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Attorney General Todd Rokita asks NBA All-Star fans to watch for signs of human-trafficking

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Attorney General Todd Rokita welcomes sports fans visiting the Circle City this week for the NBA All-Star games and asks them to be on alert for signs of human trafficking. This week, over 100,000 sports fans are expected to visit Indianapolis for the 2024 NBA All-star games. Unfortunately, large events with out-of-town spectators are known to create an increased risk of human trafficking. 

 “All-Star weekend is meant to be fun and safe,” Attorney General Rokita said. “But a large sporting event is a trafficker’s ultimate marketplace for this modern form of slavery. Please be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement.” 

 People in certain job roles — such as medical professionals, restaurant workers, hotel staff and truck drivers — are particularly likely to come into contact with trafficking victims. 

 Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise. It occurs anytime someone uses force, fraud or coercion to make another individual provide labor, services or commercial sex acts. If the person performing commercial sex acts is under 18, the crime of human trafficking still occurs, even without the elements of force, fraud or coercion. 

 According to the U.S. State Department, signs that someone might be a victim of trafficking include observations that someone: 

  • lives with their employer.
  • lives with multiple people in a cramped space.
  • otherwise experiences poor living conditions.
  • is prohibited from speaking alone to strangers.
  • gives answers that appear to be scripted and rehearsed.
  • has an employer holding their identity documents.
  • shows signs of physical abuse.
  • is submissive or fearful.
  • is unpaid or paid very little.
  • is under 18 and working in the commercial sex industry.

 If you have suspicions that someone is being trafficked, you should immediately call local law enforcement. You may also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. 

 In America, the scourge of human trafficking is propagated in significant part by criminal cartels operating out of Mexico. 

 “Human trafficking might not seem like a threat to everyday Hoosiers, but with the constant threat taking place at our border, it should be on our minds constantly,” Attorney General Rokita said. 

In addition to multiple lawsuits on this border issue, Attorney General Rokita and his team are engaged in other efforts to combat human trafficking. 

The Office of the Attorney General operates the Address Confidentiality Program, which helps protect victims of certain crimes — including those who have been trafficked — by concealing their residential address from the public and thereby their victimizers.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day to Everyone

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On this special day, I wish for our hearts to be filled with the warmth of cherished memories and the promise of a future filled with love

Hundreds of high school students showcase their skills at Vincennes University Trailblazer Speech Tournament

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VINCENNES, Ind., February 13, 2024 – Vincennes University was alive with the energy of passionate young speakers showcasing their oratory skills and eloquence in a series of engaging competition rounds at the Vincennes University Trailblazer Speech Tournament.

 

The Vincennes Campus was buzzing on Saturday, Feb. 10, with the excitement of 200 students representing 13 high schools in a tournament designed to provide an exceptional competition experience. It served as a platform for students to sharpen their communication skills and build connections with peers who share their enthusiasm for public speaking.

 

According to Indiana Schools Speech and Debate Association Section 7 Chair and Evansville Memorial High School Speech Team Coach Tony Fehrenbacher, “Competitive high school speech and debate in Southern Indiana is growing rapidly. In fact, our section experienced the largest growth rate in Indiana in 2022-2023. So, Section 7 did not hesitate to jump at the opportunity that Vincennes University presented us – a chance to showcase our talented speakers to the rest of Indiana in our own backyard.”

 

The Trailblazer Speech Tournament mainly included high school speech teams from Section 7, which consists of programs from Monroe, Dubois, Warrick, Vanderburgh, and Posey counties. Additionally, the tournament drew teams from sections around the Indianapolis and Fishers areas.

The Signature School, Fishers, Evansville Memorial High School, Ben Davis Speech, and Evansville Mater Dei High School made up the team sweepstakes top five.

 

Fehrenbacher said, “Vincennes University spared no expense or effort in rolling out the proverbial red carpet for high school speakers across Indiana. Our students experienced first-hand what it is like to compete on a beautiful college campus in front of experienced judges, including college professors. Where else could they get that kind of an opportunity? The tournament was such a smashing success that coaches from teams outside of Section 7 – teams that traveled multiple hours away from Vincennes – have promised to return and have already begun encouraging teams in their section to make the trip to Vincennes University for the 2024-2025 season. Now that the word is out, Vincennes University should be prepared to expect to see a sharp increase in the number of high school speakers on campus next year! We simply cannot thank Vincennes University enough for this amazing experience.”

 

The College of Social Science, Performing Arts, and Communication’s successful hosting of the inaugural speech tournament signals a fresh dedication to promoting communication proficiency in youths.

 

“VU takes great pride in fostering an environment where young minds can thrive,” VU Associate Professor of Communication Ann Hefner said. “The tournament’s success underscores VU’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders.”

 

Communication education benefits students in all areas of their lives. The experience of preparing speeches, articulating their ideas effectively, engaging with diverse audiences, and receiving constructive feedback helps students develop crucial communication competencies that will serve them well in their future careers.

 

VU offers degrees in Broadcasting, Public Relations, Journalism, and Communication Studies, all of which emphasize the importance of substantial speaking skills. These programs prepare students for careers where effective communication is essential, whether they are delivering news broadcasts, managing public relations, or analyzing communication strategies. Hosting a speech tournament provides an invaluable opportunity for students to practice and improve their speaking abilities in a competitive yet supportive environment.

 

Amidst the eloquent speeches, the VU Communication faculty played pivotal roles in ensuring the smooth execution of the tournament. As judges, they leveraged their expert knowledge as contestants navigated through rounds of intense competition. The VU faculty judges have advanced degrees in communication, and they’ve taught public speaking at the college level for many years. Additionally, they have acted as judges for other speech and speech-related competitions.

 

According to VU College of Social Science, Performing Arts, and Communication Dean Dr. Cynthia Ragle, “The VU Trailblazer Speech Tournament showcased the talent and dedication of young individuals from across Indiana as they delivered dynamic speeches on diverse topics. VU is thrilled to have hosted a vibrant speech tournament, and we wish all the participants the very best in their future endeavors. We are confident in their ability to apply the communication honed during the competition to achieve success in their academic and professional pursuits.”

USI starts marathon road swing Screaming Eagles on the road for the next four​​​​​​​

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball starts a marathon road trip through the Ohio Valley Conference, beginning with visits to the University of Tennessee at Martin Thursday and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Saturday. Tip off Thursday in Martin, Tennessee, is set of 8 p.m., while tipoff in Little Rock, Arkansas Saturday is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
Fans can track your Eagles all season by visiting the schedule on USIScreamingEagles.com for links to follow all of the action on the ESPN+, ESPN 97.7FM (http://listentotheref.com), and 95.7FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com/).
 
USI (7-18, 4-8 OVC) hits the road after splitting the Homecoming homestand last week. The Eagles stumbled in the opening game, 81-71, to Eastern Illinois University, but bounce back to win on Homecoming, 84-67, over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. USI sophomore guard/forward AJ Smith (Edwardsville, Illinois) led the Eagles with 17.0 points and 11.5 rebounds in the two home games last week, shooting 50 percent from the field (10-20).
 
Sophomore guard Jack Campion (Milton, Wisconsin), who posted a career-high 20-point game versus EIU, followed with 16.5 points per contest with junior forward Jack Mielke (Downers Grove, Illinois) and junior guard Jeremiah Hernandez (Chicago, Illinois) completing the double-figure scoring with 12.5 points and 10.5 points per contest, respectively.
 
For the season, Hernandez leads USI with 16.6 points per game this season, 20.5 points per contest in the OVC. Smith follows Hernandez with 13.0 points and a team-best 9.1 rebounds per outing, while posting a team-high 11 double-doubles.
 
USI has six games remaining in the 2023-24 regular season, five in February and one in March. The Eagles, currently eighth in the OVC, are on the road for four and at home for two as they fight for a spot in the league’s post-season tournament at the Ford Center March 6-9.
 
Following the trips to UTM and Little Rock, USI completes the road swing with a trip to Morehead State University February 20 and Western Illinois University February 25. The Eagles complete the 2023-24 regular season with visits to Screaming Eagles Arena by Lindenwood University February 29 and Southeast Missouri State University March 1.
 
The Skyhawks of UTM (15-10, 8-4 OVC) rose into a three-way tie for second in the OVC after posting a 62-59 win at Western Illinois University Saturday. UTM has won five of its last six games following the match up with WIU and splitting last week.
 
USI and UTM split last season with both teams winning on their respective home court. USI took the first meeting in 2022-23, 80-66, at Screaming Eagles Arena, but UTM got the second round in overtime, 86-83, in Martin, Tennessee. 
 
The Trojans of Little Rock (14-11, 8-4 in the OVC) won its only game last week, defeating WIU, 63-60. Little Rock, which hosts Morehead State University Thursday, enters this week’s action on a three-game winning streak and has won six of the last seven. The six of the last seven stretch started with USI on January 18.
 
USI lost the opening game of the 2023-24 series with Little Rock in close 77-75 decision that came down to the final seconds. Hernandez led the Eagles in the loss with 28 points, while Mielke and junior guard/forward Javius Moore (McComb, Mississippi) followed with 17 points and 15 points, respectively. 
 

Rare Opportunity to View Ancient Relic: The UE Mace Pop-Up Exhibit

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EVANSVILLE, IND. (02/13/2024) The University of Evansville Department of Archaeology, in collaboration with UE Public Safety, invites you to a limited-time pop-up exhibit showcasing the historic UE mace. This unique event offers a rare opportunity for the public to view the intricacies of this ancient relic up close for a half hour only.

The griffins adorning the summit of the mace hold a captivating backstory – crafted based on an ivory inlay excavated by a UE student at the renowned Murlo site in the 1990s. Originally part of a decorative piece, possibly a box or furniture, the inlay traces its origins to the ruins of an Etruscan palace dating back to approximately 600 BCE. The site, tragically consumed by an accidental fire, holds invaluable insights into ancient civilization.

Details of the exhibit are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, February 20

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location: The Archaeology Lab in Hyde Hall 22 located on the University of Evansville campus.

 

Deaconess Sports Park Announces Season Opener with the Independence Bank Blue Bridge Battle

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Evansville, IN – February 13, 2024 – Kentucky Wesleyan College is set to host the Independence Bank Blue Bridge Battle softball tournament February 23-25, 2024, at Deaconess Sports Park in Evansville, IN.  This marks the second year that the event will be held in Evansville, serving as the 2024 season opener for Deaconess Sports Park.

The Independence Bank Blue Bridge Battle is one of the premier NCAA DII softball tournaments in the region.  23 teams are committed to compete representing the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, Great Lakes Valley Conference, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Mountain East Conference, Gulf South Conference, and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

“The Blue Bridge Battle grew from 13 teams in 2023 to 23 teams from eight states this year.  With this remarkable expansion, Deaconess Sports Park in Evansville, Indiana is the ideal venue for a tournament of this size,” said Miles Mallette, Head Softball Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College.

 This year’s tournament will see 54 games over the three-day event starting at 10 AM Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Tickets will be available online atkwcpanthers.com/tickets starting Wednesday, February 21 at 10 AM at .  Single-day passes are $8 and three-day passes are $20.  Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more.

“We are thrilled to kick off the 2024 season with Kentucky Wesleyan College and the Independence Bank Blue Bridge Battle,” said Tim Fulton, General Manager of Deaconess Sports Park.  “We anticipate an electrifying showcase of talent and sportsmanship as these teams come together to compete.”

For more information, visit the 2024 Independence Bank Blue Bridge Battle website.

What: 2024 Independence Bank Blue Bridge Battle

When: February 23-25, 2024

Where: Deaconess Sports Park, 4300 Heckel Road, Evansville, IN  47725

Event Schedule:

Friday, February 23, 2024

Game 1: 10 AM

Game 20: 4 PM

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Game 21: 10 AM
Game 42: 4 PM

Sunday, February 25, 2024
Game 43: 10 AM

Game 54: 12 PM

 

Nevaeh Thomas named MVC Freshman of the Week

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The freshman forward earns her first weekly honor after big performances over the weekend

ST LOUIS — Freshman forward Nevaeh Thomas earned her first collegiate weekly honor on Tuesday morning.

After helping lead the Purple Aces to their first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season, forward Nevaeh Thomas has been named the MVC Freshman of the Week. Thomas is the third UE player to earn a weekly honor this season along with fellow freshman forward Maggie Hartwig and center Barbora Tomancova. Thomas is the first Evansville player to earn a weekly honor from the Valley during conference play after her performances on the road at UIC and Valparaiso.

Thomas was the Aces leader on both sides of the ball as the team picked up its first Valley win this weekend. Thomas was a force in the paint for the Aces, particularly against Valparaiso with 10 field goals matching up with the Beacons. The freshman also set a new career rebounding record on Sunday, pulling down 14 boards in 34 minutes of action.

Thomas picked up two double-doubles during UE’s road trip with 15 points and 11 rebounds against UIC and 23 points and 14 rebounds at Valpo. Thomas is now first in the Valley in rebounds per game, averaging 12.0 boards through 13 games this season. Overall, Thomas averaged 19 points, 12.5 rebounds, and two blocks for her career weekend.

Thomas has steadily improved her performance under the glass since returning from injury in mid-January leading the team in rebounding over the weekend. Thomas now has three double-doubles on the season to lead the Valley along with UNI’s Grace Boffeli and Drake’s Anna Miller.

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SI opens 2024 with four on the road Eagles play Lamar, North Alabama, South Alabama​​​​​​​

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. — University of Southern Indiana Baseball opens the 2024 campaign with a four-games away from home when it visits Mobile, Alabama, February 16-19. The Screaming Eagles are scheduled to play Lamar University Friday and the University of North Alabama Saturday in neutral site contests before taking on University of South Alabama, the host, Sunday and Monday.
 
Links to follow the Eagles during the opening weekend of 2024 can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com and on the USI Baseball Schedule.    
 
USI Baseball Notes:

USI predicted 8th in 2024 OVC. The USI Screaming Eagles are predicted to place eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2024.  

USI reached OVC Championship during 1st Division I season: The Eagles earned a trip to the OVC Championship during its first season of transitioning to NCAA Division I. The Eagles lost in the opening round of the tournament.

USI in 2023. The Eagles were 17-38 a year ago, 8-15 in the OVC and 9-23 in the non-conference contests. USI also was 8-16 at home, 6-20 on the road, and 3-2 on a neutral field.

Top returning hitter from 2023: Senior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) is USI top returning hitter from 2023 after hitting .321 with a team-best 53 RBI, 12 home runs, and 12 multi-RBI games. Senior outfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) follows with a 2023 batting average of .296 with a team-best 15 stolen bases. Tachioka also finished 2023 by reaching base in 21-straight games.

Looking for a full season: Junior infielder Lane Crowden (Jackson, Missouri) is looking for a full season after missing nearly all of 2023 after breaking his collar bone in the opening game. He was three-for-three with a triple and three RBIs before being injured.

On the mound: Senior right-hander Carter Stamm (Jasper, Indiana) and junior right-hander Tyler Hutson (Villa Hills, Kentucky) are USI’s top returning winning pitchers with two victories each last season. USI had 17 wins distributed amongst 11 hurlers in 2023.

USI under Archuleta: The Eagles are in their 18th season under Head Coach Tracy Archuleta, who has led the Eagles to two NCAA Division II national championships (2010, 2014) in his 17 years at the helm. He also has been recognized as the Division II ABCA National Coach of the Year twice (2010, 2014); the ABCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year five times (2007, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018) and the GLVC Coach of the Year twice (2011, 2014) since taking over the program in 2007. He also is the winningest coach in the history of the program with 544 victories in 17 years.

New opponents on the 2024 Schedule. The Eagles are playing 15 of the first 19 games against opponents who are making their first appearance on a USI baseball schedule.

Long road coming up. In March, the Eagles will have a long road to go, playing 14 of 17 games away from the USI Baseball Field.  

USI vs. Lamar, UNA, USA. USI will be playing Lamar, North Alabama, and South Alabama for the first time in the history of the program. Lamar was 32-23 a year ago, while North Alabama and South Alabama were 14-37 and 23-31, respectively.
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USI Volleyball hires Cramer as next assistant coachEVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball has announced the hiring of assistant coach Julianna Cramer to help lead the Screaming Eagles in 2024. “We are excited to welcome Julianna to our USI family,” says USI Volleyball Head Coach, Jeffrey Aucoin. “Julianna came highly recommended by many colleagues whom I have a great deal of respect for in our sport. Julianna’s experience as a player and a coach, along with her character, will be a great addition to our program.” Cramer comes out of Ball State University’s coaching staff as Director of Operations during the 2023 season. Prior to her hiring at Ball State, Cramer played for the Cardinals’ women’s volleyball program and led them to the 2022 Mid-American Conference regular season championship and an at-large berth into the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship. Cramer, who played four seasons at Arkansas State University before transferring to Ball State in 2022, finished her five-year playing career with 1,290 assists over 98 career matches as a setter. In her lone season at Ball State, Cramer helped guide the offense to a league-best .250 attack percentage, boasting a 24-9 overall record and a 15-3 league ledger. Over her four-year career at Arkansas State, the Harrison, Arkansas native played in 301 total sets, handing out 1,283 assists and registering 25 career double-doubles. Cramer will join the Eagles staff after USI’s impressive 2023 campaign where the program made its first Ohio Valley Conference Championship berth and earned its first tournament victory while going 15-16 overall and 10-8 in conference play.

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball has announced the hiring of assistant coach Julianna Cramer to help lead the Screaming Eagles in 2024.

“We are excited to welcome Julianna to our USI family,” says USI Volleyball Head Coach, Jeffrey Aucoin. “Julianna came highly recommended by many colleagues whom I have a great deal of respect for in our sport. Julianna’s experience as a player and a coach, along with her character, will be a great addition to our program.”

Cramer comes out of Ball State University’s coaching staff as Director of Operations during the 2023 season. Prior to her hiring at Ball State, Cramer played for the Cardinals’ women’s volleyball program and led them to the 2022 Mid-American Conference regular season championship and an at-large berth into the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship.

Cramer, who played four seasons at Arkansas State University before transferring to Ball State in 2022, finished her five-year playing career with 1,290 assists over 98 career matches as a setter. In her lone season at Ball State, Cramer helped guide the offense to a league-best .250 attack percentage, boasting a 24-9 overall record and a 15-3 league ledger.

Over her four-year career at Arkansas State, the Harrison, Arkansas native played in 301 total sets, handing out 1,283 assists and registering 25 career double-doubles.

Cramer will join the Eagles staff after USI’s impressive 2023 campaign where the program made its first Ohio Valley Conference Championship berth and earned its first tournament victory while going 15-16 overall and 10-8 in conference play.

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