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A windmill in Tipton. How can the energy sector provide for data centers and the average Hoosier at the same time as being environmentally sound and safe?
This was a question during the recent Economic Club of Indiana’s 2025 economic luncheon. Hosted by Lisa Harris, CEO of Eskenazi Health and president of the Economic Club, John R. Bear, president and CEO of MISO, was the guest speaker. MISO is the electric grid operator for the central United States, an “air traffic controller” through which utilities can buy and sell energy and manage new energy sources. It does this for the Midwest—including Indiana.
“The pace of change is outstripping our processes. We have got to speed things up from a regulatory standpoint,” Bear said.
MISO is working to integrate more renewable energy resources into the electric grid “to keep costs down and keep reliability high.”
Bear presented some of the challenges the electric grid is facing in a swiftly changing world including data centers, climate change, tariffs and rapid economic growth.
Regarding the Hoosier state, Bear said, “I’ve never seen more economic development opportunities in a place ever. … It’s not just corn and agriculture.”
With one in five Hoosiers working in manufacturing, how can MISO support economic growth in Indiana—especially when the electric industry itself is difficult to change?
The transition from mostly coal and natural gas energy sources to wind and solar energy combined with the energy demands of artificial intelligence and data centers are complicating the energy sector, Bear said. Climate goals and fossil fuel policies must be met at the same time as keeping up with economic growth.
“When it’s windy or sunny, we’re going to deliver the wind and the sun, which is almost zero marginal cost to those that need to use it. But when it’s not—and that happens—we are going to make sure we have some energy delivered to you. And that means we need to turn the gas on or turn the coal on,” Bear said.
Data centers, many proposed in Indiana, are going to be massive consumers of energy. Constructing them will provide jobs but only on the short-term end—making them somewhat controversial. Yet businesses are finding value in data centers’ capabilities when it comes to analytics, computer powers and general computations.
“This growth is 24 by seven, 365 energy,” Bear said, “These data centers are the size of Indianapolis.”
MISO is also taking climate changes taken into consideration, he said. The energy sector has noticed relatively stable, mild temperatures across the central United States, but major winter storms are becoming more severe and more frequent in between.
“These hundred-year storms that used to happen every hundred years are happening every 18 months,” Bear said.
Energy needs to be reliable no matter the weather and available in full to both massive data centers and the average person’s home.
The energy sector must work with local utilities and municipalities to meet the varying climate goals across the United States and incorporate this into MISO’s processes, Bear said. MISO is enacting market strategies and designs to cope with this and planning processes and working directly with local utilities to tie in varying energy sources.
“They don’t have to be either or they just need to be melded together into the best solution for all so that we can make sure that we are keeping the lights on and do it really efficiently,” Bear said.
Tariffs are expected to affect MISO with an increased cost for energy supplies. Solar panels and the majority of wind turbines and wind power infrastructure are made overseas.
Renewable energy also makes electric sources more dispersed. Bear mentioned cybersecurity across the electric grid as a concern. MISO will need to work to identify threats across all energy platforms and input systems to do so.
During a question and answer session, a member of the audience asked about small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). Bear said that the technology is likely 10-15 years away.
“I think it’s going to play a big role,” Bear said in regards to the future of SMRs. But it’s uncertain and not quite incorporated into MISO’s plans.
Bear does hope that SMRs will become viable and commercial so that they can serve as a backup if wind or solar energy is not viable.
Changing the electric grid is a difficult process, but Bear made it clear, especially in the case of Indiana: MISO has to keep up.
Olivia O’Neal is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Indiana’s energy policy looks to accommodate both data centers and average Hoosiers
EWSU Celebrates Drinking Water Week 2025
Learn about our water quality and meet some of the people behind the scenes
Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) is proud to celebrate Drinking Water Week May 4 through May 10. Drinking Water Week is an opportunity to spotlight our water quality and the essential work our team does every day to provide safe, clean drinking water to Evansville and surrounding communities.
In conjunction with Drinking Water Week, EWSU is releasing its 2024 Water Quality Report, which details how Evansville’s water meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards. The report, also called the Consumer Confidence Report, is available online at: https://bit.ly/3S2DJlP
What is Drinking Water Week
Drinking Water Week is a time to recognize the value of water and the people behind it. At EWSU, it’s a chance to pull back the curtain and give customers a behind-the-scenes look at the science, systems, and staff that keep our water flowing.
How EWSU Keeps Your Water Safe
Our team of dedicated professionals works 24/7 to monitor, treat, and deliver millions of gallons of water every day. From testing and treatment to infrastructure maintenance, every step is designed to ensure safety, quality, and reliability.
What to Expect This Week
Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing short, engaging videos that take you inside our operations:
- Meet the Team: Get to know Jackson Elaman, one of our lab technicians, and Jeremy Lucas, our lead master mechanic.
- Water Quality at EWSU: Water Quality Manager Ethan Elleser explains how we maintain high safety standards and comply with strict regulations.
- 5 Stages of the Water Treatment Process: Water Filtrations Plant Superintendent Brenna Caudill walks through each step of how your water is sourced, treated, and delivered.
Why it Matters
Understanding where your water comes from—and how it’s kept clean—is key to appreciating the value of this essential service. Drinking Water Week is a great time to learn how EWSU protects public health and invests in infrastructure that supports our community.
Join Us Online
Follow us on Facebook, X and LinkedIn throughout Drinking Water Week to watch informative videos and explore how your drinking water gets from source to your tap.
UE Theatre Society Hosts Annual Student Awards Dinner
EVANSVILLE, IND. – University of Evansville (UE) Theatre students, faculty, and UE Theatre Society Board members gathered on Thursday, May 1, at the Log Inn for their annual Student Awards Dinner, where they recapped the year, celebrated achievements, and looked forward to the year ahead.
Following remarks by UE President Christopher Pietruszkiewicz, Theatre Society President Justin McCullough-Haddix, and Department Chair Sharla Cowden, awards were presented in several categories.
Student award winners were the Buddy Barnes Award for Outstanding First Year Students, Luis Alejandro Gonzalez, a performance major from Midland, Texas, and Jasmine Hardin, a stage management major from Aurora, Colo; the Mary Lou Muth Wooley Award for Outstanding Sophomore, Saray Rodriguez Hernandez, a theatre management major from Caracas, Venezuela; the Mabel Dillingham Nenneker Award for Outstanding Junior, Quinn McGaugh, a performance major from McAlester, Okla; the John W. Streetman III Young Artist Award of the Year Award, Emily Proctor, a sophomore theatre studies major from Jeffersonville, Ind; the Jeanne Suhrheinrich Award for Outstanding Senior, Delaney Ross, a performance major from Keller, Texas, and the William A. Gumberts Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award, Lauren Shinoski, a senior design and technology major from Grain Valley, Mo., for her costume design of JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN.
THERESA CAPUTO LIVE: THE EXPERIENCE COMING TO EVANSVILLE THIS FALL
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Rodriguez and Romashkin earn MVC Scholar-Athlete honors
Both named to First Team
ST. LOUIS – Two University of Evansville men’s golfers earned Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete recognition on Monday. Andres Rodriguez and Daniil Romashkin were each named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team.
Rodriguez led the Purple Aces with a 73.17 stroke average while playing 24 rounds. Each of his rounds finished at a 79 or lower and he registered three top 20 finishes on the season. He opened the season with a tie for 18th out of 86 participants at the Colonel Shootout while completing the tournament at 1-over. His top finish of the season was a tie for 14th at “The Buddy” where he opened with a season-low round of 69.
Majoring in Business, Rodriguez has a GPA of 3.56.
Romashkin wrapped up his junior campaign with a 74.29 stroke average, second on the UE squad. Out of his 24 rounds, 22 finished in the 70’s. He earned top finish of the season at “The Buddy” as he tied for 11th with an even 213. In the opening round of the event, he shot a 68. His lowest round of the season was a 66 in the opening round of the Butler Spring Invitational.
He is a Finance major and has a GPA of 3.86.
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX
WEDNESDAY MAY 7, 2025
NOON
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. MEETING MEMORANDUM APRIL 16, 2025
3. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Park Property Use Permit Agreement with Easterseals for
Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights at Garvin Park. – Crook
b. Request Re: Approve and Execute Park Property Use Permit Agreement with Ashley Vezzoso
Schaefer for Funk in the City Art Festival at Haynie’s Corner on May 17, 2025, and
September 27, 2025.- Crook
c. Request Re: Approve and Execute Land Use Permit with Evansville Adult Recreational Baseball
League. – Crook
d. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement with Priority One for inspection and maintenance
of fire extinguishers and kitchen exhaust hood systems. – Crook
e. Request Re: Permission to remove 13 trees from Garvin Park Activity Zone. Previously
approved by the Tree Advisory Board. – Bouseman
f. Request Re: Permission to remove 32 trees for Next Level Trail Phase 2. Previously approved
by the Tree Advisory Board. – Bouseman
4. OLD BUSINESS
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Request Re: Open quotes for the purchase of a full-size truck for Mesker Park Zoo
& Botanic Garden. – Beck*
b. Request Re: Approve and Execute Professional Services Agreement for Swonder Rooftop
HVAC Project. – Pariman
c. Request Re: Permission to seek bids for Tepe Splash Pad. – Bouseman
d. Request Re: Permission to seek bids for Garvin Park Activity Zone. – Bouseman
e. Request Re: Open bids for Next Level Trail Phase 2.- Bouseman
f. Request Re: Public Hearing – Sale of 6th Avenue Park.
g. Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comment.
* Previously approved by the Mesker Park Zoo & Botanical Garden Advisory Board.
6. REPORTS
Danielle Crook- Executive Director Parks and Recreation Department
Lt. Matt Karges- Evansville Police Department
7. ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS
8. ADJOURN
Aces baseball heads across town for game at USI
Southern Indiana comes into tomorrow night’s contest with a 21-26 overall record while sitting at 8-11 in the OVC for sixth in the conference. The Eagles have had similar struggles to UE, only going 2-6 in their last two weeks of play, dropping conference series to UT Martin and Eastern Illinois. But Southern Indiana has had success at the plate as they lead the OVC in team batting average at .312, led by a trio of batters that have hit .400 or better over the past three weeks. The Eagles have been led at the plate by sophomore outfielder Cameron Boy,d who has hit .447 (17-38) with 10 runs scored, three home runs, and 13 RBIs over USI’s last 10 games.
While it was a difficult weekend for Evansville as a whole, being swept by Belmont, the team did have some big individual performances at the plate. Sophomore outfielder Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind. / Seymour HS) led the Aces over the weekend with five hits, four RBIs, and one run scored. Longmeier’s best game was Sunday afternoon’s contest, where he hit .600 (three-of-five) with his sixth home run of the year and drove in four runs. Senior outfielder Harrison Taubert (Casper, Wyo. / Northeast CC) also had a better weekend hitting with three hits, three RBIs, and three runs scored.
The Aces also had a better time with multi-base hits over the past week. UE added four home runs and six doubles against the Bruins over the weekend while also having four doubles against Indiana during the week. Evansville has now had six games with a season-high four doubles, with three of those six games coming in the past eight days. The Aces will look to keep the doubles trend going at USI and then over the weekend in their final road conference series of the year.
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.
Alex Hemenway joins UE men’s basketball program
Hemenway is a native of Newburgh
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Newburgh native Alex Hemenway is returning home to join the University of Evansville men’s basketball program. Hemenway spent five seasons at Clemson before spending last season with Vanderbilt.
“We are elated to bring home Alex Hemenway to play for the Aces! Our goal was to add an elite perimeter shooter with experience to our roster and Alex fits that description perfectly,” UE head men’s basketball coach David Ragland exclaimed. “I have known Alex and his family for a very long time and believed in his ability to positively impact any team. His impact on our team will help move us closer to the goals we have in reviving our storied program.”
In his time at Clemson, Hemenway enjoyed his best season during the 2022-23 campaign where he averaged 6.9 points and 1.8 rebounds. Injury kept him out for the full 2024-25 season with the Commodores and he was limited to five games in 2023-24 with the Tigers. That season saw him finish with 5.2 PPG.
Despite battling plantar fascia in 2022-23, he appeared in 20 games while making 12 starts for Clemson while playing an average of 24.0 minutes per game. He finished in double figures on five occasions including a season-high of 18 points against USC Upstate where he was 7-of-9 from the floor. Hemenway added 15 points in wins over Penn State and Towson while posting 12 in a triumph over Wake Forest.
“Coming back home to play for UE was a easy decision the more I was able to think about it,” Hemenway said. “The people there hold a special place in my heart and it is the place I call home. There was really no question as to where I wanted to compete at and potentially finish my career off than here at Evansville!”
Over the course of his sophomore and junior seasons, Hemenway played in a total of 55 games while making 13 starts. His top performances saw him register 17 points versus Miami Ohio as a junior and 17 in a road win over Wake Forest during his sophomore season. As a freshman in 2019-20, Hemenway came off the bench to make 15 appearances.
Hemenway played for Castle High School where he recorded an average of 28.2 PPG as a senior. Rated a 3-star player, he was ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the state of Indiana. Hemenway left Castle as the leading scorer in school history with 1,765 points and was just the fifth player in school history to be named an Indiana All-Star. Other accolades included All-Conference, All-State, and many more.