AGP Executive Report

Nuclear Energy & Defense: The U.S. Navy plans to deploy its first shore-based advanced nuclear microreactor at Naval Weapons Station Crane in Indiana by September 2028, aiming to keep power running during grid, cyber, and physical disruptions. Public Safety: A 45-year-old Fort Wayne woman, Kandice Baker, faces felony charges after police say she hit and killed a man using an electric wheelchair while driving intoxicated; she’s also charged with meth possession. Rural Healthcare: Gov. Mike Braun announced $12.6 million in Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being grants for Northwest Indiana to expand rural healthcare access and outcomes. Higher Ed & Civil Rights: Indiana University ranked 6th-worst nationally for free speech in a Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression report, citing multiple campus speech controversies. Sports (Hoosier focus): Purdue opens a tougher stretch with Wake Forest Saturday; IU is expanding free water access for its noon game; and the Colts report limited practice status for key players as Week 1 begins. Travel & Airports: TSA is launching “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” at IND and other airports, letting some non-travelers access security and gate areas without a ticket.

Indiana Property Taxes: Lawmakers are teasing a plan “to end property taxes on the home you live in,” but they’re not saying how they’d replace the revenue that funds cities, counties, and public schools—leaving allies like the Indiana Association of Realtors “on pins and needles.” Roads & Recovery: Indiana municipalities reported new reimbursements tied to Gov. Mike Braun’s temporary gas tax holiday, including $214,000 for Wabash County. Public Safety: A fatal shooting in Elkhart County is under investigation after a 21-year-old woman died and a 17-year-old was booked on a preliminary reckless homicide charge. Sports (Colts): NFL power rankings peg the Colts in a narrow band (third in the AFC South; 19th to 23rd overall) and note the season opener vs. Baltimore hinges on key health questions. Local Sports: Cloverdale’s volleyball team fell to Owen Valley in a three-set sweep. Business: Rochester Metal Products has a new owner, becoming Metal Technologies Rochester. Health & Community: WTWO held its annual 9/11 memorial blood drive.

Voter Turnout Push: The No Kings movement says its next nationwide event will focus on mass voter turnout on Oct. 17, with local organizers pairing protests with practical help like voter registration. State Privacy Leadership: Indiana named John Stark as its new chief privacy officer, bringing the C-level role back under permanent direction after interim leadership. Immigration Tensions in Indy: Local leaders are demanding transparency from ICE after a surge in immigration arrests around Indianapolis, including widely shared video of stops and chases. Health & Safety: Indiana is limiting routine ambulance diversions when ERs are overcrowded, reserving it for more extreme situations. Utilities & Costs: A citizens group urged NIPSCO to expand refunds for thousands of customers overbilled by faulty gas meters, potentially back to 2010. Storm Recovery: Anthem added $100,000 to Indiana storm and flood recovery, boosting total support tied to housing recovery efforts. Agriculture: Indiana Farm Bureau set 2027 policy priorities, including positions on income taxes and data center development, plus a nutrient-based food classification exemption.

South Bend Fire: A massive early-morning blaze at the Stadium Flats apartment complex spread through the night and nearly reached the South Bend Cubs’ minor league training area. Public Safety: In West Pullman, a vehicle plunged into the Little Calumet River; a man was rescued and hospitalized in serious condition while a woman remains missing as investigators work the case. Blood Supply: The Red Cross is urging Indiana-area donors to give during September as supplies remain vulnerable after a summer shortage. Road Work: Eastbound I-94 in LaPorte and Porter counties will be reduced to one lane for about three weeks starting Tuesday for pipe installation. Education & Youth: Indiana’s “bell to bell” phone rule is now in effect, and a local volunteer drive is underway for an Oct. 12 Reality Store teaching middle schoolers real-world budgeting. Sports & Culture: No. 6 Indiana men’s soccer kept rolling with a 3-1 win over Denver; and in Vincennes, Dixie Denier brought WWII-era music and history to Labor Day crowds.

High School Football Poll: Bishop Chatard jumped to No. 1 in Class 4A in the USA TODAY Network Indiana rankings, replacing East Central after its loss to Cincinnati Elder; Avon, Lafayette Jeff and Madison-Grant are new in the top 10s across classes. Indiana Sports Spotlight: Indiana field hockey rolled past Central Michigan 5-0 on Senior Day, with Celia Arroyo Cabezudo scoring early and Molly Stutte adding two goals. NFL—Colts/Ravens: Indianapolis expects WR Alec Pierce to play Sunday vs. the Ravens after ankle surgery, while Baltimore named Jovaughn Gwyn its Week 1 starting center. Public Safety: Indiana State Police say a traffic stop in Putnam County led to the seizure of about 277 pounds of cocaine worth $3.8 million. Courts/Justice: A “Rally For Rights” group plans to gather outside the Indiana Statehouse Sept. 21 ahead of Richard Allen’s appellate hearing. Education Data: St. Joseph County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Hispanic/Latino students was 32.5% by 2024, while Tippecanoe County’s rate for white students was 83.5%.

Rural Health Funding: Indiana is set to receive $120 million in federal money to expand rural maternal and infant care, prenatal/postpartum services, mobile clinics, behavioral health, workforce training, and rural patient transportation. Gas Tax Fight: Indiana’s transportation construction industry is warning that the state’s extended gas tax suspension could create a major roads-and-bridges funding shortfall, even as the governor says it’s protecting drivers from high fuel prices. Climate and Energy: A new opinion piece argues big oil’s profits are accelerating climate harm, pointing to extreme disasters and the rising cost of fossil-fuel-driven warming. Youth Sports Costs: Parents say youth sports fees are pushing families to the breaking point, with many delaying or skipping participation due to registration, equipment, and travel costs. Local Safety: IMPD is investigating a triple shooting on the near west side that left one person in critical condition. Storm Recovery: Northwest Indiana’s derecho damage is still being felt, including long power outages that disrupted Valparaiso University operations. Sports Spotlight: Purdue turns to Wake Forest after a Week 1 win, while Indiana’s Josh Hoover’s bloodied debut and chemistry with Charlie Becker headline IU’s season opener coverage.

College Sports (IU/Purdue): No. 6 Indiana opened its title defense with a 52-16 rout of North Texas in Bloomington, with QB Josh Hoover throwing 4 TDs while playing through a bloodied facemask after a helmet-ripping hit. College Sports (Soccer): Indiana men’s soccer kept rolling, beating Cal Poly 2-0, and IU’s women’s soccer bounced back with a fast start to earn a first road win in the Rife era. Local Safety: Indiana conservation officers are investigating an accidental drowning at Lake Wawasee in Kosciusko County that killed 55-year-old Brian Conwell. Public Safety Hiring: Griffith police are accepting applications for certified officers through an accelerated emergency hiring process, with pay starting at $72,711.86 for experienced officers. Education Data: Tippecanoe County reported a 70% six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Black/African American students (2018 cohort), higher than the statewide 40.7%. Community/Service: Rep. Jeff Thompson joined state and federal officials to assess storm recovery sites after last month’s flooding.

College Football: No. 6 Indiana kicked off its 2026 title defense with a 52-16 rout of North Texas in Bloomington, with TCU transfer QB Josh Hoover throwing four TDs in his Hoosier debut after a brutal facemask injury left him bloodied but still playing. Local Sports & Culture: The Hoosiers also unveiled their 2025 national championship banner before kickoff, and the week’s coverage kept spotlighting the game’s big moments, plus Indiana’s next matchups and other Hoosier athletics. Disaster Relief: Indiana officials are pushing for expanded FEMA help after August storms; FEMA has approved aid for 21 counties, with more damage reviews ongoing and Braun seeking coverage for dozens more. Rural Healthcare Funding: Gov. Mike Braun announced $16.7 million in GROW grants for Region 5 to improve rural health access, including telehealth and care coordination. Community & Lifestyle: Labor Day weekend brings free food deals at Indiana restaurants, and Indianapolis’ Butter Fine Arts Fair returns with a focus on Black creatives. Public Safety: NIPSCO restored power to most customers still affected by Northwest Indiana outages after the derecho.

Indiana Football: No. 6 Indiana kicked off its title defense in Bloomington with a 52-16 rout of North Texas, extending a 17-game winning streak and keeping the FBS’ longest home win run alive. QB Josh Hoover stepped in for Fernando Mendoza and went 13-for-16 for 231 yards and four TDs, including his first Hoosier score on a one-handed catch by Nick Marsh—after a facemask penalty left him bloodied but still in the game. Injury Watch: RB Khobie Martin left early with an upper-body injury, and starting cornerbacks Jamari Sharpe and A.J. Harris also exited with undisclosed injuries. Public Safety & Community: Indiana State Police are recruiting candidates for new and lateral moves. ICE Protests: More than 130 people protested ICE outside its Indianapolis office, chanting and calling for changes after recent detentions. Local Notes: Fort Wayne police seek a missing 12-year-old, and two people were arrested after an hours-long standoff. Utilities: A consumer group is urging regulators to require NIPSCO full refunds for decades of double-charging some natural gas customers.

College Football (IU): No. 6 Indiana opens its title defense Saturday at noon vs. North Texas at Memorial Stadium, with Fox carrying the game and fubo offering streaming; the Hoosiers are led by Josh Hoover and a transfer-quarterback development approach that’s become Curt Cignetti’s calling card, while a court ruling also clears two defensive linemen—Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt—to play after TROs. College Football (Purdue): Purdue beat Indiana State 44-19 in its season opener, with Ryan Browne throwing for 317 yards and three TDs, plus a big third-quarter pullaway. Sports (WNBA): Caitlin Clark’s FIBA World Cup debut for Team USA drew praise after she came off the bench vs. China with 14 points, 11 assists, and zero turnovers; locally, Sophie Cunningham says she’s “fortunate” to play alongside Fever stars Aliyah Boston, Clark, and Kelsey Mitchell. Environment/Conservation: CILTI bought 67 acres next to the Portland Arch Nature Preserve to expand protection of Bear Creek and Rattlesnake Creek canyons and rare species. Childcare (Statewide impact): An AP report highlights hundreds of thousands of eligible children wait-listed for childcare assistance in multiple states, including Indiana’s program running short on funds. Historic Preservation (Gary): Gary’s long-troubled City Methodist Church—once the largest Methodist church in the Midwest—is slated for demolition after years of failed rescue efforts.

Indiana Elections: Indiana Supreme Court halts distribution of ballots in six counties while it weighs a recount challenge in the tight GOP Senate primary decided by three votes. Hoosier Politics: Democrats question Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith’s “92 & You” town hall plan after it’s set for a private home tied to a former Republican congressional candidate. Sports—IU Football: A court TRO restores eligibility for eight athletes, including IU edge rushers Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt, ahead of the season opener. Sports—IU Season Opener: No. 6 Indiana kicks off its title defense vs. North Texas Saturday, with analysts focused on whether the team’s chemistry and “intangibles” match last year’s magic. Public Safety/Weather: A tree fell onto the Indiana bypass near Four Winds Casino, blocking one lane. Community Help: United Way Northwest Indiana is launching individual assistance funded by a $500,000 recovery pool after the Aug. 11 derecho. Legal/Local: Mark Sanchez is moving toward a guilty plea in an Indianapolis assault case. Energy Infrastructure: Indiana Michigan Power seeks public input on major transmission upgrades statewide. Business: NevTech says it’s expanding “done-for-you” AI services for Indiana businesses.

Indiana Flood Recovery: FEMA and state agencies are setting up temporary disaster assistance centers across Indiana so residents can get help with applications, disaster loans, housing, insurance questions, and replacing lost documents in one place. Gas Tax Relief: Gov. Mike Braun extended Indiana’s gasoline tax suspension through early October, keeping prices low while promising to protect road funding with reserve dollars. Health Insurance Policy: CMS and the SBA highlighted Indiana’s employer health plan approach, promoting the rebranded CHOICE program as a way for businesses to manage costs. Statehouse Watch: Indiana lawmakers are staying quiet on a teased plan to end property taxes on the home you live in, leaving local governments and real estate groups waiting for details. WNBA & Hoosier Sports: Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham is praised for meet-and-greets with veterans, while Raven Johnson explains the inspiration behind her viral outfits; on the sports front, No. 6 Indiana opens title defense Saturday vs. North Texas with Josh Hoover at QB. Local Culture: A historic 1875 one-room schoolhouse in Delaware County is entering a new restoration chapter after a nonprofit stepped in.

Indianapolis Court Update: Former NFL QB and ex-Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez has agreed to plead guilty in the October 2025 stabbing case tied to a fight with truck driver Perry Tole; prosecutors and Sanchez’s team filed a joint motion to set a guilty-plea and sentencing hearing, with the judge still needing to accept the plea and the exact charges unclear. Public Safety: A man died after a vehicle struck his motorized scooter in Indianapolis Thursday evening; police say investigators don’t believe drugs or alcohol played a role. Statehouse Watch: Gov. Mike Braun extended Indiana’s gas tax holiday another month, keeping the suspension through Oct. 6 while saying infrastructure funding will be protected. Education & Youth: Indiana schools must keep students separated from personal wireless devices for the full school day under a newer law that took effect July 1, with limited medical and language exceptions. Sports (Hoosier focus): Indiana State University named new President’s Scholars, while Indiana Tech’s men’s soccer jumped to No. 3 in the NAIA Coaches Top 25.

Indiana Politics & Courts: A virtual forum for Indiana’s 9th Congressional District is set for Oct. 3, but incumbent Rep. Erin Houchin didn’t respond to the invitation, leaving challengers Tonya Hudson (Libertarian), Brad Meyer (Democrat) and independent Floyd Taylor expected to participate. Public Safety & Justice: A West Salem man was arrested in Gibson County on DUI and marijuana charges after a traffic stop. A Carmi man, Daniel K. Poshard, filed notice he plans to plead guilty to a federal firearms charge tied to alleged stolen guns. Education & Workforce: Indiana’s INCAP apprenticeship pathway is underway, with the first 50 high school apprentices starting paid work at 25 employer sites statewide. State Services: The Indiana BMV is moving toward optional mobile driver’s licenses, aiming for rollout within 18 months. Health & Consumer Safety: The FDA is warning about a nationwide recall of a weight-loss supplement after undeclared ingredients were found, including DNP. Local Economy & Jobs: A new 65,000-square-foot testing lab opened in Elkhart, consolidating operations and potentially adding jobs. Sports (Hoosier focus): No. 6 Indiana begins its title defense Saturday vs. North Texas, and the quarterback spotlight shifts to transfer Josh Hoover.

Indiana Politics: A deep-pocketed Washington group is backing Paula Copenhaver in her Indiana Senate primary fight, asking the Indiana Supreme Court to let the Club for Growth weigh in on a recount dispute tied to six ballots. Local Public Safety: Indiana hospitals will stop routine ambulance diversions for overcrowding, with diversions allowed only for disasters or critical infrastructure failures. Storm Recovery: Gov. Braun says FEMA approved $2.1 million for Indiana disaster aid, and state/federal agencies are setting up flood “one-stop shops” with help for housing, counseling, insurance, and more. Consumer Protection: Indiana AG Todd Rokita sued four out-of-state tree removal companies, alleging storm scams and illegal pricing. Utilities: The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission agreed to rehear AES Indiana’s rate case after commissioner changes, including scrutiny of plans tied to a Google data center. Economy: Indiana’s July unemployment held at 3.3%, with 101,704 job postings statewide as of Aug. 1. Sports (Hoosier): Keenan Allen will switch from No. 13 to No. 10 with Laquon Treadwell keeping No. 13.

School Safety Funding: The Indiana Secured School Safety Board unanimously approved more than $26.9 million for school safety initiatives statewide, backing 499 projects. Heat & Power Costs: With dangerous heat returning, Duke Energy is reminding customers about free usage alerts, home energy assessments, and possible bill relief credits. Courts & AI: Indiana judges are cracking down on AI “hallucinations” in court filings, warning attorneys against submitting fabricated AI-generated legal material. Public Safety & Crime: Indiana State Police arrested a Terre Haute pastor on ten counts of possession of child sex abuse material. Drugs & Pleas: Two people facing felony drug dealing charges reached plea deals and were sentenced in Hancock Superior Court. Road Work: INDOT contractor Enneking Pressure Cleaning will close lanes on U.S. 24 for a bridge deck overlay project, with traffic reduced to one lane. Weather/Travel: U.S. 24 also faces lane closures between Monticello and Logansport.