AGP Executive Report

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.

Education & Culture: Indiana colleges and universities are leaning on student surveys like NSSE to shape curriculum and campus life, with schools such as IU–Purdue Indianapolis using results to build themed learning communities around diversity and to guide service-learning and first-year programs. Higher Ed Policy: The Trump administration is using “pocket rescissions” to cancel nearly $100 million in funding for foreign-language instruction and programs serving migratory students, raising alarms that grant applicants and rural communities will lose support. Faith & Community: Notre Dame consecrated the university to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the first time, with students and Bishop Kevin Rhoades leading a prayer of entrustment on campus. Local Schools: Northwest Allen County Schools is joining a lawsuit targeting major social media platforms, arguing the platforms harm youth mental health and strain school resources. Public Safety & Tech: Microsoft’s “community-first” data center promises are under fire after Indiana organizers say the company’s outreach focused more on image than actual local support. Sports & Health: IU coach Curt Cignetti says running back Turbo Richard is day to day after an ankle injury, while linebacker Rolijah Hardy remains a question.

Education & Access: Indiana schools say bell-to-bell cellphone bans are boosting focus and cutting phone-related discipline. Higher Ed & Equity: IUPUI and other Indiana campuses are using NSSE survey data to shape first-year programs, including diversity-focused learning communities. Civic Learning: “Voices and Votes,” a Smithsonian-backed exhibit on voting rights, is drawing crowds in Upland ahead of Indiana’s midterms. Community & Faith: Exit Church opened in a new Gas City location, aiming to bring more first-time visitors into a single, larger Sunday service. Public Safety & Loss: Fort Wayne Fire Department mourns Captain Andrea Burton, a longtime fire and life safety educator. Culture & Books: John Green returns to fiction with his first adult novel in nine years. Tech & Local Power: A Indiana faith-and-community group is pressing Microsoft over data center costs, arguing against incentive deals without a “fair share.” Sports & Representation: Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair again honors slain Palestinian children during an Indianapolis game.

Health & Community: Hammond parents shared their 3-year-old son’s journey with sickle cell disease, pushing back against stigma and focusing on what he can do. Local Lifestyle: Franciscan Health and Cedar Lake Parks are teaming up for a fall Monday walking club with health education and light activity. Arts & Irish Heritage: The annual Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards celebrated leadership and community service, honoring recipients for global impact. Sports & State Pride: Indiana’s Fever are set for the WNBA playoffs, with playoff viewing guides and injury updates circulating as Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson headlines the postseason conversation. Civic & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to resume voter citizenship checks using the SAVE database, raising concerns about false matches and eligible voters being removed. Education & Student Engagement: Indiana higher-ed leaders are using NSSE survey data in practical ways—from themed learning communities to student-led assessment—to improve diversity and first-year experiences.

Higher Ed & Equity: IUPUI says National Survey of Student Engagement results helped drive changes like stronger links between service-learning and learning outcomes, plus more student hiring tied to diversity and first-year success goals. Student Life: Indiana University placed Beta Theta Pi and Pi Kappa Phi on cease and desist over hazing allegations, limiting events and recruitment while investigations continue. Community & Culture: IU Indianapolis’ 18th annual Regatta filled the downtown canal with 106 teams, food trucks, and an arts-and-culture fair. Sports & Identity: The Indiana Fever listed Caitlin Clark as probable for Game 1 of the WNBA playoffs with a back injury as the Fever open against the Aces. Local Spotlight: Circle City Classic returned to Lucas Oil Stadium with a new format featuring Indianapolis-area high school matchups celebrating Black culture. Arts & Learning: A Quaker meeting house in Madison County is drawing attention after restoration work uncovered a hidden Underground Railroad connection. Controversy Watch: A racehorse’s name tied to “Austrian painter” (a Hitler euphemism) was changed after complaints, underscoring how culture and language collide in Indiana sports.

WNBA & Gender Policy: Congress is pressing WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for answers on eligibility rules as the league’s trans-athlete debate keeps spilling into national politics. Sports Culture & Community: Indianapolis’ 42nd annual Circle City Classic Parade drew music, dancing, and HBCU pride through downtown, celebrating Black culture and legacy. Higher Ed & Student Engagement: Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis highlights how it has used NSSE survey data since 2002 to shape first-year learning communities, including diversity-focused themed programs. Campus Safety & Conduct: Indiana University placed Beta Theta Pi and Pi Kappa Phi on cease and desist over hazing allegations, limiting social, recruitment, and membership activities while investigations continue. Local History: A Quaker meeting house in southern Madison County was found to have Underground Railroad ties after restoration work uncovered hidden spaces beneath the building. Arts & Lifestyle: An Englewood Area Orchid Society meeting featured expert tips on growing orchids, from light placement to feeding and watering cycles.

Indiana Education & Assessment: Indiana University Northwest and IUPUI are using National Survey of Student Engagement results in very practical ways—tailoring outreach, mapping findings to learning goals, and turning feedback into changes like stronger service-learning links and themed learning communities. Local Youth & Community: Jasper’s Boys & Girls Club affiliate will open Oct. 26, adding after-school programs for kindergarten through sixth grade at Trinity United Church of Christ. Policy & Schools: Indiana lawmakers are pushing a review of dual-credit and career technical options to better align early-college spending with the state’s new diploma seals. Sports & Culture: Emma Grace Hurley earned USATF Athlete of the Week after a standout half marathon at the World Road Running Championships; and Indiana swim and dive opened the CSL season with a dominant win. Privacy & Tech: A growing wave of lawsuits targets website tracking pixels, with regulators and courts increasingly scrutinizing how data is shared.

Indiana Education & Tech: Northwest Allen County Schools is rolling out AI study tools after a $37,500 state grant, with Carroll Middle School students using MagicSchool-style “virtual study rooms” to practice standards and get extra help. Student Life & Learning: Indiana’s higher-ed survey story continues with schools using NSSE results to shape curriculum, service-learning, and diversity-focused learning communities. Classroom Civics: An Indianapolis teacher is recognized for “messy, chaotic” civics lessons that turn students into active learners. School Policy: Indiana’s “bell-to-bell” cell phone rules are spreading through local board updates, with districts urging families to talk about the change. Youth Activism: VOICE is blending art and tobacco prevention into a statewide campaign culminating in a short film and art show at the Phoenix Theater. Legal Fight in Sports: Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita sues the IHSAA over race-based board seats, arguing it violates civil rights. Community & Culture: Fort Wayne’s incentive push for remote workers highlights how local placemaking efforts are trying to attract new residents.

WNBA & Identity Politics: Fever coach Stephanie White faces fresh backlash as security shut down an anti-trans billboard at a Fever game, adding to wider protests around transgender athletes in women’s sports. Local Activism: Bloomington organizer Lilliana Young launches a City Council at-large run, centering housing affordability, infrastructure, human rights, and pushing to keep surveillance tech like Flock Safety and AI data centers out of town. Education & Access: IPS board declines to overturn Superintendent Aleesia Johnson’s move away from Enroll Indy, keeping the district’s in-house registration plan and raising concerns for families. Higher Ed Practicalities: FAFSA for 2027-28 is now available earlier, with the form designed to be faster to complete. Public Health: A major analysis links higher ultra-processed food intake to increased risks of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and death. Workforce & Career Pathways: VU Jasper names Ashley Schaefer director of its Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing. Sports Culture: Indiana’s high school “fight club” teacher Julious Johnican is jailed after encouraging students to attack each other.

Faith & Community: Tens of thousands gathered in St. Louis for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle praising him as a “tireless preacher” and highlighting Sheen’s modern media reach. Local Government & Safety: Princeton leaders are weighing e-bike rules for downtown streets, sidewalks, and trails after safety concerns and visibility worries. Education & Workforce: A northeast Indiana summit returns this fall to boost work-based learning and credentials, adding new partners to the Learn More Earn More effort. Trades & Opportunity: Prosser Career Education Center in southern Indiana is expanding its construction trades facility, aiming to grow student capacity and add more on-site training. Culture & History: Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program is changing leadership midstream, with André Myers set to succeed Eunice Trotter as the statewide preservation network expands. Community Life: Madison Consolidated Schools-area street work is set to begin on Third Street, with paving scheduled around fall break to manage school traffic. Sports & Entertainment: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham turns pregame fashion into a message amid ongoing women’s sports debate, while Tony Stewart returns to NASCAR for a Talladega Truck Series race.

Local Education & Youth Advocacy: Spencer County VOICE students visited the Indiana Statehouse to push a tobacco-free future, meeting Rep. Steven Bartels and Sen. Daryl Schmitt. Public Safety & Community Services: Indiana FSSA is seeking a provider for a second short-term residential facility for intellectually disabled adults needing around-the-clock supervision after a 2024 closure left a service gap. Arts & Literature: The Writers Museum will host “Rule One” author Michael Lucker on Oct. 6, bringing his FBI-profiling mystery to Indianapolis. Community & Environment: Volunteers joined Oxford’s Great Miami River Clean Sweep, helping remove trash from the watershed and protect local wildlife. Local Leadership: Indiana State Police promoted Sgt. Ben Rector to lieutenant and named him Lafayette District commander. Sports & Culture: Purdue’s motorsports footprint is set to be huge at the Indianapolis 500, with Boilermakers in garages across the American-based IndyCar field. Health & Inclusion: Bierman Autism Centers announced free, sensory-friendly Trunk-or-Treat events across multiple Indiana-area locations this October.

School Board Culture Wars: Indiana’s DEI fight is moving into the classroom as school board elections turn more partisan, with candidates and activists spotlighting specific districts and materials. Higher Ed & Free Speech: Bloomington Faculty Council debates free speech and presses IU on enrollment pressures and financial transparency. Faith & Community: A Terre Haute church marks 100 years while emphasizing mission-first growth, and a Panama archbishop calls for breaking silence in the face of abuse. Public Health: Indiana child fatalities keep falling, with state data showing a continued decline in external injury deaths and renewed focus on safe sleep. Cybersecurity: Indiana’s new Office of Cybersecurity hires its first director to coordinate statewide preparedness and response. Arts & Local Life: Pal Wow Festival returns Sept. 25-26 with craft vendors, food trucks, and a big kids zone. Sports & Youth Inspiration: Notre Dame women’s coach Niele Ivey surprises students at Washington High School during college application week. Tech, Surveillance Debate: A public meeting in Michigan highlights growing concerns over automated license plate cameras and data rights.