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Congressman Baird Statement on Passage of FY26 NDAA

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Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026(NDAA):

“I was proud to vote for the NDAA to enact President Trump’s successful peace through strength agenda by codifying 15 of President Trump’s executive orders to eliminate woke priorities, strengthen our national defense, and deter our adversaries. The NDAA also prioritizes biotechnology development and ensures our brave men and women in uniform have access to the most innovative technologies. As a combat veteran, I supported this bill to strengthen our national defense capabilities, support our military families, restore deterrence, and ensure our military is the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen.”

Additional Background on the FY2026 NDAA:

  • Provides enlisted servicemembers with a 4% pay raise.
  • Expands our counter-drone defenses and new technologies.
  • Codifies 15 of President Trump’s Executive Orders.
  • Advances the Golden Dome and enhances America’s nuclear deterrent and new nuclear power technologies.
  • Protects America’s long-term investments and economic interests.
  • Fully supports the deployment of National Guard and active-duty troops at the southwest border to intercept illegal aliens and drugs.
  • Strengthens our defense industrial base and supply chains.
  • Accelerates the development and delivery of space capabilities to counter Chinese and Russian nuclear arsenals and space surveillance.
  • Streamlines operations by eliminating $20 billion in obsolete weapons, inefficient programs, and Pentagon bureaucracy.
  • Eliminates Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs that discourage military readiness.

Consumer Alert: Dozens of Dangerous Products Recalled in November — Many Popular Holiday Gifts Included 

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Attorney General Todd Rokita urges Hoosiers to check toys, furniture, clothing, vehicles, and household items before wrapping gifts or using them this holiday season.

Just weeks before Christmas, Attorney General Todd Rokita is sounding the alarm on dozens of dangerous products recalled nationwide in November 2025 — many of them top-selling holiday gifts and everyday items already in Indiana homes.

“The holidays should be a time of togetherness, not a time to worry about defective products that could cause you or your family harm,” Attorney General Todd Rokita said. “Hoosiers need to know if purchased items are flawed or have the potential to hurt them or their families. If you have purchased one of these recalled products, you should stop using them immediately and follow the manufacturer’s recall instructions.”

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports the following products were recalled in November:  

Outdoor Products and Vehicles: 

These products pose a risk of serious injuries.

  • Baby High Chairs (convertible) : Product was sold without the required attached restraint system, posing a deadly fall hazard and entrapment hazard to babies and children; sold online on Amazon. 
  • Certain Tesla Powerwall 2 AC Battery Power System: The lithium-ion battery cells in certain Powerwall 2 systems can cause the unit to stop functioning during normal use, which can result in overheating and, in some cases, smoke or flame and can cause death or serious injury due to fire and burn hazards; sold at Tesla.com/ powerwall and through certified Tesla installers nationwide. 

Children Products:

These products present a risk of fire, serious injury or death.

  • Alinux Baby Loungers: Product poses serious risks of fall and entrapment hazards to infants as sides are too low; sold on Amazon.
  • Anzmtosn Magnet Fidget Spinner Sets: Magnets are swallowed, they can attract each other, or other metal objects, and become lodged in the digestive system resulting in perforations, twisting, and/or blockage of the intestines, blood poisoning and death; sold on Amazon. 
  • Bettina Doll Set with Magic Light Unicorn: Battery compartment of the unicorn contains button cell batteries that can be easily accessed by children. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns and death; sold at Amazon. 
  • Children’s WYBITNY Bed Rails: When installed adjacent to the bed, the child can become entrapped in the enclosed openings posing a risk of serious injury or death due to entrapment; sold at Amazon. 
  • Inkari Plush Alpaca Toys: The recalled toys are intended for children under three years of age, and the eyes can detach, which violates the small parts ban, posing a choking hazard to children.
  • Macardac Baby Loungers: The sides are too low to contain an infant and the enclosed openings at the foot of the loungers are wider than allowed, posing serious risks of fall and entrapment hazards to infants; sold online on Amazon. 
  • Mallimoda Children’s Pajama Sets: Product violates the mandatory standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of serious injuries or deadly burn hazard to children ; sold on Amazon.
  • Napei Collapsible Infant Bath Tubs : Product violates mandatory standards and contains button cell or coin batteries that can be accessed easily by children. If batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns and death; sold at Amazon. 
  • Play Yards: Infants can become entrapped under the mattress or between the side of the play yard and the mattress, posing a risk of serious injury or deadly suffocation hazard; sold on Amazon. 
  • Sofoliana and Glotika Baby Loungers: The sides of the product are too low to contain an infant and the enclosed openings at the foot of the loungers are wider than allowed, posing serious risks of fall and entrapment hazards to infants; sold at Amazon.
  • Umeyda Nightgowns: The product violates the mandatory flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children; sold at Amazon.  
  • Zippee Activity Toys: The toys contain spherical ends that can reach the back of the throat, posing a serious choking hazard to children; sold at Amazon.com and PlayMobi.com and other online platforms and in specialty toy stores. 

Home Products: 

These products present fire, burn or laceration risks in household settings.  

  • Great Lakes Select Button Cell and Coin Batteries: The button cell and lithium coin batteries are not in child-resistant packaging and do not bear the warning labels required under  Reese’s Law . If a child swallows button cell or coin batteries, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns and death; sold at Downeast Wholesalers Renys, International Wholesale, Lots & More, Northwoods Wholesale Outlet, a Ben Franklin store in Tennessee, and other stores.
  • MyOnlyStyler Root Booster Hair Dryers: The handheld hair dryers lack an immersion protection device, which presents a substantial product hazard to consumers, posing the risk of death or serious injury from electrocution or shock if the hair dryers fall into water while plugged in ; sold online at Amazon.com .
  • Neaude Adult Portable Bed Rails: The product violates the mandatory standard for adult portable bed rails, posing a serious entrapment hazard and risk of death by asphyxiation. The bed rails do not have the required warning labels; sold on Amazon.
  • STIHL BR 800 Backpack Blower: The fan wheel inside the backpack blower can break apart, posing a laceration hazard; sold at a uthorized STIHL independent dealers nationwide.
  • Vivohome Adult Portable Bed Rails: When the bed rails are attached to a bed, users can become entrapped within the bed rail or between the bed rail and the side of the mattress posing a serious entrapment hazard and risk of death by asphyxiation; sold at Amazon.com. 

If you believe you recently purchased a recalled product, stop using it, and check its recall notice (linked above for all products). Then follow the notice’s instructions, including where to return the product, how to get the product fixed, how to dispose of the product, how to receive a refund for the product or what steps must be taken to receive a replacement product.  

Youth First Social Worker Arrested for Child Seduction

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Gibson County – Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation on November 6 after detectives received information regarding inappropriate behavior between a Youth First social worker and a 16-year-old male student at Princeton High School.

During the criminal investigation, the social worker was identified as Mariah Lienemann, 30, of Owensville. Suspicious behavior was reported to school administrators on November 6, and police were immediately contacted. The student had been in Lienemann’s class since the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Indiana State Police detectives were able to determine during the investigation that Lienemann allegedly had sexual relations with the student on more than one occurrence in the classroom during school hours. Detectives also discovered numerous inappropriate text messages, and more than 15 Facetime calls between Lienemann and the student.

The Gibson County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed this case and charged Lienemann with Child Seduction, a Level 5 Felony. An arrest warrant was issued on December 11. At approximately 5:40 p.m. this evening, Indiana State Police arrested Lienemann at her residence without incident. She was transported to the Gibson County Jail where she is currently being held on bond.

Lienemann is no longer employed with Youth First.

Investigating Officers: Detective Nick Hatfield and Sergeant Brad Chandler, Indiana State Police

AIDAN LITKE RECEIVES NCAA D1 SCHOLARSHIP, FIRST IN SPHL HISTORY  

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Evansville, In.:  The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are proud to announce that forward Aidan Litke has received a scholarship to attend Niagara University and play NCAA hockey at the Division 1 level, the first SPHL player ever to receive the opportunity.
                Litke joined the Thunderbolts in the 2024-25 season in a trade from the Birmingham Bulls and immediately provided a boost in offense, scoring 6 goals and 9 points in 20 regular season games before adding 3 goals and 4 points in 7 playoff games, including the President’s Cup-winning overtime goal against the Knoxville Ice Bears.  The Winnipeg, Manitoba native continued where he left off going into this season, scoring 6 goals and 11 points in 16 games, while also drawing many penalties with his persistence in getting under the skin of opposing players.
                “I’m so excited for the opportunity to play (NCAA Division 1 hockey), it was an opportunity I could not turn down” commented Litke on accepting the scholarship.  Litke continued: “I had a great experience in my time with Evansville; our captain Matt Hobbs made the transition joining the Thunderbolts so easy and the whole team was very welcoming.  The Thunderbolts organization and the Evansville community has provided a huge support system and that helped lead us to so many wins, including winning the President’s Cup.  I can’t wait for this new opportunity and to bring my experience from Evansville into it!”
                Head Coach Jeff Bes commented: “Opportunities like these do not come along very often, so this news is exciting for Aidan as well as for our organization, as this opens a new road for developing players through Evansville.  This will be a great opportunity for Aidan to continue to grow in his hockey career as well as academically for his career after hockey.”
                Per SPHL guidelines for a corresponding transaction, Litke has been placed on team suspension while he embarks on his collegiate career.

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

 

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.

Governor Braun Delivers on Economic Development Strategy, Increasing Opportunity for Hoosiers while Maximizing Taxpayer Dollars

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INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Governor Mike Braun chaired the 2025 fourth quarter Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) board of directors meeting today, highlighting a successful year of delivering results for Hoosiers.

In 2025, with Gov. Braun’s new approach to economic development, companies made plans to create 10,604 new jobs in Indiana with average wages of $40.59 – up from $36.09/hour in 2024. That’s an increase of 12.5% or $9,360 of annual salary.

Additionally, the cost of those incentivized jobs decreased from $46,850 per job in 2024 to $15,485 per job, saving taxpayers money.

“Our strategic focus on increasing wages and jobs in Indiana is working,” said Gov. Braun. “By supporting Indiana companies and the Main Street economy, we’re helping businesses to grow, encouraging more high-wage career opportunities, and creating the next generation of entrepreneurs. All in all, these results will deliver a more robust economy.”

“This has been a strategic and inspiring year for economic development in Indiana,” said Secretary of Commerce David Adams. “Because of the Governor’s vision, Hoosiers can look forward to more high-paying jobs and feel confident in a government that is maximizing value and return on investment for all taxpayers.”

Additionally, Gov. Braun advanced key wins in 2025 focused on entrepreneurship and regionalism:

Entrepreneurship –

  • Launched the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (IC 4-3-28) – a first-of-its-kind effort to help founders start, grow, and scale their businesses.
  • Provided no-cost support to entrepreneurs and small businesses through the Indiana Small Business Development Center, helping launch 372 new businesses, create 1,285 new jobs and secure $68.5 million in small business funding.
  • Invested $1 million through the Community Collaboration Fund to support community programming and events focused on entrepreneurship education and growth statewide.
  • Supported 25 new Qualified Indiana Businesses and incentivized $43.4 million in proposed investments from 334 investors through the Venture Capital Investment Tax Credit.
  • Helped 36 startups raise more than $500,000 through accelerator programs, including three gBeta cohorts focused on Main Street entrepreneurship.
  • Hosted the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress in June, bringing the event back to the U.S. for the first time since the inaugural event in 2009. Gov. Braun hosted a state and local policy summit, discussing opportunities to grow the Main Street economy.
  • Celebrated Hoosier founders during Small Business Week, Global Entrepreneurship Week and Small Business Saturday, highlighting the contributions of Indiana’s 569,500 small businesses that support more than 1.2 million jobs.

Regionalism –

  • In accordance with EO 25-45, the state’s 15 READI regions were validated as Indiana’s official economic regions, creating a framework for future planning.
  • $334.1 million committed to 219 READI 2.0 projects statewide that will improve the lives of Hoosiers by creating community spaces and programming, increasing housing and childcare, fostering education and entrepreneurship, and more.
  • Moved forward funding for READI’s Lilly Endowment Fund matching dollars, approving 23 blight remediation and redevelopment projects across 12 regions and supporting arts and culture planning initiatives in all 15 regions to improve quality of place in Indiana.

Indiana State Police at Evansville Welcomes new K-9 Team

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Yesterday morning, December 10, Indiana State Police held a ceremony at the Indiana State Police Museum for eight new K-9 teams that successfully completed the 16th Indiana State Police K-9 Training School. Trooper Gage Cummings and his K-9, Bane, were among those graduates.

Trooper Cummings and his K-9 successfully completed the 12-week school with over 480 hours of instruction to include obedience, tracking, locating articles of evidence, apprehension, building searches, narcotics detection, and handler protection.

Trooper Cummings is a three-year-veteran and is assigned to the Evansville District.  Bane is a one-year-old Dutch Shepherd from Poland.

USI returns to Liberty for three-straight

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball will begin a three-game homestand Monday when the Screaming Eagles host the Phantoms of East-West University. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.
 
The final two games of the homestand include the start of the Ohio Valley Conference schedule. USI opens the conference campaign by hosting Little Rock at 7:30 p.m. December 18 and Morehead State at 3:30 p.m. December 18. Fans attending the USI-Little Rock game have a chance to receive a schedule magnet and coupons to Penn Station.
 
The Screaming Eagles are forecast to place ninth in the OVC this year, while Little Rock was picked to win the league and Morehead State was predicted to place fifth.
 

The Screaming Eagles (3-7) are hoping to rebound and get back on track after a tough 0-2 road trip last week. USI had a tough loss to Western Michigan, 88-74, and a setback at Indiana State, 77-55. Senior guard Cardell Bailey led the way for the Eagles on the road trip with 19.5 points per game.
 
For the season, senior guard Ismail Habib has been posting 18.2 points per game and leads the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring. Habib has hit for 20 or more points in four of the last seven games.
 
Bailey follows with 13.6 points per contest, while junior guard Kaden Brown is posting 12.1 points per outing.
 
The East-West Phantoms, currently, are 2-7 overall this season. USI leads the all-time series, 2-0, after taking last year’s meeting at Liberty University, 104-46.
 

Statement from State Sen. Vaneta Becker

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INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Governor Mike Braun announced three appointments to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), the administrative agency that makes decisions in the public interest to ensure utilities provide safe and reliable service at just and reasonable rates. The new commissioners are aligned with Governor Braun’s commitment to making energy affordable for families and businesses.

The three new commissioners will be:

Andy Zay, Huntington County, Chair of IURC
Indiana State Senator, District #17

Andy Zay brings the policy background as a legislator and an entrepreneurial approach to serve the public and ensure utility access and affordability.

Anthony Swinger, Marion County
Executive Director, Technical Operations, Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)

Anthony Swinger brings a long track record of consumer advocacy and strong experience with ratemaking and regulatory processes.

Bob Deig, Vanderburgh County
Former Indiana State Senator, District #49

Bob Deig brings a common-sense approach to protect ratepayers from increasing utility costs drawn from his experience on the Senate Utilities and Technology Committee.

“Hoosiers deserve reliable and affordable utilities and have been burdened by excessive and unnecessary utility rate increases for too long. I am appointing these three Hoosier leaders to serve on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to ensure that Indiana has exceptional utilities without saddling families and businesses with excessive prices.” — Governor Mike Braun

The commissioners will begin work on January 12, 2026.

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