NOVEMBER 24-30, 2014

"The Circus in Winter" was first developed as a musical as a class project at Ball State University in 2010. It since has evolved into a professional production at one of the nation’s leading regional theaters. Lou Harry explains what has to happen next for it to debut on Broadway. Also this week, Scott Olson delves into a $33 million lawsuit between Orange Leaf and a local franchisee of the fro-yo shops. And in Focuis, J.K. Wall details the unorthodox way Hillenbrand Inc. encourages its workers to lose weight.

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Ball State-birthed musical aims for Broadway

November 20, 2014 | Lou Harry

If the team behind “The Circus in Winter” has its way (and if enough money can be raised and script kinks worked out), the Ball State University-incubated musical might be the first Tony award winner conceived as a collaborative class project.

Financing strategy for roads hits bump

November 20, 2014 | Kathleen McLaughlin

A standard-bearer of public-private partnerships since former Gov. Mitch Daniels’ toll road lease, Indiana might be turning away from at least one form of the P3s.

Municipalities including Westfield join trademark game

November 20, 2014 | Andrea Muirragui Davis

Legal brand protection is all but required in the corporate world, where businesses must guard against unauthorized use of the brands they’ve invested time and resources to build. Now, the public sector increasingly is following suit as communities work to establish identities of their own.

Orange Leaf franchisee seeks $33M in suit

November 20, 2014 | Scott Olson

A dispute between one of the nation’s largest frozen yogurt chains and a local franchisee has sparked dueling lawsuits, in one of which the franchisee is seeking $33 million in damages.

Settlement reached in Steak n Shake franchisee suit

November 20, 2014 | Greg Andrews

It's not clear whether the settlement Steak n Shake has reached with St. Louis-based Druco Restaurants will give the franchisee more leeway on pricing.

Electronic rubber duckie boasts smartphone smarts

November 20, 2014 | Jared Council

Two Carmel-based entrepreneurs created Edwin the Duck, which they bill as the world’s first interactive rubber duck. The prototype has already piqued the interest of Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and other retailers, the inventors said.

UnitedHealthcare to test dominance of WellPoint

November 20, 2014 | J.K. Wall

After sitting on the sidelines this year, UnitedHealthcare is getting back into Indiana’s individual-insurance game.

Palladium contractors to pay $5.3M to settle suit

November 20, 2014 | Andrea Muirragui Davis

The Carmel Redevelopment Commission has agreed to settle a lawsuit over defects in the Palladium’s domed roof.

Hoosier Lottery loses money on new Monopoly game

November 18, 2014 | Kathleen McLaughlin

Sales of the Monopoly Millionaires’ Club have been too low to cover weekly jackpot drawings since the game launched in October in Indiana and 22 other states.

Pacers hire Maine firm to hunt for national sponsors

November 20, 2014 | Anthony Schoettle

The Indiana Pacers recently signed a deal with Portland, Maine-based Shamrock Sports & Entertainment to help the team land blue-chip national sponsors in nine categories. The primary focus of Shamrock’s hunt will be outside central Indiana. The 18-month agreement signed earlier this fall marks the first time the team has signed with an outside sponsorship […]

Hillenbrand sees rare progress in controlling workers’ weight

November 19, 2014 | J.K. Wall

Hillenbrand is making headway at a time when most corporations reap little improvement for their investment in wellness programs.

MAURER: Go back 100 years—not much has changed

November 20, 2014 | Mickey Maurer

The things that divided and united us are still present as we approach the state’s bicentennial.

RUSTHOVEN: More to come from Gruber’s open mouth

November 20, 2014 | Peter J. Rusthoven / Special to IBJ

MIT professor Jonathan Gruber, once lauded by the left as “architect of Obamacare,” is now unpopular. Seems he can’t stay mum about the actual architecture.

TEASLEY: A path out of charter school chaos

November 20, 2014 |

Indiana’s charter schools offer a quality option for families, but the movement is on unsteady ground today, and understandably so.

Kim: Distributions can sting mutual fund investors

November 20, 2014 | Mickey Kim

U.S. mutual funds are required to “distribute” realized capital gains and income to shareholders at least annually, making this a tricky time of year for investors to buy shares in taxable accounts.

Hicks: Economist’s ‘truthiness’ unmasks Obamacare

November 20, 2014 | Mike Hicks

Jonathan Gruber’s micro-simulation economic model is highly sought after because it replicates the version used by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office. Thus, it can be used to outwit that organization’s candid assessment of the effects of a policy proposal.

Lawmakers earn citizens’ contempt

November 20, 2014 |

I found much to agree with in Sheila Suess Kennedy’s Nov. 15 column “A culture of contempt.” Voter turnout, particularly in midterm elections, is embarrassingly low, partisan rhetoric supersedes intelligent discussion of the issues impacting voters and there is a dearth of truly engaging candidates.

Indianapolis Business Journal