The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made a significant policy shift by terminating a parole program initiated during President Joe Biden’s administration. This program, which was criticized for lacking adequate vetting processes, allowed certain migrants to enter the United States under temporary protection.
According to Townhall, Nearly 500,000 individuals received termination notices as the program faced criticism for inadequate screening procedures.
The parole program reportedly permitted migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. without thorough checks for criminal or terrorism affiliations.
The official termination came last week when DHS acted against what it described as poorly monitored migration policies. In doing so, the DHS underscored its concerns about fraud in the asylum system and potential risks associated with the lack of a comprehensive vetting system.
Mass Deportations in Major Cities Planned
Following this termination, President Donald Trump responded swiftly by instructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ramp up deportation efforts. This operation targets major urban areas with significant immigrant populations.
Indiana has added itself to the list of four states to ban soft drinks and candy from the SNAP, joining Iowa, Nebraska and Texas.
Photo by Olena Bohovyk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/closed-soda-bottles-1904262/
A May 23 press release issued by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun’s office announced that the Department of Agriculture approved Indiana’s waiver to ban soft drinks and candy from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The ban refers to the broad state definitions of soft drinks and candy.
Approximately 610,000Hoosiers—roughly 9% of Indiana’s population—rely on SNAP benefits for their nutritional needs. According to Braun’s office, “Soda is the number one commodity purchased with SNAP benefits. Purchases of sugary drinks, desserts, and candy exceed the combined sales of fruits and vegetables on SNAP. Children enrolled in SNAP consume 43% more sugary drinks than non-SNAP recipients with similar incomes.”
SNAP recipients—receiving on average $7.57 per day in 2022—do purchase more “sweetened, hedonic food,” according to research by Prof. Dinesh K. Gauri of the University of Arkansas, who called it a complicated issue in need of further study into why. A 2018 article in the National Library of Medicine said, “Most SNAP recipients, because they tend to live in lower-income communities, are exposed to the worst of the US food system: more unhealthy food marketing through traditional and social media, more unhealthy foods in the stores where they regularly shop, and fewer healthy foods that are financially within reach.”
The changes in Indiana’s SNAP will be implemented on Jan. 1, 2026, and will be in place for two years.
“Indiana is proud to lead the way in the Make America Healthy Again agenda by making this common sense move to return the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to its intended purpose: nutrition,” Braun said
The novelty of the new restrictions on SNAP have caused some concern around how retailers will enforce them in stores across the state. But Brooke Rollins, secretary of the U.S Department of Agriculture, wrote a letter to Braun approving the waiver request, noting that the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will help to figure out how these changes will impact retailers and customers.
“FNS will continue to collaborate with the state, to finalize data collection points, define key metrics, and outline any necessary data analysis for the quarterly evaluation reports, as well as finalize key implementation parameters such as a threshold standard for retailers,” Rollins said.
“FNS appreciates the state’s willingness to test innovative approaches to support healthy choices, and healthy outcomes to best serve SNAP participants. FNS is committed to working with the state to obtain robust data to inform ways to improve nutrition assistance programs.”
There is still time until the restrictions take place, but a few SNAP recipients at Gleaners Food Pantry at Indianapolis reacted to the news. Carrie Klein, a SNAP user, gave her thoughts on the ban and its potential impact.
“Theft is going to go up because you’re making other people’s life harder,” she said. “It’s not just that you’re banning people from getting certain things on SNAP, you’re causing people to lose their jobs. There are going to be fights or arguments at these department stores and grocery stores. So, why make society even harder? I don’t get it.”
She also said the change adds an extra stress onto parents for holidays and birthdays.
“As far as holidays, even though we’re struggling, we still have to appease the children, and that takes away from them. Because it’s not like adults need birthday cakes. Children look forward to birthdays, holidays and Christmas time. So either way, it’s going to affect children mostly,” said Klein.
Avon High School teacher Violet Moody hopes the ban will help create healthier lifestyles, especially for children.
“I’ve been teaching for 20 years. And I have seen kids just bring pure junk for lunch or this and that. My idea on that is that I think if it was minimized, like you could only do so much junk food, instead of just whatever you want,” Moody said. “Maybe it shouldn’t be an all or nothing type of thing, but I think it’s a great idea.”
Braun’s office noted in the release that the intent of the changes is to increase the use of SNAP for healthier food options, citing the “Make America Healthy Again” movement from Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“I urge every governor across America to follow your lead by signing similar executive orders in their states to improve nutrition standards in SNAP, increase transparency around food dyes and additives, implement physical fitness tests in schools, expand farm-to-school programs, and embrace the full scope of your transformative health agenda. Together, we can Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy said in Braun’s press release.
Luke Shepherd is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Supreme Court rules to keep violent predator behind bars for 87 years
In June of 2020, over the course of two days, Victor Johnson conducted a string of attacks on several women in Indianapolis. After a jury trial, Johnson was convicted of eleven counts of criminal activity, which included one count of Level 1 felony attempted murder, one count of Level 1 felony attempted rape, and four counts of Level 5 felony intimidation.
The Court of Appeals of Indiana affirmed the convictions and 87-year sentence of Victor Johnson, who was found guilty of a series of violent attacks on multiple women in Indianapolis.
“This two-day crime spree caused immense harm to innocent Hoosier women and terrorized our community,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Victor Johnson’s heinous acts, including attempted murder, attempted rape, and multiple counts of intimidation, inflicted profound physical and emotional harm on his victims. This ruling ensures that he will face the consequences of his actions and protects our communities from further harm.”
The Court of Appeals’ unanimous decision rejected Johnson’s claims that the evidence was insufficient to support three counts of Level 5 felony intimidation, that his 87-year sentence was inappropriate, and that the trial court abused its discretion by imposing consecutive sentences for attempted murder and attempted rape. The court highlighted the violent and predatory nature of Johnson’s actions, which targeted multiple victims over two days, causing severe physical and emotional trauma.
Attorney General Rokita praised the work of Deputy Attorney General Andrew Sweet, who represented the State in this case.
“Our office remains committed to protecting Hoosiers from violent crime and ensuring that those who prey on our communities face the full consequences of their actions,” Deputy Attorney General Andrew Sweet said. “This ruling sends a clear message that such egregious behavior will not be tolerated in Indiana.”
Coral Glades High School. | Location: TAMARAC, Florida, USA.
New guidance aims to help schools navigate K-12 laws, as well as funding changes in the next two-year budget.
BY: CASEY SMITH– JUNE 17, 2025 7:00 AM , Indiana Capital Chronicle
Indiana schools are preparing for more than two dozen new education laws set to take effect July 1, along with changes to the state budget and local funding. (Getty Images)
A new academic year is still weeks away, but Indiana educators are already working to implement a slate of new laws passed during the 2025 legislative session — including changes to classroom instruction, attendance policies and teacher pay.
More than two dozen K-12 education laws are set to take effect July 1, along with the state’s next two-year budget.
Secretary of Education Katie Jenner addresses lawmakers during a budget committee hearing on Dec. 16, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Although overall state spending was trimmed, K-12 schools avoided deeper cuts, securing a 2% increase over the biennium — equal to about $640 million in new funding. And in the budget’s second year, Indiana will drop remaining income limits and move to a universal taxpayer-funded “school choice” voucher system.
It’s still unclear, though, how budget shortfalls could affect public school funding. Senate Enrolled Act 1, for example, altered property tax rules with the goal of giving two-thirds of Hoosier homeowners relief — potentially at the expense of local governments and school corporations. The law also limits school referenda to general election ballots only.
Federal spending cuts, expiring COVID-19 aid and national changes to education policy have added to schools’ budget uncertainties, too.
To help local leaders navigate state-specific policy changes in the meantime, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) released its annual legislative guidance last week.
Secretary of Education Katie Jenner described the document — currently about 20 pages — as a “living” resource that will continue to evolve: “It will still require a bit more time and collaboration with stakeholders to finalize,” she emphasized.
The annual guidance is meant to answer common questions and serve as a “one-stop shop” for schools, Jenner said. IDOE plans to update it throughout the summer, ahead of the 2025-26 school year.
More focus on math, plus other curriculum changes
Following a high priority literacy overall during the 2024 session, House Enrolled Act 1499 will give students at least two chances to retake the state-mandated IREAD exam over the summer to avoid retention.
Current statute requires that — if after three attempts — a third grade student is unable to pass the IREAD assessment, they must be held back a year in school.
The full 2025 education legislative guidance can be viewed on IDOE’s website.
But Indiana lawmakers mostly shifted focus this year to math performance improvement.
Similar to the state’s literacy requirements, House Enrolled Act 1634 lays out a new statewide effort to boost foundational math skills by requiring schools to annually screen students in kindergarten through second grade for math readiness, beginning in 2026-27.
IDOE officials said the goal is earlier identification of students at risk of falling behind in key numeracy and computation skills, while also ensuring students are prepared for high school coursework and postsecondary success
The agency expects to provide a complete list of approved mathematics screeners by Spring 2026, along with guidance on both the frequency and timing of assessments, according to IDOE.
Students identified through the screener will receive support through a multi-tiered system of interventions spanning grades K–8. Per the state’s preliminary guidance, schools will need to implement evidence-based instructional strategies, regularly monitor progress, and ensure staff are trained to respond to a range of skill levels.
The law also requires automatic enrollment in advanced math courses for eligible middle school students. Starting in 2026–27, students who score “above proficient” on the ILEARN math assessment and earn a C or better in their previous math course must be placed in a more rigorous class the following year. Schools will be expected to identify qualifying students based on 2025–26 data and update academic planning accordingly, according to IDOE.
Starting in the 2025–26 school year, Indiana schools will additionally face stricter rules when teaching about human sexuality and sexually transmitted infections.
Although school boards already have the authority to review and approve curricular materials, Senate Enrolled Act 442 clarifies that boards must formally approve all human sexuality instructional materials used in grades four through 12 and to publicly post a list of those materials on the district’s website.
The new law also mandates that parents receive written notice at least 14 days before instruction begins. That notice must include the instructional dates, a summary of content and information on how to opt their child out.
The introduction of sex education usually starts in the fourth grade, according to state guidelines. But Indiana does not require the course, and schools that do teach sex education are expected to focus on abstinence.
IDOE advised that participating schools must “incorporate in the instruction that (the) best way to avoid sexually transmitted infections and other associated health problems is to establish a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage.” It also has to include “age appropriate instruction concerning the importance of consent to sexual activity between two individuals.”
Students attending in-person classes are required to view a fetal ultrasound video “that is medically accurate and age appropriate” and includes:
a high definition ultrasound video, at least three minutes in duration, showing the development of the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs in early fetal development; and
a high quality computer generated rendering or animation showing the process of fertilization and each stage of fetal development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development for every week of pregnancy from fertilization to birth.
If a school provides online human sexuality instruction, students will still need to view a virtual presentation on human growth and development that meets the same requirements, according to IDOE.
Indiana lawmakers approved a hard-lobbied teacher pay bump in Senate Enrolled Act 146, which raises the minimum teacher salary to $45,000 starting in the 2025–26 school year and increases the share of state tuition support that districts must spend on teacher compensation from 62% to 65%.
If a school corporation does not meet the minimum salary or compensation thresholds, it must submit a justification form to the state and is required to adopt a compliance plan, according to IDOE guidance. Those submissions will be publicly posted on the agency’s website.
The General Assembly additionally revamped the state’s Teacher Appreciation Grant (TAG) program to focus on performance and impact in high-need areas. Updated state law specifically outlines three stipends that a teacher could be eligible for, beginning this year:
a “recognition” stipend of $3,500 for teachers who demonstrate high performance in improving student outcomes.
an “exemplary” stipend of $5,000 for teachers who demonstrate high performance in improving student outcomes and serve as a mentor for their colleagues or teach in a high-need area.
an “exemplary plus” stipend of $7,500 for teachers who demonstrate high performance in improving student outcomes, serve as a mentor for their colleagues, and teach in a high-need area.
Schools can nominate up to 20% of their educators for TAG stipends. IDOE officials said more guidance — like a detailed scoring rubric, eligibility rules and deadlines — will be released by Sept. 1. Applications will then open in the fall, with funds distributed in early 2026.
Other workforce-related changes are impending in Senate Enrolled Act 255, which establishes new alternative licensure pathways for middle school and STEM teachers, and in Senate Enrolled Act 366, which drops the master’s degree requirement for superintendents, making it a preferred — but not mandatory — qualification.
Senate Enrolled Act 482 takes a more aggressive stance on student attendance by requiring IDOE to issue clearer statewide attendance definitions, guidance for monitoring student participation, and a new list of best practices for local districts to put in practice.
Under the law, “chronic absenteeism” is now clearly defined as missing at least 10% of instructional days in a school year for any reason, regardless of whether it is excused.
Absences now fall into three official categories:
Excused absences include illness with a note, funerals, religious observances, college visits, court appearances, and other reasons permitted by district policy. Schools must document these absences with appropriate verification.
Unexcused absences include skipping school, family vacations not approved in advance, or failing to provide documentation for otherwise excusable reasons. These absences count toward truancy thresholds and may trigger interventions.
Exempt absences are those required or protected by state or federal law and do not count against a student’s attendance record. These include jury duty, election service, military obligations, foster care court proceedings, or serving as a legislative page. House Enrolled Act 1660, passed during the 2025 session, further excuses student absences for participation in educational events organized by Future Farmers of America or 4-H.
IDOE recommends tracking student attendance monthly, with intervention triggers at five total absences, excused or unexcused. Suggested supports include attendance contracts, staff mentoring, family outreach, and referrals for addressing barriers like transportation or health care.
The new law allows local prosecuting attorneys to hold “intervention meetings” with parents to help improve a student’s attendance before any legal action is taken.
Until July 1, 2026, K-8 students also can’t be expelled “solely because the student is chronically absent or habitually truant.” After that date, however, students could be removed from school once again if they miss too many days of class.
Convicted felon facing weapon possession charge after warrant service at local hotel.
Henderson Police arrested DEON VAUGHN on June 19th at a local hotel on a warrant for Terroristic Threatening. While serving the warrant, officers saw a handgun within reach of Vaughn.
Vaughn was taken into custody without incident. During a check of his criminal history, officers learned Vaughn has a felony conviction in Indiana and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Vaugh was lodged in the Henderson County Detention Center on the following charges:
KRS 527.040 Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Otters (16-17) bats stayed red hot with a 15-12 victory over the Washington Wild Things (19-15) on Wednesday night. The Otters hit seven home runs in the game, matching a franchise record dating back to August 8, 2007.
The offense got started quickly with a three-run home run from JT Benson. Not to be outdone, Keenan Taylor hit a solo shot to put Evansville up 4-0 after the first.
After Washington put two up in the top of the second, Graham Brown hit a two-run home run of his own to give the Otters a 6-2 lead after two.
Anthony Patterson III got his second professional start, and after a stellar first start, he pitched through some trouble tonight. Washington used an eight-run third inning to take a 10-6 lead.
Evansville didn’t wait to bounce back. JJ Cruz hit a towering three-run home run and after a Dennis Schwartz bloop hit, G. Brown hit his second home run of the night to give the Otters an 11-10 lead after three.
The Wild Things followed suit with another home run to lead 12-11 after their half. Evansville responded once again with LJ Jones’ first home run of the year to tie the game at 12.
The pitching for both sides tightened after the fourth. Joan Gonzalez in his third inning pitched a clean fifth, finishing with five punchouts on the night. Nolan Thebiay pitched the sixth and extended his scoreless streak to six innings to start his pro career. Casey Delgado worked a 1-2-3 seventh that would eventually see him earn the win.
The bottom of the seventh would be the difference in the tight ballgame. With two runners on with two outs, Pierce launched a three-run blast to give Evansville a 15-12 lead, capping off his 4-for-5 night.
Nick McAuliffe pitched a clean eighth with three strikeouts. He also has been fantastic to start his pro career, not allowing a run in his first 12.1 innings. Alex Valdez shut the door in the ninth, facing the minimum and striking out two.
Evansville’s 15 runs were all scored off home runs in tonight’s ballgame. The Otters are back in action with a doubleheader against Washington tomorrow with Salute to the Negro Leagues Night, sponsored by Millennium Steel and the Evansville African American Museum. The twin bill features postgame fireworks after the conclusion of the second game. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. CT with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. CT.
INDIANAPOLIS – Summer is here and so the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is reminding Hoosiers to enjoy the sun and fun while staying safe and healthy.“As we embrace summer activities with family and friends, it’s crucial to prioritize preventing illness and injury, specifically around water safety,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “I encourage Hoosiers to follow these simple steps to stay safe.”
Water Safety
For many Hoosier families, warm weather means spending time together at pools, lakes, and other bodies of water. Unfortunately, deaths due to drownings have increased in the United States since 2019, with more than 4,500 people drowning each year. In Indiana, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 years. In 2018-2023, 127 Indiana residents younger than 18 years died due to drowning.
When Hoosier families are in or around water this summer:
Designate a responsible adult to supervise children closely and constantly. You can assign a specific adult to supervise each child when they have access to water
Wear a life jacket while boating and be aware of local conditions
Avoid distracting activities like reading, using the phone, and consuming alcohol or drugs while watching kids in or near water because drowning happens quickly and quietly
IDOH has joined the National Drowning Registry in partnership with the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention. Through this registry, local Child Fatality Review teams will help conduct comprehensive surveillance of all pediatric drownings and standardize the investigation process to better understand the burden of drowning deaths among youth and prevent future fatalities from occurring.
In addition to comprehensive surveillance of deaths, IDOH works with partners to provide support and oversight to local water safety projects. This summer, several local health departments are partnering with community stakeholders to implement water safety initiatives through Health First Indiana. More information about water safety is available on the IDOH website.
Sun Safety
When spending time outdoors, prevent sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Keep water on hand to stay hydrated
Wear sunscreen with at least 30 SPF, reapplying it at least every two hours if swimming
Take advantage of shade and wearing protective clothing when possible
Signs of heat exhaustion include fatigue, weakness, headaches, nausea, sweating, dizziness and a decrease in urine production.
Heat stroke is a more serious and a potentially life-threatening condition with symptoms that include confusion, inability to sweat, loss of consciousness, seizures, and an internal body temperature that can reach 104° F or higher. It is critical to cool the body of any person suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke as quickly as possible, and if a person shows signs of heat stroke, emergency medical services should be contacted. If sunburn occurs, treat it with topical moisturizers, cool compresses and pain relievers. Contact your healthcare provider if extensive blisters or signs of infection are present.
Mosquito-borne illness
With summer comes mosquitoes, and their bites can sometimes transmit illnesses like West Nile virus (WNV). While 80 percent of those infected will not develop any symptoms, about 20 percent of people infected with WNV will develop an illness accompanied by fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. People older than 60 years and those receiving immunosuppressive medications or treatments are at greatest risk of severe WNV disease.
Ways to prevent mosquito bites that potentially carry WNV include:
Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active (especially during evening hours, from dusk to dawn, and in the early morning)
Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-methane-diol to clothes and exposed skin
Cover exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and long pants in places where mosquitoes are especially active, such as wooded and shady areas
Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home
Mosquitoes can breed in as little water as in a bottlecap, so be sure to dump all standing water around the house, including a garden hose, old tires and gutters
People who think they may have contracted WNV should contact their healthcare provider. More information about mosquito-borne illnesses and preventing mosquito bites is available on the IDOH website, which includes a dashboard that monitors illnesses present in mosquitoes and humans.
Grill Safety
Cookouts and BBQs are a summertime staple. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the following recommendations for grilling safely:
Separate: Pick up raw meat, poultry and seafood last on your grocery store, and keep them separate from other food in your shopping cart and bags
Chill: Keep meat, seafood and poultry refrigerated until ready to cook, and keep cool at 40° F or lower in an insulating cooler when transporting.
Clean: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling raw meat, poultry and seafood, and wash work areas, cooking utensils, and the grill before and after cooking
Cook: Use a food thermometer to make sure meat is cooked hot enough to kill harmful germs.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, alongside 55 other Attorneys General, has secured a landmark $7.4 billion settlement with the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma, marking the largest settlement to date holding individuals accountable for their role in the opioid crisis. This agreement addresses the devastating impact of Purdue’s aggressive marketing of opioid products under the Sacklers’ ownership, which fueled the worst drug crisis in U.S. history.
“This settlement – along with the other ones we have produced over the last four years—are a monumental victory for Hoosiers and communities nationwide devastated by the opioid epidemic,” Attorney General Rokita said. “The Sackler family and Purdue Pharma profited for decades while pushing addictive drugs that tore apart families and lives. This agreement ends the family’s control, bans them from selling opioids in the U.S., and delivers critical funds to rebuild our communities through addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery programs.”
Under the terms of the settlement, Indiana’s state and local governments will receive up to $100 million over the next 15 years to support efforts to combat the opioid crisis. The majority of the settlement funds will be distributed within the first three years, with the Sacklers contributing $1.5 billion and Purdue providing approximately $900 million in the initial payment. Additional payments include $500 million after one year, $500 million after two years, and $400 million after three years.
The settlement permanently ends the Sackler family’s control of Purdue Pharma and prohibits them from participating in the opioid industry in the United States. The funds will bolster critical programs to address addiction, support recovery, and prevent further harm in communities across Indiana and the nation.
Like prior opioid settlements, the settlement with Purdue and the Sacklers will involve resolution of legal claims by state and local governments. The local government sign-on and voting solicitation process for this settlement moving forward will be contingent on bankruptcy court approval. A hearing is scheduled on that matter in the coming days.
“This is about accountability and justice,” Attorney General Rokita added. “We’re ensuring that those responsible for this crisis are held accountable and that the resources are directed to where they’re needed most – our communities working to heal and rebuild.”
Attorney General Rokita is joined in securing this settlement in principle by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, Wyoming.
