Food inspection Reports
Local farm families honored by state
by Wendy McNamara
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The Reibel Farm, in operation since 1919, and the Ritzert Farm, in operation since 1875, recently received Hoosier Homesteads awards. The Reibel Farm received the centennial award, and the Ritzert Farm received centennial and sesquicentennial awards. Hoosier Homestead awards honor farms owned and operated by the same family for 100, 150 and 200 years with centennial, sesquicentennial or bicentennial awards. These farm families were among 95 awardees recently honored during a ceremony at the Indiana State Fair. Hoosier Homestead ceremonies are conducted every spring and summer. Since establishing the program in 1976, Indiana has recognized more than 6,000 farms for their economic and cultural impact to the state. |
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Congratulations to all the families who received this recognition, and thank you for your tireless efforts in preserving Indiana’s farming traditions and making our state one of the top agricultural producers in the country.More information on the Hoosier Homestead Award Program and nomination forms are available at in.gov/isda. Nominations for the March 2026 ceremony are due by Nov. 1. Questions may be emailed to HoosierHomestead@ISDA.IN.gov.
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“We Can’t Take It Anymore” — Governor Braun Announces New Office of Utility Consumer Counselor Commissioner, Directs Evaluation of Utilities’ Profits & Cost-Saving Measures
“Hoosiers have been burdened with utility rate increase after increase. We can’t take it anymore.”
INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun today announced the selection of Abby Gray as the new Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor commissioner, who serves as Hoosiers’ advocate.
Governor Braun directed the office to evaluate utilities’ profits and find cost-saving measures to ease the financial burden on Hoosiers — including utilities’ investors bearing more of the costs of doing business rather than ratepayers.
Governor Braun issued the following statement:
“Hoosiers have been burdened with utility rate increase after increase. We can’t take it anymore. I am directing the Utility Consumer Counselor, who is Indiana’s ratepayer advocate, to evaluate utilities’ profits along with other cost savings measures to ease the burden on ratepayers. I would also like to see the utilities’ investors bear more of the cost of doing business.” – Governor Mike Braun
Abby Gray, who will serve as the Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor commissioner, issued this statement:
“I have dedicated my career to public service and it’s the honor of a lifetime to continue to serve Indiana ratepayers in this new role. I am deeply humbled and appreciative of Governor Braun’s confidence in me and look forward to advocating for Indiana utility consumers.” – Abby Gray, Commissioner of the Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor
USI Multicultural Center to host 15th annual Essence of Excellence Summit
The 15th annual University of Southern Indiana Multicultural Center (MCC) Essence of Excellence Summit will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, September 26 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. This year’s theme, “Developing Your Blueprint,” aims to provide all college students knowledge, tools and skills to achieve better versions of themselves.
Topics of discussion this year include social and emotional health; organization, time management, planning, and goal setting; software and technology skills; and professional development.
The schedule of events for the Summit is as follows:
Network Session – 3-3:45 p.m.
The goal of this session is to educate attendees on “The Art of Networking.” This is a desired and useful skill for future professional endeavors. The room will be arranged with bistro tables for general conversation and mingling and will also include the capturing of complimentary professional headshots.
Keynote Speaker/Dinner – 4-4:45 p.m.
Attendees will enjoy a short program including a keynote presentation by Dr. César Berríos, USI Assistant Dean of Students and Athletic Diversity and Inclusion Designee.
In his current role, Berríos helps students navigate higher education. With a student-centered mindset, he builds meaningful connections within the USI community, offering guidance, support and advocacy for all.
Berríos is a three-time USI alum, earning bachelor’s degrees in history and Spanish in 2013; a master’s degree in second language acquisition, language policy, and culture studies in 2018; and a doctorate in educational leadership in 2023.
Workshop Sessions – 5-7 p.m.
Workshop sessions offer another avenue to direct and enlighten attendees on a variety of topics geared toward growth and learning. Workshops are meant to be highly interactive. Though lecture is traditionally a part of the process, application and practice are the engaging opportunities that leave a lasting participant experience.
Order in the Court (Moderated Chat) – 7:15-7:45 p.m.
This will be the culmination of the Summit and will be focused on reflection and imparting final words of wisdom to attendees for the personal and professional journey ahead.
Attorney General Todd Rokita leads 22-state effort to support Trump administration’s elimination of DEI from federal contracting
Attorney General Todd Rokita is leading a 22-state effort in support of the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rule to rescind long-standing regulations that require discriminatory affirmative action plans for federal contractors.
In a letter sent this week, Attorney General Rokita argues that DOL’s current affirmative action requirements are clearly unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection guarantee and in light of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.
“The federal government has no right to mandate affirmative action plans that prioritize ideology over merit,” said Attorney General Rokita. “These regulations promote unlawful discrimination, undermine true equal opportunity, and needlessly burden employers. Federal contractors should hire based on skill and experience, not political agendas.”
DOL’s proposed rule advances the objectives of President Trump’s executive order — titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” — in which he ordered the federal government to end discriminatory DEI practices, like affirmative action programs and arbitrary workforce balancing based on race and sex for federal contractors.
In addition to noting that these DEI practices being harmful to society and bad policy, the comment letter argues that the executive branch did not have the statutory authority under federal law to mandate affirmative action requirements on federal contractors in the first place.
“The Department of Labor’s move to eliminate these burdensome affirmative action mandates is a step toward fairness,” Attorney General Rokita added. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we’re once again restoring common sense and ensuring federal contractors can focus on merit-based hiring, free from discriminatory practices based on race or sex.”
This effort builds on Indiana’s leadership. Last month, Attorney General Rokita, in coordination with Governor Mike Braun, announced that all state contracts now must include revised language that makes clear that contractors must not pursue DEI initiatives that treat people differently on the basis of race or sex.
Read the letter here.
THUNDERBOLTS SIGN DEFENSEMAN MAX THIESSEN
Aces Continue Homestand with Lindenwood
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The second game of a three-game homestand for the University of Evansville men’s soccer team is in store on Thursday as the Purple Aces play host to Lindenwood at Arad McCutchan Stadium. Kick-off is set for 6 PM.
Last Time Out
Evansville earned their third tie of the season on Sunday, playing Memphis to a hard-fought 1-1 final.
Evansville out-shot the Tigers 24-7 on the night, but were unable to find the game-winning goal as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Both sides saw scoring opportunities early, as Álvaro Timón (Toledo, Spain/Valencia International University) put a shot on goal in the third minute of play and Michal Mroz (Elk Grove, Ill./Elk Grove) sniffed out a Memphis attack with a strong save in the eighth minute. Evansville earned a penalty kick in the 17th minute when Timón was fouled in the box by the Memphis keeper. Tancredi Fadda (Monza, Italy/University of Milan) took the penalty, but put the shot off the crossbar for a near miss. UE got another penalty chance less than three minutes later, as Fadda earned a penalty on a foul in the box. This time, Martin Wurschmidt (Stavern, Norway/Thor Heyerdahl VGS) took the shot for the Aces and converted, putting the shot into the bottom right corner to get Evansville on the board.
The lead would not last for long, however, as the Tigers were able to equalize in the 33rd minute on a goal from Lucho Galizzi. Chase Ricker (Albuquerque, N.M./La Cueva) nearly netted his first career goal in the 40th minute to break the tie, but the shot ricocheted off the post and the score remained at 1-1 going into the half.
In the second half of the play, the Aces put together a flurry of attacks, putting up 13 shots. However, the Memphis defense held strong to escape with a result. Perhaps the best scoring chance for UE came in the 86th minute on a cross into the box from Nacho Diaz-Caneja (Coruña, Spain/Oregon State), but a header from Wurschmidt snuck just outside the far post and out of play.
Series History
Thursday marks the 4th all-time meeting between Evansville and Lindenwood. The two sides played last season in St. Charles, where Lindenwood took a 3-2 win. The series record is tied at an even 1-1-1.
Scouting Lindenwood
Lindenwood brings an unblemished record into the River City, sitting at 3-0 on the year. The last time out for the Lions came on Sunday, a 3-0 win over Wright State.
HOT JOBS
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Evansville Looks for Third Consecutive Win on Thursday at Austin Peay
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s soccer team looks to continue their best start since 2021 and win their third game in a row on Thursday, as they travel to Clarksville, Tenn. to take on Austin Peay. Kick-off is set for 6 PM.
Last Time Out
Fresh off their first win over a Power-4 opponent since 2008, the UE women’s soccer team continued to roll on Sunday afternoon, scoring three first half goals to down visiting SIUE at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
Evansville’s first half onslaught marked the first time the Aces have scored three goals in a half in four years and the first time they have scored three times in the first half in nine years. Taylor Wehrer (Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Oasis) opened the scoring in the 11th minute with her third goal of the season, while Kathryn Tyler (Dallas, Texas/Liberty Christian) and Lily Kytasaari (Platte City, Mo./Platte County) scored the first goals of their careers in the 22nd and 34th minutes, respectively.
The UE defense held the Cougars scoreless, marking the Aces’ first shutout of the year. Allie Lammers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) posted a clean sheet in her first career start, making two saves.
Series History
Thursday marks the 11th all-time meeting between Evansville and Austin Peay. UE holds the advantage in the series with a 5-3-2 record. The Aces and Governors last played in 2022 to a 1-1 draw.
Scouting Austin Peay
Austin Peay enters Thursday night looking for their first win of the season. The last time out for the Governors came last Thursday, a 1-0 loss to Chattanooga.
Governor Braun Makes Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions
INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun today announced new appointments to various state boards and commissions.
Appointments:
Board of Podiatric Medicine
- Dr. Michael Nirenberg (Friendly Foot Care)
- Appointment: Term Expires 8/31/29
- Lake County
Probate Code Study Committee
- Robert Reiling (RTS Law)
- Appointment: Term expires 6/30/27
- Tippecanoe County
- Lili Dailey (Lake City Bank)
- Appointment: Term expires 6/30/29
- Kosciusko County
- James Carlberg (Bose McKinney & Evans LLP)
- Reappointment: term expires 6/30/29
- Hamilton County
- Brent Embrey (Embrey & Embrey)
- Appointment: term expires 6/30/29
- Hancock County
- John Lewis (Lewis and Wilkins LLP)
- Appointment: Term expires 6/30/29
- Marion County
- Jeffrey Kolb (Kolb Roellgen & Traylor LLP)
- Reappointment: term expires 6/30/29
- Knox County
- Thomas Hardin (Shine & Hardin LLP)
- Appointment: term expires 6/30/27
- Allen County
Real Estate Commission
- Pamela Lumley (Re/Max Ability Plus)
- Reappointment: Term expires 8/31/29
- Clark County
- John Briscoe (F.C. Tucker)
- Reappointment: term expires 8/31/29
- Vanderburgh County
- John DeSouza (Cressy & Everett Real Estate)
- Reappiontment: Term expires 8/31/29
- St. Joseph
- Charlie Shook (F.C. Tucker/Shook)
- Reappointment: term expires 8/31/29
- Tippecanoe County
Certified Health Care Professions Commission
- Shannon Harris (Shannon Harris Consulting LLC)
- Appointment: Term expires 8/31/29
- Clinton County
- James Sizemore (Magnolia Health Systems, INC)
- Appointment: Term expires 8/31/29
- Grant County
- Kelly Parker
- Appointment: Term expires 8/31/29
- Delaware County
- Janet Terrill (TLC Management Inc)
- Appointment: Term expires 8/31/29
- Wabash County
- Rebecca Bartle (Compliance Partners)
- Appointment: Term expires 8/31/29
- Marion County
- Monica Jill Dirbas (Kaiser Healthcare Certifications)
- Appointment: Term expires 8/31/29
- Clark County
Soil Conservation Board
- William Christian Lee (Retired-USDA)
- Appointment: Term expires 3/31/29
- Vanderburgh County
- Jane Hardisty (Former Indiana State Conservationist)
- Reappointment: Term expires 3/31/28
- Hancock County
Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council
- David Schleppenbach (Tactile Engineering)
- Appointment: Term expires 6/30/28
- Tippecanoe county
Interim Study Committee on Child Services
- Adam Krupp (DCS Director)
- Appointment: Term expires 6/30/27
- Boone County
Board of Mines & Mining
- John Stachura (Solar Sources Underground, LLC)
- Appointment: Term expires 6/30/28
- Knox County
Horse Racing Commission
- Bob Cherry
- Appointment: Term expires 12/31/27
- Hancock County
Indiana Election Commission
- John Westercamp
- Appointment: Term Expires 6/30/26
- Johnson County
Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District
- Jim Arnold (LaPorte Community Schools Board)
- Reappointment: term expires 5/31/29
- LaPorte County
Indiana Business Law Survey Commission
- J. Scott Enright (Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP)
- Appointment: Serves at the pleasure of the Governor
- Hamilton County
Artificial Intelligence Task Force
- Philip Lashutka (State of Indiana)
- Appointment: Term expires 6/30/27
- Hamilton County
- Daniel Delaurentis (Purdue University)
- Appointment: Term expires 6/30/27
- Tippecanoe County
- Cari Lynn Sheehan (Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP)
- Reappointment: Term expires 6/30/27
- Hamilton County
- Cody Rivers (Reveal Risk)
- Reappointment: Term expires6/30/27
- Boone County
- Bryan Harper (Indiana State Police)
- Appointment: Term expires 6/30/27
- Tippecanoe County
Code Revision Committee
- Jason Johnson (State of Indiana)
- Appointment: Term expires 6/30/27
- Hendricks County
Board of Registration for Soil Scientists
- Ron Wamsley (Retired Teacher)
- Appointment: Term expires 7/31/29
- Jasper County
- Ryan Bennett (Well County Health Department)
- Appointment: Term expires 7/31/29
- Wells County
Pesticide Review Board
- William Johnson (Purdue University)
- Appointment: Term expires 3/31/29
- Tippecanoe County
Indiana Ireland Trade Commission
- Patricia McCrory (Harrison Moberly LLP)
- Appointment: term expires 6/30/29
- Marion County
- Eric Hahn (Eli Lilly)
- Appointment: term expires 6/30/29
- Boone County
Indiana Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission
- Greg Newman (Kemper GPA Group)
- Appointment: term expires 6/30/29
- Posey County
- Don Lehe
- Appointment: term expires 6/30/29
- White County
- Clay Andrews (6th Generation Warren County Farmer)
- Appointment: term expires 6/30/29
- Warren County
- Jeff Papa (State of Indiana)
- Appointment: term expires 6/30/29
- Boone County
- Ray McCammon
- Appointment: Term expires 6/30/29
- Sullivan County