Last UpdatedTUE., FEBRUARY 9, 2010 - 10:39 AM
SteaknShake

UPDATE: Steak n Shake confirms new corporate HQ

10:25 am
The Steak n Shake Co. updated its Web site this week to reflect a new corporate headquarters address in San Antonio, confirming a story in IBJ's Feb. 8 print edition. More.

Colts say they won't disclose which legislators got game tickets10:37 am

Kathleen McLaughlin
The team sold Super Bowl tickets to 26 state lawmakers, 27 members of the City-County Council, 10 members of Mayor Greg Ballard's office, six other state officials, and four Congressmen. More.

Officials ask Anthem to justify rate hike in California08:09 am

Associated Press
Anthem has declined to say how many of its 800,000 individual policyholders in California are being affected by the hike. But Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius demanded specifics in a sternly-worded letter. More.

Owners, developers see silver lining in health care real estate08:00 am

Tom Harton
Health care real estate has survived the nation’s weak economy better than most sectors, and some owners and developers think it’s positioned to thrive. More.
FEBRUARY 8-14, 2010
thisissue1-020810.jpg Indianapolis Business Journal February 8, 2010

Steak n Shake changing its name, moving HQ to Texas

Indianapolis is on the verge of losing one of its most prominent public companies. The Steak n Shake Co. is planning to change its name to Biglari Holdings Inc. and move its headquarters to San Antonio. The Steak n Shake restaurant chain would retain a presence in Indianapolis.More.

Scale Computing succeeds quickly after co-founder moves it to IndianaRestricted Content

Not even a year has passed since Scale Computing launched its first product, yet CEO Jeff Ready forecasts 2010 revenue with the confidence of a meteorologist giving the three-day outlook.More.

City program gives employers big incentive to hire ex-offendersRestricted Content

Mayor Greg Ballard is launching a pilot project to provide jobs for 70 ex-convicts, with their $10-an-hour wages covered by Uncle Sam for six months. City officials hope that, after the six months, the ex-offenders transition into regular paying jobs, or at least receive recommendations from the employer that paves the way for them to find other work.More.

Brizzi contributor Epperly no stranger to controversy

Harrison Epperly has made a fortune in his business career, but he's also sparked controversy.More.

Key business issues clear mid-session hurdle

The first half of a short session will close Wednesday, meaning bills must have passed out of either the House or Senate to stay alive. Legislation regarding unemployment taxes and township-government reform easily met that deadline.More.

COPPER: Misunderstandings put Indiana school funding in a bind

State government overreacted in its attempts to reign in construction costs, and should seek middle groundMore.

LOU'S VIEWS: Best-selling author's words take center stage

Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park launches novelist Walter Mosley’s first play,"The Fall of Heaven," just in time for my cultural road trip.More.

HETRICK: Learning to lead with Sister Souljah momentsRestricted Content

Every once in a while, someone in power shows some chutzpah and surprises us.More.

EDITORIAL: Let's call the Super Bowl the Super Bowl

The National Football League has trademarked “Super Bowl”—along with “Super Sunday” and “NFL”—and is notorious for the lengths it will go to in order to protect its brands.More.

MARCUS: Governor's ship of a state losing sailors?

A State of the State address is supposed to make us feel better about who we are, where we are and where we are going.More.

FEIGENBAUM: Legislature's second half will have its share of dramaRestricted Content

Perhaps it was serendipity that the midpoint of the 2009 legislative session fell just ahead of the Indianapolis Colts’ Super Bowl appearance.More.

SKARBECK: Biglari's ambitious, but he's no BuffettRestricted Content

While Sardar Biglari's effort to duplicate Warren Buffett is clear, some of the Steak n Shake chief's moves have been superficial.More.

You don't have to travel to find nature

I have learned that the exploration of natural areas can take place year-round, not just while on vacation.More.

New president of Harrison College takes over for father

Jason Konesco, 38, came to what was then called Indiana Business College in 1999 after working for Brightpoint Inc.More.

Little Red Door sees increases in donations, cost of services

Many not-for-profits struggled to raise money in 2009, but a local agency that helps cancer patients said it actually saw an increase in donations.More.

IPL sues engineering consultant over Eagle Valley discharge

Indianapolis Power and Light Co. is suing its engineering consultant over an industrial accident that spilled 30 million gallons of polluted water into White River.More.

People in the news - Feb. 8, 2010

People listings are free.More.

Environmental causes keep ex-bank chief McKinney busyRestricted Content

Most know him as a retired captain of industry—of banking, as chairman of First Indiana Corp., and law, as co-founder of Bose McKinney & Evans. Few know that Robert H. McKinney started out planning to become a national park guide.More.

Demand for smart-phone applications spawns opportunitiesRestricted Content

Smart-phone fever is heating up the climate for innovation in the local tech community, as firms new and old try to cash in on the demand for applications that can be used on the iPhone, BlackBerry and other gadgets from the likes of Palm and Google.More.

WellPoint: More employers involved in provider talksRestricted Content

Employer activism is on the rise when it comes to keeping hospitals honest in their negotiations with health insurers. Executives at Indianapolis-based WellPoint say groups of employers are increasingly airing their displeasure when hospital systems ask for double-digit reimbursement increases.More.

Video firm Bennett Innovations reaches 25 yearsRestricted Content

The seven-person production house led by Bruce White counts IUPUI and Rolls-Royce North America among its clients.More.

Law firm adds historic home to campusRestricted Content

Plews Shadley Racher & Braun has finished a careful restoration of the Eden-Talbott House, continuing a strategy of shunning glass and steel.More.

Covered bridge project draws special attention

A plethora of experts like Dan Collom are restoring the Moscow bridge, built in 1886 and destroyed by a tornado in 2008.

More.

DINING: Exploring a new Broad Ripple "Island"

Second in our month-long series of reviews of College Avenue eateries.More.

BENNER: Super Bowl delegation's focus is two years outRestricted Content

We can promise, at game time, a perfect environment: 70 degrees and dry.More.

MAURER: 'Avatar' is a great movie seen I've seen beforeRestricted Content

Did you ever see one of my favorite old cowboy movies, “Broken Arrow”? If you missed it the first time, it has been reissued under a new title—“Avatar.”More.

HOLIFIELD: Build consensus before building facilities

Only a handful of public building projects have earned permission from voters, leading local officials to delay or consider abandoning much-needed projects.More.

HICKS: Economic uncertainty is crushing job growthRestricted Content

Businesses take risks. Risk tolerance is the hallmark of a successful businessman and entrepreneur. But those same businesses dread uncertainty.More.

Billboard decision was defiant

[In the Jan. 4 issue], IBJ covered the State Fair board’s decision to permit a digital billboard at the Fairgrounds on Fall Creek Parkway. One of the opening lines, “Take that, Indianapolis” in the article was apt.More.

Celadon sees trouble ahead for trucking fleets

The Indianapolis trucking firm is not among the weaklings and, if anything, will benefit from additional fleet failures to the extent it diminishes industry capacity.More.

Health care venture capital swoons in Indy, holds steady statewide

The uncertainty of health care reform and a bad economy curtailed venture capital flow in 2009.More.

Sigma Micro becomes Fifth Gear LLC

The name change reflects the completion of the company’s integration with Missouri-based Stark Brothers Fulfillment, which Sigma Holdings acquired in 2007.More.

PROXY CORNER: Hillenbrand Inc.

Hillenbrand Inc. manufactures and supplies burial caskets, cremation products and related services to licensed funeral homes.More.

Records

Public records listing from the Feb. 8, 2010, edition of IBJ.More.
durham-big-pic.jpg Tim Durham

Related-party loans pile up at Durham-owned finance firm

Indianapolis businessman Tim Durham has treated Ohio-based Fair Finance Co. almost like a personal bank since buying it seven years ago, and now he, his partners and related firms owe it more than $168 million, records show.More.

Grad students dream up plans for mass transitRestricted Content

Architecture and urban design students from Ball State have created a vision for urban renewal that is arguably more compelling than the Central Indiana Regional Transit Authority's principal, utilitarian goal of reducing northeast-side highway congestion and air pollution by running a diesel commuter train atop the old Nickel Plate Railroad corridor.More.

Hospitals suffer from spiking bond interest rates, investment lossesRestricted Content

Indianapolis-area hospitals have suffered a double whammy of spiking interest rates on their bonds and heavy losses in their investment portfolios and are trying to save cash any way they can.More.

SPECIAL REPORT: Charter Homes draws scrutiny for odd sales claims, multiple liens

Charter Homes owner Jerry Jaquess fancies himself a white knight for King Park, a neighborhood once known mainly for its rampant crime, boarded-up homes and vacant lots. But as he’s constructed a slew of homes and carriage houses there, the local builder has stirred up several lawsuits, dozens of liens and persistent questions about whether his business is legit.More.

SPECIAL REPORT: Center Township trustee taps taxpayers for millionsRestricted Content

At an aging building at 863 Massachusetts Ave., they pass through a metal detector and wait in line to show a clerk their identification and copies of overdue bills. Center Township Trustee Carl Drummer sometimes helps. The Trustee's Office received an average of $6.9 million each of the last seven years, mostly from taxes, to provide poor relief-now known as township assistance. But only about $2 million reached the penniless each year, with much of the difference covering administrative overhead....More.

SPECIAL REPORT: Critics question trustee's property portfolio given mission to help needyRestricted Content

It sits across Massachusetts Avenue from a strip of art galleries and shops, on increasingly valuable land merchants would love to see transformed. "Having an abandoned building in your neighborhood isn't a good thing, and that's what it looks like," said Tom Battista, who owns the retail strip just north of College Avenue. The multimillion-dollar Mass Ave property is one of 16 mostly untaxed parcels the township owns. All told, Center Township's real estate holdings are worth more than $10...More.

Half of state's public-company CEOs saw pay rise in '08, but value of stock options fell

For investors, 2008 was the worst year since the Great Depression. Even so, more than half of the state's public-company executives saw the value of their pay packages rise from 2007—despite the fact that only 10 of the companies posted a positive total return in 2008, and 46 companies shed more than one-third of their stock market value.More.

Simon family's interests helped Indianapolis thrive, but taxpayers paid the priceRestricted Content

The Simon family's role in building the city has come at a steep price for taxpayers. Simon and its business interests in the last 20 years have collected local government incentives worth more than $400 million, an IBJ tally of those deals shows.More.

Indianapolis shows up peer cities in attracting the young and educated

Cities must woo people while they’re young—in their 20s or early 30s—because after that age, people tend to hunker down. The Indianapolis area apparently appeals to at least two key groups of young people—particularly those already married, according to a new study by researchers at IUPUI.More.

IUPUI faces tough decisions over aging sports facilities

IUPUI is grappling with how to pay for upkeep and improvements necessary to keep its three world-class athletic facilities—and the city—in the hunt for high-profile sporting events.More.

SPECIAL REPORT: Financial travails dog 'mystery man' at helm of Premier Properties

An IBJ review of hundreds of pages of public records shows Christopher P. White and his Premier Properties USA Inc. are facing major financial and legal challenges. The most glaring signs of trouble: Contractors have filed more than $3.5 million in liens against Premier’s retail properties in Plainfield; the state of Indiana is trying to recover $375,000 in sales taxes on White’s airplane; and the contractor who renovated his Lake Clearwater mansion is suing him to recover more than $600,000 in unpaid bills.More.
Last UpdatedTUE., FEBRUARY 9, 2010 - 8:09 AM

Officials ask Anthem to justify rate hike in California08:09 am

Anthem has declined to say how many of its 800,000 individual policyholders in California are being affected by the hike. But Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius demanded specifics in a sternly-worded letter.More.

Shareholders in bankrupt Accuride pursuing loan06:24 am

Accuride shareholders are trying to arrange a $400 million loan to fund the Evansville company’s exit from bankruptcy.More.

Snowstorm likely to create another rush hour mess

Just days after Friday's heavy snowfall blanketed much of the state, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch from late Monday night through early Wednesday for all of Indiana.More.

Super Bowl TV spot brings Leno, Letterman together

Super Bowl viewers were rubbing their eyes at the sight of a TV spot pairing CBS late-night host David Letterman with longtime NBC archrival Jay Leno, plus media magnate Oprah Winfrey.More.

Connersville eager for Carbon Motors to rev up

The jobs can't come soon enough for Connersville, where unemployment is at 13.8 percent.More.

National unemployment rate drops to 9.7 percent

January's report offers hope that employers may start adding jobs soon. Excluding the beleaguered construction industry, the private sector as a whole added 63,000 positions.More.

Daniels says he'd sign bill to push back school start

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says he'd sign legislation that would prevent most schools from starting classes before Labor Day if the General Assembly approves the proposal.More.

Mississippi settles Zyprexa suit against Lilly for over $18M

Mississippi will receive $18.5 million from Indianapolis-based drugmaker Eli Lilly and Co. as part of a settlement over claims the company promoted the anti-psychotic Zyprexa for ailments it was not federally approved to treat.More.

Governor doing business on Super Bowl trip

Daniels' schedule includes some economic development meetings and a meeting with members of the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee.More.

Feds approve next section of I-69 extension

Work on another section of the Interstate 69 extension between Indianapolis and Evansville is expected to begin by April now that the Federal Highway Administration has approved the project.More.

Brees' ties to Purdue cause division among state's fans

Most of Indiana is expected to wear Colts blue on Super Bowl Sunday, but loyalties are split near the Purdue campus in West Lafayette.More.

Purdue unveils new energy conservation plan

Purdue University officials have unveiled a new energy conservation plan that aims to save the school as much as $2 million a year.More.

House approves bill banning texting while driving

The Indiana House has passed a bill that would ban texting or sending e-mails while driving. The House voted 95-3 for the bill Tuesday and sent it to the Senate for consideration.More.

State Senate could vote on school start date bill

The Indiana Senate could vote by midweek on legislation that would prevent most schools from starting classes before Labor Day.More.

Daniels trims slaughterhouse inspection cuts

The administration of Gov. Mitch Daniels is backing away from a plan to cut in half the budget for state inspections of meat processors after complaints that it would drive some plants out of business and hurt small farmers.More.

Toyota: Parts on way to fix faulty gas pedals

Toyota Motor Corp. is telling dealers that they should get parts to fix sticky gas pedals later this week. But the 4.2 million customers affected by a large recall may have to wait a while for repairs.More.

Lawmakers approaching session's half-way point

Members of the Indiana General Assembly face a key mid-session deadline this week. Wednesday is the deadline for bills to pass their house of origin and be sent to the opposite chamber.More.

Obama takes populist tone in fight over jobs

The president's unemployment strategy is twofold: create jobs, and force Republicans to choose between helping Main Street and Wall Street.More.

Steak n Shake posts profit, plans new corporate name

Steak n Shake Co. said Friday it posted a fourth-quarter profit, and said it is planning to change its corporate name to Biglari Holdings Inc.More.

Economy bolts forward 5.7 percent in fourth quarter

There's more evidence that the recession is over, as businesses restock inventories and both corporate and consumer spending increases.More.

Constitutional ban on gay marriage may not go far

The Republican-controlled Indiana Senate has approved a proposal that eventually could lead to a constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions in Indiana.More.

IU-Kenya Partnership gets $5M USAID grant

A partnership between Indiana University School of Medicine and a medical school and hospital in Kenya has received an additional $5 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development to expand health care services in the African nation.More.

Panel OKs bill to provide pet buyers with info

The bill would require pet stores to put information about the dog or cat on its cage in the store, including the animal's medical history, the name of the breeder and any congenital disorders.More.

Lawmakers OK bill regulating radioactive material

The bill would require the state's Homeland Security agency to issue a permit for the transportation of radioactive materials within Indiana.More.

Toyota suspending production at two Indiana plants

Toyota is halting production at six North American car-assembly plants—including Indiana facilities in Princeton and Lafayette—beginning the week of Feb. 1 to fix gas pedals that could stick and cause acceleration without warning.More.

Hoosiers can now renew driver's licenses online

The BMV said Tuesday it has started offering online driver's license renewals at the agency's Web site.More.

Senate panel changes gambling, reading bills

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted Tuesday night to remove provisions that would have allowed casinos on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River to move inland. It also made major changes to legislation that would have required schools to hold back third-graders if they couldn't read well.More.

Pitney Bowes moving 30 jobs to Indianapolis area

Company plans to close operations in Miamisburg, costing the southwest Ohio city 75 jobs.More.

Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger approved with conditions

The Justice Department imposed major conditions upon Live Nation and Ticketmaster in approving the companies' merger, moves that Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney said would have the effect of lowering ticket prices.More.

House lawmakers put statewide smoking ban on hold

The bill, would ban smoking in public places statewide except casinos and pari-mutuel horse racing venues.More.

New library standards to enhance online access

Hoosiers will have more access to the Internet and to public library materials across the state under a new set of standards adopted by the Indiana State Library and Historical Board.More.

Purdue to slice benefits for staff, techology costs

University will cut employee benefits, retirement contributions and information technology services to partially close a $67 million budget deficit for the West Lafayette campusMore.

Bill on Sunday microbrewery sales clears Senate

The bill would limit the amount of Sunday carryout sales from Indiana microbreweries to about three cases per transaction.More.

Simon Property Group rolls out $2.25B offering

Proceeds from the offering will be used for general corporate purposes and to fund the purchase of senior notes.More.

Property tax caps heading to Indiana voters

The Indiana Senate has given final approval to a proposal that would allow voters to decide whether property tax limits belong in the state constitution.More.

Recession takes toll on university president pay

A survey released Monday by the Chronicle of Higher Education showed compensation packages of chief executives at public universities leveling off in 2008-2009, rising a relatively modest 2.3 percent. How did Indiana college presidents fare?More.

Republic Airways moving all execs to Indianapolis

Republic, which bought Frontier Airlines and Midwest Airlines last year, says it will move all of its executives to its headquarters in Indianapolis.More.

City's sole high school will keep Anderson name

The district's school board voted 6-1 Tuesday night for a plan using the Anderson High School building for grades 10-12 starting next fall. The Highland High School building will house grades 7-9.More.

Indiana Senate OKs bill to delay jobless-tax hikes

The Senate has approved a bill delaying unemployment-tax increases on businesses for a year, but the legislation may face hurdles in the Democrat-led House.More.

Board approves revamp of Indiana teacher licensing

The new rules are expected spur future teachers to spend more time learning subject matter and less time taking education classes.More.

Ex-investor sentenced in Indiana mortgage fraud

Robert A. Penn, 44, of Naples, Fla., received seven years in prison and was ordered to pay more than $11 million in restitution.More.

Brightpoint quarterly estimate below expectations

Cell phone distributor predicts fourth-quarter results below analyst estimates, sending shares down in aftermarket activity.More.

NFL will weigh incentives to make late-season games competitive

Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was sensitive to criticism of the Indianapolis Colts' decision to use backups a week ago in a game they lost, ending their bid for a perfect season.More.

Indiana lawmakers looking for cheap ways to impress

In an election year with a big reward—the potential to redraw political maps for the next decade—lawmakers are looking to impress voters.More.

Eli Lilly and Co. heiress Ruth Lilly dies at 94

Over the course of her life, the last surviving great-grandchild of pharmaceutical magnate Eli Lilly gave away much of her inheritance.More.

College cuts will favor some schools over others

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education said state colleges and universities need to find new ways to be efficient—without new tuition hikes—to cope with spending cuts ordered by Gov. Mitch Daniels.More.

Atlanta dates set for former Indy tennis event

As first reported by IBJ on Nov. 28, the men's tennis event that is leaving Indianapolis is heading to Atlanta, the ATP confirmed.More.

New president elected for Indiana AFL-CIO

Nancy Guyott is the first woman to be president of the Indiana AFL-CIO.More.

Indiana weighs changes to combat out-of-state casinos

State lawmakers are weighing possible changes to state gambling laws at a time when growing competition from out-of-state casinos threatens to cut into business at Indiana's 11 riverboat casinos.More.

UPDATE: KAR Auction IPO raises less than hoped

The Carmel-based auctioneer had expected to raise $340.9 million through its IPO, but the company said it would sell 25 million common shares at $12 each for total proceeds of $300 million.More.

Danica Patrick reaches NASCAR deal, source says

Last week, Patrick signed a three-year contract extension with Andretti Autosport to stay in the IndyCar series, but its schedule gives her enough time to also try NASCAR.More.

Ivy Tech offers fast degree for at-risk students

Ivy Tech Community College is offering at-risk students a chance to earn an associate's degree in just 10 months instead of two years.More.

Rare sacred art exhibition boosts museum attendance

"Sacred Spain: Art and Belief in the Spanish World" at the Indianapolis Museum of Art is drawing visitors from around the world for an unprecedented exhibitionMore.

Plant would pipe carbon dioxide to oil rigs

Carbon dioxide produced by a proposed coal gasification plant near the southern Indiana town of Rockport would be used to help boost oil production in the Gulf of Mexico under a plan by the company leading the project.More.

Computer woes slow air traffic across the nation

The Federal Aviation Administration said the problem was fixed about 10 a.m. Thursday, but it was unclear how long flights would continue to be delayed. Dozens of flights to Indianapolis International Airport have been affected.More.

Major stock indexes climb to yearly highs

Major stock indexes rose as much as 2 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which jumped 203 points.More.

Indiana voters trending against schools in tax votes

Indiana voters seem willing to pay more in property taxes to help school districts cover operating costs. The results of last week's referendums, however, continue the trend against supporting plans for bigger, better schools during tough economic times.More.

GM to draw government funds for Delphi costs, source says

General Motors Co. will announce later this week that it will draw from its government funding to pay the cost of buying a chunk of troubled parts supplier Delphi Corp., a person briefed on the company's finances said Wednesday.More.

I-465 bridge in Indianapolis reopens after blast

The left eastbound lane over the eastbound bridge and the Interstate 69 southbound ramp to I-465 southbound will remain closed through midweek as crews continue repair work.More.

Fewer home-building permits signal weakness ahead

Applications for home-building permits, a gauge of future construction, fell in September by the largest amount in five months.More.

Frequent GOP candidate Scott wants to face Carson

A Butler University professor who has run for Congress several times says he will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Rep. Andre Carson of Indianapolis next year.More.

Brightpoint repurchases shares in settlement

Indianapolis-based Brightpoint Inc. said Friday that it has entered into a settlement agreement with NC Telecom Holding A/S to repurchase about 3 million Brightpoint shares from the Denmark holding company. NC Telecom owned Denmark-based Dangaard Telecom before Brightpoint, the world's biggest wireless phone distributor, bought the cell phone distributor in August 2007.More.

State funneling weatherization funds to builders' group

The Indiana Builders Association will receive nearly half of the $132 million the state is receiving through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to weatherize more than 30,000 householdsMore.

More IU, Purdue projects could move forward

More than $130 million in construction projects will get a chance to move forward after being put on hold over a top lawmaker's objections to the schools' tuition increases.More.

Purdue sees statewide enrollment grow 3 percent

Purdue University said today that its statewide fall-semester enrollment is up more than 3 percent from last year.More.

Indiana expects jobless fund troubles until 2015

Indiana officials say it will take longer to resolve the state's bankrupt unemployment insurance fund's funding troubles than projected when a law designed to start fixing the system was enacted in April.More.

National jobless rate hits 26-year high

The unemployment rate jumped almost a half-point, to 9.7 percent, in August, the highest since 1983, reflecting a poor job market that will make it hard for the economy to begin a sustained recovery.More.

Indianapolis utility could buy Lake Monroe water

Indianapolis Power & Light Co. has agreed to a 20-year contract with a state agency to potentially draw millions of gallons of water from southern Indiana's Lake Monroe.More.

Markets down after another rough week

Plunge freezes Dow Jones futures trading

Cummins to buy $25M of Irwin stock

Wall Street's bumpy ride continues

Zimmer profit beats expectations

Production resumes at Indiana Toyota plant07:53 am

After a week-long shutdown for the company to repair defective gas pedals, the factory near Princeton was back to "business as usual" when its lines restarted on Monday.More.

Super Bowl most-watched TV show ever

The Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of "M*A*S*H" to become the most-watched program in television history.More.

Health insurers may find 2010 full of challenges

WellPoint and other health insurers were profitable in 2009, but the lingering unemployment problem is dampening the outlook for this year.More.

Calumet Specialty investigating cause of Louisiana explosion

Indianapolis-based Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP is investigating the cause of a Friday blast at its refinery in Shreveport, La., that damaged some nearby properties.More.

Toyota to announce Prius action plan soon

Toyota said Sunday it will soon announce a plan for dealing with braking problems in its Prius hybrid amid reports that the world's largest automaker plans to issue a recall for the latest model of the vehicle in Japan.More.

Ex-Indiana player Leary arrested in fraud case

The 39-year-old Leary was being held Friday in the Monroe County Jail in Bloomington on charges out of Allen County.More.

Republic Airways to shut down Lynx Aviation

Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings Inc. will shut down Lynx Aviation, a regional flying unit that operates Bombardier Q400 propeller planes. The changes will mean 175 people will lose their jobs.More.

Indiana tax collections come up short again

New revenue figures show Indiana tax collections fell $75 million short of expectations in January.More.

House minority leader opposes land-based casinos

House Minority Leader Brian Bosma says he'll fight any efforts to pass legislation allowing the state's riverboat casinos to move inland.More.

Bayh's vulnerability brings Coats back to politics

Former Senator Dan Coats said he was re-entering politics because he is increasingly alarmed and frustrated about the direction of the country.More.

Two more sentenced in mortgage fraud scheme

Federal prosecutors say the men were part of a scheme in which straw deals were set up to obtain inflated mortgages on more than 100 Indianapolis houses.More.

Indiana House passes watered down smoking-ban bill

The added exemptions include bars, taverns, tobacco shops and fraternal clubs such as American Legion posts.More.

U.S. car sales: Toyota tanks, others take flight

Beyond the expected plunge for troubled Toyota, U.S. car sales sailed along nicely in January, including a 24 percent surge for Ford and 14 percent gain for GM.More.

Purdue, IU rank among top 15 college endowments

Purdue University's $1.45 billion endowment ranks ninth in the nation. IU came in at 11th with an endowment valued at about $1.23 billion.More.

Secretary of State Rokita making congressional run

Republican Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita is running for the congressional seat being vacated by longtime Congressman Steve Buyer.More.

Legislator to continue pursuing smoking-ban bill

Democratic Rep. Charlie Brown of Gary says he will keep pursuing a bill that would ban smoking in most public places.More.

Report: Indiana counties could save cash with vote centers

The Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute says that all 92 state counties could reap big cost savings -- more than $300,000 in Marion County alone -- if they used vote centers on Election Day instead of traditional precinct locations.More.

Purdue expert: Money woes can doom relationships

A Purdue University expert says people should look into their sweetheart's financial health before getting caught up in the romance of Valentine's Day.More.

With wife ill, U.S. Rep. Buyer won't seek re-election

Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer announced Friday that he will not seek re-election this fall and will leave Congress after 18 years because his wife is ill.More.

Senate OKs bill to eliminate township boards

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 29-19 Thursday for a bill that would eliminate township boards and transfer their duties to the county level starting in 2013. It now moves to the Democrat-led House for consideration.More.

Judge pushes back Schrenker's securities fraud trial

A defense attorney and prosecutors have agreed to delay the trial on securities fraud charges of a former Indiana money manager who tried to fake his death by jumping from a small plane before it crashed in Florida.More.

Toyota recall gives Elkhart-based supplier unwanted notice

Like most companies that make thousands of parts in automobiles, Elkhart-based CTS Corp. was virtually unknown to the average car buyer. That was until its gas pedal was blamed for big problems with some very popular cars.More.

Indiana Senate panel approves school-start-date bill

The committee endorsed legislation that would prevent the state's public schools from starting classes before Labor Day.More.

Toyota workers will stay on job at Indiana plants

No immediate layoffs are planned at the two Indiana factories that build Toyota models included in the company's production halt as it looks to fix sticking gas pedals.More.

Legislative panel to take up bill to ban texting while driving

An Indiana House committee plans to consider a bill that would make it illegal to send text messages or e-mails while driving.More.

Indiana House approves bill allowing guns at work

Legislation that would prohibit employers from banning guns in people's locked cars on company property has cleared both the House and Senate.More.

Pence says he won't run for Bayh's Senate seat

Republican Mike Pence said he'll instead run for re-election to the Congressional seat representing much of eastern Indiana that he first won in 2000.More.

Edy's hiring 120 for Fort Wayne ice cream plant

Edy's Grand Ice Cream says the new jobs are part of a company consolidation after an expansion of the Fort Wayne plant. The hiring will increase the facilty's workforce to about 600 people.More.

State Senate panel to vote on casino bill

An Indiana Senate committee plans to vote Tuesday on a bill that would allow casinos on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River to move inland.More.

NFL conference title games draw most viewers since 1980s

The Indianapolis Colts' win over the New York Jets on CBS drew 46.9 million viewers, the most for an American Football Conference title game since Patriots-Dolphins in 1986.More.

Rights, safety in debate over guns-at-work bill

The House Natural Resources Committee voted 10-1 to advance the bill last week amid strong support from the National Rifle Association and opposition from business interests and domestic violence advocates.More.

Simon Property accepts $2.3B of notes in offer

Simon will fund the purchase with available cash plus proceeds from the sale of $2.25 billion in senior unsecured notes.More.

PNC profit rises despite growing loan losses

The bank's $1.01 billion in profit and its $5.08 billion in revenue were better than analysts expected.More.

Indiana House panel backs statewide smoking ban

An Indiana House committee approves legislation that would ban smoking in most public places statewide.More.

Duke Energy to trim Midwest work force, expenses

Duke Energy is offering buyouts to employees as it moves some corporate functions performed in two Midwest offices, including its central Indiana office in Plainfield.More.

House OKs bill on township government referendums

The proposal would allow voters to decide in November whether their township governments should be eliminated and their duties transferred to the county level.More.

FDA letters scold Lilly, others over marketing materials

The letter to Indianapolis-based Lilly cites a print advertisement for the antidepressant Cymbalta that did not adequately display information about the drug's side effects.More.

Indy man gets 2 years for extorting insurance firm

Kevin Stewart stole a computer server that contained the names and confidential information of 900,000 people.More.

Cummins gets $54M to improve fuel efficiency

Columbus engine maker Cummins Inc. will receive nearly $54M in federal funding as part of a program designed to significantly increase fuel efficiency in heavy trucks and passenger vehicles, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced Monday.More.

Indianapolis Zoo blames crowd drop on bad weather

Last year's attendance was down about 36 percent from the crowds of 1.64 million in 2007.More.

FDA cancels meeting to review Lilly's Cymbalta

The agency said the meeting was canceled "to allow time for the FDA to review new information" about a proposed new use for the drug.More.

Hancock County to consider battery plant proposal

Hancock County officials will consider a request by lithium battery maker EnerDel to set up operations in a business park near Indianapolis.More.

Kruse sues customers to satisfy its debt

The Auburn-based auto auction has filed lawsuits in DeKalb County seeking more than $2 million and plans to file up to 15 more lawsuits in the next several weeks.More.

Indiana nears 1M mark in swine-flu vaccinations

So far this year, 35 people have died in Indiana from swine flu.More.

Elkhart County OKs tax break for electric car maker

Hard-hit Elkhart County could become home three electric vehicle manufacturers if a Norwegian company chooses northern Indiana as the site for a new factory.More.

Radio giant Citadel files for bankruptcy protection

Las Vegas-based Citadel Broadcasting, which owns three radio stations in Indiana, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday in an effort to restructure its hefty debt load.More.

Cummins engine business president stepping down

Engine maker Cummins Inc. said the head of its engine business is leaving his role in March to pursue other projects at the company. Jim Kelly joined the company in 1976 and was promoted to president of the engine business in 2005.More.

Supreme Court rejects Indiana's appeal of Chrysler sale

The justices on Monday turned down an appeal from the state of Indiana pension funds that earlier challenged the automaker's bankruptcy proceedings.More.

Retail sales rise more than expected

The government's report came as a surprise because the nation's retailers have been reporting generally lackluster results for the start of the holiday shopping season.More.

Jobless claims rise unexpectedly

The number of newly laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits rose more than expected last week, after falling for five straight weeks.More.

Indiana University extends president's contract

IU trustees have approved a contract extension for school president Michael McRobbie.More.

Indiana e-waste collectors, recyclers face deadline

Collectors and recyclers of obsolete electronics have until Jan. 1 to enroll with the state's E-Waste Program.More.

Airport plans holiday events to lure traffic to Civic Plaza

Entertainment planned for December could put airport visitors in a spending mood. Retail sales at the terminal have suffered this year due in part to a 10 percent drop in passenger traffic, prompting the Airport Authority to search for ways to boost revenue.More.

Kentucky governor thinks chances slim for Harley plant

Earlier this year, the company eliminated Shelby County in Indiana from contention for the manufacturing facility.More.

Rokita says GOP redistricting plan not enough

Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita is pleased that state Senate Republicans have proposed changes to the way legislative districts are drawn, but he says they don't go far enough.More.

Supreme Court to hear gambler's suit

The Indiana Supreme Court will hear arguments this week on whether an Ohio River casino should have allowed a compulsive gambler to play and lose $125,000 in a single night.More.

Education cuts could be coming, state schools chief says

Indiana's school chief warned school superintendents Thursday that declining state revenues could force cuts in public education spending, education officials said.More.

Indiana cities association seeking local tax options

The association representing 470 cities and towns wants lawmakers to pass legislation that would give municipalities the authority to adopt local option income taxes.More.

Eli Lilly CEO banking on new drug pipeline

CEO John Lechleiter says Lilly's pipeline has helped it rebound from significant patent losses three times during his 30-year career at the company. He's betting there will be a fourth.More.

Dow Jones industrials close above 10,000

The Dow Jones industrial average is back above 10,000 for the first time in a year.More.

IU sees $63M revenue boost from enrollment jump

Indiana University officials say this school year's record enrollment is leading to nearly $63 million in unexpected revenue for its campuses across the state.More.

U.S. jobless rate reaches 9.8 percent in September

The unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent in September, the highest since June 1983, as employers cut far more jobs than expected. The report is evidence that the worst recession since the 1930s is still inflicting widespread pain.More.

Finish Line suffers second quarter loss

Sporting goods retailer The Finish Line Inc. said on Thursday that it lost $874,000 in the second quarter, mostly because of a loss it took by unloading its unsuccessful Man Alive stores in July.More.

Clinton, Bird among mourners at Simon funeral

Former President Bill Clinton described Melvin Simon as one of the most remarkable people he's ever met as he gave a eulogy today during the funeral for the billionaire shopping mall developer and Indiana Pacers co-owner.More.

Policyholders could pay more under Obama health plan

If President Barack Obama gets what he wants in his health care plan — covering all Americans and barring insurers from denying coverage — some analysts say individuals could wind up paying higher premiums.More.

Planned Parenthood closing 5 Indiana clinics

Planned Parenthood will close five health clinics across central Indiana after losing some of its federal grant money to provide family planning services to low-income women.More.

Greenwood manufacturer plans 43 new jobs

A Greenwood-based tool and machine parts manufacturer plans to add up to 43 jobs in the next six months by combining operations from two other states.More.

Daniels drops lottery privatization plan

UPDATE: Stocks drop in early trading

Getrag loses main customer for Tipton plant

Bush: Give rescue plan time

Cummins stock leaps after rival exits segment

Panel favors steep homeowner tax cut

Blogs

 

A&E, etc.

Reggie Miller, movie star12:00 am

Who would have thought that an ESPN documentary would be the best movie in town?More.

You review it: Super Bowl commercial edition

Ready to join the Betty White fan club? Surprised by Letterman's new sofa pal?More.

DINING: Exploring a new Broad Ripple "Island"

Second in our month-long series of reviews of College Avenue eateries.More.

HETRICK: Learning to lead with Sister Souljah momentsRestricted Content

Every once in a while, someone in power shows some chutzpah and surprises us.More.

More A&E, etc.

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CFO of the YearCFO of the Year
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