Attorney General Todd Rokita warns: Blocking sheriff’s cooperation with ICE would be illegal, fuel Indy crime surge
Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued a warning to the Indianapolis-Marion City-County Council that using budget cuts to restrict the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would violate Indiana law and threaten public safety.
On September 3, 2025, the Council’s Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee discussed proposals to limit MCSO’s 2026 budget to prevent the sheriff’s office from providing detention space to ICE.
In a letter sent this week, Attorney General Rokita emphasized that Indiana law prohibits local governments from restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Such actions would be unlawful and could prompt enforcement by the Attorney General’s office.
“Cutting the Sheriff’s budget to block ICE cooperation is illegal and would endanger Indianapolis residents,” said Attorney General Rokita. “With crime surging in our capital, it is remarkable that some councilors are actually pushing policies that would help shield illegal aliens, including those who commit crimes, from being deported. If the Council goes down this path, my office will act swiftly to enforce the law and keep Hoosiers safe.”
For nearly 30 years, MCSO has supported federal authorities by providing detention space at the Marion County Adult Detention Center for federal prisoners, including illegal aliens awaiting deportation. This cooperation ensures ICE can effectively enforce U.S. immigration laws.
“Whether illegal aliens should be deported is not up for debate. Indiana is not a sanctuary state,” said Attorney General Rokita. “We stand for law and order and will not allow local government entities to play political games that undermine public safety. I applaud Sheriff Forestal for his ongoing cooperation with ICE and will not hesitate to enforce state law to ensure he is able to continue doing so.”
The Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee will revisit MCSO’s budget on September 24, 2025. Attorney General Rokita’s office will monitor the meeting and subsequent actions to ensure compliance with Indiana law.
Read the letter here.
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Vincennes University celebrates Women IN Tech Week with focus on mentorship and representation
Vincennes University hosted its second annual Women IN Tech Week Symposium and Showcase on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the VU Aviation Technology Center. With its theme of “Tech for All: Innovate Together,” the event emphasizes the idea that technology’s full potential is only unlocked when a wide range of perspectives, skills, and backgrounds contribute to its creation and application.
Tech leaders from throughout Indiana shared personal stories of overcoming challenges and succeeding in a traditionally male-dominated industry. They connected with over 80 students to inspire confidence and a sense of shared identity among those in attendance. The students participated in hands-on activities such as “Digital Detective: Cracking the Code,” where they took on a cybersecurity challenge. This led them to discover that unique problem-solving skills and creativity are exactly what the tech industry needs.
Interim Provost Jaci Lee Lederman said, “Women IN Tech Week demonstrates the power of creating a space where students sharpen their skills and discover that they truly belong in technology. The stories, challenges, and successes shared by our speakers and leaders give students real role models to look up to. Vincennes University is committed to breaking barriers and building a tech community that welcomes and empowers everyone.”
The students heard from keynote speaker Tiffany Trusty, Director of Digital Product Management at Eli Lilly and Company, who shared her inspiring story. With nearly three decades of experience in public safety and healthcare software, Trustee’s journey from a programmer to a technology leader is a powerful example. Her commitment to championing inclusion is apparent through her work with organizations like Women & Hi Tech and the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT).
The event also featured VU female tech leaders who serve as mentors and role models, including Lederman. She leads digital transformations and is a dedicated supporter of Code.org.
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USI Women’s Soccer’s Markland tabbed OVC Goalkee
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer redshirt junior goalkeeper Anna Markland was named the Ohio Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Week for the third time this season on Tuesday.
Overall, Markland has been tabbed OVC Goalkeeper of the Week six times in her USI career. Following Tuesday’s announcement, this season marks the second time in her career that the goalkeeper has earned OVC Goalkeeper of the Week three times in a single season. Markland previously won the award three times in the 2023 season, which was also the same season Markland was named the OVC Goalkeeper of the Year.
Markland received this week’s accolade after continuing her solid stretch in goal in Saturday’s OVC-opening match at the University of Tennessee at Martin. The Screaming Eagles’ netminder posted her fourth clean sheet of the season, helping USI secure a point in a 0-0 draw against the Skyhawks and extend the team’s unbeaten streak to five matches. All four shutouts this season have come during the current five-match streak. Markland also snagged a season-high seven saves while facing 23 shot attempts by the Skyhawks.
In nine starts this season, Markland has logged nearly 800 minutes in goal, posting a 1.59 goals against average with 26 saves and four shutouts.
Markland and the Screaming Eagles (3-5-2, 0-0-1 OVC) return to action Thursday at 7 p.m. against Morehead State University for the first of back-to-back home OVC matches at Strassweg Field. Thursday is USI Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night. USI will then host Southeast Missouri State University on Sunday at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.
Admission to both home matches this week is free courtesy of ProRehab. Both contests can also be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.
9th Annual Friday Knights Hunger Bowl
9th Annual Friday Knights Hunger Bowl
Donations Reach New Heights
Check presentation to SVDP Food Pantry is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30 at 2:00 pm at the SVDP Food Pantry 809 N. Lafayette Ave Evansville IN 47711
The 9th Annual Friday KNIGHTS Hunger Bowl was played on Friday, September 12th at Enlow Field culminating in raising over $37,000 for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. The Friday Knights Hunger Bowl Game featured the Reitz Memorial Tigers and Mater Dei Wildcats football teams. This is the 9th year for the FRIDAY KNIGHTS HUNGER BOWL. Mary Read the SVDP Pantry Director appreciates all the monies from the supporters of Memorial and Mater Dei. Reitz Memorial won the game 28 to 21. Fundraising amounts have grown from $3,151.36 the first year in 2017. For a nine-year total of over $170,000.
The student of Reitz Memorial and Mater Dei Catholic High Schools, students of area Catholic Grade Schools, area Knights of Columbus Councils and the attendees of the game itself were involved in the fund raising. Special thanks to the cheerleaders of both teams for assisting with the halftime collections. Each year we have worked to involve more people, more councils, more schools and more parishes to grow the amount of support we can offer the St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank. Online giving and outside donations has grown.
The Friday Knights Hunger Bowl began nine years ago after John Sandwell, Knight of the Auxillio Knights of Columbus Council 16454 read about a similar activity Florida. The first year resulted in just over $3,000 collected. After the check presentation to then SVDP Food Pantry manager, Sister Donna Marie Herr, OSB, Brother Knight Mark Hackert (St. Benedict Cathedral Council 7544) met for celebratory pizza at Deerhead Pizza across the street. The conversation quickly turned to how to increase donations in the future. The enthusiasm and ideas discussed were instrumental in driving the FRIDAY KNIGHTS HUNGER BOWL forward to unforeseen heights.
THUNDERBOLTS RE-SIGN FORWARD MYLES ABBATE
TIME CHANGE FOR OAK RIDGE BOYS CONCERT ON SEPTEMBER 25TH!
Evansville, IN– The Oak Ridge Boys Concert at the Old National Events Plaza on September 25th originally scheduled to start at 6:00 PM, will now begin at 7:15 PM. Doors will open at 5:30 PM. Tickets are still available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased at the Ford Center Ticket Office, Old National Events Plaza Ticket Office on day of show starting at 3:30 PM, and on Ticketmaster.com!
Tickets may be purchased at Ford Center Ticket Office or www.ticketmaster.com