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Indiana Secretary of State Modernizes Business Services Platform with AI Integration

Indiana Secretary of State Modernizes Business Services Platform with AI Integration

Indiana Secretary of State Modernizes Business Services Platform with AI Integration

NextNRG Plans South Bend Data Center, Community Group Raises Concerns

NextNRG Plans South Bend Data Center, Community Group Raises Concerns

NextNRG Plans South Bend Data Center, Community Group Raises Concerns

Hobart Establishes New Revolving Loan Program for Downtown Economic Development

Hobart Establishes New Revolving Loan Program for Downtown Economic Development

Hobart Establishes New Revolving Loan Program for Downtown Economic Development

Amazon, AEP, and X-energy Study Feasibility of 12-Unit Small Modular Reactor Facility in Sullivan County, Indiana

Amazon, AEP, and X-energy Study Feasibility of 12-Unit Small Modular Reactor Facility in Sullivan County, Indiana

American Electric Power (AEP), Amazon, and reactor developer X-energy are conducting a feasibility study for a new nuclear power facility in Sullivan County, Indiana. The proposed project would utilize 12 small modular reactors (SMRs) of X-energy's Xe-100 design at the former coal-fired Breed Generating Station site. Each reactor is designed to generate approximately 80 megawatts of electricity, totaling a capacity of 960 megawatts for the entire facility. This capacity is comparable to a typical large American nuclear reactor, which has about 1,000 megawatts. The companies announced their agreement on October 19, with Amazon intending to be the first customer to purchase power under a long-term contract if the project proceeds. No final decision to build has been made, and the project would require regulatory approvals before operation. Sullivan County Commissioners President Bob Davis views the project as a potential source of jobs and reliable energy, while Kerwin Olson, executive director of the Citize...

Dr. Barry Keating Advocates for Comprehensive Data Center Contracts in Local Governance

Dr. Barry Keating Advocates for Comprehensive Data Center Contracts in Local Governance

Dr. Barry Keating, Professor Emeritus at the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame and an adjunct scholar of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation, highlights the critical need for complete contracts when municipalities negotiate with data center companies. He uses the example of New Carlisle, Indiana, where an $11-billion Amazon data center campus deal involved town council members signing non-disclosure agreements, preventing residents from knowing the terms until the deal was largely finalized. The terms included a 10-year, 50-percent abatement on real property taxes and an 85 percent exemption on enterprise technology equipment for 35 years. Dr. Keating argues that such incomplete contracts leave communities vulnerable to unforeseen costs related to power, water, noise, and taxes, often shifting the burden to taxpayers. He emphasizes that a complete contract should clearly define who pays for what, who bears risk, how compliance is measured, and what happens at the project's conclu...

Healthcare Costs Burden American Families, Leading to Financial Strain and Delayed Care

Healthcare Costs Burden American Families, Leading to Financial Strain and Delayed Care

American families are facing significant financial burdens due to escalating healthcare costs, with many struggling to afford premiums, co-payments, prescriptions, and medical bills. The typical U.S. family spends approximately $5,600 annually, or 9% of their income, on health insurance premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, and taxes for health programs. Overall national healthcare spending has reached over $15,400 per person annually. This surge is attributed to high prices charged by clinicians, hospitals, and drugmakers, as well as increased utilization of services. For instance, the cost of inpatient knee replacements in the U.S. is higher than in most other wealthy nations, despite fewer procedures being performed. These rising costs are forcing individuals to forgo health insurance, ration medications, and postpone necessary medical procedures, impacting low-income and middle-class individuals with chronic conditions most severely. The issue has become a widespread concern, affecting a broad spectrum of ...

Revolve Data Breach Impacts Over 1.5 Million Customers, Payment Information Exposed

Revolve Data Breach Impacts Over 1.5 Million Customers, Payment Information Exposed

Revolve Data Breach Impacts Over 1.5 Million Customers, Payment Information Exposed

Maggie Smith of Decatur, IL, Mourns Sister Verna Viola Chupp

Maggie Smith of Decatur, IL, Mourns Sister Verna Viola Chupp

Verna Viola Chupp, 83, of Arthur, IL, passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Haven of Care in Arthur, IL. She was born on April 29, 1943, in Tuscola, IL, to Jeff A. and Rebecca E. (Schrock) Miller. Verna married Edward J. Chupp on April 4, 1963, in rural Arthur, IL, and they shared 58 years of marriage before his passing on August 6, 2021. She was a member of the Old Order Amish Faith. Verna is survived by five siblings, including Maggie Smith of Decatur, IL, Amanda Miller and Ivan Miller both of Arthur, IL, Eli Miller of Goshen, IN, and Margaret Shetler and her husband Lonnie of Arthur, IL. She is also survived by three nephews and four nieces. Funeral services were held on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at the HCK West Building, with Bishop Steve Brenneman officiating. Burial took place in the Otto Cemetery.

Henderson County Plans 25-Mile Transmission Line to Boost Grid Reliability and Relieve Congestion

Henderson County Plans 25-Mile Transmission Line to Boost Grid Reliability and Relieve Congestion

A 25-mile, 345 kV transmission line is slated for construction in eastern Henderson County, extending from the Reid substation in Webster County to a substation in Warrick County, Indiana. This project, named RIKY (Reid to the Indiana Kentucky border), is being managed by LS Power, a subsidiary of Republic Transmission, which secured the bid from Big Rivers. The initiative stems from a 2022 analysis by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) that identified a need for improved system durability, reliability, and congestion relief in the area. Michael Bruno, project manager with LS Power, stated that MISO regularly assesses its system for necessary improvements, and this project was among those prioritized in 2024. Big Rivers also advocated for these upgrades. The project aims to facilitate a smoother transfer of electricity and prepare for future demands on the infrastructure. Republic Transmission won the bid with an $88 million cost containment analysis, meaning Big Rivers is responsible for ...

U.S. Navy Explores Small Modular Reactors for Naval Weapons Station Crane

U.S. Navy Explores Small Modular Reactors for Naval Weapons Station Crane

The United States Navy has selected its Naval Weapons Station in Crane, Indiana, as a potential site for large-scale advanced nuclear power generation using Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced this decision on October 28 at the 5th annual Northeast Indiana Defense Summit, an event hosted by Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.). The Navy is actively seeking proposals for the deployment of SMR technology at the naval installation. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance energy resilience and security for critical military infrastructure. The selection of Naval Weapons Station Crane indicates a strategic move by the Navy to explore innovative energy solutions that can provide reliable and sustainable power for its operations, reducing reliance on traditional energy grids and fossil fuels.

H5N1 Bird Flu Spreads to New U.S. Dairy Herds, Raising Concerns for Livestock Movement and Biosecurity

H5N1 Bird Flu Spreads to New U.S. Dairy Herds, Raising Concerns for Livestock Movement and Biosecurity

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) continues to spread among U.S. dairy cattle, with new detections reported in Washington and Indiana. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), H5N1 has now affected dairy cattle in 21 states since its initial identification in March 2024. The recent cases include two Washington dairy herds in October and an Indiana dairy herd on November 2, which was identified through routine screening via the National Milk Testing Strategy. Federal analyses indicate that much of the spread among dairy herds is linked to livestock movements, with genetic evidence suggesting transmission from Idaho to Washington. Veterinarians and producers are urged to enhance biosecurity protocols, including careful management of incoming cattle, isolation of sick animals, and sanitation of shared equipment, to curb further transmission.

Indiana Department of Transportation Awards $110 Million in Local Transportation Funding

Indiana Department of Transportation Awards $110 Million in Local Transportation Funding

Governor Mike Braun recently announced the allocation of nearly $110 million in state matching funds to support transportation infrastructure projects across Indiana. These funds will be distributed among 346 cities, towns, and counties within the state. The awards were made through the Community Crossings Matching Grants program, which is managed by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). Governor Braun presented these grants during the 43rd Annual Indiana Metropolitan Planning Organization and Indiana Association of Regional Councils Conference, held in Kokomo, IN, in late October. In a statement, Governor Braun emphasized the critical role of 'good roads and bridges' in fostering strong communities and a thriving economy. He highlighted that this funding ensures local communities have the necessary resources to implement improvements that directly benefit Hoosiers daily.