Latest News from Hoosier State Today

Wellness Council announces Hoosier Health champions

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 26, 2024

The Wellness Council of Indiana (WCI), a subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, has announced the winners of the 2024 Hoosier Health and Well-Being Champion Awards. Jenny Sanders, benefits and wellness coordinator at School City of Mishawaka, and Molly McGuire, Muncie area supervisor for Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation at Family and Social Services, have been recognized for their contributions to health and well-being in workplace and community settings.

VA provides 1,133 home purchase loans in Indiana in Q2

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 25, 2024

There were 1,133 VA home purchase loans issued in Indiana in the second quarter of the fiscal year 2024 totaling $320.7 million, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Senator Braun questions Novo Nordisk CEO over high Ozempic prices

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 25, 2024

U.S. Senator Mike Braun questioned Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Tuesday regarding the high prices of the company's weight loss drug, Ozempic, in the United States.

Young, Peters introduce bill to modernize federal agency data management

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 25, 2024

U.S. Senators Todd Young and Gary Peters have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at modernizing data management practices within federal agencies. The proposed legislation seeks to extend the Chief Data Officers (CDO) Council and mandate an examination of current data management methods to enhance data quality, access, and transparency. This effort is intended to improve government services and potentially reduce costs.

Indianapolis man sentenced to 35 years for exploiting child

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 25, 2024

Dustin Scott Cox, 54, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Cox pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child.

Bipartisan chips permitting reform bill passes Congress

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 24, 2024

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) have expressed their approval following the House of Representatives' passage of the Building Chips in America Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to streamline federal permitting processes for microchip manufacturing projects while maintaining protections for clean air and water. The bill now awaits the President's signature to become law.

Report: Childcare challenges cost Indiana billions annually

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 24, 2024

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has released a new report, in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Early Learning Indiana, that examines the economic impact of childcare challenges in Indiana. The report is part of the broader "Untapped Potential" study, which covers over a dozen U.S. states and highlights the costs and opportunities related to childcare for states, employers, and working parents.

Illinois man charged with defrauding elderly out of retirement savings

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 23, 2024

A federal grand jury has charged Abdul Mohammed, 31, of Des Plaines, Illinois, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud.

Mining company ordered to pay $110K over worker safety violations

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 23, 2024

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana has announced a judgment against Eagle Stone, Inc., a mining company in Southern Indiana, for failing to pay civil penalties related to federal mining health and safety violations.

Average VA Purchase Loan amount in Indiana increases from Q1 to Q2

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 22, 2024

The average VA Purchase Loan amount for Indiana in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 was $283,011, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Senate passes End Tuberculosis Now Act introduced by Senator Todd Young

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 20, 2024

Yesterday, the United States Senate unanimously passed the End Tuberculosis Now Act, legislation introduced by Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) to prioritize the elimination of tuberculosis (TB) as a foreign assistance goal for the United States. The bipartisan bill aims to enhance U.S. and international coordination in research, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of TB, one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases. The legislation seeks to modernize U.S. engagement in the global effort to end TB by 2035.

Young introduces STRATEGIC Act 2024 aimed at countering China's influence

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 20, 2024

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have introduced the STRATEGIC Act 2024. This legislation aims to position the United States and its allies for success in strategic competition against China.

Indiana receives $99.6 million in VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans during Q2

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 19, 2024

The VA issued 371 Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in Indiana during the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Indiana Hospital Association announces new leadership appointments

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 19, 2024

The Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) has announced the addition of two new team members. Luke McNamee will join as vice president of government relations effective October 1, and Steve Cooke has been appointed senior director of public relations.

Republican senators criticize VP Harris over federal broadband initiative management

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 18, 2024

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Thune (R-S.D.), and a group of Republican senators sent a letter to Vice President Kamala Harris regarding the mismanagement of federal broadband initiatives. In 2021, President Biden tasked the Vice President with leading the Administration’s effort to expand broadband services to rural, unserved communities. The $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program has yet to connect a single person to the internet.

Hendricks County settles allegations over denial of Islamic seminary zoning

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 18, 2024

Hendricks County, Indiana, has agreed to implement new policies and training, pay $295,000 in compensation to an Islamic educational organization, and pay a $5,000 fine to resolve a Justice Department lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that the county violated the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by unlawfully denying zoning approval to Al Hussnain Inc. for developing a religious seminary, school, and residential housing.

Senate Republicans propose bill to enhance protection for US energy pipelines

By Hoosier State Today | Sep 17, 2024

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) has collaborated with fellow Senate Commerce Committee Republicans to introduce the Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act. This legislation aims to protect American energy infrastructure from attacks or threats by expanding current criminal penalties to include vandalism, tampering with, or disrupting the operations or construction of pipelines that transport oil and gas in the U.S.