SENATOR BRAUN ASKS NIH NOMINEE IF SHE WILL COMPLY WITH COVID ORIGINS INVESTIGATION
WASHINGTON – In a confirmation hearing in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Senator Mike Braun questioned Dr. Monica Bertagnolli on whether she will comply with the House Oversight investigation into COVID’s origins and NIH officials like Dr. Fauci’s attempts to cast doubt on a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Dr. David Morens – a top official at the NIH and advisor to Dr. Fauci at NIAID – was subpoenaed by the House committee on October 13 after messages revealed he had been using a private email to avoid the Freedom of Information Act. Senator Braun asked Dr. Bertagnolli if she will commit to transparency and not thwart attempts to hold the government accountable.
Senator Braun also asked Dr. Bertagnolli for clarification on a pledge she made not to seek employment at a pharmaceutical company for four years after her service in the NIH – Senator Braun asked her to confirm that meant if she was offered employment she would turn it down.
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Attorney General Todd Rokita warns Hoosiers to watch out for ‘phantom hacker’ posing as tech-support, financial institution, or government agency
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Attorney General Todd Rokita today warned Hoosiers that complex forms of “phantom hacker†scams are on the rise — a new three-step hoax in which fraudsters pose as tech-support representatives, financial institutions, and government officials claiming foreign hackers have accessed their account.
“Cybercriminals keep coming up with new and elaborate schemes to deceive Hoosiers,†Attorney General Rokita said. “We work tirelessly with law enforcement to bring these criminals to justice, but we are equally committed to educating consumers on how to spot these scams and avoid falling prey to them.â€
This latest trick, “the phantom hacker†often targets older victims with three clever steps:
1. Hackers pose as a tech support representative from a legitimate technology company offering “assistance.â€
- Scammers target soon-to-be victims through calls, texts, emails, or pop-up windows instructing them to call a phone number for “assistance.â€
- Scammers persuade victims to download software — enabling remote access and pretend to run a virus scan of their computer.
- After informing victims that their computer has been hacked, the fake “tech support†rep instructs them to open their financial accounts to determine whether any unauthorized charges have occurred.
- After identifying the most lucrative account to target, these con artists tell victims to expect a call from the financial institution corresponding to that account.
2. Hackers pose as a representative from a financial institution
- Scammer falsely confirms the victim that their accounts have been hacked by a foreign entity and they must move their money to a safe third-party account.
- Victims are directed to transfer money via wire transfer, cash, or cryptocurrency.
- In reality, victims are sending money directly to the fraudsters.
3. Hackers may pose as U.S. Government Agency
- If victim becomes suspicious, scammers may send a letter or email on fake government letterhead to convince the victim their funds are not safe.
The FBI, which provided information used in this release, reports that it received 19,000 complaints related to tech support scams between January and June 2023 — with estimated victim losses exceeding $542 million.
Hoosiers should follow these tips to protect themselves:Â
- Do not click on unsolicited pop-ups, links sent via text message, or email links or attachments.
- Do not contact the telephone number provided in a pop-up, text, or email.
- Do not download software at the request of an unknown individual who contacted you.
- Do not allow an unknown individual who contacted you to have control of your computer.
- The U.S. Government will never request you send money to them via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift/prepaid cards.
If you believe you are a victim of a scam attempt, you may contact Attorney General Rokita’s staff by visiting gov/attorneygeneral or calling 1-800-382-5516. You also may report suspected phantom hacker scams to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.
International visitors pay off big for Hoosier businesses
INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 18, 2023) — Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture hosted a Turkish hardwoods trade mission to the Hoosier state last week. This visit was timely as a proclamation from Gov. Eric Holcomb announced it is Forest Products Week across the nation and in Indiana.  Â
Indiana’s hardwood industry exports were valued at over $167 million in 2022. Eight Turkish companies were excited to experience this robust industry firsthand.
“Indiana’s hardwood industry annually contributes over $10 billion dollars to our state’s economy,†said Don Lamb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture director. “I was so excited to welcome this group of hardwood buyers to the state to see our great agricultural industry firsthand. The hardwoods sector provides over 70,000 jobs to Hoosiers and ranks us as the number one producer of wood office furniture and second in kitchen cabinet manufacturing.â€
The goals for the Turkish delegation visiting the Hoosier state were to:
- Introduce Turkish buyers to Indiana suppliers.
- Generate sales and establish long-term customer relationships.
- Expand market access and foreign business for Indiana forest products: logs, lumber and veneer.
Turkish businesses are using Indiana hardwoods in regional construction projects in the Middle East where Turkey is a hub for manufacturing and products that are produced and sent to Europe.
“The visit to Indiana was a great experience for myself and for the Turkish delegation,†said Dila Ikiz, Istanbul based Agricultural Specialist with the USDA Foreign Ag Service. “Every person in the delegation thanked me after we left. I am confident in our efforts to create productive and long-term business relations with Turkey and the State of Indiana. The trip was very energic, positive and productive.â€
The trade group visited hardwood manufacturing facilities from across the state, from loggers in Paoli, to timber buyers in Spencer, to hardwood manufacturing in Logansport, Akron and Columbia City. Their trip began in Louisville, Kentucky and ended in Chicago.
Participating Indiana business stops that welcomed the Turkish group were:
- Andis Logging- Paoli
- Land of Indiana – Bedford
- Tri-State Timber – Spencer
- Cole Hardwoods- Logansport
- Pike Lumber – Akron
- Holmes & Co. Inc. – Columbia City
The Turkish business men and women were interested in seeing and purchasing a variety of Indiana hardwood materials like logs, lumber and veneer in multiple species like white oak, hickory, ash, tulip and more.
UE men’s soccer almost steals a point from No. 10 Missouri State
Senior forward Kail Phillip adds his eighth goal of the season to move up to third in the Valley
Senior forward Kai Phillip put together a Herculean effort in the final minute of the Purple Aces match against the Missouri Valley Conference leaders on Wednesday night. It was another slow start for UE as Missouri State scored early on broken coverage in only the third minute of the match. Evansville was able to take the ball back and get a shot off but the Bears quickly found their way back into the attacking fourth. Missouri State scored it’s second and final goal of the game in the 21st minute on a long shot to the top right corner of the net.
The team’s played keep away for the first 15 minutes of the second half. The Bears offense picked up where it left off in the 60th minute but the tide soon turned the Aces way for the final 20 minutes of action. UE took five of its six shots during the final 20, including two major chances from Phillip. In the final 10 minutes of the match Evansville peppered Missouri State goalkeeper Harry Townsend with shot after shot.
 Commissioners Award ARPA Funds to Alliance Initiatives Fund, Inc. to Establish a CDFI for Affordable HousingÂ
 Commissioners Award ARPA Funds to  Alliance Initiatives Fund, Inc. to Establish a CDFI for Affordable HousingÂ
The Vanderburgh County Commissioners proudly awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds to Alliance Initiatives Fund, Inc. to spearhead the establishment of a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to affordable housing.Â
CDFIs are purpose-driven financial entities that foster economic opportunity for individuals and small enterprises, facilitate the development of high-quality, affordable housing, and deliver essential community services across the United States. Ensuring access to reasonably priced financial products and services in underserved communities stands as a cornerstone of the CDFI mission. By enhancing the capabilities of specialized financial institutions serving economically challenged areas, this initiative empowers low-income individuals to engage with the broader financial landscape.Â
To qualify for CDFI Certification, an organization must have a primary focus on advancing community development, offer a combination of financial and educational services, serve and uphold accountability to one or more specific target markets, maintain adherence to a defined marker, and be a legal, non-governmental entity at the time of application (with the exception of Tribal governmental entities).Â
These funds will be dedicated to establishing an organization that aligns with the criteria essential for crafting a CDFI-compliant model. This model will, in turn, be instrumental in supporting the approved objectives related to affordable housing, small businesses, and non-profit venturesÂ
Eagles conclude homestand with EIU
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer concludes its three-match homestand Thursday at 3 p.m. when it hosts Eastern Illinois University for an Ohio Valley Conference showdown at Strassweg Field.
The Eagles (1-9-3, 0-3-3 OVC) are unbeaten through the first two matches of the homestand, tying Chicago State University, 3-3, and Liberty University, 1-1, last week. With the ties, the Eagles are still in the hunt for a berth in the OVC Championship with is scheduled for November 5-11 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
EIU (2-8-3 overall, 1-4-1 OVC) was 0-1-1 last week in the OVC, falling to Liberty, 4-0, and tying Chicago State, 0-0. EIU is 0-4-1 in its last five matches.
USI trails the all-time series with EIU, 8-2-0, but won last year’s meeting in Summit League action, 3-2, in Charleston, Illinois. Sophomore forward Ednilson Voiles had the first goal in the victory, while junior defender Sam Benoist had goals two and three for the victory.
Following the match with EIU at Strassweg, USI is on the road for the next two matches.
The Eagles start the road swing with a visit to SIUE Sunday at 5 p.m. in Edwardsville, Illinois. SIUE leads the OVC with a league-best 5-0-1 conference record and is unbeaten overall with a 10-0-3 mark.
SIUE leads the all-time series with USI, 14-3-1, and in conference play, 13-1-1 (GLVC and OVC). Two of USI’s three victories over SIUE came during the Eagles’ first move to Division I in 1993 (4-2 at Strassweg Field) and 1994 (4-0 at SIUE). The Cougars won the first meeting of the season, 6-0, at Strassweg Field.
The Eagles conclude the road swing with the regular-season road-finale at EIU on September 26. Match time in Charleston is set for 4 p.m. The last regular season match and home match of 2023 is October 29 at 3 p.m. versus Lindenwood University.
Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation and Evansville Area Trails Coalition (ETC) Solidify Years of Collaboration with Formal Partnership
| Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation and Evansville Area Trails Coalition (ETC) Solidify Years of Collaboration with Formal Partnership
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA – October 18, 2023 – After years of collaboration, the Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation and the Evansville Area Trails Coalition, Inc. (ETC) are thrilled to announce a formal partnership. The agreement was approved at today’s Board of Parks Commissioners meeting. This alliance between the Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation and ETC promises a mutual commitment to the promotion, expansion, and preservation of Evansville’s Greenway Trails System. Together, they aim to create an even more inviting and linked urban trail system, fostering a deeper connection between residents and opportunities for active living and nonmotorized transportation options. A highlight of this agreement allows ETC to relocate to the lower level of The Pagoda pavilion, a prime location along the Greenway. This pivotal move exemplifies a commitment to trail stewardship, increased accessibility, and enhanced experiences for both residents and visitors. “Our collaboration with ETC goes beyond a shared vision for the Greenway,†said Steve Schaefer, Deputy Mayor and Parks & Recreation interim Executive Director. “It brings to life the goals we envisioned in our 2023 Master Plan, and marks a new chapter in our city’s commitment to connectivity and wellness.†“This partnership is a dream come true for everyone who has been working tirelessly to expand our trails network and sustain it as a source of pride for our community,†said ETC Executive Director Lorie Van Hook. “We look forward to a bright future where our trails become an integral part of the city’s identity.†Together, the Department of Parks and Recreation and ETC will collaborate to ensure effective trail planning, development, and prioritize the expansion of the trail network. They are committed to fostering a greater sense of community, environmental stewardship, and overall well-being for all residents. To celebrate this partnership, the agencies will be hosting a series of annual events, including trail clean-up activities, educational trail programs, and group urban hikes. The public is encouraged to get involved and experience the benefits of the trail system firsthand. For more information about the partnership and upcoming events, please visitwww.walkbikeevv.org and https://www.evansville.in.gov/parks. For press inquiries, please reach out to: Steve Schaefer, Deputy Mayor and interim Parks & Recreation Executive Director (812)436-4962 SSCHAEFER@EVANSVILLE.IN.GOV Lorie Van Hook, Executive Director, Evansville-Area Trails Coalition (812)480-7598 LAVANHOOK@WALKBIKEEVV.ORG About Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation: About ETC:
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