This week WNIN welcomes a new General Manager through our doors, Brad Kimmel! Brad will be taking over for David Dial who is retiring after 30 years of service to WNIN, as General Manager.

Winn will be hosting an Open House June 26th from 5-7pm. Viewers and supporters are invited to join staff in saying goodbye to David and welcoming Brad, to WNIN.

Under David’s leadership WNIN has accomplished several milestones including: becoming a NPR affiliate, purchasing the Carpenter Home as their new headquarters, converting to digital TV and upgrading FM transmissions to high definition.

David had this to say about his time at WNIN, “I want you to know that I am greatly honored to have been able to serve you for the past thirty years. WNIN has been my life’s work. I am grateful for the support you have given me in building this organization to the importance that WNIN represents to the citizens of this region today.”

Entering into WNIN with a variety of experience, Brad Kimmel has spent years in both the public and commercial media industries. A graduate of Murray State University, Kimmel has worked for variety of media outlets, including his own company Bradley David Production. His past accomplishments include President of Brad Kimmel Media, CEO of Garage Television, and senior Producer/Director of WEHT.

INDIANAPOLIS –

Higher prices at the pump likely stem from an unusually high number of disruptions in Midwest refinery operations, according to the Indiana Attorney General’s office.

To help protect consumers from being illegally gouged at the pump the Attorney General’s office closely monitors the price of gasoline sold at the retail level, compares the pump prices to the local and state averages, and reviews trading prices on the futures market and other statistical data.

“The recent spike in gasoline prices at the retail level in Indiana is due to a drop in the Midwest region’s oil supply, seven of the 16 Midwestern refineries have all recently experienced closures as a result of planned maintenance and unplanned technical issues. These disruptions have trickled down to the retail level and Hoosiers are feeling the pinch at the pump,” said Tom Bodin, chief economist in Attorney General’s office.

The seven refineries experiencing issues are within the top 10 largest Midwestern refineries including the top three by output volume. Many of the refinery issues experienced over the past several weeks are resolved or being resolved, but it will likely take time before consumers see lower prices again.

According to industry experts, the return of normal output from the majority of the Midwest’s largest refineries will increase supply back to the Midwestern market and will eventually lead to lower retail prices.

The Attorney General’s Office received 80 gas-price related complaints so far this month and just 15 complaints in all of May.

Uncharacteristically, Indiana has the 4th highest gasoline prices in the U.S. with an overnight average price of $4.12. That’s behind Hawaii ($4.36), Michigan ($4.23) and Illinois ($4.15). These prices are in stark contrast to the retail pricing seen throughout 2013.

From Jan. 1 to June 1, Indiana averaged $3.59 for regular grade gasoline. That’s $0.08 lower than the $3.67 average observed for the same period in 2012. Over the last seven days Indiana retail gasoline prices average $3.91, this a $0.31 increase over the $3.60 seen for the same period in 2012.

The Attorney General’s office has authority over retail price gouging and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has jurisdiction over wholesale price gouging. Illegal pricing activities can include agreements between retailers to fix prices, deceptive sales acts or excessive prices during a state of emergency.

Hoosiers who want to report suspected price gouging at retail stations can do so by calling the Attorney General’s Office hotline toll-free at 1-866-241-9753.

For more information about how the Attorney General’s Office tracks gas prices, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com and click on “Gasoline Prices” in the menu. Driving efficiency tips and a gas savings calculator are available on the website to help drivers determine the potential savings by increasing fuel efficiency.

Applauded by RV manufacturers, dealers, and consumers in Indiana and around the country.

(Washington, DC) – Representative Larry Bucshon (R-IN) received the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) National Legislative Award last night. The award recognizes Rep. Bucshon for distinguishing himself in legislative matters pertaining to the RV industry.

“The recreational vehicle industry, through its manufacturers, dealers, and consumers, has a significant impact on our national and state economies,” said Bucshon. “With over 60 percent of recreation vehicles made in Indiana, I am proud to support this industry and the Hoosier jobs it sustains.”

Bucshon, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was a key participant in crafting the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) in 2012, the first long-term highway authorization enacted since 2005. Bucshon was a member of the conference committee on MAP-21 where he led an effort to provide relief to the motorhome industry facing increased regulatory burdens.

“As a result of Congressman Bucshon’s work, motorhome manufacturers can produce a different vehicle model and improve jobs in a recovering industry,” said Doug Gaeddert, General Manager of Forest River, Inc in Elkhart and Chairman of RVIA. “Consumers will also benefit through a lower cost vehicle,” he added.

RVIA is the national trade association representing approximately 400 recreation vehicle (RV) manufacturers and their component parts suppliers who together build more than 98 percent of all RVs produced in the U.S.

“The RV industry sincerely appreciates Congressman Bucshon’s work on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,” said Richard Coon, RVIA President. Coon added, “His legislative skill and responsiveness benefits the state of Indiana and the Nation as a whole.”

USI students from engineering and business disciplines have come together once again for this year’s summer Technology Commercialization Academy (TCA). This is the second year for the program, which piloted in 2012.

Academy participants work full time to develop ideas and business strategies around commercialization of several Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) patents. This year’s TCA has been expanded to include more students and additional time for independent work.

In this year’s Academy, students explored NSWC Crane military patents for radio intelligence, the intuitive interface initiative, and the fire control laser model. From radio intelligence technology, students have developed four tentative final products: a wristband that will track children, wait times for rides, and cash and ticketing information in amusement parks; an inventory tracker for retail establishments and warehouses; a device to track customers inside stores; and a device for institutions that will track people and help identify potential emergency or disaster situations using location patterns.

Students in the Academy, which kicked off on May 13, meet for two hours each day with faculty and spend another six hours each day working on their projects. Students utilize USI resources to develop a manufacturing plan and produce prototypes of selected technologies. They also complete preliminary market research and feasibility analyses. The Academy includes four teams of four students, each with two business and two engineering students.

The first segment of the TCA will conclude with final product pitches. Teams with high-potential technologies will have the opportunity to continue in the Academy for an additional five weeks, wrapping up in mid-July. With the additional time, teams are encouraged to license and further develop their technologies, form startups, and reach out to potential customers and investors.

Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville (GAGE) in collaboration with USI came up with the Academy idea in their Tech Transfer Committee. The academy was made possible through a Lilly Endowment Sustaining Grant secured by Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the Romain College of Business, and Dr. Scott Gordon, dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.

“This is an extremely important project for us to gain insights into and increase the pace of technology transfer between Crane, USI, and others in southwestern Indiana,” said Dr. Khayum.

Debbie Dewey, president of GAGE, delivered the closing remarks at last year’s final presentations. “This project has been transformational for USI, Crane, GAGE, and our region,” she said.

If you go

Each team in the 2013 TCA will pitch its final idea and unveil a prototype at 10 a.m., Friday, June 14, in the atrium of the USI Business and Engineering Center on campus. Interested businesses, local media, and others from the community are invited to attend.