JUNE 11-17, 2021
You can add Indianapolis-based Herff Jones to the long list of local companies that have been hacked for their customers’ personal information. Susan Orr reports the company now faces three lawsuits from college students and their parents who say they were hit with fraudulent credit- and debit-card charges after using those cards to order caps, gowns and other graduation gear from the Herff Jones website. Also in this issue, John Russell reports that use of the two COVID-19 antibodies developed by Eli Lilly and Co. has been waning in the U.S. And Kurt Christian reveals that Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville are among roughly 50 cities nationwide that are now projected to get less than half of the COVID relief money they originally expected.
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Herff Jones data breach triggers lawsuits from graduation-gear customers
The company disclosed on its website May 12 what it described as a “cyber security incident” that resulted in the “theft of certain customers’ payment information.”
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City tweaks TIFs to boost affordable housing
City officials are again refining expectations of developers who ask for help in financing projects, with the goal of increasing the affordable-housing stock and reducing the city’s long-term debt.
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Lilly’s COVID therapy hits wall as virus wanes
The use of COVID antibodies has fallen across the United States lately and, along with it, Lilly’s sales in that category.
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Outdoor-storage firms prepare to scout for land amid growth
The number of properties focused on or allowing outdoor storage is limited—and there’s little indication that that will change anytime soon.
Read MoreFederal COVID relief will be less than some cities expected
Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville are among roughly 50 cities nationwide that are now projected to receive less than half of the federal COVID-19 relief money they originally expected.
Read MoreQ&A with Kelley Niiyama, owner of a cat cafe
Niiyama, 51, and her husband, Hidetaka, have five cats at home. They also own Nine Lives Cat Café in Fountain Square—a coffee shop with an adjacent lounge where patrons pay to interact with adoptable cats.
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Artisan marketplace at 16 Tech adds tenants, amps up for grand opening
About half of the 20 vendors so far are already open at The AMP, which has its grand opening later this month. The AMP, a food-and-drink-based artisan marketplace, is on the campus of 16 Tech on the western edge of downtown.
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Family farm sells for $10.6M, paving way for 250 acres of industrial developments
Opus Development Co. plans to develop up to four buildings on the land in the Mount Comfort corridor, including a 862,000-square-foot distribution facility for Atkins Nutritionals.
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Local tech vets join forces on platform to tackle unsolved crimes
The three co-founders of Uncovered.com have launched a crowd-funding initiative to raise money for their tech startup, which is focused on cracking unsolved missing persons and murder cases.
Read MoreSharpen Technologies spears another $14M in growth capital
Sharpen’s latest round of financing brings the total amount raised by the firm to more than $55 million. It follows a year when its cloud-based customer service platform became much more relevant.
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Mike Lopresti: Champions prove age is just a number
Remember Helio Castroneves proving that old guys can still climb fences?
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Companies provide services, encourage connections as they prioritize mental health
Many companies have been looking for new ways to help employees cope with the uncertainty, stress and anxiety that has come with the pandemic.
Read MoreQ&A: Employees’ emotions are ‘spilling over’
Companies should find ways to remove the stigma employees feel when they seek help for stress or mental health, said Edward Hirt, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at Indiana University.
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$250B legislative tech package is good for state, US
We applaud Indiana’s own Sen. Todd Young, a Republican, for joining with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, in sponsoring the bill and bringing the often-warring political parties together on such important economic issues.
Read MoreLesley Weidenbener: Return to the office won’t be stress-free
I am ridiculously eager to have everyone back. I miss the collaboration that comes with quick meetings to address a sudden problem or opportunity. I miss the moments when one reporter overhears a snippet of another reporter’s interview or conversation and makes a connection that is helpful to getting a story.
Read MoreJade Thomas: Benjamin Harrison site offers lessons for leadership
There’s no instruction manual for leadership. There is no template. Our leadership is informed by our experiences with others and our inclination toward learning.
Read MoreDarryl Lockett & Corey Wilson: Solving today’s challenges demands ‘sneaker diplomacy’
Solving today’s challenges demands what we call “sneaker diplomacy,” the kind of two-way understanding that comes from walking a mile or two in someone else’s kicks.
Read MoreIn the workplace: Successful mergers require a new ‘we’
We are hearing stories every day of new M&A activity, accelerating valuations and increasing deal flow.
Read MorePETE THE PLANNER: As pandemic eases, lifestyle spending will increase
The housing market is red-hot, the travel industry is on the verge of poetic justice earned by a year lost, and certain consumer goods are increasingly difficult to find.
Read MoreBohanon & Curott: The cost of ransomware attacks and prevention is high
It is hard, if not impossible, for the U.S. government to impose criminal sanctions on hackers burrowed in countries openly hostile to the United States, such as North Korea, Russia or Iran.
Read MoreLetters: IU Indianapolis is good name choice
If a name change for IUPUI is in order, only the Indiana University name would be of immediate value. Any other name would have to build a reputation over a period of years.
Read MoreLetter: Kudos to solar power
I firsthand am receiving the benefits of generating my own power, and with net metering, being part of the solution of the grid and not the problem.
Read MoreLetter: The meaning of words matters
In the past year, how many times have we seen or heard the words “equity,” “inclusion,” “diversity,” “systemic racism,” “social justice”? These are language terms that have been driven into the American mindset and culture and glommed onto by so many organizations and businesses and political groups.
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City-County Council votes to ditch mask mandate for vaccinated residents
The Democratic-majority council passed the measure 19-5, along party lines, with Republicans opposed because the order didn’t fully lift all capacity limits for businesses.
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Developer planning $30M pickleball, tennis center in Westfield
Westfield-based EdgeRock Development is working to develop the Grand National Pickleball Center on a 25-acre site on the north side of 191st Street. The facility is expected to have 36 indoor and 16 outdoor pickleball courts.
Read MoreMaker of games, puzzles plans $11M expansion in Indiana
Ludo Fact USA LLC announced plans Tuesday to boost operations in Lafayette, adding up to 114 workers by the end of 2024.
Read MoreLongtime developer Chambers named Indiana secretary of commerce
Brad Chambers, who founded Indianapolis-based powerhouse development firm Buckingham Cos. in 1984, will take his new position July 6. He’ll succeed Jim Schellinger, who stepped down abruptly in March after 5-1/2 years on the job.
Read MoreBoone County judge rules Zionsville mayor needs council OK to demote fire chief
Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron filed the lawsuit in March after the town council unanimously denied her request to demote Zionsville Fire Department Chief James VanGorder.
Read MoreForefrontBack to Top
Rep. Trey Hollingsworth: The growing national debt is concern for Hoosiers
You don’t have to be an accountant to see that the federal government isn’t doing a good job of balancing the books.
Read MoreU.S. Rep. Andre Carson: Biden’s plans will help US emerge from pandemic
As we emerge from this pandemic, we can’t just return to the status quo that hurt working families, and ultimately our economy.
Read MoreAbdul-Hakim Shabazz: A little advice for the graduates
“For example, don’t believe everything everyone tells you. Do your homework on important issues.”
Read MorePierre Atlas: Middle East conflict requires two-state solution
I believe the solution lies in two secure and viable states, sharing Jerusalem.
Read MoreShariq Siddiqui: We must mourn lives lost in Middle East conflict
It is not antisemitic to criticize Israeli policies or to express solidarity with the cause of Palestinian rights.
Read MoreDr. Richard Feldman: Virus restrictions, masks should stay for now
Public health officials have never relied on people to act responsibly or prudently. That’s why we have public health regulations.
Read MoreJim Shella: The case for vaccination: Bob, 50, dies of COVID-19
Bob fell ill. Seriously ill. After a few days, he went to the emergency room. … Things never got better.
Read MoreMichael Leppert: The government does much we don’t understand
I am looking forward to the time the vaccines that have received FDA emergency authorization receive “full FDA approval.”
Read MoreCurt Smith: Indiana poised to emerge from pandemic strong
Many more changes are ahead. Many daunting challenges remain.
Read MoreEd DeLaney: State budget leaves out higher education institutions
The supermajority was ill-prepared for this largesse. It has had only two ideas: Cut taxes and build the surplus. There were too many dollars for this.
Read MoreClaire Fiddian-Green: Eliminating digital divide requires connectivity for all
Internet connectivity is a requirement for those needing to participate in e-learning, access health care remotely, find employment and more.
Read MoreMarshawn Wolley: Racial equity work must continue
We’ve been here before, but if we embrace the necessity for change and accountability, it can be different this time.
Read MoreJennifer Wagner: Democrats need to focus on ‘purple’ areas
The hard part … is setting expectations about where we can win—and where we can’t.
Read MoreKaren Celestino-Horseman: Indy Pride must support LGBTQ police officers
The LGBTQ community has strenuously fought long and hard against stereotyping and yet it now is condoning stereotyping of law enforcement officers.
Read MoreDeborah Daniels: Labels keep us from having rational discussion
It seems to me that, if we avoided divisive labels like ‘gun control,’ it might be possible to have a more reasoned debate on at least some issues.
Read MoreRiley Parr: The Republican Party is not dead
The political and societal climate today bears striking resemblance to the climate nearly 100 years ago that led to economically progressive Republicans.
Read MoreDana Black: America is divided—it always has been
The events of the past six months have drawn a line down the stars and stripes.
Read MoreBrad Rateike: Reprieve from politics was short-lived
Though I might have my opinion on who the morning-line favorite will be in the 2024 GOP primary, the horses have not yet been loaded into the gate.
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