AGP Executive Report

Sports & Events: USA Track & Field is bringing the USATF Indoor Championships back to Indianapolis for 2027 and 2028 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, a big boost for Hoosier track fans. Public Safety: Indiana State Police say a trooper helped deliver a baby during a traffic stop on I-69 near Auburn; both mom and newborn were healthy after medics arrived. Community & Education: The Indiana Retired Teachers Association Foundation is offering grants up to $500 for Pre-K through 12 educators, aiming to fund classroom projects and learning experiences. Local Government & Courts: Indiana’s Judicial Resources Committee is being highlighted as lawmakers reshape the state’s court system, with judges pushing for smarter allocation of judicial officers. Crime & Justice: A former Jackson County sheriff’s deputy was arrested for allegedly using Flock access more than 2,000 times, and a Terre Haute pastor faces 10 felony counts tied to online child sex abuse material. Disaster Relief: Beyoncé’s BeyGood Foundation is donating $200,000 to Indiana flood relief, including support for organizations aiding people in Gary. Business & Industry: Rolls-Royce says it completed a $1 billion Indiana upgrade to its manufacturing and engine-testing operations.

Defense & Industry: Rolls-Royce says it has finished a decade-long $1B investment in its Indianapolis engine campus, adding new ground-test and altitude-testing capacity and strengthening U.S. defense manufacturing. Storm Recovery & Power: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is pushing for a probe of NIPSCO after residents reported long outages in Gary, while FEMA and other agencies move to speed flood aid and reimbursement. Community Relief: Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation is donating $200,000 to Indiana storm relief, including support for Gary groups, and UnitedHealthcare added $80,000 for statewide disaster recovery. Public Safety: Police are investigating a triple shooting in South Bend; a man died after a crash with a semi on U.S. 33 in Noble County; and conservation officers are investigating deaths tied to Big Cedar Lake and an off-road crash in northern Indiana. Courts & Accountability: A former Jackson County deputy faces felony charges after prosecutors allege 2,055 searches of the same license plate in a Flock system. Politics & Immigration: The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office agreed not to restrict staff from working with immigration enforcement under a consent decree with Indiana AG Todd Rokita. Sports: Indiana’s men’s soccer drew Louisville 1-1, and the Pacers face a new first-apron hard cap for 2026-27.

Flood Recovery & FEMA: Indiana officials say FEMA is rolling out a test pilot to speed flood reimbursement, with Gov. Mike Braun and FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton touring storm damage in Carmel, then heading to Gary and Connersville. Local Impact: Gary residents are still recovering after a storm and a two-week power outage, with officials urging NIPSCO to harden the grid against extreme wind. Statehouse Education: Newton County lawmakers are celebrating rising 2026 IREAD scores for the fifth straight year, with more than 88% of third graders passing and gains across student groups. Public Safety: Indiana State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Gary that left one dead, and a separate White County crash that killed one and sent four to hospitals. Transportation Planning: INDOT is seeking public input on its first Active Transportation Plan for walking, biking and other human-powered travel. Historic Preservation: Indiana Landmarks released its 2026 “10 Most Endangered” list, highlighting sites from Adams Mill in Cutler to a Black culture hub near Indianapolis Avenue. Business & Jobs: SBA disaster loans are available for Indiana storm-impacted counties, and Rolls-Royce says it completed a $1B defense investment in Indiana.

Gary police shooting: Indiana State Police say nine officers fired during an officer-involved shooting that killed 67-year-old armed security guard Kenneth Williams near the Metro Center at Broadway and 4th Avenue; his family says they still have questions about what happened. Storm recovery: Two weeks after a derecho left hundreds of thousands without power, many Gary residents remain in the dark and are dealing with debris, denied insurance claims, and added costs; FEMA assistance centers are opening. Fatal crash: Two people died and a construction worker was seriously hurt after a truck hit an unoccupied semi on I-69 in Greene County, triggering a fire and an eight-hour closure. ICE detention protests: Faith groups and activists held vigils and rallies across Indiana, including in Jeffersonville, calling for an end to ICE detention at the Miami Correctional Facility. Indiana courts: The Indiana Supreme Court set an execution date for Jeffrey Weisheit, ordering the state to carry it out before sunrise Nov. 5. Sports (local): Indiana women’s soccer fell 2-0 to Saint Louis; Louisville beat Indiana field hockey 2-1 in overtime; Indiana women’s golf opens at the Boilermaker Classic Aug. 31–Sept. 1. High school football: Week 2 player-of-the-week voting is underway, with multiple Central Indiana standouts highlighted.

Storm Recovery & Power: Northwest Indiana residents are still dealing with the fallout from a major storm, including long power outages and ongoing recovery efforts in Gary and beyond. Flood Damage: In Cambridge City, flood cleanup is still visible nearly two weeks after water receded, with hundreds of homes affected and major losses reported. Road Safety: Indiana State Police are investigating two deadly crashes—one in Pike County with two killed and four juveniles critically injured, and another on I-69 in Greene County with two deaths. Courts & Justice: The Indiana Supreme Court set an execution date for Jeffrey Weisheit, ordering lethal injection before sunrise Nov. 5. Indiana Football: Curt Cignetti says quarterback Josh Hoover has improved and is more confident heading into the 2026 season opener. Scams: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Indianapolis leads Indiana cities for July scam reports, while several cities including Gary and New Albany reported losses tied to online purchase and phishing schemes. Public Health/Crime Mystery: New questions continue in Indiana’s serial killer case tied to Fox Hollow Farm, with investigators pressing for more honesty from a key figure. Sports (Local): Miracle League Ballpark in Mishawaka opened as Indiana’s first fully inclusive public play complex.

Inclusive Play: Mishawaka opened Indiana’s first fully inclusive public Miracle League Ballpark after a 14-year push, giving athletes with and without disabilities a safer, community-built place to play. WNBA & Local Sports: At Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Caitlin Clark powered the Fever to a 111-91 win over the Connecticut Sun, hitting 34 points and helping set WNBA history; ex-NBA Royce White’s blonde-wig court-side antics also went viral. Courts & Public Safety: The Indiana Supreme Court set execution dates for Jeffrey Weisheit (Nov. 5) and for another convicted child killer, as the state moves forward with death sentences. Health Watch: Indiana reported a human West Nile virus case in Allen County, urging DEET use and removal of standing water. Storm Recovery & Roads: The U.S. DOT approved $26 million for Indiana bridge and road repairs after recent storms, including major work in Carmel and Wayne County. Business & Industry: RayzeBio is expanding radiopharmaceutical manufacturing in Whitestown/Indianapolis. Community Relief: Indiana REALTORS secured $500,000 in initial disaster relief funding for eligible homeowners and renters. Weird-but-True: A search for “large exotic cats” in Madison County ended with authorities saying the animals were pigs.

Public Safety: Indiana State Police say a suspect was killed in an officer-involved shooting in Gary near 4th Ave. and Broadway; no officers were injured, and investigators were still on scene early Saturday. Transportation/Recovery: Indiana is receiving $26 million in federal funds for bridge and road repairs after this month’s flooding, which included up to 14 inches of rain in some areas. Local Industry: D-A Lubricant plans a $17 million expansion in Lebanon, building a new 115,000-square-foot grease facility with production set to start in 2029 and 10 jobs expected. Sports (Hoosiers): Indiana volleyball opened the season with a 3-0 loss to No. 7 Louisville, with coach Steve Aird calling it a tough but useful early test. Sports (Fever): Caitlin Clark powered the Indiana Fever to a 111-91 win over the Connecticut Sun, scoring 34 points with 12 assists and adding major WNBA record milestones; Royce White also drew attention courtside in a blonde wig. Health/Workforce: Gov. Braun highlighted adult education results, citing over 21,000 learners and average wage gains of about $5,000 after completion.

WNBA Spotlight: Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever closed out their FIBA World Cup break with a big statement, rallying from a 28-19 first-quarter deficit to beat the Connecticut Sun 111-91. Clark poured in 34 points with 12 assists, while Kelsey Mitchell also scored 34 and extended her streak of 20+ point games. Local Politics: An IU graduate student, Joshua Stockton, announced his run for Bloomington City Council District 6, pitching housing affordability, infrastructure upgrades, and local economic growth. Community Health: Indiana officials are hosting town halls on the Healthy Indiana Plan’s new work requirement, including a Fort Wayne meeting at Ivy Tech. Storm Recovery: Northwest Indiana residents in Lake Station say some neighbors are still without power nearly three weeks after the Aug. 11 derecho, with frustration aimed at delays and unclear responsibility. Sports & Schools: IHSAA high school football Week 2 rolled on with a full slate of scores and highlights across Central Indiana. Controversy in Sports: Former NBA player Royce White showed up at the Fever game wearing a blonde wig, tying his appearance to his WNBA Draft push and the ongoing debate over transgender athlete eligibility.

State Fair & Farming: Fayette County highlighted long-running family farms and conservation leaders as the Indiana State Fair kicked off, including a River Friendly Farmer Award for John Bohlander. WNBA & Women’s Sports Debate: The Indiana Fever’s new Sophie Cunningham campaign on X is drawing mixed reactions online, as Cunningham’s stance on protecting biological women’s sports keeps fueling national debate. Public Health: Floyd County reported West Nile virus-positive mosquito samples for a third time this year; no human cases were identified. Wildlife Alert: Madison County authorities searched for a reported 300-pound lioness and cub but couldn’t confirm the animals’ presence. Storm Recovery & FEMA: FEMA opened mobile intake help across Indiana for derecho and flooding recovery, with in-person centers in Lake County and online applications available. Local Government/Justice: Indiana’s prison population is rising while local alternatives face cuts, raising concerns about costs for holding people. Tech & Jobs: SK hynix broke ground on a $4B advanced memory-packaging facility in West Lafayette, targeting mass production in 2029. Medicare Fraud Watch: Indiana’s I-Team warned of scammers billing Medicare for Chronic Care Management services that weren’t provided.

Public Health Policy: State Rep. Becky Cash says Indiana’s interim committee is shaping a statewide sexual assault response plan after testimony from law enforcement, nurses, advocates, and survivors. Tech & Jobs: SK hynix held a groundbreaking at Purdue for a $4 billion advanced chip packaging facility in West Lafayette, targeting HBM4E mass production in 2029. Storm Recovery: FEMA will open mobile registration centers in Indiana to help residents apply for disaster aid after August storms and a major disaster declaration for 21 counties. Utility Crisis: Gary and northwest Indiana residents are still dealing with long power-outage fallout, with officials and residents pressing for answers and faster restoration. Education: Indianapolis Public Schools reversed its “no-zero” grading policy, allowing zeros only when students make no good-faith effort. Wildlife Alert: Authorities searched after reports of a 300-pound lioness and cub in central Indiana, but did not confirm the animals. Sports & Culture: Caitlin Clark debuted a Taylor Swift-inspired Nike shoe colorway, while the Fever also pushed an “MVP²” campaign around Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. Local Business: Rolls-Royce marked a $1 billion Indiana investment with expanded engine-test capabilities in Indianapolis.

Utilities & Storm Recovery: NIPSCO says power is back for 99% of northern Indiana customers after the Aug. 11 derecho, with remaining outages tied to privately owned equipment damage and other limited issues. Federal Aid: President Trump approved major disaster declarations for 21 Indiana counties, unlocking individual and public assistance as communities keep rebuilding after storms, flooding, and widespread outages. Local Relief Effort: A Pasadena nonprofit plans a “Fill the Truck Day for Gary, Indiana” drive Saturday to deliver hygiene supplies, diapers, cleaning products, and gift cards to storm-impacted residents. Social Media Protections: Indiana’s settlement with Meta could bring the state up to $419 million and require child-safety reforms on Facebook and Instagram, with state Rep. Joanna King calling it a major win for Hoosier families. Education: State lawmakers highlight rising 2026 IREAD scores, with more than 88% of third graders passing and results continuing a five-year improvement streak. Agriculture: Purdue Extension reports red crown rot detected in 17 Indiana counties, while another report spotlights how AI tools may help farmers manage hybrids and improve crop performance. Tech & Jobs: SK hynix broke ground on a $4B advanced packaging and research facility at Purdue Research Park, targeting AI memory demand.

Utility Accountability: Indiana House Democrats are asking lawmakers to investigate NIPSCO’s response to the Aug. 11 derecho after hundreds in northwest Indiana still lacked power and the utility filed multiple rate requests during recovery, with critics warning costs could land on ratepayers. Storm Recovery: In New Castle, flood-damaged apartment residents are being told to vacate within two weeks as repairs are expected to take months, while volunteers continue gutting and rebuilding homes in the Ravenswood area. Local Safety: Two middle school students were hospitalized after a school bus crash in Harrison County involving a U-turn attempt and a rear-end collision that also sparked a fire; the bus driver received a citation. Public Safety Campaign: Rensselaer police are joining a statewide push to crack down on impaired driving with sobriety checkpoints through Sept. 7. Politics & Voting: Candidates for Indiana secretary of state faced voters in a debate and a Bloomington town hall focused on turnout and costs of living. Sports (Hoosier Spotlight): Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell set WNBA history as the Fever beat the Sky 113-90, while Lexie Hull’s slump ended with a strong return.

Storm Recovery & FEMA: President Trump approved a major disaster declaration for 21 Indiana counties, unlocking more individual and public assistance for households and repairs after the Aug. 11 storms and flooding. Indiana 211 Help: Gov. Mike Braun launched a texting option—IN211HELP to 898-211—so residents can pick their need by zip code and get disaster-specific resources, with 2-1-1 and IN211.org as backups. NIPSCO Accountability: Braun ordered the OUCC to file a complaint and petition the IURC to investigate NIPSCO after prolonged Northwest Indiana outages; officials say about 10,000 customers were still without power near two weeks later. Tuition Freeze: Indiana’s public colleges and universities will keep in-state undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees flat for a second year (2026–27), matching the 2025–26 freeze. Meta Settlement: Indiana is set to receive a guaranteed $296 million and up to $419 million from a multi-state Meta child-safety settlement, with required changes to Facebook and Instagram. Surveillance Fight (Flock): Fort Wayne City Council voted down renewing Flock license-plate camera funding, while a separate case alleges a Shively officer misused Flock data to track a woman across Kentucky and Indiana. Local Planning Notice: Lake County’s Plan Commission will hold a special meeting Aug. 27 on an amended I-65/SR 2 interchange economic development plan.

Storm Recovery & Power: NIPSCO says power restoration in northwest Indiana is in the final stretch, with about 99% back on Tuesday night in Gary and the Calumet region, but hundreds still remain in the dark as another storm threat looms—while Gov. Mike Braun pushes for answers and an investigation into NIPSCO’s response. Federal Disaster Aid: President Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Indiana after Aug. 11 storms and flooding, unlocking FEMA help for 21 counties, including individual assistance for households and public assistance for emergency work and damaged facilities. Local Costs & Help Access: Hoosiers dealing with spoiled food, generator bills, and lost wages are being directed to use 211 for relief resources, including emergency grants and debris cleanup support. Public Safety: An escapee who jumped from a moving ICE transport vehicle during an I-94 Porter County manhunt was found near a marsh and returned to custody after hours on the run. Sports & Culture Clash: The Chicago Sky banned Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena home games after his ejection from an Indiana Fever matchup, with owner Michael Alter citing him as a “potential threat.” Community Support: The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence launched new grassroots tools to help friends, family, and coworkers recognize abuse and connect survivors to help.

Storm Recovery & Power Accountability: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun ordered a regulatory investigation into NIPSCO after prolonged Northwest Indiana outages, and the state also agreed to pay $625,000 to settle a lawsuit tied to Braun’s firing of a utility commission member. Gary Power Crisis: Residents in Gary say they’re still living without electricity nearly two weeks after the storms, while the mayor called the restoration pace “unacceptable.” State Courts: The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether to uphold a recount that flipped a state senate primary result, with oral arguments set for Sept. 10. Local Safety: A semi crash on I-94 near the Indiana Toll Road shut down lanes in both directions Tuesday morning as crews cleared wreckage. Road Salt Shortage: Vincennes officials say they have enough salt for now, but a statewide shortage could hit harder if winter turns severe. Community Planning: Residents in Warrick County raised concerns at a public forum about how large AI data centers could affect their communities. Public Safety Crackdown: Police statewide are increasing patrols and sobriety checkpoints ahead of Labor Day. Education & Health: IU Southeast released Dean’s and Chancellor’s List honors, and HealthLinc earned six national quality awards from HRSA.

Power Crisis in NW Indiana: Gov. Mike Braun has ordered an investigation into NIPSCO after nearly two weeks of outages left thousands in places like Gary still without electricity, with regulators asked to review storm prep, vegetation and right-of-way work, and whether reliability money was spent as promised. Local Relief Efforts: In Gary, food influencer Keith Lee is hosting a community giveaway with food trucks, music, and storm-relief kits in partnership with the Salvation Army and the city, aiming to help families still recovering. Health Care Update: The VA rolled out a federal electronic health record system at Indiana VA facilities, including Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, to streamline records and reduce duplicate testing. Sports—Fever Make History: Caitlin Clark powered the Indiana Fever to a 113-90 win over the Chicago Sky, setting a WNBA record with 37 points and 10 assists. Public Safety: Five men were arrested in a southern Indiana online child sex offender sting, and firefighters responded to a large Jeffersonville house fire with no injuries reported.