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Senate Republicans File Redistricting Reform Bill

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December 20, 2017  

By Janet Williams
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – Two state Senate Republicans are introducing legislation to create a commission of lawmakers and the public to draw legislative district boundaries following the 2020 census.

John Ruckelshaus, of Indianapolis, and Mike Bohacek, of Michiana Shores, said Monday that they are responding to strong demand from their constituents to create a redistricting process that is open and fair.

Democrats in the Indiana House and Senate have made redistricting reform a top priority in the 2018 legislative session, which begins Jan. 3. Legislation that would have created a nonpartisan commission to draw district lines died in a House committee in March when Rep. Milo Smith, R-Columbus, refused to call for a vote on the measure.

Ruckelshaus said the bill he is introducing is similar to the one that died in the last session. The measure, Senate Bill 159, would create a nine-member redistricting commission composed of four lawmakers – one from each of the caucuses – and five members of the public. Public members would be selected by a committee of public university presidents.

The legislative maps drawn by the commission would then be subject to the approval of the Indiana General Assembly.

“We are driven to make this process as transparent a process as possible,” Ruckelshaus said, adding that the issue has been raised at every town hall event he has had with constituents this year.

Bohacek, in a statement, also said that a transparent process was important to him, adding, “I look forward to future conversations on how we can make redistricting more effective here in the state of Indiana.”

Ruckelshaus was himself the victim of gerrymandering in the early 1990s when Democrats controlled the process and drew a map that put him in the same district as another Republican House member.

He said he has been working with Julia Vaughn of Common Cause on the legislation. Vaughn has been crisscrossing the state to rally public support for the redistricting reform.

Indiana’s state and congressional district boundaries are considered among the most gerrymandered in the country. For example, even though Democratic House candidates got 40 percent of the popular vote in 2016, they ended up with only 30 percent of the seat in the General Assembly.

State Rep. Ryan Hatfield, D-Evansville, said he hopes Republicans take the legislation seriously and allow lawmakers to vote on the issue.

“Gerrymandering has been done by both parties over the decades,” Hatfield said. “Simply because both parties have done it doesn’t make it right.”

FOOTNOTE: Janet Williams is executive editor of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

EVSC Unveils OptIN Program Led by Executive Director B. J. Watts And Alex Burton, OptIN Program Manager

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The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation announced an innovative program aimed at helping students and parents identify all of the opportunities available to them upon high school graduation. OptIN, Opportunities through Partnerships that Transform and Inspire, will educate EVSC students on postsecondary and career options that best match their interests and strengths.

“OptIN will focus on extending and expanding options for all students,” said EVSC Superintendent David Smith. “We have students with incredible promise and we have first-rate employers that are not able to fill high-wage, high-demand positions. OptIN will connect students’ passion and interests with open positions in our community by ensuring our students have the education and transferable skills necessary for today’s workforce.”

According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Research & Analysis, by year 2024 there will be 78,200 unfilled jobs in the Evansville area alone. Of those, nearly 75 percent will require either a high school diploma, postsecondary certification, or four-year degree. Evansville also mimics some of the same trends seen nationally.  The 2016-2017 U. S. Talent Shortage Survey revealed some of the most difficult-to-fill jobs in the nation are skilled trades, health care workers, teachers and technicians. These are also high-demand job opportunities in the Evansville region.

“OptIN will have a long-lasting, positive impact on the entire Evansville community by providing local employers direct access to a highly-skilled workforce.” Smith said. “OptIN will significantly benefit Evansville and the surrounding community as we develop and retain our home-grown talent.”

“As a community, our thinking has to change regarding how we define postsecondary success,” Smith said. “We certainly will continue to support students who choose to pursue a four-year degree, but we also have to realize that students can be extremely successful in a host of careers that build upon students’ skills and interests. OptIN will allow us to provide tangible opportunities that marry students’ aptitudes with their passions. It will leverage current initiatives and supports to ensure EVSC students and families are aware of the myriad of options and opportunities available for lifelong success.”

OptIN will be led by Executive Director B. J. Watts, most recently an EVSC teacher. Watts  served on the Evansville City Council from 2001 – 2011 and as a Governor’s Appointee to the Indiana State Board of Education since 2011. Alex Burton, OptIN program manager, will work one-on-one with students to help them identify interests and develop the skills necessary to be successful.

Better Business Bureau Warns Donators of Charity Scams

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DECEMBER 19TH, 2017  TYRONE MORRIS INDIANA

Giving is encouraged during the holiday season however the Better Business Bureau wants to raise awareness of holiday scammers.

The BBB says thieves are targeting those who are being charitable this holiday season with charity scams increasing in 2017.

President and CEO of Make a Wish Billi Jo Zielinski says, “Sometimes, there are people who want to take advantage of the goodwill and generosity that’s been seen this time of year.”

Better Business Bureau employee Heather Aal says, “One of the markers or red flags of charity scams is a high-pressure/high-emotional sales pitch.”

The Bureau suggest doing your research before donating to a cause to make sure your money is going to where you are intending.

Tyrone Morris

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Aces Visit 4th-Ranked Duke on Wednesday

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Aces Looking For 11th Win Of The Season 

For the 10th time in its Division I history, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team will take on a top five opponent as the Purple Aces travel to Durham, N.C. to play 4th-ranked Duke on Wednesday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium.  Game time is 6 p.m. CT and ESPN2 will have live coverage.

Senior Blake Simmons has continued his banner season in his final year with the Purple Aces.  In victories over Austin Peay and Midway, Simmons averaged 18 points per game while shooting 60% from the field (12-of-20); Simmons matched his career-high of 18 points in both contests.  Over his last five games, Simmons has averaged 16.2 points per game and has seen his season average jump to 12.3 PPG.

Making his first start on Sunday against Midway, K.J. Riley led UE to its fifth win in a row while falling just three assists shy of a triple double.  The Bronx, N.Y. native finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and 7 helpers.  In two games over the weekend, Riley averaged 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while getting to the line an unbelievable 28 times in two games; Riley hit 21 free throws over the weekend – the opposition combined to shoot just 17 free throws in the two games.  His top game as a member of the UE squad came on Saturday against Austin Peay as he notched 22 points while hitting 14 out of 17 free throw attempts.

A 19-point effort against Midway marked the best in the young career of freshman Noah Frederking.  The Okawville, Ill. product hit six field goals and four free throws in the win.  He has started the last six games for UE, helping them win five of those contests.  In his starts, Frederking has played an average of 28.5 minutes per game while reaching double digits in three of the last five games.  He has played at least 15 minutes in each of the last eight games overall.

UE ranks 15th in the country, allowing just 61.9 points per game.  It currently stands as the #2 defense in Evansville’s Division I history; the top defense in the 1981-82 season allowed just 60.1 PPG over 29 games.

Winning eight of its first ten games, the Purple Aces are 10-2 for the third time in four years.  Between 1989 and 2014, the team did not record one such start.

Duke enters Wednesday’s contest with an 11-1 mark and are ranked fourth in the country.  After starting the season at 11-0 and moving to #1 in the nation, the Blue Devils dropped their ACC opener at Boston College, 89-84.  Marvin Bavley III leads the Blue Devils with 21.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.  Bagley leads the NCAA with 102 field goals while his 135 total rebounds are second.  Grayson Allen sits with 17.2 PPG.  Trevon Duval is sixth in the nation with 80 assists.

Since the 1948-49 season, the University of Evansville has squared off against 70 ranked opponents, posting a 16-54 mark.  Evansville has knocked off a ranked opponent in five out of the last eight seasons.

Indiana Law Schools Post Decline In Enrollment

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Marilyn Odendahl for www.theindianalawyer.com

Although nationally the number of 1L students starting law school in the 2017 fall semester increased, the 2017 first-year class enrolled Indiana’s four law schools declined by nearly 100 students compared to the class that began in 2016.

Hoosier law schools welcomed a total of 628 new students in 2017, down from the 721 who started classes in the year before. Both Indiana University Maurer School of Law and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law enrolled slightly fewer students this year but the biggest drop came from Valparaiso Law School which offered admission to 179 students but had only 28 accept the offer.

The data comes from the recently-released 2017 Standard 509 Information Reports from the American Bar Association. Stats from each of the 203 ABA-approved law schools, including those in Indiana, provide a snapshot of the incoming 1L class.

Overall, law schools reported 37,398 students beginning first-year classes in the fall of 2017. This is an increase of 291 students who started in 2016.

Nationally, the number of students working toward a J.D. degree across all three years slipped in 2017 by 795 students to 110,156 compared to 2016. However, students studying in non-J.D. programs buoyed the total enrollment in law schools to 126,638, a jump of 2,010 students from the year prior.

Enrollment data for the 1L students starting classes in the fall of 2017 in Indiana law schools is as follows:

IU Maurer welcomed a class of 162 who had a median LSAT of 161 and median GPA of 3.75. The Bloomington law school received 1,882 applications and made offers to 822 applicants for an acceptance rate of 43.7 percent.

IU McKinney enrolled a class of 240 who carried a median LSAT of 153 and a median GPA of 3.45. The Indianapolis law school received 873 applicants and made offers to 556 for an acceptance rate of 63.7 percent.

In 2016, IU Maurer and IU McKinney had 1L classes of 178 and 253, respectively.

Notre Dame Law School opened its doors to a class of 198 who came with a median LSAT of 164 and a median GPA of 3.73. The South Bend institution received 2,498 applicants and offered admission to 754 for an acceptance rate of 30.2 percent.

Last year, Notre Dame welcomed a smaller class of 187.

Valparaiso Law School entered the recruiting season for 2017 under public censure from the ABA. The northwest Indiana school was cited for admitting students who were unlikely to either complete their studies or pass the bar exam.

Since then, the ABA removed the censure but the law school has announced it is struggling under declining enrollment and decreased revenues. It will not admit students in the fall of 2018 and is looking for ways to remain open.

Valparaiso received just 471 applications for 2017 enrollment, down from the 777 submitted in 2016. The school had an acceptance rate of 38 percent. Although the 1L class is tiny, it boasts a median LSAT of 151 and median GPA of 3.19.

Adopt A Pet

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Fredric is a male mouse. He’s 3 ½ months old. He also has a sister named Mabel up for adoption. While they can’t be housed together, they would make good pets for kids! Fredric’s $5 adoption fee does not include a cage or supplies, but VHS has some gently-used items for sale! Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

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Maintenance Supervisor (Henderson)
Burlington Capital Properties 4 reviews – Henderson, KY
Valid Driver’s License and auto insurance, and good driving record required. Do you have skillful maintenance and repair experience that sets you apart from…
Easily apply
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Customer Service Associate IV
Lowe’s Inc. 21,790 reviews – Henderson, KY
Associate’s Degree in Business, Retail Management, Specialty related to department (e.g., design, appliances) or related field OR Certification in trade related…
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Technician (Environmental Services) 40 hours/week Day/Evening
Methodist Hospital 447 reviews – Henderson, KY
Maintain a clean, safe environment for patients, visitors and staff by utilizing standardized cleaning techniques, disinfectants and specially designed written…
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Client Retention Specialist (CRS)
Rent One 59 reviews – Evansville, IN
$10 an hour
Continued personal growth leads to satisfaction; We cannot succeed without them. They are goal-driven yet compassionate, and they help our clients get to…
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Resident Care Assistant
Holiday Health Care 5 reviews – Evansville, IN
Holiday Retirement Village is seeking a third shift resident care assistant! This position is part-time and all training is completed during orientation. We…
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Service Technician
BLACK EQUIPMENT CO., INC – Evansville, IN
Experience working with gas, diesel, electric forklifts and or construction equipment a plus. At this time we are seeking to fill several Service Technician…
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Deli Clerk
The Fresh Market 1,238 reviews – Evansville, IN
Primary job duties include merchandising, stocking, rotating product, cutting products per customer request, creating customer ordered sandwiches/salads/pizzas,…
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Grocery Clerk
The Fresh Market 1,238 reviews – Evansville, IN
Primary job duties include merchandising, stocking, rotating product, cleaning, and answering customer questions about products and services offered….
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Subway Sandwich Artist
Subway 19412-0 – Fort Branch, IN
Exhibits a cheerful and helpful manner while greeting guests and preparing their orders. A SUBWAY® Sandwich Artist® greets and serves guests, prepares food,…
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Animal Care Technician
Bioanalytical Systems – Mount Vernon, IN
The Animal Care Technician is responsible for assisting the group with maintaining the well-being of animals in accordance with all SOPs, applicable state and…
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Accounting Supervisor
OneMain 860 reviews – Evansville, IN
This individual will be responsible for key controller activities supporting analysis, research, monitoring, overseeing the preparation and monitoring of…
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Guest Service Representative
Home2 Suites by Hilton Evansville – Evansville, IN
$9.25 an hour
The Home2 by Hilton in Evansville is looking for a front desk associate. It is mainly for second shift from 3PM-11PM and will include some weekends….
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Sales Associate
Boot Barn 226 reviews – Evansville, IN
Adhere to local, state and federal employment laws. Accurately and efficiently complete all sales transactions and maintain proper cash and media…
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Cleaning Team Member Office Locations-Part Time Evenings (Boonville)
Frantz Building Services 6 reviews – Boonville, IN
While performing the duties of this job, the team members occasionally work near moving mechanical parts and are occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic…
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PER DIEM PCA – OBED
Deaconess Women’s Hospital of Southern Indiana 6 reviews – Newburgh, IN
BLS certification within six months of hire. Perform EKGs, glucose testing, removal of foley catheters/peripheral IV sites;…
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Accounting Internship (Summer 2018)
Berry Global, Inc. – Evansville, IN
Process credit memos/miscellaneous invoices for. Including the Cash Posting/Invoicing department. Processing related transactions….
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Human Resource Generalist
Berry Global, Inc. – Evansville, IN
Maintains compliance with federal and state. PHR or SHRM-CP Certification preferred. Policy implementation, recruitment, affirmative action,….
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Medical Office Assistant
Deaconess Health System 37 reviews – Evansville, IN
Assists in discharge process from medical office including collecting payments, posting charges, issuing receipts and posting payments….
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Management Training Program
American Freight Furniture 143 reviews – Evansville, IN
Our company is seeking motivated, dedicated, and confident individuals who wish to pursue a successful and gratifying career in the retail furniture industry….
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Project Coordinator
Q Services, LLC – Evansville, IN
Project Coordinator responsibilities include working closely with our OSP Field Construction Process Manager to prepare comprehensive action plans, including…
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Cashier/Switchboard Operator
DPatrick – Evansville, IN
$10 an hour
Valid Driver’s License and good driving record. Operates the switchboard by answering phone calls and transferring them to the appropriate department….
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Project Coordinator
MetroNet 30 reviews – Evansville, IN
Project Coordinator responsibilities include working closely with our OSP Field Construction Process Manager to prepare comprehensive action plans, including…
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Assistant Manager (Locals only)
FASTBREAK CONVENIENCE STORES – Evansville, IN
Additionally, the Assistant Manager would be self-motivated, dependable and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining 100% total…
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Part-Time Seasonal Sales Associate
Headway Workforce Solutions 184 reviews – Evansville, IN
In addition to federal law requirements, Headway Workforce Solutions aligns with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in…
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APPLICATIONS ANALYST II
Old National Bank 125 reviews – Evansville, IN
Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred. Meet with internal clients to develop application specifications to meet business objectives….
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RETIREMENT PLAN SPEC II
Old National Bank 125 reviews – Evansville, IN
Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field or equivalent experience required. This Retirement Plan Specialist II is responsible for assisting clients with…
Dec 14
Nanny Needed For 2 Children In Evansville
– Evansville, IN
It is important to us that you have your own car. We need a nanny to take care of 2 children in Evansville. Duties include pickups and drop-offs….
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Helpdesk Analyst
Traylor Family of Companies – Evansville, IN
Manage helpdesk calls and tickets for technical support in an accurate and timely manner. Bachelor’s degree in IT or related field….
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Retail Wireless Sales Manager
TCC – The Cellular Connection 35 reviews – Evansville, IN
Attend and participate in vendor, Verizon or company calls as requested. Maintain, develop and be proactive in developing relationships with other small…
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HR Coordinator PT
Lowe’s Inc. 21,790 reviews – Evansville, IN
1 year retail experience at any other big-box retailer. Provide human resource support by responding to employee inquiries and concerns regarding, coordinating…
Dec 14

Evansville Drops Final Non-Conference Game At SEMO

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 Gasper And Dossett Combine For 27 points To Lead Aces

In its final non-conference game of the season, the University of Evansville women’s basketball team fell to SEMO, 74-65, on the road in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

“We fought, but unfortunately we put ourselves in some bad situations. SEMO is too good of a team to do that against,” said Aces head coach Matt Ruffing. “I keep telling them we’re close. Hopefully this break serves us well and its a new season come conference play…and we can get past this first half of the season and come back re-energized and ready to go,” said Ruffing.”

Leading the Aces was junior guard Kerri Gasper who finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while senior guard Brooke Dossett added 13 points and four assists. The Redhawks were led by Adrianna Murphy who just missed a triple-double with 26 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists on the afternoon.
SEMO started the game on a tear, scoring eight unanswered points to open up an 8-0 lead over the Aces just 3:09 into the contest. Evansville responded with a 15-6 run to close the quarter, fueled by six points by sophomore center Kaylan Coffman that gave the Aces a 15-14 lead after the first 10 minutes.

In the second quarter, the Aces increased their lead to six at 20-14 with 6:34 left in the half on a jumper by Gasper and a three-pointer by sophomore guard Crimson Jones. The Redhawks answered with an 11-2 run that gave SEMO a 25-22 advantage before junior center Kelsi Scott hit a pair of free throws in the waning moments of the half to cut the Aces’ deficit to 25-24 heading into the break.

In what proved to be a back-and-forth battle, Evansville regained the lead at 30-27 as junior center Tattenai Hall converted a three-point play. The Aces’ lead grew as large as four on a three by graduate guard Hannah Noe with 6:03 left in the quarter, but SEMO utilized a 15-5 run to push in front 49-43. At the buzzer, Murphy pulled-up from 35 feet out and banked in a three that increased the Redhawks’ advantage to 52-43 with one quarter left to play.

A game that was highlighted by runs featured one last attack by the Aces to open the fourth quarter. An 11-3 run from Evansville capped-off by a layup by Gasper trimmed SEMO’s lead all the way to one at 55-54 with 7:21 remaining on the clock. As was true most of the afternoon, the Redhawks found a pair of timely three-pointers and rebuilt their margin to 12 just minutes later as SEMO captured the 74-65 win.

Evansville kept up with the Redhawks in the rebounding battle as SEMO finished with a narrow 39-37 advantage on the boards. The Aces committed 19 turnovers to just 10 for SEMO although the Redhawks converted the turnovers into only 16 points.

The Aces take 10 days off for the holidays before returning to action on December 29 to start Missouri Valley Conference play as the Aces host Southern Illinois at 7 p.m. on December 29 inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse.

WGU Indiana names two education leaders to board of directors

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WGU Indiana welcomes two education champions to its board of directors. Carol D’Amico, Ph.D., is executive vice president, Mission Advancement and Philanthropy, at Strada Education Network. Todd Bess, Ph.D., is executive director of the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP).

“We value the tremendous experience and valuable perspectives that both Carol and Todd bring to our board,” said WGU Indiana Chancellor Allison Barber. “Carol has made a career out of improving the college-to-career connection, while Todd works with our state’s top secondary education leaders whose key mission is training students for success, both in high school and after.”

D’Amico is nationally recognized for education reform strategies that integrate higher education, business and workforce development efforts. In 2013, she joined Strada Education, where she helps to develop national and state-based philanthropic initiatives aimed at helping students attain post-secondary success and career achievement. She has served as executive vice president and chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, where she established a statewide workforce development strategy and programming, and served on several national and state-level boards, including a multi-term appointment to the Institute for Education Sciences by President George W. Bush. She has a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Indiana University Bloomington.

At IASP, Bess oversees professional development and advocacy for the state’s high school principals and building administrators. He began his career as a teacher then served as assistant principal and assistant superintendent at several north-central Indiana school districts. Today, he’s also on the adjunct faculty at Ball State University and affiliate faculty at Indiana State University, where he instructs in the regional Ph.D. cohort program for the Department of Educational Leadership. In 2017, he was named to the Indiana Department of Education transition team for Superintendent Jennifer McCormick. He has a doctorate in educational administration from Indiana State University.

“It takes a diverse range of expertise to develop the pipeline of talent that Indiana and its employers need,” Barber said. “WGU Indiana is thankful for the thoughtful counsel that Carol and Todd and all of our directors provide.”

About WGU Indiana
WGU Indiana offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate online degree programs in business, education, information technology and healthcare, including nursing. The non-profit university’s competency-based model allows students to accelerate through coursework at their own pace.
According to a 2016 Harris Poll, 95 percent of WGU graduates are employed, 87 percent of them in their degree field. According to a 2016 Gallup study, WGU graduates are more likely than graduates from other U.S. universities to have the jobs they want, feel engaged at work and have an emotional attachment to their alma mater. In 2012, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education recognized WGU Indiana for its contributions to the Commission’s “Reaching Higher, Achieving More” agenda for excellence in academic quality.
In 2017, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) again named WGU’s secondary teacher preparation program among the best in the nation for quality, ranking WGU in the top seven among 2,400 schools.
WGU Indiana has helped more than 5,000 Hoosiers achieve their dream of completing a college degree. Another 5,000 students are currently enrolled. For information about WGU Indiana’s degrees and scholarships, visit indiana.wgu.edu.

METOO KNOCKS OFF ROY MOORE

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