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INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun today highlighted the lifesaving work of the Indiana State Police’s Operation Guardian Angel–which recently rescued 14 Indiana children from ongoing abuse–and urged parents to take steps to keep their kids safe online as October’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month begins. “Nothing is more important than keeping Hoosier kids safe. I want to commend the Indiana State Police for their exceptional work on Operation Guardian Angel, bringing Indiana children to safety and those who harm them to justice.” — Governor Mike Braun Operation Guardian Angel is an Indiana Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force initiative that began as Hoosier children headed back to school in August of this year. The initiative intensifies proactive investigations, such as undercover chat investigations, in order to locate children who were victims of hands-on sexual abuse. Since launching, Operation Guardian Angel has resulted in 48 arrests, including 14 hands-on offenders, and identified dozens more children at risk. The ICAC also recently conducted a separate three-month investigation that ended on Wednesday, Sept. 24, with the arrest of a Peru, Indiana, man for multiple felony charges of possession of child sex abuse material. In addition to these important investigations, ICAC prioritizes prevention and outreach. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators from around the state evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. ICAC also aims to educate the public on how to prevent online child victimization. ICAC’s websiteprovides tips for parents with a focus on safe social media practices, parental controls, and how to report abuse. “There are predators online who want to take advantage of kids and parents are the best defense. Monitor your children’s online activity, set boundaries and know the warning signs.” — Governor Mike Braun |
Gov. Mike Braun Spotlights Operation Guardian Angel Successes in Protecting Hoosier Kids, Urges Parents to Stay Vigilant Online
Court rules Indiana may require biological sex on birth certificates rather than retroactive listings of ‘gender identity’
Attorney General Todd Rokita praises win for common sense
A federal district court handed a victory Monday to Indiana’s policy of listing biological sex rather than gender identity on birth certificates. The court denied a request by the Americans for Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for a preliminary injunction against the policy.
“This ruling is a win for truth, reason and, of course, common sense,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Biological sex is an undeniable fact, not a feeling to be rewritten on official documents. Indiana will continue standing firm in protecting the integrity of birth certificates, ensuring they reflect reality, not ideology.”
Earlier this year, Governor Mike Braun issued an executive order reiterating that the terms “sex” and “gender” in the Indiana code refer to the biological characteristic of being male or female. To implement the order, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) stopped changing birth certificates to list a person’s gender identity instead of the person’s sex.
This policy change prompted a lawsuit from individuals represented by the ACLU.
The federal district court declined to preliminarily enjoin Governor Braun’s executive order and IDOH’s policy. It rejected arguments that refusing to let a person self-define gender on birth certificates discriminates on the basis of sex, that transgender-identifying persons are a quasi-suspect class, and that there is a fundamental right to have gender identity listed on birth certificates.
Read the federal court decision here.
UE to Host Fourth Annual ChoirPalooza with over 600 EVSC Students
Students and Faculty from the UE Music Conservatory along with hundreds of students from the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC).
UE will host the fourth annual ChoirPalooza. More than 600 middle and high school students from EVSC vocal music programs will participate in day-long workshops with nationally recognized guest music teachers. The event will also feature a special performance by the UE University Choir.
Thursday, October 2 and Friday, October 3, 2025.
UE Main Campus, 1800 Lincoln Ave. Evansville, Indiana 47722.
DETAILS: ChoirPalooza brings together students, educators, and professional musicians to inspire the next generation of vocalists while showcasing the University of Evansville’s commitment to the arts and education.
Spooky Wine Walk Presented by Romain Cross Pointe is Friday, October 3
“Last year’s Spooky Wine Walk was an overwhelming success, selling out completely! We’ve listened to guest feedback and are expanding our drink menu, activities, and entertainment. Ticket sales are ahead of last fall, so we strongly encourage guests to buy their tickets now before we sell out.” said Adam Trinkel, executive director, DEID.
Escudero Earns First MVC Player of the Week Honor
- LOUIS –Following a three-goal week that helped Evansville to a perfect 2-0 record and a win in their first MVC match of the season, freshman Andres Escudero (San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain/IES Joan Miro) has been named MVC Player of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday. The award is Evansville’s first MVC weekly award of the season and the first career nod for Escudero.With his team facing a 1-0 deficit in the 76th minute of Tuesday’s match against Butler, Escudero scored the equalizer in the 80th minute and the game-winner in the 86th minute, helping the Aces pull of a stunning, come from behind win. The brace was Escudero’s second in three matches, making him the only freshman in the country with multiple braces this season.
On Friday, Escudero put the finishing touches on a dominant road over Bowling Green win to open MVC play, scoring in the 80th minute to complete a 3-0 win in a rematch of last season’s MVC final. The goal was his sixth in the last five matches, tying him with Grand Canyon’s Junior Diouf and Bryant’s Jamie Amaro for the most goals by a freshman in the country this season. Escudero’s total of six goals is the most by an Evansville freshman since 2022, when MVC Freshman of the Year Nacho Diaz Barragan scored nine.
Escudero and the Purple Aces are back in action on Saturday, hosting Western Michigan in a key conference match-up at Arad McCutchan Stadium. Kick-off is set for 6 PM.
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.
Petrova earns top five finish at Fighting Irish Classic
Aces come home in seventh place
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Completing her two rounds at 5-over, Kate Petrova tied for fourth place to lead the University of Evansville women’s golf team at the Fighting Irish Classic on Sunday.
Petrova opened play with a 6-over 78 before finishing the second 18 holes with an even 72. Her 150 tied her for the fourth position at The Warren GCS at Notre Dame. Notre Dame swept the top two individual positions with Alexsandra Lapple and Jordan Levitt earning a 1-2 finish. Lapple completed the 36 holes at 3-under while Levitt was two shots behind.
Jane Grankina was second for the Purple Aces. After shooting an 8-over 80 in the first round, Grankina lowered her score by three strokes in the final round. Her score of 157 tied her for 16th. Completing the tournament with a 161 was Louise Standtke. She started the day with an 86 before making a huge leap in the second round. Standtke lowered her score by 11 strokes to finish with a 75. She tied for 26th.
Scores of 84 and 88 saw Trinity Dubbs finish in 48th with a 172 while Haley Hughes came in 49th with a 175. Her rounds checked in at 88 and 87.
Evansville took 7th place in the final team standings with a 639. UE was one behind Oakland for 6th place and finished four behind Purdue Fort Wayne. The Fighting Irish took the team championship by 24 strokes. UND registered a 2-round tally of 583 to defeat runner-up Youngstown State.
The ladies return to the course next weekend at the Coyote Creek Classic on Peoria, Ill.
Opening day complete at Virtues Intercollegiate
Third round set for Tuesday
ZANESVILLE, Ohio – With two rounds complete at the Virtues Intercollegiate Daniil Romashkin leads the University of Evansville men’s golf team.
Romashkin opened the tournament with a 6-over 78 before rebounding to shoot a 1-under 71 in the second round. He is tied for the 40th position with a 149. Completing the day two strokes behind Romashkin was the duo of Chris O’Donnell and Luke Price. Both carded the exact same score in each round beginning the day with a 76 before recording scores of 75 in the second 18. They are tied for 52nd.
Omar Khalid made the highest jump for the Purple Aces. Following a score of 82 in the first round, Khalid improved by nine strokes to complete the second 18 with a 1-over 73. Sitting at 11-over, Khalid is tied for 67th. Jamison Ousley wrapped up the day two behind Khalid. He opened play with an 81 before totaling a 76 in round two. He is tied for 71st entering Tuesday’s final round.
Notre Dame’s Pavel Tsar paces the individual leaderboard. Identical rounds at 6-under have him four in front of a second-place tie heading into the last 18 holes. The Fighting Irish hold the team lead at 19-under-par. Loyola is in second sitting at 3-under with Western Kentucky and Butler tied for third. Evansville is 29-over in 11th place.