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Attorney General Todd Rokita and team obtain $1.27 million settlement with drugmaker so Hoosiers can breathe easier

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Attorney General Todd Rokita and his team have secured a Big Pharma company’s $1.27 million payment to Indiana to settle allegations that it violated antitrust and consumer-protection laws.

The company, GlaxoSmithKline, allegedly engaged in years-long delay tactics to prevent competitors from being able to go to market with generic versions of Flonase, a corticosteroid nasal spray — effectively forcing Hoosiers and other consumers to pay more for the drug by maintaining a monopoly.

“Competition is a key component of American free enterprise,” Attorney General Rokita said. “It’s part of what makes our country successful and unique. When companies engage in practices that thwart free and fair competition, it hurts all of us. We will keep standing up for Hoosiers and the rule of law.”

GlaxoSmithKline allegedly filed multiple objectively meritless petitions with the Food and Drug Administration — strategizing that the filings would bog down the bureaucratic process and prolong the company’s exclusive rights.

“Our legal system gives patent-holders a defined period of exclusive rights to market the products created through their own investment in research and development,” Attorney General Rokita said. “That’s fair and reasonable. But we cannot tolerate the hijacking of that process by giant companies intent on keeping the little guys out of the game.”

Indiana’s $1.27 million settlement is part of a larger $11 million settlement involving additional states. The settlement agreement, under which GlaxoSmithKline admits to no wrongdoing, will save Indiana money it otherwise would have expended in litigation costs.

Virtual Author Talk: Ethan Kross

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The most important conversation we have each day isn’t with our boss, spouse, or friends: it’s the one we have with ourselves. When facing a challenging task, our inner voice can motivate us and help us keep our focus. But often, we come up against the nagging voice that tells us we can’t do it or that people will laugh at us if we try. The million-dollar question is how can we transform our self-saboteur, determined to undermine our success, into an internal life coach that will buoy us up and help us expand our potential?

Enter Ethan Kross. A world-class psychological scientist, Kross has written one of modern history’s most definitive guides to mastering self-talk. In Chatter, he uses a blend of cutting-edge science (from his own lab) and real-world case studies to help us harness the power of our inner voice. The tools are all around us—from the objects we surround ourselves with to our relationships with others, the physical spaces we inhabit, and the digital worlds we interact in. This talk is a lively exploration of how we can use those tools to make our inner voice work in our favor, and it answers some valuable questions along the way. For instance, why do we seem immune to toxic chatter when we attempt to advise other people? What factors determine whether we receive—and provide—helpful or harmful social support? And how can we approach our decision-making differently, learning to control our emotions and reason wisely instead of acting on impulse? An expert storyteller, Kross brings his research to life in a way that is fascinating, accessible, and immediately applicable to our daily lives.

About the Author: 

Ethan Kross is one of the world’s leading experts on controlling the conscious mind. An award-winning professor and bestselling author in the University of Michigan’s top-ranked Psychology Department and its Ross School of Business, he studies how the conversations people have with themselves impact their health, performance, decisions, and relationships and is the founder of Emotion & Self-Control Laboratory. Ethan’s research has been published in Science, The New England Journal of Medicine, and The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, among other peer-reviewed journals. He has participated in policy discussions at the White House and has been interviewed on CBS Evening News, Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper Full Circle, and NPR’s Morning Edition. His pioneering research has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, Harvard Business Review, USA Today, The Economist, The Atlantic, Forbes, and Time.

Ethan is the author of the National Bestseller Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters and How to Harness It, which was chosen as one of the best new books of the year by the Washington Post, CNN, and USA Today and the Winning Winter 2021 selection for Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Dan Pink’s Next Big Idea Book Club. Chatter is scheduled to be translated into over 40 languages.

MASTER OF THEATRICAL HARD ROCK, ALICE COOPER, TOURS TO EVANSVILLE THIS OCTOBER

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TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, JULY 21, AT 10 AM

Evansville, IN – July 18, 2023 – The architect of shock-rock, Alice Cooper, will rattle cages and surprise fans with theatric danger at every turn when he tours to Old National Events Plaza on October 7, 2023. The iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is bringing his new tour, Too Close For Comfort, to audiences with a spin on his brand of rock psychodrama.

Cooper’s influence on rock and roll and popular culture has long been acknowledged, and there is little that Alice Cooper hasn’t achieved in his remarkable career, including platinum albums, sold-out tours and a number of honors and career achievement awards. Since September of 2021, he’s brought his horror-movie brand of rock to fans on five continents with dozens of shows across North America and Europe through 2022.

Rolling Stone enthused, “That spirit of rock and roll abandon still exists in Cooper’s music half a century later, and his inherent showmanship is why people still fill theaters to see his guillotine act. It’s also why his records are still fun to listen to: you never know where he’s headed.”

Cooper usually spends up to six months a year on the road, undermining the authority of generations of guardians of the status quo, and enjoying it as much as the audience. His concerts have been a “not-to-be-missed” attraction since the 70’s! Fans can get tickets early by visiting the Old National Events Plaza social media feeds for a presale code on July 20, 2023, at 10 AM.

Ticket Information:

What:   Alice Cooper

When:   Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 8:00 PM

Where:  Old National Events Plaza, Aiken Theatre

Tickets:  Tickets start at $35.00 plus applicable fees and tax.

Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Workplace Safety Requirements for Carbon Tetrachloride to Protect Worker Health

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The proposal would also ban discontinued uses so they cannot restart

WASHINGTON (July 17, 2023) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal that will better protect workers from exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CTC), a chemical known to cause serious health risks such as liver toxicity and cancer. This proposal, if finalized, would protect people from these risks by minimizing exposures to workers and communities, while banning uses that have already ceased. The proposal announced today is the fourth proposed risk management rule under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), demonstrating significant implementation progress as the agency, under the Biden-Harris Administration, works to ensure these hazardous chemicals, including CTC, are being used safely and all communities are protected.

“The science is clear. Exposure to carbon tetrachloride is dangerous and we have a responsibility to protect the public from the risks it poses,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “Today’s proposal is an important first step to ensuring carbon tetrachloride can be used safely by workers and that surrounding communities are protected.”

CTC is a solvent used in commercial settings as a raw material for producing other chemicals like hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) used in refrigerants, aerosol propellants, foam-blowing agents, chlorinated compounds and agricultural products. Requirements under the Montreal Protocol and the Clean Air Act led to a phaseout of CTC production in the United States in 1996 for most domestic uses that did not involve manufacturing of other chemicals, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of CTC in consumer products in 1970.

In its 2020 risk evaluation, EPA determined that CTC presents an unreasonable risk to health, including liver toxicity and cancer from chronic inhalation and dermal exposures, largely to workers and occupational non-users (workers nearby but not in direct contact with this chemical). EPA also identified potential risks to fenceline communities (population in close proximity to source of pollution) from CTC in its 2022 fenceline screening analysis for the ambient air pathway.

If finalized, this rule would require a workplace chemical protection program with strict controls that include inhalation exposure limits and dermal protections for the manufacturing (including import) of CTC, processing, and other industrial or commercial uses which account for essentially the entire domestic production volume of CTC. The workplace chemical protection program would cover uses related to the phasedown of climate pollutants under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, the production of chlorine and caustic soda, the manufacture of agricultural products, and repackaging for use as a laboratory chemical, recycling and disposal.

EPA is also proposing workplace controls that would require the use of a fume hood and dermal personal protective equipment for laboratory uses and would establish downstream notification and recordkeeping requirements. Additionally, the proposed rule would prohibit uses of CTC that the Agency determined have already ceased. 

The proposed controls, if finalized, will also advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to environmental justice by reducing exposures to fenceline communities. For example, the proposed rule includes a requirement for owners and operators to attest that engineering controls selected to comply with the rule do not increase emissions of CTC to ambient air outside of the facility. EPA is also seeking comments on additional steps that can be taken, including requiring fenceline monitoring.

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

MEDIA

MEDIAFOOTNOTE:  EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Extends Bill Relief Program Applications Open Now

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Evansville, Ind. – The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) is extending the Bill Relief Program for its second year, to help income-eligible individuals and families in the community lighten the cost of their utility bill. In its first year, the program aided more than 3,000 households. EWSU estimates that nearly 25,000 households may still qualify for the program.

Who Qualifies for the Program

Customers who reside inside the City limits, have City water service and have a total household income of $50,000 or less may qualify for assistance. Those who qualify will receive a $10 monthly credit applied to their account for up to 12 months – for a total savings of $120.

Customers who are currently enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to re-apply for a second year of credit. EWSU will email enrollees before their one year of credit is complete with instructions on how to re-apply.

How to Apply

Applying for the EWSU Bill Relief Program is simple.

  1. Fill out the application form. Provide your EWSU account information and household income.
  2. EWSU will send an email to confirm if your application was received – and whether your request was approved or denied.

Customers who are approved will receive a $10 credit automatically applied to their account each month for up to 12 months. Customers may apply now at ewsu.com/BillRelief.

Program Funding

Funding for the program is provided by the American Rescue Plan, which provides direct relief to Americans and the economy during and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A portion of the funds will be directed to the Utility’s shut-off assistance program, which helps customers facing shut-off status.

The EWSU Bill Relief Program will continue for an additional year, beginning July 2023.

Learn More about Other Customer Assistance Programs 

EWSU strives to make assistance for customers in need easy and attainable. Please visitewsu.com/PaymentAssistance to see a full list of programs and funds available to qualifying customers.

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

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Courier Warrants

Gov. Holcomb announces Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers to step down from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation

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INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement regarding the resignation of Sec. Brad Chambers.

“Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers has informed me that he will be departing the Indiana Economic Development Corporation after fulfilling his two-year commitment of service to the state of Indiana.

We agreed to extend his service to ensure a seamless transition related to all various activities currently underway. Sometime following his departure on August 6th, I will decide on the next new leader of the IEDC. In the meantime, I will be focused on all items related to the transition so we can continue and grow the strong momentum Secretary Chambers and his team have helped build to take Indiana to the Next Level.”

Gov. Beshear: Over $1 Million in Grants Awarded to 9 Kentucky

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 Companies To Support Continued Tech Growth, High-Wage Jobs

The program helps support technology development in the Commonwealth

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 17, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that nine innovative Kentucky companies will receive over $1 million in state matching grants to support high-paying jobs and further grow the state’s technology sector.

The $1,072,404 in grants are part of the commonwealth’s nationally recognized Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Matching Funds Program. The funds will match, in part, $7.45 million in federal grants the businesses will collectively receive.

“The only way to ensure Kentucky remains at the forefront of innovation is to heavily invest in the resources that these tech companies need to grow,” said Gov. Beshear. “The program provides incredible opportunities for innovative, startup tech companies throughout the commonwealth to succeed and create well-paying jobs. Creating an economy of the future starts with the actions we take today, and I am thrilled to see all that these companies can achieve here in the commonwealth.”

Monique Quarterman, executive director of KY Innovation, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is encouraged by the SBIR-STTR program and what it can bring to companies in the commonwealth: “KY Innovation is proud to support Kentucky companies that have secured federal investments for good ideas that make our world an even better place to live and thrive. The matching funds program works alongside the product development milestones to help the companies hire and retain these high-tech, high-paying jobs in Kentucky.”

The nine Kentucky-based businesses awarded matching funds are using technology to advance multiple fields, from health care and lithium-ion battery technology to environmentally friendly hydrogen production. Recipient companies include:

Bioptics Technology LLC (Lexington):
Bioptics Technology is developing a revolutionary noncontact optical brain imager for noninvasive imaging of cerebral blood flow and resting-state functional connectivity across distinct regions of the brain in small animals. The Global Small Animal Imaging Market size is estimated to reach $3.5 billion by 2029, driven by growing demand and adoption of preclinical, multimodal and optical imaging systems.

Faradine Systems (Lexington):
Faradine Systems, in partnership with goTenna, seeks to develop a device to serve as a Team Awareness Kit/Tactical Assault Kit meshed networked node. This solution will enable warfighters to create rapidly configurable signaling devices to extend situational awareness and visual/data communications through overt/covert light devices on the complex battlefields of tomorrow.

Degranin Therapeutics LLC (Louisville):
Degranin Therapeutics is an early-stage Kentucky business formed to translate academic research performed at the University of Louisville into a commercially successful drug that saves lives and reduces health care costs. Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a rapidly developing, life-threatening lung disease occurring in 200,000 to 250,000 hospitalized patients in the United States each year, with an average cost of $70,000 per patient and a 30% to 40% mortality rate. There are no drugs currently approved that alter the severity or mortality of the disease.

DesiCorp Inc. (Louisville):
DesiCorp is working to help advanced biomanufacturing plants so that in the event of mass contamination cells or large-scale cell death the cell lines or other bioprocesses can be quickly restored to an operational system. DesiCorp’s freeze-dried cell lines will help prevent costly downtime within plants and labs to recultivate or completely regrow their cell lines.

FetalLife LLC (Louisville):
FetalLife is creating a myFetalTronics system for telehealth and usability in an at-home setting for expectant mothers. The system monitors contractions and fetal heartbeat while the platform provides online medical services and resources.

Hexalayer LLC (Louisville):
Hexalayer is focused on the development and commercialization of next-generation, high-performance lithium-ion battery technology. The company’s next project incorporates a powder for the roll-roll anode manufacturing process. Hexalayer’s solution for powerful batteries will have a significant worldwide impact on the energy density of current and emerging Li-ion batteries in both consumer and military markets.

Pascal Tags Inc. (Louisville):
Pascal Tags is focused on continued development and optimization of their chip-less inventory tag. The technology uses a resonator to enable a magnetic field to be created when in the environment of radiofrequency waves. The tags offer a radiofrequency identification functionality with an extremely cost-effective tag. The tags have many unique applications of being durable, as the tags can be directly printed and embedded into a product, to act as a universal serial number for the life of a product.

PCC Hydrogen Inc. (Louisville):
PCC Hydrogen (PCCH2) has developed a patented process to produce net negative CO2 green hydrogen by reforming ethanol fuel. The company will develop applications for the hydrogen produced through its novel production process. PCCH2 has identified battery electric vehicle (BEV) recharging stations as an attractive application for PCCH2’s hydrogen product. Given the dynamic growth of BEV’s, there is an urgent need to expand the number of Level 3 fast-charging resources for Kentucky drivers. PCCH2’s net negative CO2 green hydrogen, when coupled with a fuel cell, can cost-effectively deliver environmentally friendly Level 3 charging power to prospective customers. Since those chargers are independent of the grid, deployment can be accelerated.

The-Corps (Locating from California):
The-Corps’ TRL 7 Acclimate technology system combats heat stress and heat illness by providing smart, active cooling to the user coupled with hydration that is compatible with donned gear configurations. This enables the user to train harder, perform better and fight longer. Acclimates’ dual-use technology is at the forefront of the Human Capital Sustainment and Human Performance Enhancement revolution for troop and athlete endurance training, meeting both Department of Defense and commercial sector needs.

Kentucky’s SBIR/STTR program, overseen by KY Innovation, provides critical non-dilutive capital for promising early-stage tech companies by matching all or part of federal SBIR/STTR awards received by Kentucky-based businesses or companies committed to relocating to the state.

William Boatright, managing director of VerraGlo, which received SBIR/STTR funding in 2021, noted the advantages the program provided to his company: “The Kentucky SBIR/STTR Phase I matching funds award was critical as bridge funding between our USDA Phase I and USDA Phase II projects. The program allowed for continued product development and development of commercialization activities at VerraGlo. It is quite likely that without the Kentucky SBIR/STTR Phase I matching funds award our SBIR Phase II award would not have been possible.”

To date, Kentucky SBIR/STTR-awarded companies have leveraged the state’s matching program to receive $4.70 in federal or private capital for every $1 in state funds. These businesses also have created more than 731 well-paying jobs, 88% of which have annual salaries over $50,000. Match recipients have 235 patents and generated more than $56.90 million in sales and licensing revenue. Kentucky has made 319 match awards to 152 unique companies since the program’s inception, leveraging $158.5 million in federal funding coming into the state.

More information on Kentucky’s SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program and awarded companies awarded is available at kyinnovation.com/sbir.

The SBIR/STTR-awarded companies furthers recent economic momentum in the commonwealth.

Last month, Gov. Beshear announced there are more than 2 million jobs filled in Kentucky – the most in state history – according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in its federal survey of business establishments. And the Governor highlighted that 57,000 new jobs have been filled since the beginning of his administration.

The Governor recently announced that Kentucky set the record for the longest period with the lowest unemployment rates in state history. On May 18, Gov. Beshear announced that Kentucky set a new historic low unemployment rate of 3.7%, which is the lowest rate ever recorded in the commonwealth.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 860 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling $26.8 billion in announced investments.

The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 was $26.78 before benefits, the second-highest mark since 2010 and an 11.5% increase over the previous year.

The Governor also secured the best two-year period in state history for economic growth and announced the two largest economic development projects in state history. In September 2021, Gov. Beshear and leaders from Ford Motor Co. and SK On celebrated a transformative $5.8 billion investment that will create 5,000 jobs in Hardin County. In April 2022, the Governor was joined by leadership at AESC to announce a $2 billion investment that will create 2,000 jobs in Warren County. These announcements solidify Kentucky as the EV battery production capital of the United States.

That position was strengthened even further in May 2023, when the Governor and leaders at Toyota announced a $591 million investment across multiple projects as the company’s largest manufacturing operation in Georgetown introduces its first battery electric vehicle. Growth within the EV sector continued into June as Gov. Beshear joined INFAC North America to break ground on the company’s $53 million investment to support EV-related production in Campbellsville.

Over a two-month period this year, Kentucky secured two credit rating increases from major agencies. On May 12, Gov. Beshear announced that his administration obtained the first state-level credit rating upgrade in 13 years and the first-ever upgrade from Fitch Ratings. On June 29, Gov. Beshear announced the commonwealth received its first-ever rating increase from S&P Global Ratings.

Site Selection magazine recently placed Kentucky first in the South Central region and top-5 nationally in its 2023 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects. The publication also placed Kentucky second nationwide and first in the South Central region for its annual Governor’s Cup ranking for 2022, which recognizes state-level economic success based on capital investments.

Gov. Beshear’s administration is projected to post the four highest years of budget surpluses in Kentucky history. In July 2023, the state reported receipts for fiscal year 2023 totaling $15.1 billion, which exceeded budgeted estimates by $1.4 billion, making it the largest revenue surplus in history.

Gov. Beshear recently announced a new “Supply Kentucky” initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs and providing more security in the supply chains of our Kentucky companies.

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at CED.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.

Attorney General Todd Rokita reminds Hoosiers to be alert while booking summer vacations  

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Attorney General Todd Rokita reminds Hoosiers to be alert while booking summer vacations  

Attorney General Todd Rokita warns Hoosiers to avoid scams as summer heats up. If you are preparing for an out-of-town trip, make sure your time away is as safe as possible by using caution to avoid crafty scammers.   

“Summer is a time to spend with friends and family – not a time be a be the target of a scam,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Remember, anyone can fall victim to a scam, regardless of their age, race, or location. Keep in mind – if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.” 

Attorney General Rokita shared the following list of tips to avoid common vacation scams:  

  • Avoid high-pressure sales pitches before you book a trip.  
  • Be extra cautious when booking through an unfamiliar company. Check the Better Business Bureau ratings and research the name online to see if there are any allegations of scams.  
  • Read the fine print in the contract before you sign it. It will tell you about the conditions under which the operator can change or cancel the trip and the rules and penalties for cancellation.  
  • Pay by credit card. It gives you more protection than cash or checks.  
  • Use good judgment when sharing about your trip on social media. Consider changing your online privacy settings while on your trip.  
  • Lock your valuables, including personal information, in your trunk or hotel safe.  

If you believe you have been the victim of a vacation scam, file a complaint at www.indianaconsumer.com with Attorney General Rokita’s office.   

 

 

 

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