Escudero Named to TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Best XI First Team

12/20/2025

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville freshman Andres Escudero (San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain/IES Joan Miro) added another award to his ledger on Friday morning, being named to the TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Best XI First Team. Escudero is the first Ace in program history to be named to to TopDrawerSoccer’s Freshman Best XI, which began in 2015.

Escudero continued Evansville’s legacy of standout freshman this season, scoring a team-leading 11 goals, the most by a Purple Ace since 2017. He became the fourth Ace to be named MVC Freshman of the Year since 2020 and the fifth in the last eight seasons, in addition to receiving First Team All-MVC and All-Freshman Team accolades. Escudero also earned MVC All-Tournament Team laurels after notching a brace in a 4-1 semifinal win over UIC. On December 9, Escudero was selected to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Second Team.

Escudero’s goal total of 11 was good for second among all freshmen in the country, while he was one of two freshmen in the country with four braces this season. Escudero finished the season second in the MVC and 19th in the country in goals.

Warrick Humane Society Kicks Off “Home For The Howlidays” Foster-to-Adopt Event Today

12/20/2025

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Newburgh, IN — Warrick Humane Society is excited to announce that its *Home For The Howlidays* Foster-to-Adopt Event officially begins today, giving rescue dogs the opportunity to spend the Christmas holiday in a loving home instead of the shelter.

This special holiday initiative invites community members to foster a dog for a short-term stay, providing comfort, companionship, and a quieter environment during one of the busiest times of year at the shelter. Foster pick-ups begin today and will continue through December 21, with drop-off scheduled for December 26 or December 27. Participation is first come, first served for approved applicants.

Those interested in fostering for this event are encouraged to complete an adoption application online at https://warrickhumanesociety.org/adoption/ and list “Home For The Howlidays” as the pet name. Families who fall in love with their foster dog will have the opportunity to adopt.

“Even a few days in a home can make a meaningful difference for our dogs,” said the WHS team. “This program not only gives them a break from the shelter environment, but it also helps them shine in a home setting—often leading to forever homes.”

The Home For The Howlidays event directly supports Warrick Humane Society’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome homeless pets in the community. WHS extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who opens their home this holiday season to give a rescue dog the gift of comfort and care.

For more information about Home For The Howlidays, fostering, adoption, or other ways to support Warrick Humane Society, visit warrickhumanesociety.org or follow Warrick Humane Society on Facebook.

About Warrick Humane Society: Warrick Humane Society, a no-kill shelter located in Newburgh, Indiana. It was founded in 1983 by a handful of dedicated volunteers who rescued lost, injured and neglected animals. Since WHS opened their building in 1997 and began actively working with Animal Control agencies and other rescue organizations, WHS has saved thousands of animals and placed them in loving homes. Warrick Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) no-kill rescue dedicated to improving companion animals’ lives. WHS does not receive any funding from taxes or any national organizations. WHS is funded entirely by individual and corporate donations, bequests, grants and fundraising events. Because all animals adopted by WHS are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for parasites and microchipped as well as receiving any other special care they may need, finding enough funding is always a challenge.

Indiana Medicaid Forecast Projects Over $465 Million in State Savings

12/20/2025

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INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has released its updated December 2025 Medicaid forecast, showing a reduction in the state’s General Fund appropriation need for the upcoming biennium. Compared to the April 2025 forecast, the state is projected to save $314.1 million in SFY 2026 and $151.8 million in SFY 2027, totaling $465.9 million in state savings over the biennium.

These savings are driven by enrollment declines in key Medicaid programs, including the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) and Hoosier Healthwise (HHW), following strategic changes to eligibility redetermination procedures, which included a ban on Medicaid advertising. The updated forecast reflects more accurate assumptions about program utilization and payment timing.

“This reflects the strong fiscal stewardship demonstrated under Governor Braun’s leadership,” said Secretary Mitch Roob. “By carefully managing Medicaid expenditures, Indiana is strengthening the program’s long-term sustainability and ensuring responsible use of public funds.”

While the forecast offers encouraging signs, state officials caution that significant challenges remain. Economic uncertainty, high-cost service areas, and potential policy shifts continue to pose risks to Medicaid’s long-term sustainability. These savings are a strategic buffer—essential for managing future Medicaid expenditures and mitigating the steepness of anticipated cost increases.

“These savings are a milestone, but not a finish line,” Roob added. “We must continue working to ensure the program remains sustainable and responsive to the needs of Hoosiers who need it.”

Attorney General Todd Rokita attends Trump administration announcement of bold actions to stop sex-rejecting procedures on minors

12/20/2025

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New HHS rules echo Hoosier common sense

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday announced bold federal actions to protect children from chemical and surgical mutilation done in the name of “gender transition.” Attorney General Todd Rokita was one of two state attorneys general attending the announcement in the nation’s capital.

“We must protect our kids and put an end to these irreversible and harmful experimental procedures that often lead to lifelong regret,” Attorney General Rokita said afterward. “We are blessed to have an administration in the White House fully committed to the same kind of commonsense values that prevail among everyday Hoosiers in Indiana.”

Secretary Kennedy signed a declaration stating that sex-rejecting treatments on children do not meet professionally recognized standards of health care.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced Thursday that his agency would release a notice of proposed rulemaking to prohibit hospitals from performing sex-rejecting procedures on children under age 18 as a condition of participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Under another proposed CMS rule, Medicaid would no longer fund sex-rejecting procedures for minors.

These actions, among others, came a day after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, which would criminalize the act of performing sex-rejecting on minors.

In Indiana, Attorney General Rokita has prioritized protecting children from these cruel and dangerous procedures.

In federal court, Attorney General Rokita has strenuously and successfully defended an Indiana law enacted in 2023 that prohibits medical practitioners from providing gender transition procedures to minors, including surgeries, hormone treatments and puberty blockers.

In 2024, Attorney General Rokita co-led a successful 22-state amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the State of Tennessee’s authority to enforce a law that — similar to Indiana’s — prohibits medical interventions before age 18 intended to alter boys’ or girls’ appearance and physiology so that they resemble members of the opposite sex.

Also in 2024, Attorney General Rokita and 14 other states successfully sued the Biden administration over a rule transforming a federal prohibition on sex discrimination into one on gender identity discrimination. The rule could have forced medical providers to perform surgeries and administer hormones to both children and adults for the purpose of gender transition.

DEATH LIST REPORT

12/20/2025

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WEEKLY DEATH REPORT NOV 17 TO NOV 23, 2025

Aces to Wrap Up Non-Conference Slate at Dayton

12/20/2025

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team will wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule this Sunday, traveling to Dayton to take on the Flyers. Tip-off is set for Noon

Series History
– Sunday marks the 15th meeting between Evansville and Dayton
– Evansville leads the series 8-6
– Sunday is just the second meeting between the two teams since 1993
– Dayton and Evansville were conference foes in the North Star Conference from 1984-86 and the MCC from 1988-93

Three-Point Threat
– Logan Luebbers Palmer knocked down 6 three-pointers in Wednesday’s MVC opener at Belmont, marking the second time this season that Luebbers Palmer has made 6 threes in a game
– The 6 threes are a career-high for Luebbers Palmer and the most in a game by an Ace this season
– The sophomore has been among the MVC’s top 3-point shooters this year, ranking second in the Valley with 30 3-point field goals and seventh in the league with a 30.9% mark from three entering the weekend

Post Presence
– Odessa College transfer Mireia Mustaros has come into her own over the last three games, establishing herself as a formidable post presence for the Aces
– In her last three games, Mustaros has averaged 6.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists
– At Belmont on Wednesday, Mustaros scored a season-high 9 points in 20 minutes of action
– After starting the season 5-for-16 from the free throw line, Mustaros is 9 for her last 12 at the charity stripe

Scouting the Opponent
– Dayton brings a 6-5 record into the week and is coming off a 65-58 win over Western Michigan on Thursday
– Last season, the Flyers posted an 18-13 record with a 11-7 mark in A-10
– Nayo Lear leads the Flyers in scoring with 15.7 ppg

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

12/20/2025

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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.

Eagles battle past Trojans to earn fourth consecutive OVC-opening win

12/19/2025

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball opened its Ohio Valley Conference schedule with a 57-40 home victory against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Thursday.

USI Women’s Basketball (7-2, 1-0 OVC) earned its fourth consecutive win in OVC openers and recorded its third overall win in a row. Following Thursday’s triumph, USI’s defense has held the opposition to under 60 points in the last three games and under 45 points in two of the last three.

The Screaming Eagles were led in scoring by senior guard Ali Saunders, who tallied a game-high 15 points. Playing in her second game of the season, freshman forward Channah Gannon recorded her second game in a row scoring in double figures with 11 points. Junior guard Sophia Loden added 10 points.

As a team, USI shot for just over 31 percent (19-60) with six three-pointers and over 86 percent (13-15) at the free-throw line. Little Rock, which dropped to 4-7 overall and 1-1 in OVC play, was held to only 30 percent (16-53) from the floor and below 12 percent (2-17) from three-point range.

In the opening minutes on Thursday, Little Rock grabbed an early 8-3 lead thanks to a couple of early threes, but the Screaming Eagles quickly answered back to knot the game up at nine midway through the opening quarter. Later in the first quarter, the Trojans went up by four, but USI took advantage of Little Rock turnovers and went 8-8 at the foul line to end the first quarter on a 9-0 run and jump in front, 20-15.

The Trojans closed the gap down to one by the seven-minute mark of the second quarter. However, the combination of junior forward Chloe Gannon and Channah Gannon pushed the Eagles to a seven-point advantage, 26-19, at the media timeout. A couple of minutes later, Channah Gannon and Saunders canned back-to-back triples to increase USI’s lead to double digits, 32-21. Sophomore guard Lexi Sepulveda tacked on another trey, while USI’s defense held Little Rock scoreless for the last four minutes of the first half to go into halftime with a 35-21 lead.

The 9-0 run that USI ended the first half on swelled to a 19-0 run, as the Screaming Eagles scored the first 10 points of the second half. Saunders reached double figures on a mid-range jumper, giving USI a 45-21 lead. Little Rock got into the second-half scoring column three and a minutes into the third period. Not long after, Channah Gannon scored to reach double digits for the second straight game. The Eagles continued to lean on their defense to maintain their 20-point advantage, leading 49-29 heading to the fourth quarter.

USI got off to a slow start in the fourth quarter, as Little Rock chipped away to climb within 11, 49-38. The Eagles snapped the run and got on the board three and a half minutes into the fourth on a jumper by Saunders. After the Trojans brought it within 11 with 6:45 left, USI held Little Rock scoreless until less than 40 seconds left in the game. Meanwhile, the Screaming Eagles added back onto its advantage to seal the conference-opening victory.

The Screaming Eagles get back after it for another Ohio Valley Conference contest on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Morehead State University inside Liberty Arena. Fans are encouraged to join the holiday spirit by wearing an ugly holiday sweater.

Saturday’s game can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM and WREF 97.7 FM. Tickets for all home games at Liberty Arena can be purchased online at usiscreamingeagles.com or the USI Ticket Office.

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

12/19/2025

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Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

Whether you’re naughty or nice, money could be waiting for you underneath the Unclaimed Property tree

12/19/2025

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Attorney General Todd Rokita is reminding Hoosiers to look for possible Christmas cash at IndianaUnclaimed.gov this holiday season.

“Sure, there’s always a chance you’ll find no more than a lump of coal,” Attorney General Rokita said. “But every day, many Hoosiers are surprised to find their names on the list in our Unclaimed Property database. And it doesn’t even matter whether you’ve been naughty or nice because this money is already rightfully yours, anyway.”

Unclaimed property is real cash from forgotten wages, old bank accounts, safe-deposit boxes, refunds and more.

This year, Attorney General Rokita ’s Unclaimed Property team shattered its 2023 record by returning more than $86 million — with a couple weeks still left in 2025.

So, head to IndianaUnclaimed.gov or text CLAIM to 46220. It’s fast, free, secure and easier than wrapping one more present. 

You can also contact the Unclaimed Property Division at 1-866-462-5246 or updmail@atg.in.gov.