Latest News

Proposed requirements could sink Muncie-area wind farm

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:27:10 GMT

A central Indiana official says the tough conditions opponents of a planned wind farm are seeking for the project would leave little room for the proposed power-generating wind turbines.

Purdue makes fast progress on tuition freeze

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:56:00 GMT

The school is nearly three-fourths of the way to reaching its goal of $40 million in savings or new revenue.

Counties worry about cost of sentencing overhaul

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:21:46 GMT

Indiana counties could be forced to pay some of the costs of a change in the state's criminal code that is designed to keep low-level offenders out of prison while ensuring the worst serve more of their sentences.

Mobile health apps could cut into legacy companies' turf

jkwall@ibj.com — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

The future of Indiana’s sprawling health care and life sciences industry might be threatened by an unlikely source: smartphone apps.

Firms ladle trips, car allowances on top of rich pay packages

dhuman@ibj.com — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Senior executives at Indiana's public companies last year received, on average, more in perks than the typical Hoosier earned all year, IBJ found after reviewing Securities and Exchange Commission documents for more than 60 Indiana companies.

Oesterle sells land to Angie's List, reaping millions

comalley@ibj.com — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Angie’s List Inc. CEO Bill Oesterle has collected millions of dollars over the years by renting to the company property for its campus along East Washington Street. Now, the landlord and chief executive is pocketing millions more by selling Angie’s the property, at well above its assessed value.

Athenaeum weighs redevelopment bids for surface parking lot

solson@ibj.com — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Three developers are competing to build a mixed-use project likely to include a parking garage on a surface lot adjacent to the historic Athenaeum building.

Spate of banking mergers may be just the beginning

gandrews@ibj.com — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

First Merchants Corp. CEO Michael Rechin thinks a wave of bank mergers is coming—driven by financial institutions’ quest to increase profits in an environment where super-low interest rates continue to squeeze margins.

WISH-TV rakes in bucks with city's only locally produced lifestyle show

comalley@ibj.com — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

"Indy Style"--an hour’s worth of TV programming on everything from recipes to music to fitness to screen-door-repair tips--fills its show with guests who are a combination of invited guests, sponsors and one-time-only advertisers.

Union looks to settle with workers over right-to-work issue

kmclaughlin@ibj.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:33:49 GMT

A local union charged with violating Indiana’s right-to-work law is hoping to settle with six workers who say their dues were improperly collected.

Duke's CFO heading to Chicago real estate firm

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:13:00 GMT

Christie Kelly is credited with playing a critical role at Duke in helping the company keep a strong financial position during the recession and economic recovery.

Indiana withdraws support for fertilizer plant

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:17:00 GMT

State officials have withdrawn incentives for a fertilizer plant over concerns about whether its Pakistan-based owners are doing enough at their overseas operations to keep the potentially explosive material from being used against U.S. troops.

ExactTarget confirms Atlanta expansion

dhuman@ibj.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:49:00 GMT

Indianapolis-based digital marketer ExactTarget Inc. plans to add 225 jobs over the next five years in Georgia.

Report: Roche mulls sale of blood-glucose monitor business

jkwall@ibj.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:45:00 GMT

Roche Diagnostics Corp. is considering a sale of its blood-glucose meter business, a move that would cast uncertainty over the nearly 1,000 people working for its diabetes business in Indianapolis.

Indiana adds jobs; unemployment rate slips

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:44:00 GMT

Indiana added 4,400 nonfarm jobs in April and the unemployment rate fell slightly, to 8.5 percent, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Friday morning.

River protest set for proposed central Indiana reservoir

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:26:00 GMT

Organizer and environmentalist Clarke Kahlo told The Herald Bulletin that the group is trying to build public awareness of the amount of land that would disappear if the reservoir is built.

New owner shutting down 520-worker Indiana plant

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:17:00 GMT

Allied Specialty Vehicles announced Thursday it was buying Monaco RV and shifting production to a factory in Decatur, near Fort Wayne. The 520 jobs lost in Wakarusa won't be replaced on a one-to-one basis.

Airport considers more parking changes

kmclaughlin@ibj.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Indianapolis International Airport plans to tweak another parking area, this time designating 260 spaces closest to the terminal for people who intend to spend a short time inside.

Critical questions follow reviewer's departure from Indy Star

lharry@ibj.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:33:00 GMT

The state's largest newspaper is mum on whether reviews will continue after the Friday resignation of its fine arts critic. Arts organizations are taking a wait-and-see attitude.

Canada’s Supreme Court won’t hear Lilly appeal on Zyprexa

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:14:00 GMT

Eli Lilly claims recent decisions by Canadian courts invalidating 17 drug patents have made the country an outlier among major developed countries.

Court upholds Indiana's limit on civil damages

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:30:22 GMT

The Indiana Supreme Court has upheld the state law limiting punitive damages awarded in civil lawsuits and directs most of that money to a state victims fund.

Herff Jones acquisition to form $1B company

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:10:00 GMT

Dallas-based BSN Sports will join the Herff Jones portfolio of companies and continue to operate as its own branded entity. Combined annual revenue is expected to top $1 billion.

Westfield Farmers Market pulls plug on 2013 season

adavis@ibj.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:54:00 GMT

Organizers at the not-for-profit Downtown Westfield Association on Wednesday said the open-air market near City Hall will not operate this year. It had been scheduled for Friday evenings from June to September.

Workers allege improper collection of union dues

kmclaughlin@ibj.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:52:00 GMT

The Indianapolis operations of a Canadian paper company and a Teamsters-affiliated local union violated Indiana’s right-to-work law, according to the allegations of six men who want out of the union.

Downtown Lilly building fetches $90 million

solson@ibj.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:39:00 GMT

American Realty Capital, a real estate investment firm based in New York City, bought the building on South Meridian Street occupied by Rolls Royce Corp. Lilly vacated the facility in 2010.

Truck stop mogul says he didn't know of fuel-rebate issues

kmclaughlin@ibj.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:31:00 GMT

In a speech in Indianapolis, embattled truck stop CEO and Cleveland Browns owner James Haslam took the blame for a lack of oversight in his fuel-sales rebate program, which is the subject of a federal investigation.

Aerospace company plans central Indiana factory expansion

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:51:45 GMT

L&E Engineering Co. officials say the company will spend $3.7 million to expand its Greenwood factory and add about 40 employees.

Top Indiana wind farm drafts bat-protection plan

Thu, 16 May 2013 03:49:08 GMT

The operators of Indiana's largest wind farm are proposing changing the nighttime operations of the farm's 300-plus wind turbines to protect endangered Indiana bats from being killed by the turbines' spinning blades.

Bloomington manufacturer closing, laying off 72

Thu, 16 May 2013 03:24:00 GMT

Hartmann USA said Wednesday that it will move the Bloomington operations to its U.S. headquarters in Rock Hill, S.C., where it plans an $18 million expansion.

Senior curator leaving IMA after 11-year stay

Thu, 16 May 2013 02:30:00 GMT

Lisa Freiman directed the opening of the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres in June 2010 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. and is credited with transforming the experience of contemporary art in Indianapolis.

Fed review finds Indiana highway land deals compliant

Thu, 16 May 2013 02:28:00 GMT

The Federal Highway Administration report found Indiana Department of Transportation records were adequate and sufficient.

Indianapolis couple charged with mail fraud

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:55:00 GMT

George Bowman, 43, and Traci L. Bowman, 42, are accused of falsifying purchase records and fraudulently filing insurance claims for expensive construction equipment they never purchased.

Kessler Mansion neighbors balk at business uses

dhuman@ibj.com — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:26:00 GMT

An Indianapolis City-County Councilor is looking into the possibility of zoning violations at the massive north-side property. The mansion will host a camp for entrepreneurs in June.

Lilly gives $1 million for art museum initiative

lharry@ibj.com — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:47:00 GMT

The five-year program is designed to transform the Indianapolis Museum of Art into a more visitor-centered institution. The first year will include enhancements to the upcoming Matisse show.

Eco devo veteran takes over Hamilton County Alliance

adavis@ibj.com — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:29:00 GMT

Former state Department of Commerce Chief Tim Monger took the reins of the economic development group after financial woes forced the organization to reevaluate priorities. He plans an aggressive approach.

State unlikely to act on push for lower booze level for driving

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:01:00 GMT

Federal officials are recommending that states reduce the amount of alcohol people can drink and still get behind the wheel. But a key state lawmaker says that's not likely to happen in Indiana.

Ball State: 5 revoked charter schools lose appeals

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:36:00 GMT

Ball State University has closed the books on its January decision to pull its sponsorship of seven academically struggling Indiana charter schools.

National fraternities face more legal risk after court ruling

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:40:00 GMT

An Indiana appeals court ruling regarding the death of a Wabash College freshman may force national fraternities to take more responsibility for misconduct at chapter houses.

Talk-radio conservative Abdul slated for WIBC-FM lineup

comalley@ibj.com — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:25:00 GMT

The commentator has been without local show on commercial radio since 2011. He'll find a home on WIBC, which also is preparing to fill its vacant position for news director.

Indiana BMV ends specialty plate talks with 3 groups

Wed, 15 May 2013 03:49:49 GMT

The BMV stopped negotiations with the Indiana Greenways Foundation, the Indiana 4-H Foundation and the Indiana Youth Group.

Zak Brown turns down IndyCar CEO job

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:55:00 GMT

Brown said he instead will relocate in July to England to continue the growth of his Zionsville-based agency, Just Marketing International.

Simon shareholders OK CEO’s controversial pay package

solson@ibj.com — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:25:00 GMT

The lucrative agreement approved Tuesday leaves in place the element that has created the largest controversy—a $120 million stock retention bonus that David Simon will receive if he stays through July 2019.

Surprise director departures boost WellPoint shares

gandrews@ibj.com — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:14:00 GMT

Outside observers cast the departures of Lenox Baker, Sheila Burke and Susan Bayh as a positive that will allow new CEO Joseph Swedish to recast the board.

Leader of fraud scheme sentenced to 4-plus years

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:12:00 GMT

Michael Russell, 54, pleaded guilty in January to 20 counts of wire fraud and money laundering in a scheme involving former Indianapolis City-County Councilor Paul Bateman.

Convenience stores sue to sell cold beer in Indiana

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:11:00 GMT

An industry trade group filed a lawsuit Tuesday morning contending that Indiana liquor law is unconstitutional and unfairly benefits liquor stores.

Nancy Irsay puts party pavilion, home on market for $3.7M

solson@ibj.com — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:56:00 GMT

Dozens of small charities have used the pavilion in south Carmel to host events, paying far below market rates.

Lechleiter's surgery to repair heart goes as planned

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:28:50 GMT

Eli Lilly and Co. CEO John Lechleiter underwent a scheduled surgery Monday for a heart defect, and the repair to the aorta is functioning as intended, the Indianapolis-based drugmaker said.

Indiana farmers catching up on some planting

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:11:00 GMT

A weekly report says 30 percent of Indiana's corn crop was planted as of Sunday, up from 8 percent the week before, but still off the 5-year average of 54 percent.

Three WellPoint directors step down, cite personal reasons

Tue, 14 May 2013 02:47:00 GMT

Lenox Baker, Sheila Burke and Susan Bayh resigned from the board effective immediately, Indianapolis-based WellPoint said Monday in a regulatory filing.

Broad Ripple flooding in 2012 becoming costly for city

Tue, 14 May 2013 02:36:00 GMT

The city of Indianapolis faces possibly paying several hundred thousand dollars for a restaurant badly damaged by flooding that swamped a neighborhood during a downpour a year ago.