Indiana Week in Review
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Democrats, Republicans and insiders debate politics, the Indiana Statehouse and more.
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The impact of the federal shutdown on Indiana’s 24,000 federal employees, most of whom work in law enforcement, transportation security, and veterans affairs. Health insurance costs for Hoosiers is set to nearly double without extended premium tax credits unless congress intervenes. Purdue University abruptly cancels their GEAR UP program aimed at low-income students. Interim host Jon Schwantes is joined by Republican Mike O’Brien, political strategist Elise Shrock, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Jill Sheridan of WFYI to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.
A Ball State professor sues for wrongful termination on first amendment grounds after being fired over a private Facebook post calling Charlie Kirk’s death “a tragedy”, but also highlighting “violence, fear, and hatred he sowed”. NIPSCO proposes a solution to protect customers from data center rate hikes. Governor Braun to release the results of an audit of the IEDC. 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.
Former South Bend Mayor and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joins hundreds of Hoosiers at the Indiana Statehouse to rally against redistricting. Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith calls for a moratorium on the state sales tax amid soaring utility bills. The Indiana Department of Corrections receives $16 million to convert the Miami facility for ICE use. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Chris Mitchem, 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.
Indiana seeks a waiver to women and minority contracts rules requiring some federal highway funds to be paid to small businesses owned by “disadvantaged” people. Secretary of Public Safety Jennifer-Ruth Green resigns amid an ethics investigation for misuse of state resources and workplace misconduct. A new statewide campaign to encourage independent candidates for public office. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Joey Fox, Oseye Boyd of Mirror Indy, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.
Governor Braun appoints Abby Gray to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. The FSSA cuts voucher reimbursement rates for child care and development to address a $225 million funding gap. Secretary of State Diego Morales is hosting a series of public meetings to discuss moving all municipal elections to mid-term or presidential election years. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Mike O’Brien, Political Strategist Elise Shrock, Whitney Downard of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.
Indiana Republicans visit the White House amid pressure from the Trump Administration on redistricting to eliminate Democratic seats. Education Secretary Katie Jenner to take on the duties of the Commissioner for Higher Education in addition to her current role. The U.S. Department of Justice requests Indiana’s voter information. 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.
New Medicaid waiver limits threaten significant service cuts to those with disabilities. Indiana Lawmakers cut public funding from $100 million to just $40 million, leading health care leaders to issue a warning that the loss will impact health care costs and outcomes. Governor Braun has taken 11 helicopter rides home in 8 months, costing taxpayers $24,000. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Mike O’Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Oseye Boyd of Mirror Indy to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.
Indiana State Representative Craig Haggard announces he will run for U.S. Congress, challenging incumbent Jim Baird. The pass rate for third grade reading exam scores jumps a statewide average of 5%, rebounding to the highest levels since before the pandemic. Indiana University President Pamela Whitten faces allegations of plagiarism in her doctoral dissertation. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Lindsay Haake, 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.
Vice President J.D. Vance meets with Governor Braun and GOP legislators to push for midterm redistricting. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Correction, and the Indiana National Guard agree to assist ICE with deportations and immigration enforcement in the state, though Governor Braun says the focus will be on those with criminal backgrounds. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Whitley Yates, Ebony Chappel of Free Press Indiana, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss some of this week’s top stories.
EPA wants to undo its finding that climate change harms people. Executive order seeks to remove people experiencing homelessness from public places. Governor supports READI economic development grants but doesn’t have state budget support. Indiana revamping how it grades schools quality. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Lara Beck, 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.
Electric bills rise across the state by an average of $28 per month more than last year. High school graduates who go on to attend college in Indiana fell to a record low of 52%. A report by the Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future lays out steps the state should take to re-evaluate how legal services are provided and address a shortage of attorneys in Indiana. 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.
A look back at the 2025 State budget session. From Governor Mike Braun’s initial proposal to an unprecedented revenue forecast showing a $2.4 billion downturn. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republicans Mike O’Brien and Chris Mitchem, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss the budget session’s top stories in this special episode.
Faith leaders protest federal tax and spending cuts, holding a symbolic funeral for those they say are “marked for death”. The Trump administration withholds nearly $7 billion in education grant funds, including $107 million for Indiana. The Braun administration releases their DEI elimination report to note steps agencies have taken to comply with an executive order. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Lara Beck, 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.
A special episode looking back at the property tax reform debate in the 2025 legislative session. Governor Mike Braun threatens to invoke his veto powers and a Statehouse rally calling for lawmakers to make substantial changes to the property tax system.
Around 200 BA, MA, and PhD programs at Indiana University may be cut under new state laws targeting higher education. Advocates for clean energy tax credits release an ad aimed at Senator Todd Young. Budget cuts at the Indiana School for the Deaf are becoming a “crisis” according to advocates, with over a dozen staff already laid off. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Chris Mitchem, Democrat Ann DeLaney, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.
Ball State freezes tuition and fees for two years, but raises room and board costs. Diego Morales is defiant in the face of bipartisan questions over spending decisions in the Secretary of State’s office. Indiana’s infant mortality rate hits a “historic low” for the state since record-keeping began in 1900, with 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Chris Mitchem, Democrat Ann DeLaney, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Oseye Boyd of Mirror Indy to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.
Indiana slashes available pre-k enrollment numbers to less than half of the current enrollment. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett resists calls to resign over late-night texts to women connected to a sexual harassment and assault investigation against his former chief of staff. Concerns about managed care for those over 60 as Medicaid costs expected to run $300 million over budget. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Whitley Yates, Democrat Lindsay Haake, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.
Governor Braun fires three elected IU trustees, despite previously saying he would allow them to serve out the remainder of their terms. The Indiana Department of Education unveils the first draft of a new A-F school grading system. Braun freezes an initial $25 million allocation for the nonprofit Elevate Ventures, who was set to invest in growth-stage companies for the IEDC. Guest host Lauren Chapman is joined by Democrat Elise Shrock, Republican Mike O’Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Kaitlin Lange of the Indianapolis Star to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.
President Trump approves the sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel for $14.9 billion. Secretary of State Diego Morales investigated over footage used in a campaign launch video. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins defended the Trump administration’s planned 15% cut to the VA during a visit to Indianapolis’ Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Mike O’Brien, Leslie Bonilla Muñiz of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.
The U.S. House approves major cuts to SNAP that may leave over half a million Hoosiers without access to some or all of their current benefits. House-approved federal Medicaid work reporting requirements may render Indiana’s new reporting requirements redundant. Advocates split on a proposal to close down a Duke Energy coal plant and replace it with a $3 billion natural gas plant. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Lara Beck, 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.
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