AGP Executive Report

Gary Development: Gov. Mike Braun says a new $48M Gary YMCA at the Tolleston Opportunity Campus—built through READI—will expand childcare, health care, and youth programs across Northwest Indiana. Crash Tragedy: Indiana State Police report an Evansville man was killed in a Pike County crash that also killed a mother and her 8-year-old daughter; other children were injured. Labor Day Fuel Shock: AAA says diesel prices hit record highs heading into the holiday, adding pressure to an already tight economy. Road Safety: Indiana State Police and local agencies will ramp up patrols and sobriety checkpoints for Labor Day weekend, with Uber/Lyft ride credits offered in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Local Policy Watch: A new Indiana homesteading law lets small farms sell more directly to consumers, with local operators already benefiting. WNBA Legal Fight: Enes Kanter Freedom filed suit in federal court against the Chicago Sky and Wintrust Arena over his removal and ban after an incident involving a “WOMAN” shirt. Community Moment: An IMPD officer used American Sign Language to connect with a deaf Colts fan at Lucas Oil Stadium, and the video went viral.

WNBA Legal Fight: Enes Kanter Freedom filed a federal lawsuit in Illinois against the Chicago Sky, Wintrust Arena’s owners and the City of Chicago, saying his First Amendment rights were violated after he was ejected from an Aug. 23 game vs. the Indiana Fever and later banned from attending games. Local Courts & Public Access: A Marion County judge blocked public access to a nearly 600,000-name list of Indiana voters sent to USCIS for citizenship verification, keeping the names confidential. Storm Recovery Help: Uber and United Way partners will distribute free ride vouchers for Hoosiers affected by flooding in Lake and Porter counties, with additional help for Hamilton and Marion. Public Safety Governance: A Fort Wayne/Allen County roundup highlights city and county closures for Labor Day and an “Ask an Attorney” legal clinic. Sports & Community: Mark Sanchez is moving toward a guilty plea in his Indianapolis altercation case, while fall events in northeast Indiana are gearing up for the Labor Day-to-Halloween stretch.

Gas Tax Relief: Gov. Mike Braun extended Indiana’s gas tax suspension through Oct. 6, keeping about 60 cents per gallon off the pump and promising reserves to protect road funding. State Politics & Storm Recovery: Rep. Jeff Thompson joined Braun and federal officials to assess storm damage sites, pointing residents to FEMA and Indiana’s disaster resource hub as FEMA approvals topped $2 million so far. Local Business & Recognition: Republic Bank earned a Top 25 ranking for the second straight year, while Barron Industries was named SBA Great Lakes Region Manufacturer of the Year. Healthcare Access: Syra Health, with HealthSync, was accepted into the CMS ACCESS model to expand coordinated behavioral health services for Medicare patients. Community & Culture: Mercer County Fair and Horse Show launched a 200th Legacy Maker campaign for major fairgrounds upgrades, and Putnam County’s mural festival returns Sept. 5-19 with new wall installations. Consumer Safety: The FTC warned scammers are cloning car dealership websites using AI, urging Hoosiers to verify dealers before sharing info. Agriculture Markets: A farmland benchmark study found Indiana values dipped slightly on average, even as overall farmland values stayed strong.

Childcare Crunch: AP reports hundreds of thousands of eligible kids are stuck on waitlists for government childcare help in 23 states and D.C., including Indiana families facing delays that force impossible tradeoffs. Flood Recovery: Indiana opened “one-stop shops” in Anderson and Muncie to speed up FEMA, SBA and state aid applications for mid-August flood damage. Public Safety & Rights: A new Indiana guide explains when people can legally record ICE agents and other law enforcement while enforcement activity ramps up. Veterans Update: Gov. Braun says Indiana logged the second-largest drop in veteran homelessness nationwide, with an 18.7% decline in 2025. Education Watch: The Indiana Coalition for Public Education released its 2026 Legislative Scorecard, grading lawmakers on school funding and governance votes. Local Accountability: Grant County’s internal probe into a commissioner alleges wiretapping, bribery, retaliation and abuse of power. Sports Fallout: The NBA punished the Clippers over salary-cap circumvention tied to Kawhi Leonard, with Indiana’s Pacers affected by forfeited picks.

Jobs & Investment: Gov. Mike Braun says August brought more than $5.3B in committed capital investment and 7,600+ Hoosier jobs, highlighting wins across defense, life sciences, manufacturing and semiconductors. Life Sciences Expansion: Bristol Myers Squibb’s RayzeBio will build a $173M radiopharmaceutical facility in Whitestown (225,000 sq. ft.) creating 100 jobs, expanding on its Indianapolis operations. Veterans Housing: Indiana reported an 18.7% drop in veteran homelessness in 2025, the second-largest decline nationwide. Disaster Recovery: FEMA approved over $2.1M for Indiana storm victims, with SBA disaster loans also available; Hoosiers have until Oct. 25 to apply. Business & Manufacturing: Kraft Heinz is investing $30M to upgrade its Jet-Puffed marshmallow and caramel plant in Kendallville. Local Economy & Community: The Indiana Dunes’ Good Fellow Camp Lodge reopened after 50 years, with a time capsule found inside. Public Safety/Policy: Indiana’s small businesses are being urged to pivot toward contract readiness as certification rules shift.

Storm Recovery & Power Reliability: Residents in Gary and across Indiana are still dealing with the fallout from severe weather, including long outages and ongoing questions about infrastructure and accountability, as FEMA and state leaders push faster recovery help. Public Schools & Funding Pressure: A growing number of Indiana school districts are pursuing property tax referendums amid concerns about per-student funding gaps and what lawmakers do with reverted education money. Housing & Homelessness: Indianapolis opened Bridges Townhomes at Sherman Park, a $15.1 million project aimed at families transitioning out of homelessness, while Fort Wayne’s proposed homeless resource center hit a setback after a 5-3 City Council vote. Local Government & Zoning: Warsaw is holding a public hearing to review zoning and land rules under HEA 1001, including accessory dwelling units and permit timelines. Business & Jobs: Purdue Fort Wayne celebrated the opening of the Surack–Sweetwater Music Industry Center, and SK hynix’s Indiana semiconductor expansion continues to draw major investment attention. Health & Safety: Indiana State Police and local agencies continue warning about scams and ticket fraud, as diabetes remains highlighted as a “silent killer.”

Flood Resilience: Indiana’s wetlands are disappearing fast, with advocates warning that 85–95% loss and weaker protections are leaving the state more exposed to flooding. Consumer Protection & Business: Acting Indiana AG Cori Mills joined a multi-agency lawsuit targeting Amazon over alleged deceptive ad pricing and “rigging” ad auctions, with FTC and multiple states also suing. Local Sports & Events: USA Track & Field will bring the USATF Indoor Championships back to Indianapolis for 2027 and 2028 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Politics & Labor: Rep. Frank J. Mrvan introduced the PRO-WORK Act to cut off federal funding and tax credits for employers that lock out workers. Storm Recovery Support: Beyoncé’s BeyGood Foundation pledged $200,000 for Indiana flood relief, sending aid to City Life Center and Angel by Nature, including support for Gary. Courts & Governance: Indiana’s Judicial Resources Committee aims to improve how judicial officers are allocated statewide. Public Safety: Indiana State Police arrested a Terre Haute pastor on 10 felony counts tied to online child sex abuse material.

Defense & Industry: Rolls-Royce says it has finished a decade-long $1 billion investment in its Indianapolis engine campus, adding new ground-test and altitude-testing capacity and supporting U.S. military programs. Semiconductors: SK hynix broke ground on a $4 billion advanced packaging plant in West Lafayette and its CEO warns the memory crunch could stretch to 2030, while the company also reviews possible Japan sites. Storm Recovery: FEMA is rolling out a faster recovery pilot for Indiana after historic flooding, including in Connersville, as Gov. Mike Braun and FEMA officials tour damage and push quicker help for residents and small businesses. Local Power Fallout: Braun is calling for a probe of NIPSCO after prolonged outages left some Northwest Indiana families waiting weeks for electricity. Consumer Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker data shows multiple Indiana cities tied for elevated scam-report rankings in July, with phishing and online purchase schemes among the most common. Legal/Tech: Indiana is among states joining the FTC-led lawsuit against Amazon over alleged hidden ad surcharges that inflated advertising prices. Public Safety Tech: New Paris police say their Flock license-plate cameras don’t use facial recognition and aren’t for speed enforcement, but are used to help develop leads in investigations.

Flood Recovery & FEMA: Gov. Mike Braun and FEMA officials are touring storm damage in Indiana, including a Carmel bridge hit by flooding, as FEMA rolls out a pilot to speed reimbursements and Hoosiers get a chance to review proposed federal flood maps. Transportation Funding: The federal government is releasing $26 million in emergency highway relief funds for INDOT to repair roads and bridges damaged by August storms. Local Safety: An Indianapolis northeast-side house fire killed one man and two dogs and trapped two residents on the roof; investigators say there were no working smoke alarms. Indiana Business & Jobs: Nucor will invest $59 million to expand its Vulcraft facility in St. Joe and add steel grating production, creating 20 new jobs. Tech & Manufacturing: SK hynix is pushing ahead on Indiana’s HBM build, with leaders warning the memory crunch could last through 2030 while expanding capacity. Community & Culture: Indiana Landmarks released its 2026 list of 10 most endangered Hoosier sites, highlighting places like Adams Mill and the Hazel Dell-area history tied to Indiana Avenue. Sports Media: Circle City Broadcasting launches a “Make the Switch” campaign after DirecTV and other providers dropped its local stations.

Education & Early Learning: Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District kicked off the new school year with an underwater-themed experiential preschool classroom, plus a new Bluffton High mural and the Tiger Tots infant childcare program. Workforce Training Access: A federal Pell expansion called Workforce Pell is opening the door for more students to afford shorter job-training programs, with Indiana among the first states to get approved programs. Immigration Detention Protests: Dozens of Hoosiers held weekend vigils and rallies urging Gov. Mike Braun to end ICE detention at the Miami Correctional Facility, where organizers say detainees have faced abuse and where two detainees have died since February. Healthcare Spending Watch: New Medicaid billing figures show rising local activity across Indiana communities, including jumps in categories tied to radiology, pathology/lab services, and administrative claims. Sports & Local Interest: The Colts kept Keenan Allen on the initial 53-man roster after his DUI arrest, and Purdue Ag students visited Iceland to study sustainable farming in harsh conditions.

Sports & Local Headlines: Colts WR Keenan Allen was arrested in Indianapolis early Sunday on misdemeanor DUI/DWI charges, with the team saying it’s gathering more information. WNBA Culture Clash: Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud made her first public comments since the courtside confrontation with Enes Kanter Freedom, calling him “irrelevant” and saying she’ll focus on issues affecting women and children. Indiana Health Watch (Medicaid): New data show Medicaid billing spikes in several Indiana communities—Portland’s Vision Services rose to $12,308 in 2024, Lebanon’s Dental Services jumped to $48,696, and Dale’s Pathology/Lab claims climbed 42.3% to $1,205. Public Safety & Fraud: New Albany tied for 13th in Indiana for July BBB scam reports, while Gary logged three reports and $2,501.46 in losses. Infrastructure & Business: Honda is considering a new North America assembly plant to expand hybrid capacity, as it targets 15 new hybrid models by March 2030.

Indiana Courts: The Indiana Supreme Court set Jeffrey Weisheit’s execution for Nov. 5, clearing the way for the state’s fourth execution since it resumed death sentences. Public Safety: A woman has sued over an I-65 area exit where her fiancé died, alleging dangerous intersection design and lack of clear crosswalk safety. Storm Recovery & Housing Help: Indiana REALTORS’ groups secured an initial $500,000 disaster-relief fund for storm-hit homeowners and renters, offering grants up to $1,000. Local Government: Gary marked Michael Jackson’s birthday with a citywide celebration and renewed attention after recent power outages. Community & Health: An artisan market at South Bend’s Howard Park raised proceeds for Life Treatment Center, supporting addiction recovery and behavioral health services. Politics & Policy: Indiana Black Legislative Caucus members criticized new state laws at a South Bend town hall, including changes affecting homelessness and police powers for the National Guard. Business & Consumer Watch: Clark Howard warned Hoosiers to avoid debit-card payments for furniture backorders, citing bankruptcy-related delivery risk.

WNBA Spotlight: Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell powered a 111-91 win over the Connecticut Sun, with Clark posting 34 points and 12 assists while Mitchell matched 34—plus a flurry of debate around the league’s off-court gender rules after high-profile appearances. Severe Weather & Recovery: Northwest Indiana residents are still working through storm damage as FEMA mobile disaster centers open, including a Hobart site, while some Hoosiers say repair costs and insurance denials leave them stuck. Local Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Churubusco and Lebanon each logged one scam report in July, as Indiana cities tied for 55th place statewide. State Politics & Aid: Rep. Victoria Spartz shared FEMA disaster-aid details for flood-impacted businesses in Indiana’s 5th district, including SBA physical-damage and economic-injury loan timelines. Business Growth: Lebanon-based D-A Lubricant plans a $17 million expansion in Boone County, adding a new grease facility and 10 jobs, with production targeted for 2029. Sports Betting Buzz: Kalshi and Polymarket are promoting new referral codes tied to Saturday’s Lions–Colts and Week 0 college football markets.

Allen County Emergency Response: Allen County leaders are pushing a new Allen County Fire & EMS District to tighten response times as volunteer ranks shrink and call volume rises, aiming to make care more consistent across the county. Storm Recovery & FEMA Help: FEMA opened new registration sites across Indiana for mid-August storm damage, urging residents to file insurance claims first and bring key documents; in Fayette County, a mobile unit is helping people apply after historic flooding. Northwest Indiana Power Fallout: In Gary, residents describe prolonged outages and lingering impacts, including elevator failures and food spoilage, as recovery continues. State Budget Watch: Indiana lawmakers are weighing how to cover projected losses from the gas tax suspension, with DOT estimating $1.1 billion in combined impacts if it runs through Dec. 4. Sports & Local Culture: Royce White showed up at an Indiana Fever game wearing a blonde wig amid WNBA Draft talk, while IU sports fans are set for a documentary stop honoring broadcaster Don Fischer. Agriculture & Trade: A Chinese soybean buyer delegation toured Indiana farms and processors, ending with a meal featuring high oleic soybean oil.

AI & Manufacturing: SK hynix broke ground on a $4B advanced memory-packaging facility in West Lafayette, aiming to make Indiana a key U.S. HBM hub by 2030, with a cleanroom opening in 2028 and mass production in 2029. Local Business & Dining: Devour Indy’s summer promotion is underway with 100+ restaurants offering special menus and deals through Sept. 6, and prices are being compared to earlier years. Public Health: Floyd County health officials report mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus for a third time this year, with no human cases found so far. Sports Culture: The Indiana Fever launched a new Sophie Cunningham campaign on X, drawing mixed online reaction amid the ongoing women’s sports debate. Community Events: UniverSoul Circus returns to Indianapolis for a Sept. 17–27 run at Lafayette Square Mall, featuring its “We All Belong” show. Agriculture & Education: The Indiana State Fair’s “Little Hands on the Farm” added a new egg building and pig barn to teach kids about Indiana agriculture.

Semiconductors & Jobs: SK hynix broke ground at Purdue in West Lafayette on a $4B advanced packaging plant to produce next-gen HBM4E, with a cleanroom opening in Oct. 2028 and mass production starting in the second half of 2029. Public Health: The FDA says cyclospora illness tied to recalled iceberg lettuce has spread to 20 states, with 11,458 reported cases and two deaths in Michigan. Storm Recovery: FEMA will open six mobile registration centers in Indiana to help residents apply for federal aid after August storms and flooding; no special documents are needed and walk-ins are allowed. Local Libraries: Allen County Public Library approved a long-term lease for a new Aboite branch, replacing an aging site with structural issues. Business & Industry: Rolls-Royce marked a $1B investment in Indianapolis, highlighting expanded engine testing and long-term defense manufacturing capacity. Sports (Hoosier focus): Colts WR Alec Pierce returned to practice after ankle surgery, while the Fever’s Clark-Mitchell MVP push continues as Indiana eyes playoff positioning.