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HOT JOBS
Attorney General Todd Rokita offers guidance for schools on addressing educators’ disrupting speech
Attorney General Todd Rokita has sent legal guidance to school superintendents and public university administrators explaining their authority consistent with the First Amendment to discipline or terminate educators who make public statements that are disruptive to school operations.
The assassination has generated grief and outrage across the nation. Disturbingly, some Indiana educators have exacerbated the pain and sorrow that many parents and students are feeling by making divisive statements that excuse or even celebrate Kirk’s death.
“When teachers or professors entrusted with shaping young minds cheer the violent death of a political figure, they forfeit the moral authority to stand in front of a classroom,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Free speech is not a license for public employees to disrupt government operations by destroying public trust through callous, crude, and controversial speech. Schools and universities have legal authority to act to restore public confidence in our schools by disciplining these teachers—up to and including termination.”
The Attorney General’s guidance makes clear that while educators retain First Amendment rights, those rights are not unlimited in the government employment context. Courts have consistently recognized that public employers may regulate government employee speech—including speech made in an employee’s private capacity—when it disrupts government operations. As the Supreme Court has said, “when a citizen enters government service, the citizen by necessity must accept certain limitations on his or her freedom.” Garcetti v. Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410, 418 (2006). That is especially true for teachers, who occupy uniquely sensitive and important positions.
The Attorney General’s guidance also explains that, in many if not most cases, the noxious speech some public-school teachers have engaged in with respect to Charlie Kirk could be proper subjects for disciplinary action by schools.
“Schools don’t need to wait for chaos to break out,” Rokita emphasized. “The law permits administrators to act proactively when a teacher’s speech threatens disruption or corrodes community confidence. Schools are well within their legal authority to prioritize protecting students and preserving public trust.”
The Attorney General’s Office has received hundreds of complaints from parents and other concerned Hoosiers about troubling comments made by educators on social media and in other forums. To promote accountability and transparency, the Attorney General encourages citizens to continue submitting complaints to the Eyes on Education portal on the Attorney General’s website.
“Parents are the most important voice in their children’s education,” Rokita said. “By sharing items of concern, you ensure that Indiana classrooms remain safe, supportive, and focused on educating our children, not indoctrinating them or exposing them to controversial political views. Together, we can and should hold educators to the highest standards.”
Eagles lose non-conference finale to Mastodons
EVANSVILLE, Ind.– University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer loses the first leg of its two-game road trip 3-0 to Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Tuesday afternoon.
The Screaming Eagles’ offense struggled, held scoreless on four shots, two on goal, marking their third match with limited attempts.
The Mastodons opened the match with relentless pressure, finding the back of the net at the 20:42 and 39:57 marks. Giving Fort Wayne a two-goal lead going into the break. Freshman Isaac Weidner had USI’s lone shot on goal in the first half, which the Mastodons’ goalkeeper stopped.
Through the first half, the Eagles’ offense struggled to apply pressure, recording just two shots compared to the Mastodons’ eight. Fort Wayne managed three corner kicks to USI’s zero, allowing extra offensive opportunities.
The second half turned into a defensive battle, where the Eagles limited the Mastodons to a goal in the 86th minute, extending the lead to 3-0. Fort Wayne continued its offensive barrage, tallying 11 shots with six on goal. The Eagles managed two shots in the second half, with Weidner getting his second shot on goal of the match.
For the game, Weidner led the team with two shots, both on goal, while junior midfielder Will Kirchhofer and freshman Brian Novillo each had a shot. Freshman goalkeeper Andre Faerman grabbed five saves in his first collegiate action.
The Eagles are back on the pitch Saturday for the Ohio Valley Conference opener against Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. The team then returns to Strassweg Field for a four-match homestand opening October 2 against Houston Christian University.
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.
Hoosiers Represent in Big Ten Watchlist
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Four members of the Indiana swimming and diving team featured in the Big Ten Swimmers and Divers to Watch list, announced by the conference office on Tuesday (Sept. 23).
Senior Owen McDonald, juniors Miranda Grana and Ella Roselli and freshman Josh Hedberg represented in the preseason watchlist ahead of the 2025-26 season.
The reigning Big Ten Swimmer of the Year, McDonald was the conference’s top-scoring swimmer at the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships as the team finished third. McDonald earned podium finishes in all three events, including a third-place performance in the 200 IM. McDonald also swept his events at the Big Ten Championships.
Grana is the top-scoring returner for a women’s team that finished a program-record fourth at the 2025 NCAA Championships. She placed third in the 100-yard backstroke, fourth in the 100-yard butterfly – setting program records in both events – as well as ninth in the 200-yard backstroke. Grana also captured Big Ten titles in the 100 fly and 400 medley relay.
Roselli also contributed important points to the women’s historic national finish, scoring in both the 1-meter springboard and platform diving events. At Big Tens, Roselli medaled for the second consecutive season on 1-meter and scored on 3-meter and platform.
Hedberg joins the top diving program in the country after a decorated junior career. The freshman has already competed for the senior national team at three World Aquatics Championships in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Hedberg is a 10-time junior national champion, six-time senior national champion and two-time world junior champion.
The Hoosiers kick off the 2025-26 season Friday (Sept. 26) morning, hosting Florida inside the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center.
Mayor Stephanie Terry, Rep. Alex Burton, and Councilor Ben Trockman to Speak at Disability Town Hall in Evansville
Evansville, IN — The Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC) invites community members to join an upcoming Disability Town Hall on Tuesday, September 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM CT at the DoubleTree by Hilton Evansville.
This free event will feature a Policymaker Q&A with the following panelists:
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Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry
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State Representative Alex Burton
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Retired Toyota Executive Ted Brown
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Evansville City Council President Ben Trockman
The panelists will speak directly with the disability community. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and engage on issues that matter most to Hoosiers with disabilities.
Discussion topics will include healthcare, transportation, and other key priorities that impact the independence and quality of life of people with disabilities.
“Events like this town hall are essential in ensuring that policymakers hear directly from the disability community about the barriers and solutions that affect their daily lives,” said Mike Foddrill, Executive Director of INSILC.
The event is sponsored by AARP Indiana.
ASL interpreters and CART services will be provided. Additional accommodation requests can be directed to Info@INSILC.org.
Registration: This event is free and open to the public. Register online at: https://form.jotform.com/252234731471149
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING
ROOM 307, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
NOON
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. MEETING MEMORANDUM: September 3, 2025 (September 17, 2025, meeting was
Canceled. No Quorum.)
3. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Swim Team Coordinator Agreement with Lindsey
Byrley. – Bedwell
b. Request Re: Approve and Execute Swim Team Coordinator Agreement with Jeremy
Wolfe. – Bedwell
4. OLD BUSINESS
N/A
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Request Re: Vann Park Neighborhood Association request permission to add a Pavillion in
Vann Park. – Crook
b. Request Re: Approve and Execute CenterPoint Easement (WS65) for Mesker Park Drive and
Wimberg Drive. – Bouseman
c. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement with Mid-America Golf & Landscape
for Fendrich Golf Course Irrigation Project. – Crook
d. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement with Mid-America Golf & Landscape
for Helfrich Golf Course Irrigation Project. – Crook
e. Request Re: Award DeBra Kuempel the Rooftop Unit Replacement for Swonder
Ice Arena. – Lord
f. Request Re: Approve and Execute Swonder Concession Agreement with Legacy
Hospitality & Entertainment Group. – Lord
g. Request Re: Award and Execute agreement with Midwest Contracting and Maintenance
Inc. for Wesselman Park Playground Restroom. – Crook
h. Request Re: Permission to conduct annual deer hunt at Wesselman Nature Center.
– Walsh
i. Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comment.
6. REPORTS
Danielle Crook- Executive Director
7. ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS
8. ADJOURN
Rep. O’Brien hosting College Readiness Webinar
STATEHOUSE (Sept. 22, 2025) – State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville) is hosting a “College Readiness Webinar” scheduled for Oct. 1, in partnership with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), to assist high school seniors navigating college applications and financial aid.
O’Brien said this webinar will offer students and parents more insight into the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Indiana Pre-Admissions: Your Path to College program, and state student assistance options like the 21st Century Scholars program and the Frank O’Bannon Grant.
“High school seniors who are thinking about their post-graduation plans and applying for colleges can take advantage of this free webinar,” O’Brien said. “The goal is to help make the financial aid process as seamless as possible for students and parents.”
College Readiness Webinar
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025
Time: 6 p.m. CDT
Location: Virtual
O’Brien, who is chair of the House Ways and Means K-12 Subcommittee, noted that participants must register by 4 p.m. CDT, Oct. 1, which can be completed by clicking here or visiting O’Brien’s website.
FSSA relaunches Money Follows the Person
The Bureau of Disabilities Services is pleased to announce the relaunch of the Money Follows the Person effective September 1,2025. Indiana’s Money Follows the Person is an enhanced federally funded demonstration through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assist qualifying individuals in moving from institutions to return to their community of choice.
The MFP program was developed to help states move individuals from institutional settings to home-and community-based settings of their choice. Money Follows the Person has been funded to support 345 waiver slots across the PathWays for Aging waiver, the Health & Wellness waiver, and the Community Integration and Habilitation waiver between now and the end of calendar year 2025.
Individuals interested in Indiana’s Money Follows the Person Program should contact their local BDS office and/or local AAA for additional information and steps to apply.