Indiana Week In Review

All but six Indiana counties opt to take new funding from the state under this year's public health system overhaul. Brad Chambers enters the Republican field of gubernatorial candidates. Democratic candidate Jennifer McCormick's campaign shares a poll showing her in tight races with some Republican hopefuls. Indiana schools grapple with how to address generative AI like Chat GPT. 

Parents ask Governor Holcomb to stop a proposal that may reduce access to therapy for children with autism. Loss of wetlands raises risk for flooding. State courts decline to hear candidate affiliation law challenge. 

GOP gubernatorial primary candidate Suzanne Crouch backs a push to eliminate the individual income tax, but offers few details on how to handle the $8 billion loss in state finances. Vivek Ramaswamy became the focus of attacks in Fox News’ GOP debate, sparring frequently with Mike Pence. Indiana Republican Party Chair Kyle Hupfer announces he is stepping down after half a decade in the role.

Speaking to the GOP National Legislative Conference, Mike Pence addressed Donald Trump’s latest indictment in Georgia for election interference. Former Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers announced he will throw is hat into the ring for the GOP Gubernatorial Primaries. Governor Eric Holcomb defends his office’s move to block Dr. Caitlin Bernard from receiving a Torchbearer Award. 

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce unveils a new economic vision plan for the next twelve years, including workforce development and educational attainment. Todd Rokita updates his 'Parents Bill of Rights' to include religious expression in the classroom and calls separation of church and state “a myth”. The Big Ten adds Washington and Oregon, other teams head for the Big 12, and the Pac-12 dissolves.

Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinics have stopped providing abortions in the state, despite a new hold on the ban, due to concerns about patient care during uncertain legal times. Donald Trump has been indicted by the Special Prosecutor for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Former Vice President Mike Pence reacts during a campaign stop at the Indiana State fair, where the GOP Presidential hopeful revealed his plan to tackle inflation.

Marking the one year anniversary of permitless gun carry. Eight Indiana colleges receive an 'F' on effectiveness of reading curriculum for teacher prep programs. Curtis Hill touts victory in last week’s unscientific IWIR poll. 

More than $5 Million has been raised by GOP Gubernatorial candidates. Former VP Mike Pence struggles to qualify for GOP Presidential debate. Todd Rokita and eighteen other Attorneys General condemn reproductive medical privacy policy. 

Five years after a groping scandal led to his license being temporarily suspended, former Attorney General Curtis Hill announces he is running for Governor in the 2024 election. ILEARN scores have revealed that most students are still testing below pre-pandemic levels for math and English proficiency, with just 30% of elementary and middle school students meeting state goals. Ethanol producers and corn growers worry that a new EPA regulation on tailpipe emissions could leave them out of the transition to cleaner cars, considering the environmental impact of mineral harvesting for EV batteries.

Democrat Keith Potts launches a campaign for US Senate. If successful, he would make history as the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate. Last weekend’s derecho storms left some without power for days, now a consumer advocacy group is calling for investigations into utilities. Lebanon plans to pump 100 million gallons of water from Tippecanoe County to support their new LEAP district.

In breaking news, the Indiana state Supreme Court cleared the way for a state ban on abortion, except in cases where the life of the mother is at risk. The US Supreme Court ends affirmative action, and Indiana universities react. An investigative report reveals some schools are not reporting how often they forcibly isolate and restrain students, with the data largely inaccessible to the public. 

Longtime alcohol lobbyist and former Indiana State Representative Marc Carmichael announces a campaign for US Senate, becoming the first Democrat to join the race. Carmichael will campaign on platforms of abortion rights, weapons bans, climate change, and support of LGBTQ youth. Former Attorney General Curtis Hill told the Associated Press that he is considering a run for governor in 2024, joining an already crowded field of GOP candidates. A new report on the school voucher program revealed that more than 53,000 students used vouchers last year at a cost of more than $300 million. 

Indiana Public Broadcasting Digital Editor Lauren Chapman is joined by Elise Shrock, Chris Mitchem, Kaitlin Lange, and Oseye Boyd to discuss this week’s political news: Pastor Micah Beckwith has launched a campaign for Lieutenant Governor; South Bend’s only abortion clinic has closed its doors; and former Vice President and Governor Mike Pence officially launched his 2024 Presidential Campaign.

Panelists Ann DeLaney, Mike O’Brien, Jon Schwantes, and Oseye Boyd discuss President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s deal to avoid a national debt default; Mike Pence throwing his hat in the ring with Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, and other 2024 GOP Presidential hopefuls; and the Hoosier Lottery’s support for online gambling- but decision to avoid directly campaigning for it.

State Medical Licensing Board finds Dr. Caitlin Bernard guilty of violating patient privacy laws in case of 10-year-old child’s abortion. A national report finds Indiana foster kids are at highest risk of maltreatment investigations. GOP candidate for Governor Eric Doden proposes state takeover of downtown Indianapolis development and policing.

Governor Holcomb is still unwilling to grant his endorsement for the 2024 gubernatorial election; Recent legislation creates a new task force to study issues related to high health care costs; Todd Rokita calls for Gov. Holcomb to send the Indiana National Guard and other resources to the US-Mexico border in support of Texas Governor Greg Abbott after the Biden administration lifts Title 42.

Todd Young comes out against Trump. Suzanne Crouch picks up a pair of congressional endorsements. Plus, Rainwater for governor again and more. From the television studios at WFYI, it’s Indiana Week in Review for the week ending May 12, 2023. 

Jennifer McCormick launches a gubernatorial bid. The final version of the anti-ESG bill. Plus, no 13th check and more. From the television studios at WFYI, it’s Indiana Week in Review for the week ending May 5, 2023. 

State budget turmoil at session’s end. State elected officials get a pay raise. Plus, a controversial bill on books in schools and more. From the television studios at WFYI, it’s Indiana Week in Review for the week ending April 28, 2023. 

A surprising state revenue forecast. Marlin Stutzman vying for his old job. Plus, a weakened physician non-compete bill and more. From the television studios at WFYI, it’s Indiana Week in Review for the week ending April 21, 2023.