AGP Executive Report

Life Sciences Jobs: Gov. Mike Braun announced Boston Scientific will build a $138M global medical device distribution facility in Plainfield, aiming for up to 300 new jobs. Local Economic Development: Braun also said Capital Group will expand in Carmel with a $13.5M investment and up to 200 new high-wage jobs by 2028. School Policy: Indiana is among states moving toward stricter cellphone rules in classrooms, as lawmakers respond to concerns about distraction and screen time. Energy & Politics: President Trump unveiled a $700M coal push using the Defense Production Act, including support tied to plants in Indiana and a new export terminal in Oakland, California. Public Safety: Vanderburgh County identified 83-year-old Trudy Judge as the victim in a fatal I-69 crash involving a passenger vehicle and tractor-trailer. Government & Taxes: Braun ceremonially signed a veterans property tax relief expansion, boosting benefits for disabled veterans. Cybersecurity: Lawsuits claim Hogan Transports mishandled employee data after a 2025 breach. Road Work: INDOT shared plans for the Ind. 64 “big dig” project in Princeton, targeting downtown improvements through 2029.

Prison Safety: Indiana’s IDOC commissioner Lloyd Arnold says “something else should have been done” after devastating fires at Indiana State Prison, promising costly system changes to better protect inmates and staff. NBA Expansion: Adam Silver says the NBA’s Europe league plan is still on track for a 2027-28 launch, with franchise bids due soon and Spurs star Victor Wembanyama adding momentum. Amazon in Indiana: Amazon is pushing ahead on a major data center campus in Wheatfield, Jasper County, with an estimated $7B investment and a plan to offset energy-cost impacts for local payers. Local Business & Growth: Governor Mike Braun will headline Innovate Southwest Indiana in Evansville on June 9, focusing on workforce, entrepreneurship, and regional expansion. Health Care Watch: CMS reports Brickyard Healthcare–Brandywine Care Center in Hancock County earned a 1-star rating in Q1 2026. Sports Media Storm: The Indiana Fever continue to deal with fallout from Caitlin Clark coverage and credential disputes as the team prepares for another key matchup.

WNBA/Media Clash: Indiana Fever revoked reporter Scott Agness’ credentials after he reported on Caitlin Clark’s May 20 back-injury situation, with the team citing “inaccurate and unsubstantiated information” and the Professional Basketball Writers Association pushing back. Team Reset: After a rough 0-2 road trip and a Clark–Stephanie White sideline flare-up, guard Sophie Cunningham says the Fever held a long Monday meeting to “turn the page” and refocus on identity and defense. Local Politics/Public Safety: U.S. Sen. Jim Banks called Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears “a prosecutor gone rogue” following the fatal shooting of Brett Scrogham, while Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith suggested the prosecutor role should be appointed. Statehouse/Cost of Living: Gov. Mike Braun extended Indiana’s gas tax holiday through July 7, aiming to keep prices down, while raising questions about longer-term road funding. Public Services/Tech: A widespread fiber outage hit southeastern Indiana providers after a fiber line was cut, leaving some customers without internet and phone. Crime/Consumer Fraud: A Jackson County investigation led to the arrest of a man accused of selling $38,000+ in fake silver bars (and trying to sell fake gold), after metal testing showed the bars weren’t genuine. Driving Rules: Indiana lowered the driver’s license minimum age to 16 starting July 1, removing a 90-day wait.

Indiana Politics: A Trump-backed Indiana state senate candidate is asking for a recount by arguing voters’ social media posts show illegal crossover voting, a move critics call unprecedented and potentially invasive. Gas Prices & Taxes: Indiana’s gas tax suspension is giving drivers short-term relief, but columnists warn extending it past the emergency window could backfire as prices trend upward and road funding needs remain. Consumer Safety: An Indiana grandfather says a fake flight-booking site nearly derailed his Disney trip, as federal officials warn travel scams are surging and increasingly use AI-made lookalike websites. Statehouse & Housing: Indianapolis City-County Council backed two affordable housing projects, but developers still need state approval for tax credits before they can move forward. Public Health & Care: New CMS-based reporting spotlights nursing home ratings across Indiana, including one facility rated higher than the state average and others below it. Sports Media: Indiana Fever revoked longtime reporter Scott Agness’s credential after a dispute over Caitlin Clark injury reporting, drawing pushback from media groups.

Indiana Politics: The Indiana Recount Commission faces early motions in tight GOP Senate District 15 and 23 races, including claims about added votes and whether certain voters illegally crossed over after results were certified. WNBA Fever: Caitlin Clark and coach Stephanie White are publicly downplaying the viral bench exchange, while a separate report says the Fever revoked a reporter’s media access tied to Clark’s injury coverage. Local Transit: IndyGo rolls out its new MyKey+ e-fare system starting July 1, with new cards, validators, and reload options for riders. Sports Business: Illinois lawmakers adjourned without a Bears stadium vote, leaving the team weighing Indiana options as Indiana leaders push the state’s sports-powerhouse pitch. Public Safety/Community: Madison Mayor Bob Courtney heads to a Washington flood summit to press for local resilience funding, while a Jefferson County town hall is set for Friday on a proposed data center. Business & Growth: Superior Fresh says it will begin its first commercial harvest at its Albany, Indiana salmon facility in early July.

Bears Stadium Standoff: Illinois lawmakers adjourned without passing a bill to keep the Chicago Bears, leaving the franchise’s $2 billion plan and property-tax certainty in limbo and pushing attention back to possible Indiana options. Child Care Crunch: An Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute analysis says subsidized childcare will reach under 20% of eligible Hoosier kids by end of 2026, even after a $200M voucher push. Local Roads Funding: Indianapolis City-County Council introduced a road-repair plan that would raise the wheel tax and vehicle excise surtax via flat fees, aiming to unlock state matching dollars. Indiana Politics Backlash: Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith’s comments calling Islam a “demonic death cult” drew sharp criticism from Muslim leaders and advocates. Hoosier Business & Tech: OmniSite unveiled an upgraded XR50 Plus alarm monitor with over-the-air updates, built for municipal water and wastewater systems. Sports Spotlight: Caitlin Clark and coach Stephanie White played down a viral bench exchange as “coaching,” while Clark is listed as available for Friday’s game.

Bears Stadium Fallout (Illinois): Illinois lawmakers adjourned early Monday without passing a plan to keep the Chicago Bears in-state, leaving Gov. JB Pritzker to say a deal could still happen in Indiana. The latest effort would have let Cook County cities create a municipal stadium authority, but it stalled after late bill changes and lawmakers’ reluctance to hand over taxpayer money. Indiana Courts & Sports: A Texas judge delayed a ruling in Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby’s bid to block the NCAA from banning him for 2026; court filings say he placed at least 40 bets on Indiana while a Hoosier. Local Public Safety (Indiana): INDOT is bringing back a traffic signal at a busy Richmond intersection after a safety review, and Lynnville secured $148,605 for new fire department breathing equipment. Community & Human Interest (Indy): Loved ones mourn a recent IU Indianapolis grad fatally shot in a downtown parking garage. Business/Industry (Indiana): Hallador Energy announced a $350 million deal to buy 460 MW of Siemens turbines for its Merom natural gas project. Agriculture: The U.S. dairy herd hit its largest size since mid-1993, with April milk output up year over year.

Bears Stadium Standoff: Illinois lawmakers raced to keep the Chicago Bears in-state, but the midnight deadline for a new megaprojects approach passed without final approval—leaving a last-ditch plan still under consideration as the team weighs options including Hammond, Indiana. Indiana Politics: Indiana’s lieutenant governor, Micah Beckwith, is facing backlash after calling Islam a “demonic death cult,” with Muslim advocacy groups and others condemning the remarks. Public Safety: Muncie police are investigating another early-morning shooting at Hi Lows restaurant that left one man dead and two others wounded. State Government Watch: New state records raise questions about Indiana Secretary of State spending, including a $90,000 restitution-fund payment tied to a technology contractor and nearly $500,000 in staff raises. Local Business & Growth: USDA deputy secretary Stephen Vaden visited Indianapolis as the agency moves parts of SNAP to Indiana, highlighting the city’s role as a hub for the region’s ag and bioscience community. Sports Buzz: The Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and coach Stephanie White remain in the spotlight after a viral bench exchange following a loss to Portland, while fake reports about White being fired were quickly debunked.

Bears Stadium Standoff: Illinois lawmakers are scrambling on the final day of session to keep the Chicago Bears in-state, with talks shifting toward a new idea: letting municipalities create their own stadium-financing authorities so the team can avoid property taxes. Indiana Recruiting: Indiana football landed 2027 safety Brady Scott, a three-star target who chose the Hoosiers over Iowa, Louisville, Vanderbilt and UCLA. Fever Coaching Firestorm: Indiana Fever fans are up in arms after Saturday’s 100-84 loss to Portland, focusing on head coach Stephanie White’s early substitutions involving Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. Local Public Safety: IMPD is investigating a downtown Indianapolis shooting that left a 23-year-old man critically injured and later dead. Air Quality Watch: IDEM officials say ozone alerts are most likely in spring and summer, with last year’s wildfire smoke a key factor. Sports Elsewhere: Alex Palou won the IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix after a chaotic race with multiple cautions. Health & Research: A trial update says adjuvant selpercatinib improved event-free survival for RET fusion-positive lung cancer patients.

Indiana Health Insurance: CareSource is exiting Indiana’s ACA marketplace, and Cigna is also pulling out nationwide—about 60,000 Hoosiers will need new coverage before Dec. 31, 2026. Sports Gambling: Indiana QB Brendan Sorsby is facing NCAA action after court filings say he placed at least 40 bets involving Indiana football and wagered about $90,000 over four years; a Monday hearing is set. WNBA & Caitlin Clark: Clark’s decision to skip required media availability after a Fever loss could bring league discipline, with the team already warned earlier this season. Local Government & Elections: The Porter County Election Board debated how much help to give candidates beyond what’s required, with a consultant pushing for extra guidance to prevent finance-report mistakes. Community Planning: Daviess County is seeking public input on a bike and pedestrian master plan, with comments due June 30. Business & Growth: Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance is proposing 58 build-to-rent townhomes in Indianapolis’ Fletcher Place, sparking neighborhood debate over greenspace.

Sports Betting & Faith: A new look at the sports gambling boom raises the question of why churches and ministries aren’t doing more as addiction concerns grow. WNBA & Indiana Fever: Fever coach Stephanie White says the team is following WNBA injury-report rules after Caitlin Clark’s status reporting drew scrutiny, while Clark also faces backlash and possible discipline after refusing media comments. Indiana Elections & Voting Access: The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to let states purge voter rolls for alleged noncitizens closer to elections, a move critics say could disenfranchise voters. Indiana Politics Watch: Records show Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales’ office paid $90,000 from a securities restitution fund and also approved nearly $500,000 in staff pay increases, adding to mounting criticism. Roads & Costs in Indianapolis: City-County Council is weighing higher vehicle registration fees to tackle potholes and road repairs, aiming to unlock matching state funding. Local Public Safety: A massive multi-agency rescue operation recovered 21 missing young people across Lee, Collier and Hendry counties.

Bears Stadium Deadline: Illinois lawmakers are racing toward a Sunday night deadline on a bill that could unlock property tax breaks for a new Chicago Bears stadium—aimed at keeping the team from moving to Hammond, Indiana. Indiana Politics & Accountability: Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales is facing fresh scrutiny after records show a $90,000 payment from a securities restitution fund to a software contractor, alongside reports of large staff salary increases. Fraud & Courts: A Texas man tied to email-compromise scams that hit a Fort Wayne business was sentenced to nearly six years and ordered to pay $2.6 million in restitution. Public Safety: An Indiana EMT faces felony charges alleging sexual assault of a 14-year-old during an ambulance transport. Statehouse Religion Fight: A lawsuit over a Ten Commandments monument at the Indiana Statehouse has reopened, potentially clearing the way for it to return. Energy & Cost Relief: AAA reports gas prices fell again for the eighth straight day, with Indiana among the lowest in the country. Local Business & Community: The Indiana Chamber of Commerce opened nominations for statewide business and government awards, with a June 26 deadline.

Marijuana Legal Fight: Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is suing the Trump administration over federal marijuana rescheduling, arguing the process wasn’t followed correctly. Tax Break Scrutiny: A 13 Investigates report says some Indiana data centers reported more than $655 million in state sales and use tax exemptions, raising questions about how much revenue the state is giving up. Public Safety: IMPD says officers shot a suspect after a fatal shooting and a chase on Indianapolis’ west side near I-70 and Harding Street; the suspect was stable afterward. Health Care Giving: A Greenfield widow donated $1 million to Hancock Health for a permanent PET/CT scanner, replacing a weekly mobile unit. Community & Education: South Bend Bike Garage earned a platinum “bicycle friendly” designation from the League of American Bicyclists. Local Sports: Caitlin Clark hit 500 career assists as the Fever fell to the Golden State Valkyries 90-88. Workforce & Access: A new push highlights Indiana’s growing need for pharmacists as closures and rising training costs strain the pipeline.

NBA Draft Lottery Reform: The NBA’s Board of Governors approved a “3-2-1” lottery overhaul to curb tanking, expanding the field to 16 teams, flattening odds, and adding penalties so the worst teams get the lowest chances at the No. 1 pick. Indiana Politics: Democrats announced Jessica Bailey for state comptroller and Coumba Kebe for state treasurer ahead of the June convention. GOP Primary Drama: Secretary of State Diego Morales defended his office amid allegations tied to his former chief of staff as the Republican nomination fight heats up. Higher Ed & Teachers: Indiana’s Commission for Higher Education is taking applications for the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, offering up to $40,000 for future teachers. Courts & Schools: Indiana Virtual School and Indiana Virtual Pathways Academy fraud cases are headed to federal trial in July, tied to alleged ghost-student enrollment. Statehouse Watch: Indiana AG Todd Rokita joined a lawsuit challenging the federal marijuana reclassification. Local Economy: Terre Haute tourism leaders say the visitor economy tops $300M annually with about 1.7M visitors over the past year. Sports Business: Indiana’s bid to land the Chicago Bears hinges on property tax terms, with Illinois still a wildcard.

Ball State Free Speech Settlement: Ball State will pay $225,000 to a former employee fired over a Facebook post criticizing Charlie Kirk after a federal First Amendment lawsuit. Local Government & Community: Lawrence’s Hill 317 fitness challenge is returning home after city leaders raised safety concerns about crowd size. Wildlife Access: Advocates warn Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge could lose public access as federal budget and staffing changes are discussed. State Policy & Money: IDEM is accepting applications for its Community Recycling Grant Program, offering $1,000–$100,000 to eligible Indiana groups. Public Works: INDOT plans an open house June 2 for the Ind. 64 downtown Princeton project, covering pavement, signals, and sidewalks. Sports Rehab Watch: Colts QB Daniel Jones takes field sprints during OTAs, marking progress in his Achilles recovery. Indy Courts & Elections: The Indiana Recount Commission appoints Evan Norris to oversee recounts in two tight Senate primary races. Lottery: Hoosier Lottery results for May 27 include Hoosier Lotto 09-19-24-27-40-42 and Cash 5 01-10-11-32-38.

Local Jobs & Second Chances: Better Together’s Nationwide Days of Second Chances drew 3,786 job seekers to events in 18 states, including Indiana, with 203 hiring employers and 492 conditional offers made on the spot. Sports & Health: Colts QB Daniel Jones is back at OTAs less than six months after an Achilles tear, targeting a Week 1 return while working his way back to full speed. Public Safety: A Beech Grove man accused in the fatal shooting of Beech Grove PD Officer Brian Elliott is being transferred to IDOC as his case moves forward. State Policy: Gov. Mike Braun signed a law expanding property tax relief for disabled veterans, including full assessed-value exemption for 100% disabled vets. Local Government: Charlestown residents are pushing back on a proposed $105M data center, warning about noise and traffic as the project moves through review. Business & Community: South Bend’s Gene’s Camera Store was named Indiana’s Startup Small Business of the Year, and the city’s Trinity Academy and Trinity School both settled into new locations. Entertainment: Apple TV’s horror-comedy “Widow’s Bay” returns with new episodes.