JANUARY 18-24, 2010

This week, read about why Lauth Group Inc.'s largest creditor has asked a bankruptcy court judge to appoint a trustee in the case and find out what Jay Leno's primetime troubles mean for local NBC affiliates like WTHR-TV Channel 13. In A&E, etc., meet a former costume designer who has moved on to sleepwear. And take a video tour of United Hospital Services' massive laundry facility as the cooperative considers a statewide expansion.

Front PageBack to Top

Shiel Sexton plans $50M project near Methodist Hospital

January 14, 2010 |

The local construction company is drawing up plans for a mixed-use project with offices, a parking garage and retail space
on several parcels it owns near Capitol Avenue and 16th Street.

State links university funding to lifting graduation rates

January 14, 2010 |

The
Indiana Commission for Higher Education late last month slashed college budgets based on key performance
measures.

Uncertainty over 2012 Super Bowl puts hotels in a bind

January 14, 2010 |

At issue is a dispute pitting NFL players against owners, and owners against one another over how league
revenue should be divided. If it isn’t resolved, the 2011 season could be shortened, delayed or canceled.

Lender alleges Lauth insiders backdated loan documents

January 14, 2010 |

The largest creditor for Lauth Group Inc. has asked a bankruptcy judge to appoint a trustee after evidence in a related case
suggested Lauth insiders may have backdated documents to thwart creditors.

Bird strikes frequent at Indianapolis airport

January 14, 2010 |

Bird strikes remain a threat—statistically more so than a Nigerian terrorist with a bomb in his BVDs—at Indianapolis International Airport. There were 37 bird strikes reported at the airport in 2009, five involving damage or temporary grounding of an aircraft.

Hotels spark expansion of downtown skywalk system

January 14, 2010 |

Two walkways that will connect to the new Marriott Place hotel will extend downtown’s network of skywalk and underground pedestrian
paths to a total of 12 hotels with more than 4,700 rooms–the most of any downtown in the United States.

Auto, battery jobs hinge on landing federal energy loans

January 14, 2010 |

Indiana’s future as a hub for making electric and hybrid vehicles hinges on a single government loan program.

NBC’s Jay Leno failure puts pinch on WTHR

January 14, 2010 |

With its 11 p.m. news ratings declining and its network partner, NBC, struggling to plug the 10 p.m. programming slot crucial
to those ratings, WTHR-TV Channel 13 finds itself at a precarious crossroads.

Legislation to protect car dealers re-emerges at Statehouse

January 14, 2010 |

Dozens of Chrysler and General Motors dealers in Indiana were terminated last year. Now, a dealer trade group wants to
block automakers from preying on termination fears to wrest concessions from surviving dealers.

Area hospital construction taking break after expensive binge

January 13, 2010 |

Observers expect a lull with inpatient facilities for five years or more, but continued proliferation of outpatient
clinics and surgery centers.

United Hospital Services laundry co-op considers statewide expansion

January 13, 2010 |

The massive far-east-side facility
already launders linen
for 30 hospitals and 400 clinics in Indiana, handling more than 36 million pounds of soiled linen each year.

EDITORIAL: Booze bill is a small step for Sunday sales

January 14, 2010 |

More than once, we have used this space to rail against legislation that would further restrict alcohol sales in Indiana. So we are happy to be patting lawmakers on
the back for advancing a measure that would begin to ease the onerous limitations on when Hoosiers can buy booze.

MARCUS: Opportunity to Think in Elkhart County

January 14, 2010 |

Maybe Elkhart County needs to ask itself if there is long-term economic value
in being the RV or even the electric-vehicle capital of the nation.

FEIGENBAUM: Bills flying through Legislature at Castroneves’ pace

January 14, 2010 |

At a torrid pace, major pieces of legislation are flying
through the Indiana General Assembly, leaving lawmakers with an envious decision: Adjourn early and make Hoosier voters happy,
or stick around and devote attention to other major issues that deserve close scrutiny, but receive short shrift in sessions
bogged down by battles over high-profile partisan matters.

ALTOM: See the light, and get on the fluorescent bandwagon

January 14, 2010 |

It’s hard to imagine an invention more commonly used than the light bulb. It’s a shame that by 2014 we probably
won’t be able to buy them anymore, at least not as readily as we do now.

HAUKE: Indicators point toward bearish bond market

January 14, 2010 |

There is a real possibility that the highs for the bond market have been reached, and we are in the early stages of what may turn into a powerful, sustainable and long-term bear market for government bonds.

HICKS: Urban-to-rural state tax flow makes sense

January 14, 2010 |

With only a few exceptions, tax dollars flow from urban counties to rural counties.

DOUGLAS: Regulate the raters, but not too much

January 14, 2010 |

In Washington, the Senate Banking Committee is considering far-reaching legislation regulating the financial services
industry in the wake of the recent and ongoing crisis. This legislation will dramatically change the relationship between
the federal government and some of our financial institutions.

Indianapolis Business Journal