MARCH 4-10, 2013
This week, meet the Indiana Pacers executive who literally wrote the book on teamwork and read about why central Indiana's mass transit bill faces a tough road in the Senate. In Focus, see how First Internet Bank is leveraging is online roots. And in Forefront, columnists ask Gov. Mike Pence not to cut taxes. Say what?
Front PageBack to Top
Hospital systems forcing doctors to choose sides
The five-year trend of physician practices marrying up with hospitals has made it harder and harder for independent physician practices to spend time in more than one hospital system.
Read MoreQuirky campaign aims to win new listeners for WFYI
National Public Radio is spending $750,000 on an aggressive advertising campaign designed to boost its audience in four test cities, including Indianapolis, by pointing out the wide variety of people who listen to public radio.
Read MoreAirport puts parking operations under review
The revenue-hungry Indianapolis Airport Authority is reviewing its entire parking operation, including opening up its valet parking contract in search of new services that would appeal to business travelers and in turn boost the airport’s bottom line.
Read MoreTop StoriesBack to Top
Transit bill to face tough road in Senate
A bill to create a rapid-transit system in central Indiana is headed for the crucible of the Senate, where skeptics stand ready to tear apart the proposal’s $1.3 billion financing plan.
Read MorePacers general manager wrote the book on teamwork
Indiana Pacers General Manager Kevin Pritchard believes character is forged in losing as much as in winning. He’s shared that philosophy in a recent book he co-wrote called “Help the Helper: Building a Culture of Extreme Teamwork.”
Read MoreTangle with Huntington Bank could fell ‘Peanut King’
The company, which roasts nuts and sells concession equipment, filed for bankruptcy to stave off Huntington National Bank, which had filed to foreclose on its real estate.
Read MoreOne gift boosted major donations in Indiana in 2012
An Indiana-born entrepreneur gave $125 million. Just five others gave $1 million or more.
Read MoreUnited Way sees promise in new CEO’s connections
Ann Murtlow has no experience running a not-for-profit, yet she is charging into the top job at one of the city’s largest charitable groups. The people who hired the former Indianapolis Power & Light Co. CEO say her connections to the Indianapolis business community are a big plus in her new role at United Way of Central Indiana.
Read MoreSchouten appointed IBJ managing editor
Incoming IBJ Editor Greg Andrews announced the appointment of Cory Schouten as managing editor.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
First Internet Bank leverages online roots
The Indianapolis-based bank, launched just 14 years ago, is reaching all-time highs in assets and profitability and plans to become a $1 billion institution by 2015.
Read MoreStonegate Mortgage raising new round of funding
Fast-growing Indianapolis company is pushing to fill a vacuum in the housing market.
Read MoreLANGFORD: Banks must move toward greater access, flexibility
Consumers want more than ‘one message fits all.’
Read MoreCOOK: Economic development deals need to benefit all sides
In a time when state and local officials make economic development announcements every day, an increasingly common question is, “How does this benefit me?
Read MoreJONES: Lessons for the 2013 IPO market from Facebook
With the Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 index hovering at or near all-time highs, one would think the stock markets would be highly receptive to initial public offerings in 2013, even if the economy disappoints.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Good choice for United Way
When the longtime CEO of United Way of Central Indiana last year announced her plans to retire, the not-for-profit’s board embarked on a search for a seasoned executive with deep community ties. They found both in Ann D. Murtlow.
Read MoreMAURER: Big Q’s lofty mission didn’t involve flying
Quentin Paige Smith died in January at age 94. If you didn’t know the Big Q, you missed a hell of a man—his own man—unbowed by the evil racism of the pre-Civil Rights era. I wrote his biography for my book “19 Stars of Indiana—Exceptional Hoosier Men,” and now I can tell you the rest of that story.
Read MoreRUSTHOVEN: The sky really isn’t falling
If our president is right—and who doubts a word he utters?—writing this is wasting time, as it is scheduled for publication that day after the “sequester” takes effect and life comes to an end. But on the off chance the world survives, let’s soldier on for the fraction of readers who might not always find this column a waste of time.
Read MoreHOLLENBERG: Deregulation has gone too far
As an environmental policy analyst, the governor’s ordering of a moratorium on environmental regulation concerns me. It should also concern Indiana residents and businesses.
Read MoreFEIGENBAUM: Battles yet to be fought over handful of divisive bills
We’ve made it halfway through the 2013 legislative session with much less in the way of figurative fisticuffs than in the last several sessions—for which the participants and observers seem grateful.
Read MoreRACE: It’s time to rediscover Kessler’s park and boulevard system
George Kessler’s 1908 vision was the foundation for Indianapolis’ neighborhood building and metropolitan-park planning. The nearly 3,500-acre Kessler legacy is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Read MoreHICKS: Economic evolution requires ongoing flexibility
I am often asked some version of the question, “Can we really survive becoming a service economy—won’t our loss of manufacturing jobs spell doom for our country?” The answer is, “No.”
Read MoreKIM: Mutual fund choices influenced by conflicts
Have you ever wondered how and why the mutual funds your brokerage firm recommends or those that appear on your 401(k) plan’s menu of investment options were chosen?
Read MoreDon’t subsidize Indianapolis Motor Speedway
I seriously question the advisability of our state, city or county providing monetary support to sports organizations, and certainly Indianapolis Motor Speedway [Feb. 18].
Read MorePut citizens first
Are there not any really decent people to run for Congress [Maurer column, Feb. 18]? Too many of these candidates have the ability to speak smoothly, show an engaging personality and make a good impression. The real essence of their character is not revealed until they are caught taking advantage of their slick-lip shenanigans.
Read MoreHempstead needs a grip
I surely hope Sarah Hempstead [Feb. 25] was joking when she suggested we ask anybody about Indianapolis—inferring, I would guess, a blank stare.
Read MoreMorris column hit home
I enjoyed Greg Morris’ [Feb. 25] column. However, I wish he had taken it one step further to explain the absurdity of these so called “sequestration” cuts as they relate to baseline budgeting.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Indiana’s tech efforts on national radar
White House summit on tech startups included only 11 states after evaluation of tech economies in all 50.
Read MoreCharter schools bill would strip Indy council’s authority
A bill moving through the state legislature would remove the City-County Council’s ability to veto mayor-sponsored charter schools.
Read MoreWTHR meteorologist leaving for position in Texas
WTHR-TV Channel 13 Meteorologist Chikage Windler is scheduled to sign off the local air Tuesday afternoon before departing for a new position in Texas in the latest in a series of shakeups involving local weathercasters.
Read MoreIU, Marian set to launch wave of docs
Between the new Marian college of medicine and an enrollment expansion at the Indiana University School of Medicine, the state will have 88 percent more med students by next fall.
Read MorePROXY CORNER: Hillenbrand Inc.
Batesville-based Hillenbrand Inc. sells burial caskets and other death-care products. The company also operates a Process Equipment Group, which makes material-handling equipment and systems.
Read More