Indiana seeing limited impact from government shutdown, at least so far
Housing assistance programs are feeling the impact from furloughed public employees, and essential food programs might soon be facing funding problems if the shutdown continues.
Government
Microsoft: Russia, China increasingly using AI to escalate cyberattacks on US
The findings, published in Microsoft’s annual digital threats report, show how foreign adversaries are adopting new and innovative tactics in their efforts to weaponize the internet as a tool for espionage and deception.
Social Security cost-of-living increase announcement delayed by shutdown
The annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is timed to the September Consumer Price Index, which has not yet been released.
Two industries were supposed to drive America’s future. One is booming, the other slumping.
Both fields have been in the spotlight in Washington through successive administrations, but appear to be heading in different directions.
How new federal data security regulations could affect Hoosier companies
Companies large and small could accidentally run afoul of the Data Security Program, a new federal regulatory framework that went into full effect this week.
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith: Death penalty gives voice to those who are silenced
Capital punishment is not vengeance. Rather, it is justice.
Rep. Bob Morris: If human life is sacred, it must always be sacred
Even if evidence confirms a clear-headed confession, we still have no right to take another human life.
Jodie English: Death penalty wastes resources, fails as deterrent
Nationally, there is one exoneration for every nine executions, an error rate of 12%. Would Hoosiers board planes if they crashed that often?
Rep. Jim Lucas: Ensuring the punishment suits the crime
While it is rare to pursue this penalty, that does not mean we should not have the option in particularly despicable and clear cases.
Liz Houdek: Capital punishment subverts legal system’s credibility
Every dollar wasted on this broken system is a dollar not spent solving the hundreds of murders and sexual assaults that leave victims without justice.
Chris Daley: Executions waste taxpayer money, survivors’ time
Our system isn’t perfect, and its imperfections carry too high a risk that innocent people will be executed.
US inflation held steady as mild tariff hit offset by cheaper gas, food
Americans are likely to absorb more trade-war costs in the coming months as Trump begins to finalize tariffs.
Retailers, researchers criticize Indiana plan to exclude soda and candy from SNAP
Gov. Mike Braun and Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith are fans of the new exclusions—and so is U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
State hires firm specializing in ‘crisis and transformation’ to audit IEDC
Gov. Mike Braun announced the audit last month, citing potential “impropriety” at the IEDC. He also announced a freeze of all state funds associated with Elevate Ventures.
State government says hack caused overnight email blitz
Indiana Office of Technology officials said the emails were scams and discouraged recipients from clicking on the links.
U.S. Sen. Todd Young partners on bipartisan bill to jumpstart domestic shipbuilding industry
Young, R-Indiana, and fellow Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, reintroduced legislation to jumpstart the country’s “rusted” shipbuilding industry and increase onshore ship production that has largely shifted to China.
Under new law, state needs to create high school workforce credential framework
The measure builds on recent education efforts to “reinvent high school,” meaning a curricular change to create additional high school credit pathways in addition to college prep.
Bill roundup: Lawmakers wrap up budget, tackle final, thorny bills
Around 1:20 a.m. Friday, Indiana lawmakers approved the last bill of the session: the 2026-27 state budget. Here’s what happened with some of the bills we’ve watched this session.
Braun: State investigating possible ‘impropriety’ at IEDC, freezing venture capital funds
The actions stem from growing concerns over how the state conducts economic development activities, how much it spends on those activities and how transparent it is about its business.
Lawmakers slash state economic development funding by 25% in budget compromise
The new budget proposal provides more funding for operations and business-promotion support for the Indiana Economic Development Corp., but cuts five funds and programs totaling $35 million.