AGP Executive Report

Indiana Volleyball: Teodora Kričković’s path from trying track to becoming an Indiana setter is now tied to big dreams—Serbia’s national team, the Olympics, and a pro career. Community Giving: White County marks 20 years of Women Giving Together, a giving circle that has funded 134 local grants totaling more than $190,000. Local Arts & Events: Butler’s visiting writers series brings poet laureate Arthur Sze (Oct. 7), plus Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba” and choir performances—alongside a packed week of library and Halloween happenings in White County. Ethics in Action: BBB Northern Indiana names 12 finalists for the Torch Awards for Ethics, with winners set for Oct. 22. Elections & Civic Life: Secretary of State candidates gear up for the only scheduled debate, while early voting is already underway in Lake and Porter counties. Sports & Culture Clash: WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham sparks fresh controversy after wearing a “No Cis Just … Woman” hat at Missouri’s homecoming. Immigration & Housing: A Welcoming America project is studying “property redistribution” ideas aimed at expanding immigrant homeownership in rural areas.

Workforce & Schools: MidWest America Federal Credit Union is boosting Fort Wayne Community Schools with $60,000+ in new support, including $10,000 each for three STEAM schools and $20,000 for teacher grants. Health & Care Access: Indiana University Health and University Hospitals in Cleveland have begun dosing patients with Telix’s FDA-approved brain cancer imaging drug Pixclara, marking the start of U.S. commercial availability. Housing Stability for Women: Indiana groups say the transitional housing gap for women is widening, with organizations like Journey House helping bridge the move from crisis to long-term stability. Community & Culture in Education: Southridge Middle School’s eighth graders posted Indiana’s top ILEARN math passing rate, while Hub 19 in Dubois County earned an Employer Innovation Award for connecting students with local employers. Public Safety & Privacy: Indianapolis City-County Council heard concerns over a proposed $1.9B 2027 budget, including IMPD’s $400M allocation for Flock license plate cameras and calls for stronger guardrails. Sports & Local Pride: North Central senior Anna Burt hit 1,000 career volleyball assists, and Parkview Health earned Great Place To Work certification again.

Indiana Education & Schools: Indianapolis Public Schools is seeking changes to how it charges Innovation Network charter schools for services like transportation, food service, and facilities support, and says it will pursue a law change next session so partnerships reflect the real cost. School Grants: Rep. Chris May announced Mitchell Community Schools will receive $4.5 million through Indiana’s Next Generation School Improvement Grant program, with planning funds first and implementation over three years. Blue Ribbon Spotlight: Bethany Christian Schools was named a 2026 Indiana Blue Ribbon School, recognized for academic excellence and learning growth for all students. Student Life & Inclusion: Franklin College’s volleyball team is riding a standout season, while an Indianapolis special education classroom’s “FUNctional Fridays” teaches kids with disabilities kitchen skills aimed at independence. Health & Community: Dr. Nathan Marcinkowski was named Indiana’s 2026 Medical Director of the Year, and a Carmel mother-daughter brunch offers free period education through Cerene Cryotherapy’s “Cycles & Seasons.” Culture & Events: Bloomington’s 33rd annual Lotus Festival brings global music and arts downtown. Civic Life: Early voting begins in Indiana, with voter registration deadlines also in focus.

Education & Community Spaces: Chalkbeat reports Herron High School is building a new adjacent theater after years of improvised performances, funded by a Lilly Endowment push for Marion County K-12 school upgrades. Local School Safety: Gov. Mike Braun’s office says Indiana will launch a statewide anonymous K-12 tip line in January, monitored 24/7/365, with urgent concerns escalated to officials and emergency responders. Campus Free Speech & Inclusion: DePauw University landed a “C-” in FIRE’s 2027 College Free Speech Rankings, while also welcoming Dr. Idalia Wilmoth as its new diversity and inclusion director. Culture & Arts: Indiana’s Lilly Endowment-backed school building work continues, and the region’s arts calendar stays busy with events like the Lincoln residency featuring Wynton Marsalis (Nebraska/Indiana area). Public Life & Voting: In Goshen, Operation Education is spotlighting contested school board races as in-person absentee voting begins Oct. 6. Tech & Industry Tension: AWS CEO Matt Garman warns that local opposition to data centers could harm the U.S. AI race, pushing back on common claims about water and power.

Indiana Youth Institute Funding: The Indiana Youth Institute awarded 168 grants totaling more than $40M to youth-serving groups statewide, including major support for CASA and Camp Alexander Mack. Community & Culture: German Fest returned to downtown Indianapolis with polka bands, bratwursts, stein-holding contests, and dachshund races at the Athenaeum. Education & Safety: A guest column on Indiana University’s campus safety data flags rising burglaries and car thefts and says long-term sexual harassment numbers aren’t improving. Faith & Public Life: A We Make Indiana forum in Porter County put NIPSCO oversight, data centers, and affordable housing at the center of candidate questions. Arts & Heritage: Carmel Christkindlmarkt is set to return in late November with new German artisans and craft additions. Sports (Local Lens): The Colts beat the Commanders in London, while IU’s sports scene also shows up in coverage ranging from cross country meets to WNBA headlines. Health & Support: The Food Bank of Northern Indiana announced October mobile distribution dates across northern Indiana.

Health & Youth Safety: Doctors are renewing warnings that energy drinks—especially high-caffeine brands—can trigger serious heart and nervous-system problems for kids and teens, after reported child deaths and new calls for the Big 12 and NCAA to rethink sponsorship and marketing. Indiana Policy Watch: Indiana’s Healthy Indiana Plan work requirements are set to begin Jan. 1, 2027, with 80 hours per month for many 19–64 applicants unless exempt. Sports & Community: Indiana Fever GM Amber Cox pushed back hard on media attacks on the team’s fanbase, saying there’s “no basis in reality” and that no fans were removed for code-of-conduct violations this season. Local Culture & Events: Carmel Christkindlmarkt leans into German holiday traditions with artisans and signature visuals, including a massive illuminated Glühwein pyramid. Arts & Immigration Stories: A 95-year-old first-time playwright is bringing an immigration-and-community musical to Dayton-area audiences, centered on union organizing and belonging. Higher Ed & Business: Gov. Braun launched an Indiana Small Business Program to expand state procurement opportunities for Hoosier firms. Global Spotlight: A South Sudanese-born wheelchair athlete aims to run the full Nairobi Marathon to fund custom wheelchairs for children across Kenya.

WNBA & Community Tensions: Indiana Fever GM Amber Cox pushed back hard after A’ja Wilson’s Game 2 fan incident, saying “attacks” on the Fever fanbase have “no basis in reality” and noting no fans were removed for code-of-conduct violations this season. Public Safety & Privacy: A Washington Post investigation says police misuse of Flock automated license cameras let officers search plates hundreds of times, raising fresh questions about surveillance oversight. Housing & Cost of Living: A Reuters/Ipsos look at voter priorities ties housing affordability pressures to higher building costs from tariffs, with builders reporting steep material price jumps. Local Business & Jobs: Gov. Mike Braun launched an Indiana Small Business Program to expand Indiana firms’ access to state procurement. Death Penalty Scrutiny: Tennessee’s botched Christa Pike execution is reigniting lethal-injection concerns in Indiana ahead of another scheduled execution. Sports & Culture: Purdue’s EV Grand Prix kicked off with Dauch Center EV winning, while Notre Dame’s CJ Carr kept his Heisman momentum rolling in a rain-soaked win. Health Watch: IU Indianapolis experts shared practical running-injury prevention tips, including gradual mileage increases and keeping most runs truly easy.

School Safety: Gov. Mike Braun announced a statewide anonymous tip line for all Indiana K-12 schools, launching in January 2027 with 24/7 monitoring and optional participation. Education & Testing: Greater Jasper Schools reviewed new ILEARN results and discussed a $50.6 million 2027 budget, with board members zeroing in on gaps in elementary social studies. Local Elections: Early voting begins Tuesday ahead of Nov. 3, with northeast Indiana voters facing races for U.S. House, state offices, courts, and local school boards. Campaign & Accountability: Indiana AG Todd Rokita sued the state disciplinary commission, alleging retaliation over political speech and raising questions about taxpayer-funded legal fees. Culture & Community: N.K. Jemisin visited Butler University, bringing major speculative fiction clout to Indianapolis and spotlighting power, race, and belonging. Sports & Community Values: The “Before It’s Over” campaign launched nationally to encourage kinder, more supportive high school sports environments. Public Debate: Amazon pledged $1B for data-center communities, as backlash over electricity and water impacts continues.

Arts & Institutions: A new report says the Kennedy Center was financially “stable” when Trump took over, but later board documents and filings describe borrowing, donor withdrawals, and pledge write-offs as finances collapsed. Local Governance & Gambling: Allen, DeKalb and Steuben voters face casino referendums framed as “money vs. morality,” with supporters touting jobs and revenue and opponents warning about addiction and crime. Education & Community Safety: Indiana will launch a statewide anonymous school safety tip line next year, as schools report bullying, threats, and firearm incidents. Higher Ed Activism: Student groups press IU to divest from countries and companies tied to alleged human rights abuses, reviving anti-apartheid-style demands. Public Schools & Teaching: An IPS fifth-grade teacher reflects on 30 years in the classroom, while another story highlights how a new theater is being funded for a charter school network via Lilly Endowment support. Culture & Lifestyle: Indy Africa Book and Film Festival returns this weekend at Central Library, and comedian Jenny Tian brings viral stand-up to Indianapolis. Sports & Local Pride: Rose-Hulman’s fall career fair draws nearly 250 employers, and Notre Dame’s Joe Piane Invitational spotlights Indiana runner Noah Bontrager.

Data Centers & Local Impact: Amazon Web Services says it will invest $1B+ over five years in U.S. data-center communities, promising education, job training, and steps to curb electricity and water strain—while warning local opposition could hurt America’s AI lead. Public Health & Flood Aftermath: Indianapolis residents face ongoing flood risks as mold and contaminated water concerns grow, with Marion County’s public-health funding cut sharply for 2026. Immigration Enforcement & Indiana: AG Todd Rokita expands partnerships with ICE under 287(g), urging Indiana sheriffs to sign on as local agencies weigh what enforcement means on the ground. Education Leadership: Warrick County School Board President Lynda Glover earns the ISBA Gold Seal Leadership Certification. Women’s Health: New research highlights rising endometrial cancer diagnoses among younger women, underscoring abnormal bleeding as a key warning sign. Community & Recovery: CFS, Corp. wins up to $3M to expand addiction treatment and recovery services across rural Knox, Daviess, and Sullivan counties. Sports & Culture: Downtown Indy touts new luxury and sports projects, including the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center, as confidence in the city core rises.

Immigration & Community Safety: Indiana’s Latino Expo Resource Fair returns this weekend at the State Fairgrounds, adding more attorneys and shifting venues amid ongoing concerns about ICE activity. Education & Access: Ball State nursing received a $150,000 Hearst Foundations grant for need-based scholarships aimed at low-income and first-generation students. Local Culture: Bloomington’s semester guide highlights four museums and galleries worth a visit. Public Life & Surveillance Debate: A civil-liberties group renews pressure over alleged illegal sharing of Flock ALPR license-plate data, spotlighting how surveillance tech can spread beyond local control. Arts & Community Building: Zionsville’s Carpenter Nature Preserve earns a statewide “Community Green Project of the Year” award for turning a former golf course into a 215-acre education and habitat space. Jobs & Workforce: Kosciusko’s 9th HireKosciusko hiring fair brings employers and colleges together face-to-face, with hopes of beating online-only hiring and AI screening. Health & Workforce: Indiana’s READI 2.0 milestone opens a new CommunityLink nonprofit center in Shelbyville to consolidate services under one roof.

Education & Student Support: College Goal Sunday is back this Sunday with free, one-on-one FAFSA help at IU South Bend and dozens of Indiana locations, aiming to cut stress and reduce student loan debt. Workforce Training: Workforce Pell is rolling out, and Ivy Tech says it will soon use Pell for eligible short-term programs like an eight-week clinical medical assistant track—one of the first Indiana early adopters. Community & Faith: Trinity Lutheran Church marks 65 years in Indiana with a Spanish-language service and a mission to mirror its immigrant and native-born community. Local Growth in Education: DeMotte Christian High School breaks ground on a new high school building to handle steady enrollment growth. Health & Recovery: A new Granite Ridge Recovery Center in St. Cloud opens with outpatient and 48 inpatient beds after an $8 million renovation. Agriculture Education: NIPSCO and the Indiana FFA Foundation launch a $100,000 grant push to fund rural/ag education, leadership, and career readiness for FFA chapters.

Education & Equity: Indiana released 2026 ILEARN results, showing big gaps in English/math proficiency across districts, including northeast Indiana where only 31.5% of students statewide hit proficiency in both subjects. Public Schools & Access: Gov. Mike Braun marked the inaugural School Fitness Month as thousands of students joined statewide activity efforts, including a new Governor’s Fitness Test. Deaf/Blind Education: Construction hit a milestone on Indiana’s new co-located campus for the School for the Deaf and the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, with final structural steel placed. Culture & Community: Indy’s Jazz Kitchen celebrates 30 years of Latin Night with a major October anniversary lineup, while the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum runs pumpkin trains in October. Arts & Identity: An Indianapolis columnist explores how Black journalists have had to navigate hair and appearance rules on air, tying personal style to broader newsroom culture. Immigration & Local Control: Indiana AG Todd Rokita’s ICE partnership is drawing pushback from some southern Indiana sheriffs who say local calls should come first. Sports & Local Life: Purdue in Indianapolis highlights motorsports training through student internships and real-world racing experience.

WNBA Playoffs (Indiana sports): Caitlin Clark powered the Indiana Fever to a 99-89 Game 2 win over the Las Vegas Aces, keeping the series alive at 1-1 and setting up Game 3 in Las Vegas. The night also turned tense off-court after A’ja Wilson confronted a fan during the fourth quarter, leading to a technical foul and the fan’s removal. Local Culture & Community: Newfields in Indianapolis unveiled “Giants: Art From the Dean Collection of Swiss Beatz and Alicia Keys,” bringing more than 130 works of contemporary Black art to Indiana with community events tied to the opening. Civic Life (Indiana governance): The Association of Indiana Counties held its annual conference, focusing on county finances, AI, public safety, housing, and cybersecurity, with leadership elections and policy priorities for the 2027 session. Education & Youth: Indiana’s 2026 Youth Survey reports substance use among students continues to drop, with vaping hitting its lowest levels since tracking began in 2015. Sports Business (regional lifestyle): Columbus, Ohio announced free period products at all major pro sports venues, partnering with Aunt Flow.

Indy & State Politics: Indiana’s Secretary of State race is heating up as Max Engling’s bid reshapes the GOP field and Beau Bayh challenges from the other side, with third-party Lauri Shillings also in the mix. Community & Culture: Brookville was selected for Indiana Opportunity Zone 2.0, aiming to keep “quality of place” momentum going into the next decade. Education & Youth: Tri-County School Corporation is expanding work-based learning, while Latinos Count honored northeast Indiana scholarship recipients and pushed students toward college and other pathways. Public Safety & Health: St. Joseph County hosted free car seat safety checks in South Bend, helping families meet Indiana’s child safety seat requirements. Sports & Local Pride: Christian Lundgaard is set to replace Scott Dixon in Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 9 for 2027. Local Institutions: The Indianapolis Zoo lost AZA accreditation, citing longstanding internal concerns. Immigration & Courts: Federal investigators say an accused Indiana gambling boss sent witness death threats from a church, as the case continues.

Indiana Education & Student Life: Indiana University Northwest, IUPUI, and Anderson University share how they use NSSE survey results to improve first-year learning—tailoring outreach, incentives, and curriculum changes around diversity, service-learning, and student support. Public Safety & Civil Liberties: Gov. Mike Braun says Indiana lawmakers should consider regulating license plate readers after allegations involving Flock cameras, including an IMPD officer’s case tied to tracking vehicles connected to his wife. Local Schools: Bloomfield School Board approved staffing, grants (including an AI grant and esports support), and facility planning for the 2027 budget cycle. Community & Culture: The History Center in Fort Wayne announced its 2026-27 George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series, starting Oct. 4 with a preservation-focused retrospective. Sports (Hoosier angle): Vincennes University swept Wabash Valley in volleyball, and Indiana’s judges-on-the-road effort to educate kids continues. Arts & Food: WalletHub ranked multiple Florida cities among the nation’s best foodie spots, highlighting dining variety and accessibility. Environment & Health: A new analysis flags widespread atrazine contamination risks to aquatic life, renewing debate over the herbicide’s impacts.