in stable condition and recovering. (Murphy, WANE-TV)
Trade war expected to batter RV industry: Ball State University economist Michael Hicks says President Trump’s trade war with Canada and Mexico will cause economic pain all over North America, and it will especially hurt the Elkhart area’s RV industry. (Parrott, WVPE-FM)
Trump orders new review of Nippon-US Steel merger: The White House said a fresh look conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. would help the president determine whether further action would be appropriate. (The Wall Street Journal)
USDA, ISDA award $6.7M to 17 farming organizations: The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it has partnered with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to award $6,714,042 million for 17 grants to “build resilience across the middle of the supply chain while strengthening local and regional food systems.” (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)
LOCAL
Questions about property tax reform, federal funding, tariffs prompts Tippecanoe County commissioners to put juvenile detention center on hold: Planning for a juvenile detention center in Tippecanoe County Jail was put on pause with county commissioners pulling back to wait out questions about property tax reform proposals in the General Assembly, federal funding doubts and uncertainty on construction prices due to tariffs. (Bangert, Based in Lafayette)
Noblesville attracts 89 new households through MakeMyMove project: “We’ve (seen) 89 new households relocate to Noblesville and 224 residents come to Noblesville,” Mayor Chris Jensen said of the project offering incentives to attract new residents. “Out of those 224, with their average wage accounted for, we’re going to see a $38 million economic impact over the next five years because of that investment.” (Todd, The Current)
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Senate OKs fix for state comptroller’s error affecting three Region cities: The plan to fix a state comptroller’s error that mistakenly paid $12.2 million in extra gaming revenue to Gary over the past three years, while shorting East Chicago and Michigan City, is close to becoming law. (Carden, NWI Times)
Language making it a crime to sleep on public property inserted into SB 197: Senate Bill 197 originally focused on unsafe buildings but an amendment added language that would charge unhoused people who sleep on public property with a crime. (Potter, WTHR-TV)
General Assembly schedule: The House and Senate will convene at 1:30 p.m. Five meetings are scheduled.
CONGRESS
Young proposes to bring more funding to Great Lakes ports: A news release announced Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., introduced bipartisan legislation “aimed at ensuring that Great Lakes ports receive a fair share of existing federal funding available for port infrastructure upgrades and repairs.” (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)
Young letter to WSJ editor urges ending legacy or donor college admissions preferences: In a letter to the editor published by The Wall Street Journal, Sen. Young voiced support for calls for more transparency in college admissions and wrote “Legacy and donor preferences serve no public interest — they simply preserve access for the already well-connected.”
Spartz says Ukraine not positioned to keep land in peace talks: Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., Congress’s only Ukrainian member, isn’t afraid to upset her former countrymen, telling The Telegraph they must accept the ceding of territory to Russia and replace wartime leader Volodymyr Zelenskky if they don’t wish to lose their entire country.
Thune: Bill to curb Trump’s tariff power doesn’t have a future — Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said a bipartisan bill to curb President Trump’s tariff power backed by seven Republican senators, including Sen. Young, doesn’t have a future in Congress because Trump has already threatened to veto it. (The Hill)
Congressional schedule: The House will meet at 10 a.m. and begin legislative business at noon with budget matters on the agenda. Votes are scheduled no later than 3 p.m. The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.
CAMPAIGNS
Carson faces likely primary challenge: Rep. André Carson, D-Ind, could soon join the ranks of veteran House Democrats facing primary challenges as George Hornedo, a local Democratic operative, eyes launching a bid for his seat this week. (Axios)
Stutzman talks tariffs, DOGE cuts at Steuben County GOP event: Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., spoke in detail about tariffs imposed last week by President Donald Trump and said Congress will not touch Social Security and Medicaid benefits during an appearance at the Steuben County Republican Chairman’s Breakfast in Angola. (Marturello, KPC Media)
PRESIDENTIAL 2025
Bondi: Trump admin to seek federal death sentences ‘whenever possible’ — The Trump administration will pursue death sentences against federal defendants “whenever possible,” according to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. (Hale, WFIU-FM)
NATION
Supreme Court lifts order blocking deportations to El Salvador: The court said the detainees were entitled to notice that they were being removed and an opportunity to challenge their deportations before a federal judge in Texas, near the immigration lockup where they have been held. (The Wall Street Journal)
Stellantis offers to help suppliers pay tariff costs: Jeep owner Stellantis NV is willing to help its suppliers pay tariff costs to withstand the initial shock of President Donald Trump’s trade war. (Bloomberg)
White House schedule: President Donald Trump will participate in a commemorative tree planting at 10:30 a.m. and an “Unleashing American Energy Executive Order Signing Event” at 3 p.m. He will deliver remarks at the National Republican Congressional Committee Dinner at the National Building Museum at 6:45 p.m.
Otters can’t find enough offense in middle game defeat
Avon, OH. – The Evansville Otters (12-15) lost the middle game of the series Wednesday night versus the Lake Erie Crushers (14-13), 9-5.
Evansville’s offense started off hot. Catcher’s interference put a runner on first base for LJ Jones who would drive him in with a sharp double. Two batters later, Logan Brown drove in Jones to make the lead 2-0.
The Otters would hold this lead until the bottom of the second when Lake Erie would score two to tie the game. In the third frame, Lake Erie stuck again – scoring three to lead 5-2.
The Otters still had fight left in them. Keenan Taylor tripled to lead off the fourth and scored on a L. Brown ground out to get one back. An inning later in the fifth, the Otters scored again. This time, Pavin Parks hit a hard grounder through the right side of the infield for a two-out RBI single.
After the Otters brought the game to 5-4, Lake Erie quickly responded with two of their own in the fifth.
The score would stay at 7-4 to the eighth where the Otters scratched one across again. This time on another Taylor RBI hit, a double to drive in Graham Brown.
The Otters would eventually fall to the Crushers after they scored in their half of the eighth by a score of 9-5.
The Otters are back in action tomorrow for a rubber game against Lake Erie at 6:05 p.m. CT. After that, they return to Bosse Field this weekend for their first series against Windy City in 2025.
Guess who we’ll hear from in August…
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Attorney General Rokita’s win stings drug trade
Fentanyl dealer’s conviction locked in by court
Attorney General Todd Rokita applauded the Indiana Court of Appeals for upholding the conviction of Holly J. Terry for Level 1 felony dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death. The ruling reinforces Indiana’s tough stance against those who contribute to the opioid epidemic through illegal drug trafficking.
“This decision is a significant step in our fight to protect Hoosiers from the deadly consequences of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We remain committed to rooting out those who profit from poisoning our communities. This case underscores our resolve to hold drug dealers accountable and prevent further tragedies.”
On October 4, 2021, Terry supplied drugs laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl to Melinda Duncan in Muncie, Indiana, causing Duncan’s death from acute mixed drug intoxication. The prosecution presented compelling evidence, including text messages arranging the drug deal, cellphone location data tracing Terry’s travel from a known drug market in Trotwood, Ohio, to Duncan’s home, and Terry’s own recorded statements admitting to drug dealing.
The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s decisions to admit a forensic toxicology report, which identified fentanyl as the primary cause of Duncan’s death, and testimony about Terry’s prior drug transactions with the victim. These rulings were deemed appropriate, highlighting Terry’s role as a supplier and her financial motive in the drug trade.
The court decision is attached here.
USI Men’s Soccer announces 2025 schedule
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer announced its 2025 schedule Tuesday.
The Screaming Eagles head into their fourth year at the Division I level and third in the Ohio Valley Conference. The team comes off a 2-14-2 season in 2024, which was highlighted by a victory over OVC opponent Eastern Illinois University.
Head Coach Mat Santoro enters his 17th season at the helm. Santoro returns six players, including the team’s leader in points, goals, and assists Jackson Mitchell.
USI kicks off the season in Louisville, Kentucky, to face the University of Louisville August 21, marking the Eagles’ first match against a power conference opponent since the transition to DI.
The Eagles then bunker down for a five-game home stretch starting with a contest against Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology August 26. Southern Indiana opens September hosting the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and Indiana University Indianapolis September 2 and September 6, respectively.
The Mayor’s Cup returns to Strassweg Field this year, as USI hosts the University of Evansville on September 13. The Eagles finish the homestand with a battle against Belmont University September 17.
USI finishes its non-conference schedule with a trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to face off against the Mastodons of Purdue University Fort Wayne (September 23).
The Eagles open their conference schedule in Lynchburg, Virginia, against Liberty University before returning home for a four-match homestand. USI has four games in 10 days against Houston Christian University (October 2), Incarnate Word University (October 5), Liberty (October 9), and wrapping up the homestand against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (October 12).
Southern Indiana then goes on a quick two-game road trip through the Land of Lincoln, facing off against Western Illinois University on October 16 and Eastern Illinois on October 19.
USI’s home finale brings Lindenwood University to Strassweg Field on October 25 before the team finishes the season on a two-match road trip to Texas. The Eagles visit Incarnate Word (October 30) and close out the regular season at Houston Christian (November 2).
The OVC tournament will take place November 9-15 in St. Charles, Missouri.
Ticket prices for USI home contests will be announced later this summer, while most of USI’s home games and OVC road matches will be aired on ESPN+.
USI signs Ezeagu for 2025-26
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball announced the signing of forward Ben Ezeague for the 2025-26 season.
“We are very excited that Ben has decided to join our program and are confident that he has the character and the talent to help us win,” said USI Head Coach Stan Gouard. “He is a multi-faceted player who is long, strong, physical, and versatile enough to play multiple positions.
“Ben can be a high-volume rebounder and a blue-collar player who can impact winning without needing to be an offensive focal point,” concluded Gouard.
Ezeague is transferring to USI after spending last season at Appalachian State University. He appeared in six games for the Mountaineers last season, averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest. The 6-2 guard scored a season-best 12 points and grabbed a season-high nine rebounds versus St. Andrews University.
Prior to playing last year for Appalachian State, Ezeague started 54 games over two seasons at Hill College (2023-24) and Western Texas College (2022-23). He was named All-Conference for Hill College after averaging 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds.
The Brampton, Ontario, native lettered in basketball at Potter’s House High School (Jacksonville, Florida).
The USI Screaming Eagles are a member of the Ohio Valley Conference and will be NCAA Tournament eligible in 2025-26 following the completion of the accelerated transition from Division II. USI has reached the OVC Championship in two of the first three seasons of Division I action.
Food Inspection Report
