GAVEL GAMUT

By Jim Redwine

www.jamesmredwine.com

(Week of 03 November 2025)

THE PUBLIC FORUM

I have subscribed to The Posey County News and its progenitors for about forty years. At the request of the then editor and owner, Jim Kohlmeyer, in 1990 I began writing “Gavel Gamut”. Current editor Dave Pearce continued to publish my column after he and his wife Connie took over the paper. Neither Jim nor Dave nor Connie ever sought to censor any of the more than 1,000 columns I have written.

Gentle Reader, you are undoubtedly aware of how rare it has become for news outlets to provide a true forum for the exchange of differing views. The Posey County News provides such a forum. The Posey County News is a beacon to the First Amendment at a time that such beacons of illumination are under attack from several powerful and diverse sources. Our republic will not survive as the America our Founders envisioned if our citizens cannot freely express conflicting views, especially on deeply felt issues. As newspapers throughout our country continue to be subsumed by major news outlets, we need more than ever the courage of such local papers as The Posey County News.

Our republic’s free flow of ideas has been the major driver of our desire for “a more perfect union”. There was a time only 21-year-old, white, male citizens could vote. Due to the most vigorous of public debates, now 18-year-old citizens can not only be sent to war, they can vote on who sends them. My first vote for president was when I turned 21 even though I had already earned my honorable discharge from the Air Force.

My grandmother could not vote until 1921 after millions of Americans had demonstrated for her right to do so. It took a Civil War to get Blacks citizenship and many Native Americans are still in a struggle for the right to self-determination; but public outcries are forcing progress.

Therefore, when I opened my October 15, 2025 edition of my Posey County News and saw that Reverend Norman Martin had written a respectful and measured disagreement to one of my columns I was elated. There were no aspersions or threats, just calm opposing views. Thank you, Reverend, for reading my column. I am truly grateful you and I both have the right and, thanks to The Posey County News, the ability to publicly state our views without fear or expectation of favor.

We are all aware of our current climate of uncivil behavior among citizens of differing viewpoints. It may just be my age but I believe our culture was at one time able to discuss without cussing and disagree without canceling. Reverend Martin and I may never have the opportunity to have a cup of coffee and vigorously and respectfully exchange views, but thanks to one of America’s bedrock institutions, The Posey County News, if we ever have the chance, I bet we can do so.

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

Or “Follow” us on Substack @gavelgamut 

Special session will cost taxpayers $250,000 meanwhile thousands of Hoosiers will lose SNAP benefits over the weekend

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – This week, State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) and Former U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly met with residents for a community town hall to discuss Gov. Mike Braun’s recent call for a special session to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps – a move that still requires approval from the General Assembly before it can move forward.

Moderated by Dr. Robert Dion, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Evansville, the event drew dozens of Hoosiers who voiced their frustration with the proposal and with the cost of living in Indiana, sharing concerns about what the new maps could mean for their representation. Many questioned why state leaders are prioritizing political maps instead of addressing the economic realities families face every day.

“Nobody in that room asked for new maps,” Burton said. “They asked for their needs to be prioritized at the Statehouse. Instead of focusing on how to help working families, the Statehouse is spending time and taxpayer money on redrawing lines no one asked for – at a cost of $250,000 Hoosier taxpayer dollars. To add to this, over the weekend, we are about to see thousands of Hoosiers lose access to their SNAP benefits. Children will go hungry, and Indiana has chosen to look the other way. That’s not leadership – that’s distraction.”

Former Sen. Joe Donnelly, who represented Hoosiers in Congress for nearly a decade, echoed Burton’s message about misplaced priorities and the importance of accountability.

“This isn’t about party lines – it’s about doing right by the people of Indiana,” Donnelly said. “Our government works for you, not the other way around. The legislature works with the executive branch, not for it. And both exist to represent the people who sent them there. When families are struggling to pay for groceries and heat their homes, the last thing they want to see is politicians fighting over maps. What we heard the other night was clear: Hoosiers want focus, fairness and common sense.”

Burton closed the evening by encouraging residents to stay engaged as the proposal heads to the legislature.

“The governor can call a special session, but it still falls into the hands of the legislature, and that means your voice matters,” Burton said. “The Senate is already hearing from you, and it’s working.”

“Continue to call your elected officials and voice your concerns. Tell them you want affordable living, and to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on political games. I’ll keep fighting for you and provide updates as soon as I hear anything from the Statehouse.”

Working smoke alarms cut risk of home fire deaths in half

INDIANA, October 31, 2025 — Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 2, and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks back to make sure the devices are working.

Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half as you only have about two minutes to safely get out. Every second counts when there’s a home fire and the sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get to a safer place. When daylight saving time ends this weekend, test your smoke alarms to help prevent a tragedy in your home.

So far this year, local Red Cross volunteers have responded to help 4,326 people in the Indiana Region affected by 1,144 home fires. The Red Cross responds to about 65,000 disasters annually across the country, and the majority are home fires.

SMOKE ALARMS When turning your clocks back this weekend, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to create and practice with your family, or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Components such as sensors can become less sensitive over time. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.
• Practice your two-minute home fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to escape a burning home before it’s too late.
• Include at least two ways to get out of every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet.

 IF YOU NEED HELP If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit redcross.org/inhomefire for more information and to request a smoke alarm installation appointment.

HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVES LIVES Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,508 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visitredcross.org/homefires.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS PARTNER State Farm^® is the National Sound the Alarm Sponsor. Their funding helps our efforts to build safer, stronger, better-educated communities. For decades, State Farm has teamed up with the Red Cross in support of home safety, disaster preparedness and relief efforts. State Farm is committed to helping individuals and families manage everyday risks like home fires by sponsoring Sound the Alarm.

WEEKLY DEATH REPORT SEPTEMBER 29 TO OCTOBER 5, 2025

media report Oct. 5-11, 2025 all

media report Oct. 5-11, 2025 viol

GARY, IN – Today, Governor Mike Braun joined DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in announcing that a successful 287(g) operation with Indiana State Police has resulted in the arrest of 223 illegal aliens on Indiana highways near the Illinois state line—including 146 truck drivers. This operation took place in Northwest Indiana and is part of Chicago-based Operation Midway Blitz.  

Recent cases of illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles involved in fatal crashes has brought attention to this issue. For example, in August, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for an illegal alien following his arrest for three counts of vehicular homicide while driving a semi-truck in Florida, and last week, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for a criminal illegal alien who killed three people in California while driving an 18-wheeler under the influence.  

Criminal activity associated with the 223 illegal aliens arrested during this effort included driving under the influence, drug trafficking, assault, child abuse, and burglary. Over 40 drivers had been issued Commercial Drivers Licenses. 
 

“Indiana is the Crossroads of America, and that’s something we’re proud of — but it also means we must stay vigilant about those using our interstates for crime and thus endangering our communities. The safety of our state is our top priority, and we’ll keep working with our federal partners to keep Hoosiers — and Americans — safe.” — Governor Mike Braun

“Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs. And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos. Thanks to President Trump, Operation Midway Blitz has already removed over 140 illegal alien truck drivers in Indiana. Thanks to the brave men and women of ICE and the Indiana State Police are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads.” — Secretary Kristi Noem

“ICE launched Operation Midway Blitz to remove illegal alien threats to public safety, which is exactly what we have done in Chicago. We recognized from the start that this must include protecting roadways carrying interstate traffic and cargo. Sanctuary policies like those in Illinois sadly don’t recognize borders, and ICE and the Indiana State Police have successfully arrested hundreds of illegal alien truck drivers who should not be operating on our highways. In recent weeks, we have seen illegal semi-truck drivers responsible for significant loss of life across the country. This was preventable, and that is precisely why we are working to ensure this doesn’t happen in Indiana or Illinois.” — ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons

“This operation wouldn’t have been as successful as it was without our strong 287(g) partnership with the Indiana State Police. Protecting communities from criminal illegal aliens also includes those posing safety threats on our interstates. When cities and states partner with us, communities are safer, and as this operation has proven, our efforts in Indiana extend protection to those living in the sanctuary state of Illinois as well.” — ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan