JANUARY 9-15, 2012
This week, read about Indianapolis' new breed of street performers and meet the new generation of leadership at locally based LDI Ltd. In Focus, see what state schools chief Tony Bennett is doing to gear up for re-election. And Ed Feigenbaum examines the big stories brewing this legislative session.
Front PageBack to Top
Throng of volunteers involved in staging Super Bowl
The city’s biggest event of the year will be run almost entirely by an army of volunteers. Some 8,000 volunteers are helping to execute the preparations for the Super Bowl, which is expected to draw 150,000 visitors.
Read MoreIT upgrade for state dogged by delays
The state missed a Dec. 15 deadline to complete a complicated technology overhaul of its unemployment insurance system—the latest in a series of delays that have added years to the project and led to more than $18 million in cost overruns.
Read MoreState eyes roundabouts for 31 intersections
The Indiana Department of Transportation has ambitious plans to build roundabouts at 31 intersections statewide over the next five years, including a dozen in the metro area.
Read MoreTop StoriesBack to Top
Performers set to take to streets
Indianapolis has its occasional street musician or juggler, but the Super Bowl will bring out a new breed of performer–more theatrical, more cutting-edge. Local arts supporters hope the taste will leave city officials and residents wanting street theater year-round.
Read MoreSeats from Bush Stadium to live on at bus stops
A local group has partnered with IndyGo to pay homage to one of the city’s great sports landmarks by installing Bush Stadium’s seats at bus stops all over the city.
Read MoreGreat-grandson of LDI’s founder prepares to take reins
In a world that likes to see businesses grow by leaps and bounds, LDI Ltd. is a tortoise. The family-owned holding company typically hangs onto firms in its portfolio for 15 years or more. It might take more than two years to zero in on an acquisition target. And it’s putting its next CEO, J.A. Lacy, through a year-long apprenticeship.
Read MoreSimon chasing title of state’s most valuable company
David Simon's massive new compensation plan—which includes a $120 million long-term bonus—is a drop in the bucket compared with the wealth the company has been creating in recent years, even as the overall market zigs and zags.
Read MoreEdible Arrangements franchisee opens third location
Retha Parsley owns three franchises for Edible Arrangements, a fruit-bouquet-delivery business, including a new downtown location that also sells in-store dipped fruit, fruit smoothies and fruit parfaits.
Read MoreIU doc growth slower than expected
Indiana University Health Physicians started as the Indiana Clinic three years ago with plans to employ at least 1,200 physicians by now. That hasn’t happened, but the organization said it won’t stop folding doctors into its organization.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Ball State offers higher-ed aid to Iraq, Afghanistan
New program is making progress in volatile countries.
Read MoreIndiana schools chief Bennett gears up for re-election bid
String of controversial reforms draw campaign contributions, ire of opponents.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Colts owner reverses field in firing Polians
No one can argue with the outstanding results the Indianapolis Colts saw under Bill and Chris Polian.
Read MoreMAURER: 2011 marked by generosity, ignorance
The Indiana Legislature unleashed the serpent of prejudice and hatred that may send Indiana reeling economically, socially and morally.
Read MoreRUSTHOVEN: Admiring gratitude for the Polian era
Bill Polian deserves a huge chunk of the credit for the Colts’ becoming a premier NFL franchise, and a tremendous source of pride and pleasure to our town.
Read MoreBEGO: The godsend of right-to-work is freedom
Ultimately, right-to-work is an issue of the right to private property, one’s labor, which we as Hoosiers expect both sides of the aisle at the Statehouse to honor and defend.
Read MoreFEIGENBAUM: Right-to-work just one of big stories brewing in ’12
Hoosiers may never have started a January with the likely litany of top 10 stories of the year lined up quite as transparently as they seem for 2012.
Read MoreHICKS: Job prospects should factor into student loans
College education is expensive (mostly due to foregone earnings), but in terms of expenses, paying tuition for state schools is far less than half the cost of going to college.
Read MoreKIM: Predictions often worthless, but take a look at these
There are some highly experienced and skilled investors who make unconventional predictions I think are worth paying attention to.
Read MoreTechnology already helping commuters
Richard Sullivan’s letter to the editor [Jan. 2] makes some great observations about how few people take full advantage of Indianapolis’ existing transit resources.
Read MoreMarkets can rein in health care costs
Congratulations to Rob Hillman, Anthem and UnitedHealthcare [Nov. 26] for allowing patients and health care consumers to shop for lower-cost providers within their networks.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Feinstein sees growing interest in vocal competition
The Great American Songbook Vocal Academy and Competition will be open to students outside the Midwest this year.
Read MoreUnions air TV and radio ads targeting right-to-work laws
The ads encouraging Hoosiers to ask lawmakers to oppose the controversial legislation are paid for by Indiana’s AFL-CIO.
Read MoreNational life sciences law firm opens office here
New York-based Epstein Becker Green already has clients here, including Biomet and Roche Diagnostics.
Read MoreIndyFringe buys headquarters building
The organizer of the IndyFringe Festival bought the building it has rented for three years and is raising money to expand it.
Read MoreFieldhouse promoters have high hopes for first tennis event
Pacers Sports & Entertainment and local tennis officials are hopeful a tennis event featuring Pete Sampras and Todd Martin at Bankers Life Fieldhouse will be a springboard to much bigger tennis events, maybe even a Davis Cup match.
Read MorePROXY CORNER: Biglari Holdings Inc.
Biglari Holdings Inc. is a San Antonio-based holding company that owns Indianapolis-based Steak n Shake, Roanoke, Va.-based Western Sizzlin and invests in a diverse range of businesses.
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