Evan Bayh, Todd Young and Lucy Brenton faced off in their first and only debate. They’re vying for the seat currently held by Senator Dan Coats.

The first question of the debate came from a Chesterton teacher asking about political divisiveness and how each candidate has worked across the aisle. Democrat Evan Bayh cited his work with a Republican State Senate to pass the 21st Century Scholars Program to help students afford school. Republican Todd Young spoke about Obamacare and repealing the 30 hour provision in the House to restore the 40 hour work week. Libertarian Lucy Brenton acknowledged she has never held office but says as a mom of ten, she knows how to deal with childish behavior like what can be found in Washington, D.C.

Brenton says, “I will tell you there is no more peace making and cross the aisles then what comes along when you’re looking at a fight between a 16-year-old and 14-year-old so I’d like to bring that experience to Congress because quite frankly sometimes our congressional members act like children and sometimes they should probably be put in a corner.”

The candidates also addressed the issue of climate change. Brenton says she is not convinced climate change is real. Young says it’s a global issue and not a Hoosier one. He attacked Bayh saying he supports taxes that would hurt manufacturing and farming. Bayh says it’s just not true. His plan includes investing in wind and solar energy and clean coal generation to help the mining industry.

Bayh says, “We should emphasize ethanol which unfortunately Congressman Young has voted against. But, I don’t think we should have the cap and trade system and I don’t agree with the clean power plan. That’s something I disagree with Mrs. Clinton on. I think those things would be harmful to Hoosier consumers.”

On the topic of sending additional troops and humanitarian aid to to places like Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, Bayh says he is committed to defeating ISI and taking back terrorist strongholds. Brenton called the war illegal saying it should be stopped and only humanitarian aid should be sent. Young touted his time in the military and says he has proposed a resolution to pool NATO resources to come up with a strategy.

Young says, “Some of the components to a strategy will involve flying more sorties, loosening the rules of engagement so that we can kill more of the terrorist on the ground and establishing save zones so we can address this humanitarian crisis on the ground rather than leading to a refugee crisis but in Europe and here in the United States.”

The candidates also addressed dealing with Russia, gun rights and Social Security.

While each candidate had an equal share of air time, both Bayh and Young payed little attention to the Libertarian candidate acknowledging her only once each during the debate.

The Kentucky League of Cities presented those awards at Tuesday night’s city commission meeting.

City Manager Bill Parish was named City Employee of the Year and Owensboro joined Hopkinsville and Paducah as the 2016 Enterprise Cities Award winners.

Parish is being recognized for distinguished performance to improve the local community.

The enterprise city awards are given for city projects or programs making a big impact on their communities.

Owensboro won for Strategic Use of Public-Private Partnerships to bring things like the International Bluegrass Museum to the city.

Parrish has been with the city of Owensboro for 15 years.

The city has also attracted high profile events like the Owensboro Air Show, that drew some 50,000 people.

They are a nonprofit organization started by an Indianapolis mother whose son died of a heroin overdose.

The organizations founder says, before EPD receives the kits, their officers will go through training on how to use them in the beginning of November.

The Evansville Area Black Chamber of Commerce Is Hosting A Kick-Off Event

EVANSVILLE, IN – A group of community leaders are set to announce the creation of the Evansville Area Black Chamber of Commerce to economically empower and sustain the Black community through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity on October 18th at 5pm inside the Evansville African American Museum.

Former Evansville City  Council candidate and event organizer Alex Burton said “The purpose of bringing this Chamber to Evansville is to put a laser focus on creating and developing sound business operations that can produce a benefit to the entire city,” Pastor Adrian Brooks said.

The Evansville Area Black Chamber of Commerce will work with existing resources that are available for small businesses. Having an Evansville Area Black Chamber of Commerce will allow our city to assess the needs of our community, explore opportunity, and expand Black businesses in and around the City of Evansville.

“Old National Bank and the Memorial Community Development Corporation have afforded me the opportunity to create and implement the EABCC, which is chartered through the National Black Chamber of Commerce. It is imperative that we: (1) grow and attract Black businesses, (2) start new businesses, and (3) create a pipeline of minority professionals, who choose to make the Evansville area, their home,” Alex said.

Our community is an island of possibility and it is imperative that our community combines resources and ideas to ensure sustainability and independence. This chamber is needed and will serve as a “bridge-builder”.

Tomi Jo Leistner, former teacher for Tell City-Troy and Union County schools, has been appointed as the newest Ivy Tech Community College College Connection Coach for Warrick County schools.

The College Connection Coach program is a partnership designed to create and promote a culture of college attainment, as well as provide local high school students with counseling and advisement. Leistner is now serving Castle High School, Boonville High School and Tecumseh High School. She will work hand-in-hand with school guidance counselors, administrators, and teachers, and will provide career counseling –mapping out career and educational pathways to help students earn college credit while still in high school.

Prior to taking her position at the College, Leistner was a teacher for Tell City-Troy Schools and Union County Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Evansville and a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of the Cumberlands. Leistner has also served as a substitute teacher for religion classes at St. Paul Church, and is a member of both the American School Counselor Association and the Indiana State Teachers Association.

Ivy Tech Community College currently has College Connection Coaches embedded in schools in Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Greene, Vigo, Vermillion, Perry, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Gibson and Posey Counties. The program has also launched in northern Indiana.