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Nothing Says ‘Happy New Year’ Quite Like Giving Taxpayer-Funded Health Care to Illegal Aliens

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Nothing Says ‘Happy New Year’ Quite Like Giving Taxpayer-Funded Health Care to Illegal Aliens

By Beth Baumann For TOWNHALL

Now that it is officially 2020, illegal alien adults in California are now eligible for Medi-Cal, the state’s health care system for low-income families. Starting January 1 – today – Medi-Cal is now extended to illegal aliens ages 19 to 26. Before today those under the age of 19 were able to receive Medi-Cal benefits, the Modesto Bee reported.

Before the new legislation took effect, quite a few illegal aliens were receiving limited Medi-Cal benefits (basically emergency services). Now they are able to receive full-scope Medi-Cal benefits, which include preventative and primary care on top of emergency services.

Those who were in the system receiving limited scope benefits received letters saying that, at the start of the new year, they would have full access to Medi-Cal benefits. Lucky them, right?

Officials in the state estimate that roughly 138,000 illegal alien adults will receive full-scope benefits under the medical plan. What that actually translates to can vary once coverage begins.

Before the Medi-Cal expansion kicked in, once an illegal alien turned 19, they would lose their benefits. Now that is extended until they are 26.

Legislators in California allocated $98 million to provide health care to illegal aliens. But that budget is only for the fiscal year 2020. It will be interesting to see how much money the Golden State spends on this.

According to a 2019 health policy brief from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2.2 million people in the state are illegal aliens. And guess what? Those between 19 and 26 – the very age demographic these benefits are geared towards – makeup seven percent of the low-income, illegal alien population. Those between the ages of 0 and 18 make up 12 percent of the population. That means that California is going to spend millions providing health care for 19 percent of the low-income, illegal alien population.

The largest demographic of the state’s illegal aliens – 56 percent – are those aged 26 to through 55. And you know it is only a matter of time before liberals in the state decide those folks need taxpayer-funded health care too.

Congratulations, California. You are the first state in the nation to extend even greater health care benefits to illegal aliens (as if they should be given any to begin with). And just more proof that your legislators are willing to put illegal aliens before actual Americans.

It really is sad to think about it. I have friends and family members who still live in California and they suffer under the state’s ridiculous laws. They are expected to pay a crap ton of taxes, pay for their own health insurance and for what? To be told that someone who should not even be in America can get “free” health care (translation: they can essentially take money from an American citizen to use for their own health care). And people like Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) cannot possibly understand why people flock to our southern border en masse. It is because they know they can get benefits like this.

Groups Merge To Focus On Children’s Environmental And Health Issues

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Groups Merge To Focus On Children’s Environmental And Health Issues

Staff Report
TheStateHouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—Two Indiana environmental groups are merging to increase their impact on issues that affect Indiana children.

The Hoosier Environmental Council and the Improving Kids’ Environment organizations made the announcement Thursday on Children’s Environmental Health Day and will be coming together under the HEC banner.

“Though most of the environmental issues we have been working on at HEC benefit children in some way, we are looking forward to this merger as an opportunity to focus specifically on environmental threats to children’s health,” said Dr. Indra Frank, HEC’s environmental health director, in a news release.

The IKE has been dealing with environmental problems involving children for 20 years. Their work includes being at the forefront of efforts in the state to reduce toxic risks to children from lead, pesticides and more. Meanwhile, the HEC has been the leading organization in environmental health for more than 36 years.

By merging, they will worth as one organization to reduce environmental risks to children. They will focus on three children’s health initiatives, including advancing efforts to reduce lead poisoning and ensuring kids have clean water to drink and clean streams to play in.

“The legacy of IKE to protect Hoosier children from environmental threats is in good hands with HEC,” Margaret Frericks, outgoing program director of the IKE, said. “HEC’s steadfast commitment to protecting Indiana’s people and environment made this merger a perfect match. I am excited about the children’s health initiatives to come under the leadership of HEC.”

To learn more about the merger, visit ikecoalition.org

FOOTNOTES: TheStatehouseFile.com is a news website powered by Franklin College journalists.

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Two Fort Wayne Troopers Recognized For a Milestone 25 Years of Service

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Two Fort Wayne Troopers Recognized For a Milestone 25 Years of Service

(Ft. Wayne, IN) – At a recent awards ceremony held on December 6th at the Indiana State Police Museum in Indianapolis, ISP Superintendent Douglas G. Carter presented milestone service awards for two Fort Wayne troopers. Major Anthony Casto and Master Trooper Aaron Cook both received recognition for having reached 25 years of honorable service with the Indiana State Police. Both men are classmates of the 51stIndiana State Police Recruit Academy which graduated back on December 4, 1994.

CastoMajor Anthony Casto- Currently assigned as the North Zone Commander, Major Casto has command oversight of the day-to-day operations and personnel in the six northern Indiana State Police Districts, a position which he has held for the last year. Prior to this current assignment, Casto has held several other command positions, to include the Area II Commander, District Commander for the Fort Wayne Post, and Squad Sergeant for the Fort Wayne Post. Casto is a 2017 graduate of the FBI National Academy 267th Session, and also a 2014 graduate of the IMPD Leadership Academy Session 2014-02. Other notable assignments have included service as a K-9 Handler with the Fort Wayne Post’s Drug Interdiction Team from 1998-2003, a scuba diver with Underwater Search & Rescue Team II, and he also served with the Motorcycle Patrol. Casto is a 1986 graduate of LaPorte High School, and a 1990 graduate of Indiana State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. Prior to joining the Indiana State Police, Casto was a high school educator and also a coach for both boys and girls basketball and volleyball at Homestead High School from 1990-93, and Whitko High School from 1993-94.
CookMaster Trooper Aaron CookCurrently assigned as part of the Fort Wayne District’s All Crimes Policing (ACP) Squad, Cook primarily patrols Whitley and Allen Counties diligently focused on highway criminal interdiction efforts. Prior to this current assignment, Cook served for five years as a Squad Sergeant for the Fort Wayne Post, responsible for the leadership and supervision of troopers assigned to Whitley and Huntington Counties. He served as a member of the District’s Drug Interdiction Team from 1998-2003, and has been a member of the department’s Tactical Intervention Platoon. As testament to Master Trooper Cook’s tenacious work ethic and dedication to duty, he has been notably awarded several times over the course of his 25 year tenure. In 2004 he was awarded the department’s second highest medal of valor, the Silver Star Award, as a result of his life-saving actions that rescued a driver from a crashed and burning vehicle in Whitley County. In 2009 he was awarded the department’s Combat Action Award for heroic and exemplary action taken to protect himself and a fellow trooper while in the midst of a gunfight in rural Huntington County. In 2017, he was named as the Trooper of the Year for the Fort Wayne Post as related to his productive enforcement and interdiction patrols. Cook is a 1989 graduate of Columbia City, and lifelong resident of Whitley County.

 

On behalf of Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter, we would thank these troopers for their unparalleled dedication and service to the citizens of Indiana and the Indiana State Police over the last 25 years.

-Walker

EPD MEDIA REPORT

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EPD REPORT

 Vanderburgh Democrats’ January 2020 Updates

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Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
Central Committee
Edie Hardcastle, Chair; ediehardcastle@gmail.com
Nick Iaccarino, Vice Chair
Alex Burton, Political Director
Cheryl Schultz, Treasurer
Melissa Moore, SecretaryWe welcome volunteers!
Call 812-499-9257
The Vanderburgh County Democratic Party is looking for qualified Democratic candidates to run for multiple political offices on the 2020 ballot. Please contact head of our candidate recruitment, Nick Iaccarino, to discuss opportunities at 812-598-9864.Wednesday, January 8, 2020 is the first day a declaration of candidacy for major political party primary nomination (or election as a Democratic Party precinct committeeman, or state party convention delegate) may be filed. Refer to the Indiana Secretary of State Election Division’s Candidate Information web page for candidate forms: https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2395.htm.
FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES
A candidate for nomination at the Primary election for Vanderburgh County offices must file a declaration of candidacy in the office of Vanderburgh County Election Office located in Room 216 in the Civic Center Administration Building.A candidate wishing to declare their candidacy should call the Election Office at 812-435-5122 to arrange the declaration. The candidate will need to bring their voter’s registration card to be filed with the declaration.BASIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR CANDIDATESA person must be a registered voter in the election district to be represented.A person is disqualified from holding or being a candidate for an elected office if the person has
a) Entered a plea of guilty to a felony
b) Been convicted of a felonyContact the election office 812-435-5122 for more details of qualifications and requirements.

Candidates for precinct committeeman must file a CAN-37 form with the county clerk between Wednesday January 8, 2020 and noon Friday, February 7, 2020.  Form CAN-37  can be found on the Secretary of State Election Division’s Candidate Information web page: https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2395.htm.

Please join us
to celebrate the grand opening of our newVanderburgh County Democratic Party HeadquartersFriday, January 10, 2020
3:00 – 6:00pm
220 N.W. 4th St.
Evansville, IN
Light refreshments will be served. This is a great opportunity to come out and mingle with office holders, talk with party members and check out how you can volunteer with the party this year.

Meet Your Legislators

Saturday, January 11
9:00am – 11:00am
Evansville Central Library
200 SE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Evansville Indiana 47713

Local state legislators are invited to make themselves available to answer questions from the audience on the second Saturday of each month during each year’s legislative session.

Doors open at 9 am. Sessions start at 9:15 am and end at 11 am.

MYL sponsors are the Evansville Teachers Association, the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library, League of Women Voters of SWIN, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 136, Teamsters Local 215, United Neighborhoods of Evansville, and Valley Watch.

Sessions are made available for streaming on the WNIN website under Regional Voices. Direct links will be posted as they become available.

January 11th, 2020
12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 Evansville Central Library
Browning Room A&B

2020 is a critical year for a host of issues; locally as well as nationally.  

  • How do we fix our disastrous and financially ruinous healthcare system?

  • Will Evansville improve the availability of affordable housing? 

  • Will our teachers remain the lowest paid in the state?  

  • Will Vectren follow through on its promise to stop polluting our communities and incorporate more renewable energy sources to power our region?

  • How can we strengthen Indiana’s gun laws to protect our communities — especially our children? 

Indivisible Evansville will be joined by 15 – 20 other local activist groups calling on all concerned citizens to come together on January 11, 2020 to mobilize and re-energize our efforts to make positive change happen!  This is your chance to identify that group that speaks to your values and where you can best contribute your time.  

Working together, we can achieve a brighter future for ourselves.  Please join us.

***Be sure to stop by the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party’s table.

The Vanderburgh Democratic Party Central Committee will have its 2020 kickoff meeting at:

Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 136

Saturday, January 25
10:00am

2300 St. Joseph Industrial Park Dr.
Evansville, IN 47720
Donuts and coffee will be provided.
Join us and the National Democratic Training Committee at our Blue Bench Training for candidates and potential candidates, campaign staff and volunteer staff, and local party infrastructure on January 25 at the IVY Tech Conference Center (2820 N Meridian St Indianapolis, IN 46208) for all the tools and tips you need to launch a successful campaign or create and build infrastructure for your local party. More women, first-time candidates and young people have stepped up to move Indiana forward. If you’re ready to do the work, let us help you get started.Registration begins at 8:30am and the training runs to 4:45pm. Breakfast and lunch will be served.
https://www.facebook.com/VCDemocrats/
https://www.twitter/vancountydems
Website
https://www.instagram.com/vancountydems/
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
P.O. Box 3208
Evansville, IN 47731
812-550-3812
vancountydems@gmail.com
Paid for by the Vanderburgh County Democratic party, Cheryl Schultz, Treasurer.

New Year’s Eve Patrols nets Three Impaired Drivers

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Last year during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, more than 900 crashes occurred throughout Indiana resulting in 174 injuries and four fatalities. To help ensure everyone’s safety last night and early this morning, Indiana State Police increased their patrols and targeted dangerous and impaired drivers. Troopers at the Evansville District arrested three impaired drivers overnight. One of those impaired drivers had a blood alcohol content of .35%, which is four times over the legal limit.

The following were arrested for Driving While Intoxicated:

Pike County:

  • Robert W. Daugherty, 32, Petersburg, IN (BAC .14%)
  1. Driving While Intoxicated with a Prior DUI Conviction, Level 6 Felony

Gibson County:

  • Kenan J. Bajzath, 27, Elberfeld, IN (BAC .13%)
  1. Driving While Intoxicated with a Prior DUI Conviction, Level 6 Felony

Knox County:

  • Isaac W. Schmitt, 36, Vincennes, IN (BAC .35%)
  1. Driving While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor

Arresting Officers: Trooper Johnathan Lukeman, Trooper CJ Boeckman and Trooper Brock Buchanan

Missouri State defeats Evansville in Valley opener

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UE faces Valparaiso on Saturday at Ford Center

 

In Tuesday’s Missouri Valley Conference opener, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team dropped a 65-52 game against Missouri State at JQH Arena.

Sophomore DeAndre Williams had a double-double in his first MVC game, posting 12 points and 10 rebounds.  Sam Cunliffe added 13 points and 4 rebounds for UE (9-5, 0-1 MVC).  Leading Missouri State (7-7, 1-0 MVC) Tulio Da Silva, who had 14 points and 6 rebounds.  He hit six of his seven attempts.  Lamont West and Isiaih Mosley tallied 13 apiece.

“We played really well in the first half, but Missouri State really got going in the second half,” interim head coach Bennie Seltzer said.  “We are not going to make any excuses at all, we did not play well in the second half and have some things we need to fix.”

Senior K.J. Riley got the Aces started on the right foot, knocking down a long jumper in the first possession of the game.  Trailing 5-3, UE scored the next six points on their way to a 9-5 lead.  Sam Cunliffe, Riley and Artur Labinowicz each scored in the run.

A 10-1 run saw the Aces open up a 13-6 lead before it would reach double figures on a Noah Frederking triple that made it an 18-8 game with nine minutes remaining in the half.  Following a triple from the Bears, Shamar Givance banked a trey of his own that pushed the lead back to ten on the next possession.

With 2:23 remaining, another Williams bucket gave UE its largest lead at 30-17.  Missouri State was able to cut their deficit to eight as Evansville went into halftime with a 31-23 advantage.

After cutting into the 13-point deficit in the final minutes of the first half, the Bears continued to claw their way back in the opening moments of the second.  MSU scored the opening five tallies in the first three minutes to get back within three.  Cunliffe got Evansville back on track with an emphatic dunk that pushed the lead back to five.

Despite the basket, the Bears continued to rally as a 13-2 run to open the half saw them take a 36-33 lead on a Gaige Prim layup.  From there, the Bears would lead for the remainder of the game.  They outscored the Aces by a 42-21 margin in the second half.

For the game, the Bears shot 49% including a 59.3% total in the second half, draining 16 of 27 attempts.  Evansville finished at 36.7%.  MSU had a 37-29 edge on the boards.

On Saturday, the Aces head back to the Ford Center for a conference game against Valparaiso.  Tip is set for 6 p.m.

 

Eagles host No. 1 Drury Thursday

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For the fifth time in program history, University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball will square off against the top-ranked team in the nation when it hosts No. 1 Drury University Thursday at Screaming Eagles Arena. Tip-off for the Great Lakes Valley Conference tilt is 5:30 p.m. and begins the first half of a men’s and women’s doubleheader.

The Screaming Eagles (5-2, 1-0 GLVC) resume Great Lakes Valley Conference play with a pair of home games this week as they also host league newcomer Southwest Baptist University Saturday at 1 p.m.

USI is coming off a tough 95-55 Midwest Region road loss to No. 4 Ashland University. Sophomore forward Ashlynn Brown and freshman forward Tara Robbe each had 12 points to lead the Eagles, who shot just 30.2 percent (19-63) from the field.

Brown averages 9.9 points and a team-high 5.0 rebounds per game, while senior guard Ashley Johnson leads USI with 11.3 points and 3.9 assists per contest. Junior guard Emma DeHartis chipping in 10.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per appearance.

Thursday’s game is USI’s first home game since defeating Hillsdale College, 63-41, November 26.

Both games this week will be aired live on 95.7 The Spin as well as the GLVC Sports Network, while live stats, audio, video and ticket links can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.

Headlines
• Rough outing.
Playing for the first time in nearly three weeks, USI Women’s Basketball ran into a buzz saw in the form of No. 4 Ashland in a 95-55 setback. Ashland connected on 18 three-pointers, tying a school record, and had five trifectas in a decisive 22-5 second-quarter run that turned a six-point deficit into an insurmountable 42-19 lead. Sophomore forward Ashlynn Brown and freshman forward Tara Robbe each had 12 points to lead USI.

• Takeaways from Ashland. USI did a good job of taking care of the ball, committing just 15 turnovers to Ashland’s 19; but poor shooting coupled with the lights-out shooting of Ashland was too much for the Eagles to overcome. USI shot just 30.2 percent (19-63) from the field and was just 3-of-12 (.250) from three-point range. Ashland, meanwhile, went 32-of-58 (.552) from the field and 18-of-34 (.529) from behind the arc, all while holding a 48-29 rebounding advantage.

• Back-to-Back Top 5 opponents. As USI plays just its second game in a month, the Eagles will be playing its second straight Top 5 team when it hosts No. 1 Drury Thursday. The last time USI played Top 10 teams in consecutive games was the 2015 GLVC Tournament, when USI upset No. 2 Lewis before falling to No. 8 Drury in the GLVC Championship game. This is believed to be the first time in program history that the Eagles have faced Top 5 teams in back-to-back games.

• USI vs. No. 1 teams. USI gets the opportunity to face the No. 1 team in the nation for the fifth time in program history when it takes on top-ranked Drury Thursday. USI is 1-3 in its previous four contests; the most-recent being a bout with Lewis January 24, 2016. Below is a list of how USI has fared against the top team in the nation:

–Jan. 24, 2016: #1 Lewis 83, at USI 73
–Jan. 8, 2009: #1 Northern Kentucky 62, at USI 48
–March 21, 2001: #1 Columbus State 79, #14 USI 73
–Jan. 6, 2001: at #21 USI 72, #1 Northern Kentucky 62

• Tough schedule. USI has had a tough schedule throughout its first seven games and will be facing its third nationally-ranked opponent in eight games when it hosts Drury. Five of USI’s first seven opponents have posted winning records this season, while USI’s opposition has a combined 47-30 record in 2019-20.

• Early deficits. The Eagles have had to dig out of some early deficits throughout the first seven games. They trailed Central Missouri by 13 before rallying for a seven-point win in their season-opener and were down by 12 in the first half against McKendree before rallying for their latest win. USI nearly eliminated a 20-point second-half deficit in its loss to Ferris State.

• Double-figures. USI has had eight different players reach double figures in the scoring column this year, with six different players scoring at least 10 points in multiple games.

• Johnson records three assists, three steals. Senior guard Ashley Johnson recorded five points, three assists and three steals in USI’s loss to Ashland.

• Moses, Robbe lead USI in rebounding. Senior guard Kiara Moses and freshman forward Tara Robbe each had five rebounds to lead USI on the boards in its loss to Ashland.

• Robbe efficient off the bench. Freshman forward Tara Robbe was 5-of-8 from the field and 2-of-3 from the free throw line as she reached double figures for the first time in her collegiate career in just 21 minutes of work in USI’s loss to Ashland.

• Turner blocks two shots. Junior center Audrey Turner led USI with two blocks in the Eagles’ loss to Ashland.

• About Drury. The Panthers are 10-0, 1-0 in GLVC play, and have won 49 consecutive regular-season games dating back to the 2017-18 season. Senior forward Hailey Diestelkamp averages 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game to lead the Panthers, whose most recent game was a 72-68 road win over Florida Southern December 20. Senior guard Daejah Bernard averages a team-best 5.1 assists and 2.5 steals per contest for a Panthers squad that is averaging 17.3 assists and 17.0 steals as a team.

• About Southwest Baptist. The Bearcats, who visit McKendree Thursday, are 6-3 overall and 0-1 in GLVC play following a pair of wins in Puerto Rico to close out the calendar year. Senior guard Bailey Rezabek averages 18.3 points per game to lead Southwest Baptist, which is in its first year in the GLVC.

• USI opens Screaming Eagles Arena with win. USI Women’s Basketball christened its brand-new home with a 52-45 come-from-behind win over No. 11 Central Missouri last Wednesday. The Eagles rallied from a 13-point first-quarter deficit to earn the season-opening victory after holding the Jennies to just 31 points throughout the final 33 minutes of the contest.

• Screaming Eagles Arena. The Eagles’ game against Central Missouri marked the first-ever regular-season basketball game in Screaming Eagles Arena. USI Women’s Basketball played in the Physical Activities Center from 1980-81 to 2018-19, posting a 363-194 record all-time at the PAC, including a 217-81 record under Head Coach Rick Stein.

• USI earns first win over nationally-ranked opponent since 2017. The Eagles’ win over then No. 11 Central Missouri marked USI’s first victory over a Top 25 opponent since they defeated No. 25 Grand Valley State, 53-44, at the Bellarmine Thanksgiving Classic November 25, 2017. Central Missouri also represented the highest-ranked opponent the Eagles have defeated since taking down No. 9 Drury, 84-78, at the PAC February 4, 2017.

• Magic Mark: 75 points. The Eagles are 414-77 (.843) all-time when scoring at least 75 points. USI is 287-28 (.911) since 1996-97 when reaching the 75-point plateau.