FEBRUARY 11-17, 2013
This week, meet the creative sisters at the helm of local snack sensation Just Pop In! and find out why the state will spend $281 million on a 27-mile stretch of Interstate 69. In Focus, read about why some local convention promoters think Indianapolis is losing its competitive edge. And Greg Andrews takes a look at the Marsh family's downfall.
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Hospitals paying big to snag surgeons
Across the four largest hospital systems in central Indiana, six physicians received more than $1 million in compensation in 2011 while two others received more than $900,000 and nine others received $700,000 or more, according to the hospitals’ most recent reports to the IRS.
Read MoreIMA’s new CEO aims to bolster finances by doubling attendance
Indianapolis Museum of Art CEO Charles Venable plans to cut costs and use major exhibits to boost attendance—a strategy aimed at reducing the museum’s reliance on investment returns and allowing its endowment to grow back to pre-recession level.
Read MoreBallard won’t levy charter fee, despite fiscal squeeze
Mayor Greg Ballard is nationally recognized as a rigorous charter authorizer, picky about which schools open and willing to shut down the under-performers. But there is a cost to the city’s education work and Ballard may have to consider how much of it can be supported by the city’s maxed-out general fund alone.
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I-69 leg gobbling up state’s road funding
As legislators brace for a $250 million annual transportation spending gap down the road, the Indiana Department of Transportation has designated more than one-third of its entire federal highway aid this year toward building 27 miles of Interstate 69 between Crane and Bloomington.
Read MoreSisters put sophisticated spin on popcorn
Just Pop In! retail stores feature traditional, popular flavors like caramel and cheddar—and an “Indy Style” mixture of the two—but a dizzying array of more imaginative concoctions sets the local chain apart.
Read MoreFirm’s Klipsch purchase hasn’t rocked Wall Street
Voxx International Corp.’s $166 million buyout of Indianapolis-based speaker maker Klipsch Group two years ago so far hasn’t generated the excitement on Wall Street that Voxx wants.
Read MoreLack of restraint caused Marsh family’s downfall
What’s extraordinary about the spending spree was that it continued even as Marsh Supermarkets' financial condition grew increasingly precarious.
Read MoreSymphony taps new partner to draw attendees
The ISO hopes that occasionally featuring classically trained artists who stray from traditional symphony conventions will tap new audiences and fill empty seats.
Read MoreCommunity taps Walgreens for health reform help
In the era of health care reform, hospitals will face two new challenges: They will need to run higher-volume, lower-margin businesses, and they’ll be on the hook financially for what patients do even when they’re not receiving health care. Community Health Network’s new partnership with Walgreens’ Take Care Clinics is designed to help address both issues.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Is Indianapolis becoming too expensive for conventions?
A recent tax increase coupled with cut-rate competition from other cities has Indianapolis-area convention and meeting officials fretting about losing a longtime cost advantage.
Read MoreHotel, restaurant merger part of larger shakeup
With the consolidation of the Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association and the Indiana Restaurant Association are complete, longtime association leader John Livengood will stepping down
Read MoreSCOTT: Local restaurant trends to keep eye on in 2013
Locovore, food trucks and snackification among other trends are gaining momentum in the Indianapolis area.
Read MoreQUICK HITS: More people visit Philly than Indy despite similar tourism budgets
Philadelphia offers strong historical draws and a plethora of downtown restaurants.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: ISO gets lift, needs leader
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has cleared one major hurdle on its path to financial stability. But the biggest challenges lie ahead.
Read MoreMORRIS: Post office is cutting back, but IBJ isn’t
You’ve seen the news coverage. Starting in August, the United States Postal Service will discontinue Saturday mail delivery. Forget the bills. Forget the junk mail. Who cares if you have to wait until Monday to get those items? In fact, studies have shown that seven out of 10 Americans are fine with eliminating Saturday mail delivery.
Read MoreKENNEDY: Pence should retake Regulation 101
New year, new governor, same song. One of the first official pronouncements from newly inaugurated Gov. Pence was a solemnly delivered promise to stop regulating—to cease issuing administrative rules except when "absolutely necessary."
Read MoreZAHN: Attack health problems the Indy Way
With all the talk about increasing health care costs, the Affordable Care Act and Hoosiers’ poor health standings, now is the time for Indianapolis to be bold and take action.
Read MoreFEIGENBAUM: Pence quietly departing from Daniels’ playbook
One month into the administration of Republican Gov. Mike Pence, you can hold one truth to be self-evident: He’s not the second coming of his predecessor, Mitch Daniels.
Read MoreALTOM: Technology takes (some) jobs but also creates them
In the aftermath of the Great Recession, the economy continues to grow, but it’s becoming obvious that unemployment isn’t going to nosedive the way it has after previous recessions.
Read MoreHICKS: Why stock prices rise in a shaky economy
The stock market highs over the past few months have many folks confused.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Weakening currencies spur economic growth or inflation
The value of a currency can be influenced by all sorts of variables—including politics, monetary policy and interest rates.
Read MoreBuses, yes, but no rail
I support fully the improvement of the bus system in the metro area [Morris column, Jan. 28]. It is a necessity and the responsibility of government to provide access to those who need this service efficiently and cost effectively.
Read MoreDon’t expand vouchers
I say no to expansion of Indiana’s school voucher program, already the most liberal in the nation when it comes to taking public money and moving it to private—mostly religious—schools. I ask the Legislature, particularly the GOP super-majority, to do more for the “system of common schools” they promised to support when they swore to uphold Indiana’s Constitution.
Read MoreCursive is antiquated
In a political climate where jobs is the watchword of every campaign, I am confused and saddened by the state Senate Education Committee’s 7-4 vote endorsing a bill that would mandate the teaching of cursive writing in elementary school.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Senators look to sunset city’s ticket, excise tax hikes
Legislator says the recent tax increases aren’t being used for the purpose intended when such increases were authorized in 2009.
Read MoreWater, sewer utilities stink up Citizens’ earnings
The biggest contributor to an $11.8 million loss in 2012 was the wastewater unit it bought from the city the year before.
Read MoreCummins’ earnings, revenue fall on weaker demand
Engine maker Cummins Inc. saw profit sink 30 percent in the fourth quarter as demand for its products fell in both domestic and international markets. Full-year profit and revenue also fell.
Read MoreLilly aims to submit five new drugs for approval
With Eli Lilly and Co. set to see patents expire on its best-selling drug at year’s end, it is in the company’s interest to say its pipeline is about to produce new drugs. But the Indianapolis drugmaker may be in a position to submit five new drugs for regulatory approval this year.
Read MoreFinish Line exec resigns after website redesign debacle
Less than three months after a disastrous launch of a newly designed website that cost the retail company $3 million in sales, The Finish Line Inc. has parted ways with its chief digital officer.
Read MoreNFP of NOTE: CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions
CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions empowers older adults, those of any age with a disability and family caregivers to achieve the greatest possible independence, dignity and quality of life.
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