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Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Honored with Two Indiana Parks and Recreation Association Awards

Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Honored with Two Indiana Parks and Recreation Association Awards

Hamilton County Parks and Recreation (HCPR) has been recognized with two prestigious awards from the Indiana Park & Recreation Association (IPRA). The department received the Outstanding Agency Award, acknowledging its leadership, innovation, and service within one of Indiana's rapidly growing counties. HCPR oversees 21 park properties, encompassing over 1,800 acres, and provides more than 500 free or low-cost programs. Their efforts include conservation, trail expansion, historic preservation, natural area restoration, and fostering community partnerships to offer recreational opportunities while safeguarding the county's natural and historical assets. Additionally, HCPR earned the Innovative Program Award for its Strawberry Moon Market, which debuted in 2025 at Strawtown Koteewi Park. This event, inspired by the June full moon, integrated art, history, and nature within the park's recreated Native American village, featuring live music, food vendors, interactive experiences, and astronomy programming. Th...

Indiana Governor Mike Braun Announces $19 Million Federal Funding for Workforce Training and Apprenticeships

Indiana Governor Mike Braun Announces $19 Million Federal Funding for Workforce Training and Apprenticeships

Indiana Governor Mike Braun has announced nearly $19 million in federal funding aimed at bolstering workforce training programs and expanding apprenticeship opportunities across the state. This significant investment is designed to connect more Hoosiers with careers in high-demand industries. The funding will support four key initiatives: Registered Apprenticeships, Special Education Teacher preparation, re-entry employment programs, and industry-driven skills training. Governor Braun emphasized that Indiana has already established a nationally recognized apprenticeship system, and these new investments will further enhance that success by broadening work-based learning opportunities. The awards are aligned with Indiana's strategic focus on employer-led training and practical work experience. Federal funds are expected to facilitate the expansion of both short-term and long-term training, including Certified Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, addressing critical workforce needs in sectors such as advanced manufa...

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...

Steakholder Foods Launches 3D-Printed Plant-Based Meat Line in Northeastern U.S. Amidst State Bans on Cell-Cultivated Protein

Steakholder Foods Launches 3D-Printed Plant-Based Meat Line in Northeastern U.S. Amidst State Bans on Cell-Cultivated Protein

Steakholder Foods Launches 3D-Printed Plant-Based Meat Line in Northeastern U.S. Amidst State Bans on Cell-Cultivated Protein

Craft and Fun Fair in West Lafayette Raises Funds for Students' Washington D.C. Trip

Craft and Fun Fair in West Lafayette Raises Funds for Students' Washington D.C. Trip

An annual Craft and Fun Fair was held at St. James Lutheran Church and School in West Lafayette, Indiana, bringing together community members to support a student trip to Washington D.C. The event featured local vendors selling crafts, artwork, and food, alongside opportunities for attendees to engage in art activities and enjoy a German-themed luncheon. Proceeds from the fair are dedicated to funding the annual trip for eighth-grade students to the nation's capital. According to Lynn Keiser, coordinator of the Craft & Fun Fair, the trip allows students to explore historical sights, meet with representatives or senators, and create lasting memories, with families responsible for fundraising efforts.

UCLA continues CFP push with win over Minnesota, rise to No. 4 in Coaches Poll

UCLA continues CFP push with win over Minnesota, rise to No. 4 in Coaches Poll

UCLA ran away with the game again in the fourth quarter and moves up one spot in the Coaches Poll. Will the CFP committee take notice?

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

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.

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.