June 29, 2009
Anthony Schoettlehe next two weeks could be critical in determining the level and quality of staffing in the newsroom of The Indianapolis
Star, the state's largest daily newspaper. The paper's unionwhich represents about 160 news staffersand management
have been at an impasse since employees' union contract expired Dec. 31.
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June 29, 2009
Peter SchnitzlerIn this deep recession, many local small-business owners suffer a harsh dilemma: Heavily tied to a single supplier,
customer or industry, they must diversify or die.
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June 29, 2009
Scott OlsonOnly North and South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin have smaller proportions of lawyers within their working populations.
Experts point to the state's shrinking base of corporate HQs, the exodus of law school graduates, and a less litigious climate
overall.
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June 29, 2009
Rebecca BerfangerWhile most people consider their family members and funeral costs in estate planning, many overlook their babies who happen
to have four legs, a tail, feathers or even scales. A pet trust is a good solution.
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June 22, 2009
Peter SchnitzlerFor 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 2007despite 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.
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June 22, 2009
Kim PuckettGrowing by leaps and bounds, smallerindiana.com will host its first-ever "Bigger Ideas" conference for the high-tech and Internet-savvy
crowd.
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June 22, 2009
Anthony SchoettleDespite a ticket price increase, the terrible economy, and an uncertain season ahead, the Indianapolis Colts have sold out
of season tickets, assuring the team will extend its sell-out streak to 97 regular-season home games.
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June 22, 2009
Cory SchoutenThe Capital Improvement Board could be forced to give up one of its most profitable assets so the city can pull off a $65-million
public-private downtown development deal. The city has agreed to help a developer revitalize the vacant former Bank One operations
center in part by acquiring an adjacent
parking garage for $18.5 million.
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June 22, 2009
Cory SchoutenThe largest outside investor in embattled developer Lauth Group Inc. is asking a federal judge to dismiss the company's bankruptcy
cases.
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June 22, 2009
Kathleen McLaughlinJobs created by the new manufacturing plant have been offset by losses elsewhere in the community, and related development
remains scarce. But local officials remain optimistic about Honda's long-term impact.
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June 22, 2009
J.K. WallBusinesses all want to see reform of the health care system, but they diverge on how much the U.S. government's entrance into
the insurance market would help or hurt them.
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June 22, 2009
Scott OlsonThe city's third-largest law firm is poised to tie the knot with Kentucky's Greenebaum Doll & McDonald. But differences in
the way the firms compensate partners are taking longer than expected to sort out.
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June 22, 2009
J.K. WallStudents going into and out of Indiana's teacher education programs tend to score below average on standardized test scores.
And national data indicate the gap is entirely attributable to those headed into elementary education.
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June 22, 2009
Scott OlsonEducators widely support a new state law that gives teachers immunity from civil lawsuits for trying to discipline students.
But opponents of corporal punishment are giving it a frosty reception, fearing Indiana students could be subjected to more
paddling without legal recourse.
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June 15, 2009
Cory SchoutenA $65 million public-private plan for the redevelopment of a vacant downtown office building is raising eyebrows for its unusual
approach and potential risk to taxpayers. The plan calls for a private developer to acquire the former Bank One operations
center, surface parking lots and an adjacent
parking garage from a private owner for $18.5 million, then sell the 1,680-space garage to the city for $18.5 million.
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June 15, 2009
Chris O'MalleyIndianapolis International Airport, already suffering from a 10-percent drop in passenger traffic and a projected $15 million
revenue shortfall this year, is also feeling financial drag from its single most important tenant. FedEx Express cargo shipments,
which amount to about half of the $25 million in airfield fees generated at the airport, fell
16 percent in the first three months of this year vs. the same period last year.
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June 15, 2009
Kathleen McLaughlinThe city of Anderson soon will tap a new well to help accommodate demand from Nestle USA, which opened a Madison County plant
in May 2008 producing bottled, flavored Nesquik and liquid Coffee-mate, a water-based creamer. The
company already has launched an expansion slated for completion in 2011.
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June 15, 2009
Anthony SchoettleThe Circle City Classic has hired Marc Williams, an East Coast marketing consultant, as its executive director, a post vacated
in March when Tony Mason left to become senior vice president for the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee.
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June 15, 2009
Kathleen McLaughlinMost fund-raisers stumble into the profession, but within a decade the field could be populated by recent college graduates
who hold degrees in philanthropic studies.The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University soon will roll out a bachelor's
degree that would be among the first of its kind. If all goes as planned, IUPUI would begin marketing the degree, granted
by the School of Liberal Arts, for the fall of 2010.
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June 15, 2009
Kathleen McLaughlinJeremy Efroymson recently agreed to return to the financially flailing Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art as its executive
director and work for free. Efroymson, one of the museum's early leaders, has a strategy for seeing IMOCA through a financial
rough spot, but what remains unclear is how the museum will wean itself off his support.
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June 15, 2009
Cory SchoutenDeveloper Brown Investments has reached terms with the owners of 43 of 49 homes in the North Meridian Heights neighborhood
in Carmel. Browning plans to demolish the homes to make way for a $100 million commercial development over 17 acres.
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June 15, 2009
Anthony SchoettleEven with the NBA draft approaching, Pacers coach Jim O'Brien makes time for his duties as a board member and on-the-ground
volunteer for the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention. A strong commitment to community service runs in
the coach's family.
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June 15, 2009
Kathleen McLaughlinA little-known federal program provides support for retraining to workers whose employers were hurt by foreign trade. The
Trade Adjustment Assistance Act also offers income replacement and health insurance benefits.
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June 8, 2009
J.K. WallFolks from all sorts of professions are trying on teaching, to survive the recession or to give back to the community. Or
both.
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June 8, 2009
Cory SchoutenA local architecture firm hopes to challenge hip Mass Ave with an arts-themed development in Fletcher Place. The $9 million
project would include apartments, retail and office space.
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Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.
Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.
I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.
The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.
I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!