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With summer underway in Indiana, I wanted you to know about a wide range of new state laws that recently took effect. Most new laws passed during the 2024 legislative session took effect July 1, including the following: |
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To help protect Indiana’s farmland and food supply chain, individuals or entities associated with foreign adversaries like Russia and China will be banned from purchasing or leasing agricultural land, and mineral, water or riparian rights. China, Russia, North Korea and Iran will also be prevented from purchasing or leasing land within a 10-mile radius of military installations.Preventing Breast Cancer |
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More Hoosiers will soon be protected from surprise bills from out-of-network ambulance providers. Health insurance companies will be required to reimburse ambulance providers regardless of whether the provider was in- or out-of-network. Copays and deductible payments for out-of-network services will also be capped at in-network rates.
Food truck operators raised concerns about the patchwork of regulatory ordinances and costly fees from county to county, which can make it difficult to operate and expand their mobile businesses. To simplify permitting for food trucks, counties will be required to create a permit that follows universal state standards and is capped at a $200 fee.Click here to learn more about other legislation passed during the most recent legislative session.
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New laws took effect this month
EPA Invests $20 Million in Water Workforce Training and Career Development as Part of Investing in America Agenda
EPA Invests $20 Million in Water Workforce Training and Career Development as Part of Investing in America Agenda
WASHINGTON – July 14, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing over $20 million to 13 workforce development organizations across the nation under its Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant Program, which supports expanding career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector. This announcement comes as White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su travel to Philadelphia today to host the inaugural convening of the city’s Investing in America Workforce Hub. The Philadelphia Workforce Hub will support the workforce needed to deliver on the city’s water and transportation projects spurred by the President’s Investing in America agenda.
“In every community in America, water and wastewater utility workers are unsung heroes ensuring that families and businesses have access to reliable, clean and safe water services,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator Bruno Pigott. “As the water sector faces a wave of retirements, EPA is prioritizing the sustainability of the water workforce and the resilience of our water systems and communities with this $20 million program.”
Across the country, water infrastructure workers make possible the delivery of clean, safe water services to millions of Americans. EPA’s Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant Program complements the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government strategy to create good-paying, family-supporting jobs in the communities they serve. The grant program also develops the apprenticeship programs, labor standards, and other tools needed to ensure a strong pipeline of workers and high-quality jobs.
EPA is selecting 13 recipients at regional and national organizations to implement a broad range of programs under the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program:
- Multiplier/WaterNow Alliance (CA): $760,463.31
- American Water Works Association (CO): $1,000,000
- Rural Community Assistance Partnership (DC): $852,500
- The Water Tower Institute, Inc (GA): $1,942,378
- Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (HI): $1,000,000
- Wichita State University (KS): $414,250
- Baltimore City Department of Public Works (MD): $914,500
- Center for Watershed Protection, Inc. (MD): $999,520
- Grand Rapids Community College (MI): $1,000,000
- Board of Regents Nevada System of Higher Education (NV): $999,153
- University of New Mexico (NM): $600,000
- National Rural Water Association (OK): $5,594,000
- Energy Innovation Center Institute, Inc. (PA): $4,900,000
The grants will expand public awareness about job opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector and will address the workforce needs of drinking water and wastewater utilities. Activities that will be funded under this competition include:
- Targeted internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs.
- Education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students.
- Regional industry and workforce development collaborations to address water utility employment needs and coordinate candidate development.
- Integrated learning laboratories in secondary educational institutions.
- Leadership development, occupational training, mentoring, or cross-training programs that ensure incumbent drinking water and wastewater utility workers are prepared for higher-level supervisory or management-level positions.
EPA plans to award the recipients a grant once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Funding this program furthers the agency’s goals of a cleaner, healthier environment for all Americans and future generations.
Board of School Trustees of the EVSC Meeting
The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet for the regularly scheduled Board meeting Monday, July 15, 2024 at 5:30 PM in the Board Room of the EVSC Administration Building located at 951 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN. Board meetings can also be observed by tuning to EVSC’s radio station, 90.7 WPSR or live streamed online at https://www.wpsrhd.com/.
Prior to the regularly scheduled Board meeting, three members of the Board, along with district administrators, will hold a Town Hall beginning at 5:00 PM. This Town Hall is for Vanderburgh County residents to speak directly with Board members in attendance about issues involving EVSC schools. The Town Hall will be held in the Technology and Innovation Center located at 951 Walnut Street,
Evansville, IN. Members of the public who would like to attend the Town Hall should register by completing the Town Hall Registration Form located on our website at district.evscschools.com.
Clark Smith will lead state’s grain buyers division
INDIANAPOLIS (July 14, 2024) — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced today the hiring of Clark Smith as director of the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency (IGBWLA).
A southern Indiana native, Smith was raised in Brownstown, IN. He and his wife now manage and oversee a family Angus cattle herd near Greenfield, IN. Smith attended Indiana University for his bachelor’s degree and graduated from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University in 2019 with a Master of Business Administration focused on marketing and data analytics.
Previous to ISDA, Smith spent his professional career with Corteva Agriscience in crop protection management.
ISDA Director Don Lamb is excited to welcome Smith to the team.
“Farming is a financial business with a lot of risks. The goal of IGBWLA is to help mitigate some of those risks and ensure financial security and stability,” said Lamb. “We are looking forward to Clark’s expertise and knowledge in leading this very important division, for our department and our state.”
As director of the agency, Smith will be responsible for managing staff and overseeing the agency’s statutory obligations, which include approving new license applications and the auditing of Indiana’s commercial grain operations.
He will also serve as chairperson of the Indiana Grain Indemnity Corporation Board of Directorsand work with local, state and federal agencies, as well as the private sector, to better understand the needs of Indiana’s grain purchasers.
“Agriculture has been a huge part of my personal and professional life, and I am excited to begin the journey of public service and give back to this dynamic industry,” said Smith. “The Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency has dedicated staff who keep the industry top of mind. I look forward to learning from them and working side by side with the ISDA team and stakeholders in all parts of Indiana, both Indianapolis and all the cities and towns that make Indiana great.”
Smith is a Greenfield Central school board member and Riley Festival board of directors member. He is also a 10 year 4H member from Jackson County and a former Jackson County Cattlemen’s President.
Outside of work, Clark and his wife Debra spend most of their time raising their two young daughters and managing the family Angus herd.
Visit www.isda.in.gov for more information about the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency.
Comptroller Nieshalla to Report State of Indiana Fiscal Year-End
Comptroller Nieshalla to Report State of Indiana Fiscal Year-End
STATEHOUSE – State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla along with Office of Management and Budget Director Cris Johnston and Acting State Budget Director Joseph Habig will present the fiscal year-end report for 2024. These leaders will discuss highlights of the report and confirm Indiana’s financial status.
WHAT: Fiscal Year-End Report for 2024
WHEN: July 23 at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Indiana Statehouse, Room 233
WHO: State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla, Director of Office of Management and Budget Cris Johnson and Acting Director of State Budget Agency Joseph Habig
A news release and full report will be made available after the press conference concludes.
Hoosier History Highlights
July 14 – July 20This Week in Indiana History
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Indiana Quick Quiz1. Which Indiana county is on the eastern border of Indianapolis? 2. Name the rock musician who grew up in Seymour, Indiana. 3. The Hot Dog Festival held in July is in what Indiana city? 4. The movie “Hoosiers” recalls the 1954 basketball championship game between what two Indiana teams? Answers Below
For more activitiesin IN
Answers1. Hancock 2. John Mellencamp 3. Frankfort 4. Milan and Muncie Central
– Celebrating Hoosier Educator’s Laudable Commitment to Educating Hoosier Youth to Lead and Tackle Challenges Today and Tomorrow You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States who lived in Indiana 1816-1830
Did you know Bee Balm is a native Indiana plant? |
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Doug Gillis named Associate Head Coach for UE Softball
Doug Gillis named Associate Head Coach for UE Softball
Gillis brings experience from SEC, ACC, and Big 12
JUNE 14, 2024
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville head softball coach Mat Mundell has announced the hiring of Doug Gills as the Associate Head Coach for the Purple Aces program.
Gillis brings a wealth of experience to the UE program both as a player and coach at the top levels of the sport.
“Today is a tremendous day for Aces softball. I am thrilled to be able to add a coach the caliber of Coach Gillis,” Coach Mundell exclaimed. “He has a proven track record of working with and developing some of the best pitchers in the game. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge not only from what he has done as a coach but also his own playing career.”
In his time as a college coach, Gillis has developed pitchers that have won their respective conference Pitcher of the Year awards on seven occasions. His coaching has led to a pair of Pitcher of the Year awards in the Big 12, one in the SEC, three in a row in the ACC and one in the Atlantic Sun. Under his tutelage, four of his pitchers have been named 1st Team All-Americans while four were named to the USA National Team.
“I’m excited to join Coach Mundell’s softball program and be a part of University of Evansville athletics,” Gillis said. “I look forward to coaching in the MVC and competing for championships.”
In 2024, Gillis was the Director of Pitching Development at Liberty University. The Flames were both the Conference USA regular season and tournament champions. Liberty opened the NCAA Championship with wins over #25 Charlotte and #11 Georgia.
From 2019-2023, Gillis was the Head Pitching and Assistant Coach at Virginia Tech. His work with the Hokie pitching staff resulted in three ACC Pitcher of the Year awards, two 1st Team All-American honors, and a staff that led the nation in strikeouts in 2022. As a team, Virginia Tech won the ACC Championship in 2019 and 2022 while advancing to the NCAA Super Regionals in 2021 and 2022.
Prior to joining the Hokies staff, Gillis was the Head Pitching and Assistant Coach at Kennesaw State where he oversaw the development of the 2018 Atlantic Sun Pitcher of the Year. That season saw the Owls win the conference championship on the way to the first NCAA Regional appearance in program history. His pitching staff led the ASUN in strikeouts, having 70 more than any other squad.
From 2009-2016, he was on the staff at the University of Missouri as they transitioned from the Big 12 to the SEC. Gillis was the Director of Pitching from 2009-14 and was elevated to Head Pitching Coach from 2015-16. Over the course of his first six seasons with the Tigers, three of his pitchers garnered 1st Team All-American accolades. Mizzou made three appearances in the Women’s College World Series, six trips to the NCAA Super Regionals and won six NCAA Regional Championships.
He coached the 2011 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, 2013 SEC Pitcher of the Year, and the 2014 SEC Freshman Pitcher of the Year. Following his promotion to Head Pitching Coach, the Tigers won their respective NCAA Regional Championship in both seasons and advanced to the Super Regionals. He worked with an All-SEC pitcher and another who made the USA National Team.
In a playing career that spanned over three decades, Gillis was a 6-time member of Team USA while earning six USA Softball Major Level All-American awards. His teams won the gold medal at the 2002 Pan-American Championships and the 1999 U.S. Olympic Festival. Gillis is a 2-time USA Softball Major Level National Champion.
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.
DINNER ON THE BRIDGE EXCLUSIVE CRAFT BEER EXPERIENCE AUGUST 3, 2024!
Presented in partnership with Evansville’s Bedford Collab, our Craft Beer Dinner features five courses of vibrant seasonal cuisine highlighting craft beer as an ingredient and a curated pairing for each dish. Guests will be guided through tasting notes for each beer and have an opportunity to sample dishes from local food scene favorites Mindful Meals and Turn Table Mobile American Cuisine.
Bedford Collab is an LLC company founded in May of 2020. The purpose of its existence is to provide sustainability through growing fresh produce, aiding in food rescue, and providing a shared commercial kitchen for existing and striving food entrepreneurs, along with revitalizing a disinvested neighborhood. The culture that is created will bring all walks of life into one geographic location for the benefit and flourishing of everyone in proximity.
Seating is limited, so don’t wait to reserve your table!
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