Indiana Week In Review

Democrat Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andrew Horning face off in a debate for Indiana’s open U.S. Senate seat. A legislative study committee makes recommendations to tackle rising health care costs. Kelley School of Business projects optimism for 2025, but warns Trump’s proposed tariffs could ignite a global trade war that would harm Indiana’s economy. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Chris Mitchem, Democrat Elise Shrock, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Gubernatorial candidates Mike Braun, Jennifer McCormick and Donald Rainwater debate for the last time before the election. More than half of the Indiana Supreme Court is on the ballot as voters decide whether to keep them on the bench. Multiple felonies of a former Clark County Sheriff prompt proposal of a new ethics reform legislation in order to show more transparency. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Chris Mitchem, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Attorney General candidates Todd Rokita and Destiny Wells face off in a contentious debate. Mike Braun urges that the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission reject the conversion of an AES power plant from coal-fired to natural gas. Secretary of State Diego Morales and Todd Rokita question the citizenship of over half a million registered voters about three weeks before Election Day. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Lindsay Haake, Republican Chris Mitchem, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Mike Braun unveils his public safety plan, including increased criminal penalties and mental health access. Jennifer McCormick’s abortion proposal includes changes to the state ban and medical records privacy protections. Indiana officials refuse to disclose cost of new execution drug as the state seeks to carry out the death penalty for the first time in 15 years. Host Brandon Smith is joined by democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Mike O’Brien, Oseye Boyd of Mirror Indy, and Leslie Bonilla Muñiz of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Mike Braun, Jennifer McCormick, and Donald Rainwater face off in a gubernatorial debate. Mike Braun’s campaign releases an attack ad against democrat Jennifer McCormick using a doctored image in violation of state law. The Indiana Behavioral Health Commission releases a new report calling for improved funding for services and addressing employment shortfalls. Host Brandon Smith is joined by democrat Elise Shrock, Republican Mike O’Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Senator Mike Braun proposes expansions to healthcare legislation targeting prior authorizations and regulations. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick releases an economic development strategy focused on local input and small business support. Indiana loses over $4 billion per year due to affordable child care. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Whitley Yates, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Two recent polls show vastly different results for statewide races- with Democrats either tying in races for governor and attorney general, or being defeated by Republicans by a large margin. A lawsuit accuses healthcare providers and hospitals of mass Medicaid fraud costing the state millions. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun releases an education plan. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Chris Mitchem, Democrat Ann DeLaney, Niki Kelly and Leslie Bonilla Muñiz of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

A county judge rules against abortion care providers seeking to expand access to abortion in Indiana. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump square off in their first- and possibly only- debate ahead of the November election. Jennifer McCormick unveils a plan to gradually roll out legalized cannabis, focusing on medical use before recreational use. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Mike O’Brien, Ebony Chappel of Free Press Indiana, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Governor Holcomb visits Ukraine to bolster ties and sign a memorandum of understanding with a Ukrainian province. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick proposes ethics reforms that would place limits on lobbyists and create new sexual harassment reporting systems. Vaccination rates for toddlers falls for the first time since before the pandemic. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Elise Shrock, Republican Jennifer Hallowell, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate- and former State Superintendent of Public Instruction- Jennifer McCormick unveils her education plan. Local governments face nearly $2 billion annually in road maintenance costs over the next 10 years. Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel pleads guilty to 27 felonies related to his time as sheriff and in running an emergency services company. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Chris Mitchem, Democrat Ann DeLaney, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

IREAD-3 scores show some improvement, but still fall well below pre-pandemic levels. A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit to Senate Enrolled Act 202, which requires university faculty to teach opposing political viewpoints or risk losing tenure. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce calls for a new water planning team amid continued uncertainty over the LEAP district pipeline. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Mike O’Brien, Democrat Ann DeLaney, Leslie Bonilla Muñiz of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick unveils her tax relief proposal. The Indiana Department of Education releases a new draft of its high school diploma overhaul. Lieutenant Governor candidates Republican Micah Beckwith, Democrat Terry Goodin, and Libertarian Tonya Hudson debate at the Indiana State Fair. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Chris Mitchem, Democrat Ann DeLaney, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Ebony Chappel of Free Press Indiana to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Kamala Harris names Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Calls for Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to resign in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against top aid Thomas Cook going back to 2017. Indiana’s new All-Payer Claims Database lets Hoosiers see how much individual medical procedures cost in the state. Indiana Public Broadcasting Statehouse Bureau Chief Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Chris Mitchem, Oseye Boyd of Mirror Indy, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Mike Braun makes changes to his newly released property tax proposal amid criticism over uneven impact. University leaders from across the state express concern over Indiana’s new high school diploma standards, with Purdue University saying such diplomas will not meet admissions requirements.The Indiana University Board of Trustees unveils a new policy on campus protests. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Lara Beck, Republican Mike O’Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Ebony Chappel of Free Press Indiana to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Vice President Kamala Harris makes Indiana one of her first presidential campaign stops, speaking at Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s national Boule. An Indianapolis lawyer files a professional conduct complaint against Attorney General Todd Rokita. Indiana reached the end of its fiscal year with a $421 million surplus, the lowest margin in the post-pandemic era. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Lindsay Haake, Republican Mike O’Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Indiana’s political leaders react to the assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Democrats formally choose Terry Goodin and Destiny Wells as their lieutenant governor and attorney general nominees. I-LEARN scores show some improvement in reading levels, but increased struggles with mathematics. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Chris Mitchem, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Loretta Rush seeks a third term as Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. Fewer Indiana high school students enroll in FAFSA, with at least some blame placed on glitches in the rollout of a new version of the application. The Gary Community School Corporation officially shifts back to local control seven years after a state takeover. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Mike O’Brien, Oseye Boyd of Mirror Indy, and Leslie Bonilla Muñiz of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

The U.S. Supreme Court grants presidents near-total immunity and sets a high bar for prosecution. A judge invalidates Indiana’s 2020 Medicaid expansion waiver, ending Healthy Indiana Plan Plus payments for the foreseeable future. Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Donald Rainwater proposes changing the state constitution to cap property taxes. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Mike O’Brien, Democrat Elise Shrock, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Whitney Downard of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Senator J.D. Ford announces that he will not run for lieutenant governor against conservative Democrat Terry Goodin. Former state legislator Randy Head is elected unanimously as chair of the Indiana Republican Party. Governor Eric Holcomb and A.G. Todd Rokita announce the state will seek to resume executions after a 15 year pause. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Whitley Yates, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Christian nationalist Micah Beckwith chosen as Mike Braun’s gubernatorial running mate over Braun’s hand-picked candidate Julie McGuire. Jennifer McCormick names conservative Democrat Terry Goodin as her pick for lieutenant governor. The state makes further changes that will impact how families of medically complex children receive Medicaid benefits. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Mike O’Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.