This Week at USI
Now through Friday, August 1
USI to waive undergraduate application fee through August 1
The University will continue to offer a free undergraduate application period through Friday, August 1 for students interested in beginning their college journey this fall. Undergraduate freshmen and transfer degree-seeking students can enjoy a waived application fee with the promo code, APPLYUSI.
Now through August 29
Artists Among Us exhibition now on display in the USI Mac/Pace Galleries
The Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries at USI is proud to present its summer exhibition, Artists Among Us, now open to the public. The exhibition is on display now through Friday, August 29.
SAVE THE DATE
August 7-8
Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness returns to USI campus
The University and SWIRCA and More, the local agency on aging, will present the 18th annual Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness (MAIA) on the USI campus Thursday and Friday, August 7-8.
Week of August 11
Fall Semester Move In
Move In for the Fall Semester will be happening the week of August 11. More info to come on specific times/days recommended to capture footage.
August 18
First day of USI Fall Semester
The Fall Semester begins at USI on Monday, August 18.
Statement by Vanderburgh County Commission President Justin Elpers on the Proposed Solar Farm in Northern Vanderburgh County
July 28, 2025
After careful consideration and with full respect for the time, effort, and investment that has gone into this proposal, I would like to express my appreciation to Orion for bringing forward their vision for a solar farm in Vanderburgh County.
However, after listening to the concerns of our residents, reviewing the potential long-term impacts, and considering the priorities of our community, I believe this particular project is not the right fit for Scott Township or for Vanderburgh County at this time.
I would like to thank Orion for their professionalism, and I recognize the importance of renewable energy development. That said, the Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County must ultimately act in alignment with the values and voices of the people we serve.
Justin Elpers, President
Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County
FSSA Q4 State Fiscal Year 2025 Quarterly Financial Review – Wednesday, August 6, 2025
| JULY 29, 2025
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration will host the SFY 2025 Q4 Financial Review on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 9 a.m. EDT.During the Quarterly Financial Review, agency leadership will provide an update and overview about how taxpayer dollars are supporting agency priorities and Hoosiers. Location: Indiana Government Center South Auditorium 302 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Schedule:
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Attorney General Todd Rokita announces 11th multistate opioid deal: $1.1 billion total secured for Hoosiers
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$720 million national opioid settlement with eight drug companies includes estimated $16.5 million for Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita announced his 11th opioid settlement as Indiana’s Attorney General, securing approximately $720 million nationwide in settlements with eight drug makers that manufactured opioid pills, playing roles in worsening an opioid crisis that devastated communities in every state. Indiana expects to receive approximately $16.5 million. “Thousands of Hoosiers have lost their lives as a result of the opioid crisis,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We can never undo that tragic loss of life, but we can hold accountable those responsible for contributing to the situations culminating in these deaths. That’s what these settlements are all about, and I’m proud of the work of our team.” The eight defendants are Alvogen; Amneal; Apotex; Hikma; Indivior; Mylan (now part of Viatris); Sun; and Zydus. The terms of the settlements vary. Some of the companies will remit payments to states annually over the course of years while others will pay their obligation in a single year. Each of the settlements includes injunctive relief terms, namely: |
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Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith, OCRA announce changes to streamline CDBG program on behalf of communities
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NDIANAPOLIS (July 28, 2025) – The Office of Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced adjustments to streamline the Community Development Block Grant program.
“The majority of the changes revolve around the CDBG Planning Grant program,” Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith said. “This is in an effort to ensure communities have access to comprehensive plans prior to putting a shovel in the ground. By investing in solid planning efforts up front, this will help communities be set up for success throughout the project.” A number of adjustments were made to the Planning Grant program, including updating the required local match from 10% to 8%, establishing a flat rate for administrative fees across all Planning Grant types, and substituting regionalizing with resiliency scoring for the bonus points policy. “These adjustments were a top goal for our agency this year,” OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said. “We listened to input from our communities and key stakeholders to evaluate how we could further improve the CDBG program. These changes will help facilitate and streamline the process for communities, and as a result, help us to better serve the State.” Additionally, through the changes OCRA addresses a community’s need for flexibility when it comes to studying utility systems by allowing a single utility study and a comprehensive utility study. The updates also include clarifying current instructions throughout the application to further facilitate the process. Glynn says OCRA remains committed to being responsive to local units of government’s needs. He encourages eligible communities to take advantage of the updates and participate in the CDBG program. Funding for OCRA’s CDBG programs originates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program and is administered for the State of Indiana by OCRA. For more information, visit in.gov/ocra/cdbg/ |
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U.S. News & World Report Names 4 Ascension St. Vincent Locations Among Best Hospitals for 2025-2026
U.S. News & World Report Names 4 Ascension St. Vincent Locations Among Best Hospitals for 2025-2026
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (JULY 29) − Four Ascension St. Vincent locations have been named a 2025-2026 Best Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. This year, U.S. News announced 160 Best Hospitals across 49 states and 95 metro areas that have demonstrated superior outcomes in at least one specific specialty.
The following Ascension St. Vincent locations received this recognition:
- Ascension St. Vincent Hospital (Indianapolis, IN)
- Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center (Indianapolis, IN)
- Ascension St. Vincent Evansville (Evansville, IN)
- Ascension St. Vincent Carmel (Carmel, IN)
“What sets Ascension St. Vincent hospitals apart is our unwavering commitment to our Mission and the relentless dedication of our physicians and caregivers to provide compassionate, high-quality care to every patient we serve,” said Stephan Masconcup, JD, Chief Strategy Officer for Ascension St. Vincent. “We are extremely proud of our associates and honored to be recognized among the nation’s ‘Best Hospitals,’ a reflection of the healing ministry we live out each day.”
U.S. News evaluated more than 4,400 hospitals across 15 adult specialties and 22 procedures and conditions; only 13% of evaluated hospitals earned a Best Hospitals designation.
To determine the Best Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed each hospital’s performance based on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and level of nursing care. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from over 800 million records of patient care.
Ascension St. Vincent Celebrates Blessing, Ribbon Cutting of Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital
INDIANAPOLIS – Ascension St. Vincent celebrated the blessing and ribbon cutting of Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital, a new facility that underscores Ascension St. Vincent’s role as a regional leader in advanced brain and spine care. The event marked a significant milestone in the ongoing, multi-year transformation of Ascension St. Vincent’s 86th Street Campus.
The new hospital will serve as a regional hub for advanced brain and spine care across Indiana. The facility includes 38 specialized ICU rooms, eight operating suites and two advanced interventional neuroradiology labs offering advanced diagnostics and minimally invasive treatments for stroke, brain aneurysm and other neurovascular conditions.
The Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent combines leading-edge technology with thoughtful, patient-centered design. Each patient room is state-of-the-art and ICU-capable. The surgical suites are equipped to support advanced neurological procedures with 360° imaging, real-time contrast tracking and streamlined navigation that reduces operating time. Space-saving instrument tables, universal power access and integrated lighting optimize efficiency, while built-in streaming technology supports education through Ascension St. Vincent’s Neurological Surgery Residency Program.
“This is more than just a new hospital, it’s a transformative investment in our patients and our community,” said Stephan Masoncup, JD, Chief Strategy Officer for Ascension St. Vincent. “This facility will enable us to deliver the most advanced care for brain and spine conditions, ensuring that children and adults in Indiana and beyond have access to world-class treatment close to home.”
Named in honor of the Lucas family, the hospital reflects their transformative generosity and long-standing commitment to advancing care at Ascension St. Vincent and Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. Katie Lucas, president of Lucas Oil and board chair of the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation, and Morgan Lucas, chief executive officer of Lucas Oil, offered remarks during the ceremony.
“Our family is deeply grateful for the extraordinary care we have received through Ascension St. Vincent, and it is an honor to support this exceptional organization and everything it represents,” said Katie Lucas. “This hospital will make a difference in countless lives, and we are proud to be part of something so impactful for our community and those traveling to receive this world-class care.”
In addition to its clinical excellence, the facility integrates subtle but powerful design principles intended to support whole-person healing. Drawing inspiration from nature, the environment promotes calm, clarity and emotional well-being through thoughtful use of space, light and visual landmarks—an important consideration for patients whose neurological conditions may affect memory, perception or emotion.
The Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital marks a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Ascension St. Vincent 86th Street Campus. This major investment also includes the recent opening of the Ascension St. Vincent Women and Infants Hospital, which began serving patients in January 2025.
ECHO Housing & Community Development Announces Inaugural Patriot Gala Honoring
Veterans & First Responders
Evansville, IN – ECHO Housing & Community Development is proud to announce its inaugural Patriot Gala, presented by Business Communications Solutions (BCS), on Saturday, November 1, 2025. This unforgettable evening will celebrate our community’s Veterans and First Responders while raising vital funds to support ECHO’s programs and services.
This year’s Casablanca-themed formal event will transport guests to the glamour of the 1940s with vintage-inspired décor, live entertainment, and heartfelt moments of tribute. Held at the CK Newsome Center, the Patriot Gala will feature casino style games, dinner, an awards ceremony, raffle, dancing, and more. Community members, businesses, and organizations are invited to join us in honoring our local heroes.
As a leading advocate for Veterans in the region, ECHO provides critical services to those experiencing homelessness, substance use or mental health challenges. ECHO maintains the area’s Veteran By Name List to drive efforts to end Veteran homelessness, facilitates the River City Veteran
Resource Group, helps coordinate the Annual Veterans Stand Down, and strengthens partnerships to ensure Veterans can successfully reintegrate into the community. ECHO’s 11-county service area also relies on the collaboration and courage of local first responders.
Recognizing that many Veterans continue their public service as law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical personnel, dispatchers, and other community protectors, the Patriot Gala will pay tribute to these remarkable individuals who serve both our country and our neighborhoods. “At ECHO, we work tirelessly to support and advocate for Veterans and the most vulnerable in our community. The Patriot Gala is a night to honor those who have served—and those whocontinue to serve—whether in uniform or through their unwavering commitment to housing,
healing, and hope. It’s a celebration of service, sacrifice, and the partnerships that make our
mission possible.”
— Savannah Whicker, CEO, ECHO Housing & Community Development
The event is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors, including House Sponsors, Veterans
Overwatch and Fifth Third Bank, whose commitment to supporting Veterans and first responders
aligns with ECHO’s mission.The Patriot Gala is open to all who wish to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s and
community’s heroes.
There are multiple ways to participate in the Patriot Gala:
• Purchase a table of 6 or individual tickets to attend this unforgettable event.
• Sponsorship opportunities are still available for businesses and organizations that want to
showcase their community support.
• Donate items and/or experiences to help create a dynamic and meaningful guest experience.
Examples of needed items can be found on event website linked below.
• Nominate a Hero – Help us honor those who have served or protected our community by
submitting a nomination for our Awards Ceremony. Award nominations are due by September
1, 2025. Nomination form can be found on event website linked below.
For details, ticket sales, sponsorship information, the nomination form or a way to donate to the raffle,
visit:
Let’s come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and invest in a stronger, more
compassionate future
Alexis Tucker joins UE softball
Tucker comes to UE from Wabash Valley College
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville head softball coach Bailey Dillender has announced the addition of Alexis Tucker to the Purple Aces softball program. The pitcher/first baseman is a native of Fort Branch, Ind.
Alexis Tucker – Pitcher/1B – Fort Branch, Ind.
Local native Alexis Tucker makes the move to Evansville following two seasons at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill. She made her mark both offensively and in the circle and completes her time at WVC ranking in the top ten in multiple categories including career wins, single season wins, career strikeouts, career home runs, single season strikeouts, single season home runs, career innings pitched, and single season innings pitched.
As a sophomore in 2025, Tucker went 27-6 with 234 strikeouts in 192 1/3 innings of work. She threw 23 complete games while posting a 2.29 ERA. Tucker put forth a stellar offensive performance batting .412 with 14 home runs and 51 RBI. During her freshman campaign in 2024, Tucker won 17 games and struck out 175 batters while registering a 2.32 ERA.
The graduate of Gibson Southern had a strong senior campaign as she notched an ERA of 0.90, which was sixth in Indiana. She won 15 games, fanned 156 batters, and batted .394.
Coach Dillender on Tucker – “Alexis had a breakout season at Wabash Valley, impacting their success in the circle and at the plate. I think her ceiling is still untouched and am hopeful she can help us make some immediate progress for the Aces.”