Hear the news you need to stay informed on your community with WFYI News Now. From the biggest stories of the day to new policy, research and events, this podcast keeps you connected to Central Indiana and statewide Indiana news. From WFYI's studios in Indianapolis, hosts Darian Benson and Abriana Herron bring you reporting from WFYI and IPB News journalists in 10 minutes or less every weekday.
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Allegations Against Former IU Basketball Physician, National Bullying Prevention Month, Former Clark County Sheriff Sentenced, Indiana Farm Bureau's Focus in the 2025 Legislative Session
5:35
Two former Indiana University basketball players are speaking out about what they call sexual misconduct by former team physician Brad Bomba, Senior. October is National Bullying Prevention Month and organizations across the country are raising awareness of school bullying. Jamey Noel, the former Clark County Sheriff and republican party leader arr…
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Purple Line Bus Route Launches on Indy's East Side, Wayne Township School Board Race, Advocates Say Medicaid Waitlist is Barrier to Care, The 2024 Race for Indiana Attorney General
9:26
After nearly a decade of planning, IndyGo launched its second bus rapid transit line, the Purple Line. Four candidates are vying for three at-large seats on the Wayne Township School Board. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration implemented a waitlist for certain Medicaid services more than six months ago — and advocates say it’s cre…
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School Board Candidates at Hamilton Southeastern and IPS, Lack of Affordable Childcare in Indiana, Vending Machine with Free Period and Contraceptive Products
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The six candidates for the Hamilton Southeastern school board met last week for their only joint forum before the November general election. Eight candidates are running for Indianapolis Public School Board in the upcoming election. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce estimates that lack of affordable childcare options and other issues cost the state m…
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Southeast Side Adult High School Expands, Two New Affordable Housing Units, Candidates for Governor Talk Economic Development, Purdue Takes Heat for Lack of On-Campus Voting Sites
The expansion of an adult high school on the southeast side is complete. The Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development on Wednesday unveiled two new affordable housing units. Indiana’s economic development strategy seems likely to shift next year, regardless of who wins the race for governor. Purdue University is being criticized by stude…
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Project 2025 and Medicaid, Indy Animal Shelter Works to Reduce Capacity, Mike Braun's Proposed Public Safety Policies, What Makes a Protest Effective?
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For the next installment of our regular segment The Checkup, from Side Effects Public Media, our health team looks into Project 2025 and Medicaid. Indianapolis's animal shelter is working to reduce capacity, which has been critical for years. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun is proposing a series of policies aimed at public safety. Ove…
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Indy School Leader Suspended Over Sexually Explicit Email, Report on Disabilities in the Workplace, HSE School Board Race, No Incumbent in District 39 State House Race
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The leader of one of Indianapolis’ largest charter schools was suspended for two weeks without pay this spring, after the school board learned of a shocking email he sent two years ago. A 20-year-old worker has a one-in-four chance of experiencing a significant disabling condition before retiring. A pool of six candidates made up of newcomers and i…
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Jewish Community Gathers on Oct. 7, Judicial Retention on the Ballot, New Grants for Local Nonprofits, $1.6 Billion in City Spending Approved by Indy City-County Council
Members of the Indianapolis Jewish community gathered Monday night to commemorate the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants. More than half of the Indiana Supreme Court is on the ballot this fall as voters will decide whether to keep them on the bench. Funding for more nonprofit organizations is available from the United Way of Central Indi…
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Hogsett Administration Sexual Misconduct Allegations Fallout, Vision Zero Task Force, U.S. Senate Debate, Hurricane Helene Causes IV Fluid Shortage, Is COVID-19 Seasonal?
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City officials grapple with fallout from Hogsett administration sexual misconduct allegations. Vision Zero Task Force aims to lower traffic incident rates. The Indiana Debate Commission will host a debate with Indiana candidates for U.S. Senate. Hurricane Helene damaged the U.S.’s largest IV fluid manufacturing plant causing hospitals to brace for …
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Last Day to Register to Vote in Indiana, Caitlin Clark Named WNBA Rookie of the Year, U.S. Department of Labor Launches Resource for Disabled Workers, Braun Proposes Inflation Plan, Mobilize Recovery Bus ...
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Today is the last day to register to vote in Indiana. Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark is named WNBA Rookie of the Year. The U.S. Department of Labor launches a new resource for workers with disabilities. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun proposes policies to help Hoosiers deal with inflation. The Mobilize Recovery Bus stopped in Indianapo…
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Indiana has Jurisdiction Over TikTok, Trail Highlights Black Settlements, Two Decatur Township School Board Members Unopposed, Food Insecurity, Eli Lilly Invests $4.5 Billion in LEAP District
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New Interactive Trail Highlights One of Indiana’s First Black Settlements. The Indiana Court of Appeals says the State of Indiana has jurisdiction over TikTok. Two current school board members are unopposed for their seats on the Decatur Township school board for the November election. A recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows tha…
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Rep. Ed DeLaney Pushes for More School Funding, Local Orgs Help After Hurricane Helene, Mike Braun to Replace Doctored Image in Attack Ad, Update on COVID-19 Variants
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Indiana state lawmakers have slowly pulled money away from traditional public schools over the last decade – a Democratic state lawmaker says there’s consequences in the classroom. Local organizations are providing help to people affected by Hurricane Helene. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun says he is replacing a doctored image in an …
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Streetcorner Canvases Art Program, 400 Attend Carmel Clay School Board Debate, Candidates for Pike Township School Board, Mike Braun Criticized for Digitally-Altered Ad
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A new partnership program will allow for more traffic signal boxes to be transformed into works of art. Nearly 400 people attended a Carmel Clay School Board candidate debate on Monday night. Five candidates are seeking election to the school board for the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township in November. Mike Braun released an attack ad a…
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Five-Year Strategic Plan for Indianapolis, One Week Left for Voter Registration, Are Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests Still Effective?, Indy Officials Target Street Takeovers
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The Indianapolis Foundation this week announced a five-year strategic plan. People in Indiana who want to vote in this fall’s election have one week left to register or update their registration. Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests still effective as the virus mutates and new variants emerge? City officials are considering how to curb disruptive ni…
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Federal Judge Halts 25-Foot Police Buffer Law, Endangered Ground Squirrels Released, Lawmakers Consider Changes for Homeowners Associations, Indiana's Teacher of the Year
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A federal judge has temporarily halted enforcement of a 2023 Indiana law that criminalizes anyone who gets within 25 feet of an on-duty police officer after being told to stop. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources released 25 endangered ground squirrels at Kankakee Sands nature preserve. Indiana lawmakers took their first steps last week in …
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Trouble in the Generic Drug Market, Design is Complete for Blue Line, Jennifer McCormick's Plan for Economic Development, WFYI Investigation Finds Avon School Arrests Didn't Happen
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In the latest installment of The Checkup, our health reporting team finds out why the generic drug market is in trouble. IndyGo’s long-awaited Blue Line is one step closer to completion. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick says Indiana needs to refocus its economic development strategy. Thirty-two students at an elementary school …
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West Lafayette Student Wins NASA Trip, Animal Shelter Overpopulation, $3.6 Million for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Terre Haute’s Singing Janitor Wins, Pathways for Aging Issues
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A West Lafayette middle schooler will embark on a two-day space adventure. Indianapolis’s animal shelter will continue emergency-only intake procedures. Indiana has been awarded roughly $3.6 million to help support expanded access to mental health and substance abuse services in clinical settings. Terre Haute’s singing janitor, Richard Goodall, won…
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Indy Residents Comment on Proposed $1.6 Billion Budget, Blue Ribbon for 16 Indiana Schools, Workforce Program Expansion, Advocate Pushes Lawmakers to Help Sexual Assault Victims
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The Indianapolis City-County Council met Monday, and the public had its last chance to comment on the city’s proposed $1.6 billion budget for 2025. Sixteen Indiana schools won a top federal honor for their scholastic success. A workforce development organization is expanding its programs to more classrooms across Indiana in hopes to provide more op…
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Designated Parking Lot for Homeless in Indy, Indiana's Candidates for Governor on Affordable Housing, Jasper County Sheriff Pushes Back Against Allegations, Lead Hazard Database
Homeless people living in their cars will have a designated parking lot in Indianapolis to stay overnight starting next month. Indiana's candidates for governor were asked how to address the state's affordable housing shortage by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute. The sheriff in Jasper County is pushing back against allegations his dep…
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Minority Blood Drive, Candidates Vying for Seats on Carmel Clay School Board, Advocates Push for Extreme Heat Protection, Indy Taking Control of Old Women's Prison Site
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Innovative Hematology and Versiti Blood Center of Indiana hosted a minority blood drive over the weekend. Four candidates are vying for two at-large seats on the Carmel Clay School Board. Advocates say Indiana lawmakers need to do more to protect people from extreme heat. The City of Indianapolis will take control of the site of Indiana’s first wom…
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Voting Center Coming to Purdue, The Future of Apprenticeship Programs, McCormick Pushes for Utility Affordability, Hendricks County to Pay for Zoning Denial, HIV Advocacy Summit
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Purdue University announced a potential on-campus voting center after receiving backlash over the lack of accessible polling sites in this year’s General election. Industry leaders have a vision for the future of apprenticeship programs throughout the state. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick says Indiana needs to prioritize Hoos…
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Perry Meridian Student Arrested, Gender-Affirming Surgery for Inmate, Learning Scholarships Maxed-Out, $11 Million for Housing Groups, Substance Use Rates Down for Students
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A 15-year-old student at Perry Meridian High School was arrested by school police last week after allegedly assaulting a classmate. A federal judge has ordered the Indiana Department of Correction to provide a transgender inmate with gender-affirming surgery. Indiana’s work-based learning scholarships are maxed-out. Applications are open for $11 mi…
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Whistleblower Lawsuit on Indiana Medicaid Fraud, Mike Braun's Plan for Education, New I-69 Bridge on Ohio River, Housing Project Collaboration on Indy's Near North Side
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Two former state officials filed a “whistleblower” lawsuit that alleges several Indiana hospital systems and managed care entities have committed millions of dollars of Medicaid fraud. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun released an education plan. Ground was broken to start work on a new I-69 bridge from the Indiana side of the Ohio Rive…
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Juveniles Arrested for Alleged Violent Threats at IPS, Indy Department Wants Staff to Maintain Parks, Pathways for Aging Enrollment Starts Soon, Crisis Counselors Say They're Facing Abuse
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Two juveniles were arrested for allegedly making violent threats against Indianapolis-area schools last week. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works is asking the city for money to add more employees to its workforce. Medicaid members in the Pathways for Aging program will have the opportunity to change plans during the first open enrollment p…
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The Checkup Looks Into Unexpected Medical Costs, Local Group Fights Rising Rent and Housing Prices, Indianapolis to Pay Rent to Help Reduce Homelessness
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In the next installment of our regular segment called The Checkup, our health reporting team finds out what's behind unexpected medical costs. A new affordable housing organization hosted its first member meeting last week to help combat the rising rent and housing prices in Indianapolis. The city of Indianapolis will pay rent on some thirty units …
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Indiana Officials React to Teacher Injury Report, McCormick Wants Indiana to Legalize Cannabis, Addressing the Pandemic's Disruptions to Student Learning, Data on Student Absenteeism
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State education officials say improvement is needed after a new report found that Indiana teachers and school workers were injured by students on the job more than three thousand times last school year. Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Jennifer McCormick wants Indiana to gradually legalize adult cannabis use. Indiana’s schools might get more time…
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Kennel Cough in Indy, Report on Teachers and School Worker Injuries, Judge Rejects Attempt to Expand Exception on Abortion Ban, Breast Density Assessments, Hogsett Admin Investigation
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Indianapolis Animal Care Services will continue limited animal intake after test results came back positive for Canine Infectious Respiratory Diseases Complex, also known as kennel cough. Indiana teachers and school workers were injured by students on the job more than 3,000 times, a new state report reveals. A county judge rejected an effort by ab…
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Voter Registration Deadline, Federal Funds for Indy Roads, Gathering for School Administrators of Color, Mental Health Staffing Shortage, Electric Vehicle Stations in Black Communities
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People in Indiana who want to vote in this fall’s election have about month left to register or update their registration. New federal funding will upgrade roads in Indianapolis to be more vehicular and pedestrian safe. Nearly 150 administrators met in downtown Indianapolis for a gathering about Indiana’s school administrators of color. A new playb…
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Indy's Arts Council Requests Funding Boost, East Chicago Concerns Over Waste Facility, Terminated Pregnancy Reports Lawsuit, Free Preschool Program
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A significant bump in Indianapolis arts funding, from $1.3 million to $3 million, was requested last week. Residents of East Chicago’s Calumet neighborhood are concerned about a hazardous waste facility’s plans to expand. The Indiana Department of Health asked a judge to throw out a lawsuit over access to terminated pregnancy reports. A new free pr…
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Sexual Misconduct Reports in Hogsett Administration, Revenue Cuts for Marion County Sheriff, Scholarship Program, IPS Board Candidate Removed, Project 2025 Targets Department of Ed
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Indianapolis leaders are responding to more reports of sexual misconduct within the Hogsett administration. A recent federal ruling will cap how much correctional facilities can charge for phone and video calls inside prisons and jails. Every dollar of an Indiana scholarship program was sent out for this school year. A candidate for the Indianapoli…
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Fever President to Step Down, Newest Member Chosen for Indiana Senate, 60th Anniversary of The Beatles at Indiana State Fairgrounds, Toddler Vaccination Rates are Down
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Indiana Fever President announced this week she will step down from her role at the end of this season. Dubois County Councilman Daryl Schmitt is the newest member of the Indiana Senate. Sixty years ago the Indiana State Fairgrounds vibrated with the jumping and screaming of fans seeing The Beatles perform for the first in Indiana. Vaccination rate…
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White River Bridge Project, Critical Blood Shortage, Advocates Worry U.S. Steel Polluting Community, Indiana Colleges Adjust to New Intellectual Diversity Law
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Work on a new downtown bridge project is expected to start this week. There is a critical blood shortage in the U.S. especially for ethnic and racial minorities. Activists in northwest Indiana worry U.S. Steel in Gary could use plastic pellets in its steelmaking process, further polluting an already overburdened community. Senate Enrolled Act 202 r…
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Statue for Richard Lugar, Landscape of Virtual Schools in Indiana, Federal Judge Rules on FSSA Case, Indiana's Obstetric Care Deserts
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The late Richard Lugar, Indiana’s former U.S. Senator, was honored at a ceremony dedicating a statue to him in downtown Indianapolis. What is the landscape of virtual schools in Indiana? A federal judge ruled the Family and Social Services Administration is required to provide necessary services for two medically complex children who were affected …
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Revitalizing Indy's Old Southside, Public Art Initiative, How to Improve Teacher Retention, New Indiana Law Restricts Cell Phones in the Classroom
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Revitalization projects on Indianapolis’s Old Southside are bringing life back into the historic neighborhood. A new creative effort will influence how public art can help craft the Indianapolis of tomorrow. Teachers across the state have been leaving the field for years. That can make it hard to fill open positions in schools. As the school year g…
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Vaccines and COVID-19, City-County Council Wants to Raise Pay, Indianapolis to Get $15 Million for EV Stations
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The Checkup: Vaccines and COVID-19. Indianapolis City-County Council wants to raise pay for several positions, including the Mayor’s office. The city of Indianapolis will receive $15 Million in federal funds for EV stations across the community. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social …
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BUTTER Fine Art Fair, Virtual School Enrollment Explodes, Maintaining Roads and Bridges to Cost Billions, Medicaid Officials Adjusting Process
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Black artists from around the world debut their work at the fourth annual BUTTER Fine Art Fair. Enrollment in virtual schools has exploded in recent years. To maintain roads and bridges will likely cost local governments nearly two billion dollars a year over the next decade. After a one billion dollar error last year, Indiana Medicaid officials sa…
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Children Lack Access to Free Book Program, Rental Housing with Substance Use Support, Impact of Gun Violence on Young People, Importance of Romantic Bonds for Breast Cancer Survivors
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Children in Marion County are still lacking access to a free book program through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Indiana wants to create rental housing developments with supportive services for people with substance use disorder. Gun violence remains an issue on Indianapolis streets – the dozens of victims this year include young people under …
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Murals Planned to Honor Late Artists, Racial Disparities in Homeless Veterans, Water Advocates Worry about PFAS Goals, Indy Council Moves to Address Gaps in Sexual Harassment Policy
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A pair of new murals is planned for Broad Ripple Village – the new artwork will reimagine the lost mural of a late local artist. The number of Indianapolis veterans who experience homelessness decreased last year, but racial disparities persist. Water advocates are concerned about the execution of the EPA's plan to reduce PFAS in water systems. As …
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Growth for Indianapolis Airport Authority, Bill Gates Visits IU School of Medicine, Secretary of State Says BlackRock Violated Law, AI Task Force Gets to Work
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The Indianapolis Airport Authority has experienced continued growth in recent years, including at the east side Indianapolis Regional Airport. Bill Gates visited the labs of the IU School of Medicine last week to learn about the school’s research into Alzheimer’s disease. Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales is accusing BlackRock, the world’s l…
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Advocates Urge Indiana to Help Counties Track Water Quality, Lawmakers Ask FSSA to Remove HIP Policy, The Impact of Natural Disasters on Community Health
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Advocates say they hope the state will provide counties with funds to track their water quality. Several lawmakers want the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to remove a policy from the Healthy Indiana Plan that has been linked to loss of coverage for Medicaid members. These natural disasters strike in a matter of minutes – even sec…
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Effort to Fix Dysfunction in Animal Care Services, Impact of Clean Energy Projects, Chief Justice Loretta Rush to Serve Five More Years, Indy's Struggle with Clean Transit
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A move to address years of dysfunction with Indianapolis’s Animal Care Services is part of the 2025 Indianapolis budget plans. Indiana is one of the states that has benefited the most from clean energy projects spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act – that’s according to the green business advocacy group E-2. Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush was …
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Water Supply Tug-of-War in Tippecanoe County, Consumer Price Index Falls, Indiana Ahead of Its Spending Plan, IU Students to Help Free Falsely Convicted Hoosiers
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The LEAP pipeline project has created a tug-of-war over the water supply in Tippecanoe County — between residents there and those who want to create an industrial district in Lebanon. Prices are slightly lower in general across the Midwest, but some sectors have seen increases. Indiana started off its new fiscal year on a positive note, collecting …
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IMPD Officer Arrested on 12 Counts of Child Exploitation, School Attendance Goes Up, Women's Sports Leaders Gather, Can Indianapolis Land a Major League Soccer Team?
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IMPD arrested one of their own officers on Monday, on 12 counts of child exploitation. School attendance is improving for many Indiana students, according to recent state data. The surge in interest in women's sports brought sports leaders in Indiana together to talk about the future. WFYI’s Samantha Horton spoke with Patrick Rishe, director of the…
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Finalists for Indiana Teacher of the Year, Medicaid Members Confused After Court Ruling, Educator Feedback on New Diploma Draft Mostly Positive, McCormick Unveils Tax Relief Plan
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The Indiana Department of Education announced the finalists for Indiana Teacher of the Year. Advocates say many Medicaid members are confused about how their coverage has been affected by a recent court ruling. Educator feedback on Indiana Department of Education’s new diploma draft is mostly positive. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer Mc…
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Vaccines and Misinformation, Several Universities Support the State’s Latest Plan for Diplomas, 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will Come to Indy
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For the next installment of our regular segment The Checkup, the health team looks into vaccines and misinformation. Purdue University is now joined by Indiana and other state university leaders who have shared support for the department’s latest diploma requirements draft. Indianapolis was announced as the host of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game. Want…
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IndyGo's Purple Line Gets a Launch Date, Third Grader Reading Competency Results, Highway Work Zone Speed Cams Arrive, Lauren Roberts and Caroline Ellert Speak Out
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IndyGo’s second Bus Rapid Transit Line, the Purple Line, launches October 13th. Reading competency among Indiana's third graders slightly improved from last year. Highway work zone speed cameras are now active in Indiana for the first time. Lauren Roberts and Caroline Ellert say Mayor Joe Hogsett's former aide Thomas Cook not only sexually harassed…
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What's in Indy's Proposed $1.6 Billion Budget, Gary's Gun Manufacturer Lawsuit, State Moves to Dismiss Patient Privacy Lawsuit Against IU Health, Mayor Hogsett Responds to Allegations
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The proposed 2025 Indianapolis budget includes a lot of things – like traffic safety, gun violence and housing – and totals more than $1.6 billion. A county judge says a new Indiana law banning local governments from suing gun manufacturers and sellers cannot apply to an ongoing case involving the city of Gary. Just more than two weeks after amendi…
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Food Banks Get $2 Million, Lieutenant Governor Candidates Take the Stage, Physical and Mental Health of Breast Cancer Survivors, Sustainable Building Practices in the Classroom
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New funding for Indiana food banks was recently granted by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Indiana’s three candidates for lieutenant governor are taking the debate stage Tuesday. Data analysis shows that having a satisfactory romantic relationship leads to better physical and mental health for breast cancer survivors. A new Indianapoli…
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Indy Leaders Under Pressure Over Misconduct Allegations, FAFSA Delayed Again, Holcomb Talks Abbreviated Campaigns, Ground Broken on Combined Schools for Deaf and Visually Impaired
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A call for transparency and accountability is growing after recent local news investigations unveiled misconduct within the Hogsett administration. High school seniors who hope to attend college next in the fall of 2025 can soon fill out the federal application for college financial aid – but like last year the form will be slightly delayed for mos…
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Cheese Lady Unveils State Fair Sculptures, Hoosier Cyclist Chloe Dygert Becomes Olympic Champion, Health Experts on State Fair Risks, Climate Solutions in the Classroom
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This Indiana State Fair annual cheese masterpiece was unveiled this week. American cyclist and Hoosier Chloe Dygert is an Olympic champion after a career-threatening injury and numerous obstacles. Some health experts warn that bringing animals and humans together in one place at a state fair can be an easy place for diseases to spread. Indiana rece…
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Cathedral Graduate Cole Hocker Wins Olympic Gold, Diversity Efforts at Gen Con, School Leaders Voice Concerns to Lawmakers, State Sues Apartment Owner for Ignoring Residents
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Indianapolis native and Cathedral High School graduate Cole Hocker won the fifteen-hundred meter race at the Paris Olympics. Gen Con organizers have established several initiatives to make the convention, and tabletop gaming, more inclusive. Some school district leaders are sharing their concerns with policy makers in advance of next year’s legisla…
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