HoosLeft This Week 8/24/25

Indiana Stories * Around the Corn (Quick Headlines) * Homicides, other violent crime down in Indianapolis this year * Homicides in Indianapolis fell by nearly 30% in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, new national crime data shows. * Indy's drop is consistent with many of the nation's large and midsize cities, reinforcing a broader decline in violent crime since the pandemic surge. * Indiana National Guard partners with Saudi Arabia * …under the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program. The partnership includes the Indiana National Guard, the Oklahoma National Guard, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. * The Defense Department’s program pairs American states and foreign nations to enhance relationships and promote defense and security cooperation objectives established by the United States and its partners. The Indiana National Guard’s experience in disaster relief, domestic operations and overseas missions will support the U.S. government’s ongoing diplomatic, development and security efforts to achieve shared goals * IMPD denounces Nazi flag-waving group but maintains its right to free speech * When fewer than a dozen members of a hate group walked the streets of downtown Indianapolis over the weekend, police cars drove alongside them. * For many residents watching over social media, it was a jarring image. They questioned why the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Indiana State Police buffered the small group hoisting Nazi flags. * In an Aug. 17 statement, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey pointed to the U.S. Constitution to understand why his department responded the way it did. * "Safeguarding First Amendment rights, even for those whose views we find reprehensible, is a responsibility we take seriously," his statement reads. "But let me be clear: protecting those rights is not an endorsement of those beliefs: not now, not ever." * Braun flew to, from Jasper home 11 times over six months * 11 flights between March 13 and August 1 chronicled in response to a public records request submitted by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, totaling $23,880. The state said that it would have “incurred” those costs whether or not Braun had used the Indiana State Police helicopter, because those flight hours were necessary “to satisfy (the Federal Aviation Administration’s) mandated hours requirements.” * Eight of those trips ended at Braun’s southern Indiana home in Jasper, where the state paid $1,745.55 to install a 20-foot-by-20-foot gravel pad earlier this year. The remaining three flights transported the governor from Jasper to Indianapolis. * Cross this Line - You’ll Do More Time * The 14- by 48-foot digital billboard is just off the right shoulder of the interstate and is seen by drivers heading south as they cross the county line. * "Attention criminals: Cross this line, you'll do more time," it reads, sandwiched between photos of Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner and Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess. * Rokita bans companies adhering to DEI from state business * Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita announced his office will review all state government contracts to determine if private businesses practice DEI requirements with their employees. * Rokita said he was targeting DEI practices, “that treat people differently on the basis of race and sex when recruiting, hiring, promoting and conducting other employment activities.” * ”This is getting into the actual day-to-day operations of small businesses in the state of Indiana that want to include parts of their staff that the state doesn’t see as so important. That should be a private business decision,” [State Senator Greg Taylor D-Indianapolis] said. ”We’ve got national businesses that want to do business here in the state of Indiana, and if they decide that they don’t want to do business here in the state of Indiana, it could have a chilling effect on our people and the amount of bids we receive.” * Indiana’s House GOP congressional contingent lines up behind redistricting effort * Indiana’s entire House GOP congressional delegation pledged support Monday for President Donald Trump’s plan to craft new federal district maps in an attempt to pick up one to two additional Republican seats in 2026. * “Democrats have proven they will use every tool available to them to gain and keep power. For years, Republicans have idly stood by while the Left has weaponized government against us,” U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman wrote Monday on X. * “This fall, Indiana will have the chance to respond to Democrats’ gerrymandering and stand with President Trump and the state of Texas to stand up for our REPUBLIC! Given developments across the country, I fully support mid-cycle redistricting,” [Rep. Victoria] Spartz said. * And U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer, R-8th, posted this statement: “I am proud to support Hoosier State Legislators and our great @GovBraun in fighting the long history of weaponized voter manipulation in CA, NY, and IL. Redistricting in Indiana will accurately reflect the will of Hoosier voices.” * Meanwhile, Indiana House Republicans that would actually have to draw new boundaries met privately on the north side of Indianapolis — and it’s still unclear where the caucus may land on the politically-charged proposal. * Gov. Mike Braun reiterated Monday afternoon that he remains noncommittal on whether to call a special session for redistricting, saying the decision will depend on consensus within the General Assembly. * “Under no circumstances will I vote for a new map,” [State Rep. Ed] Clere (R-New Albany) said in a written statement provided to the Capital Chronicle. “Special sessions should be reserved for emergencies. The president’s desperation to maintain a U.S. House majority by stacking the deck in favor of Republicans does not constitute an emergency.” * IEDC deems Elevate Ventures, affiliates in breach of all active loans * Troubled venture capital company Elevate Ventures has been deemed “in breach of” lending language in all of its active loan agreements with the Indiana Economic Development Corp. after defaulting on an angel investment program this month. * The firm operates the Indiana Angel Network Fund, intended to entice and aid angel investments to Hoosier startups. It nabbed the contract with IEDC on Aug. 2, 2011, with repayment due exactly 14 years later. * What Is an Angel Investor? Angel investors are wealthy private investors focused on financing small business ventures in exchange for equity. Unlike a venture capital firm that uses an investment fund, angels use their own net worth. * IEDC sent a request for repayment of nearly $17.2 million the day before. Elevate Ventures repaid about $12.9 million on Aug. 4 — falling more than $4.3 million short. * The company’s repayment struggle comes about three months after it was dubbed an “entity of interest” — alongside IEDC and its nonprofit arm — in a forensic investigation of potential financial wrongdoing. * Gov. Mike Braun promised an audit just days after Indiana Legislative Insight reported allegations of self-dealing, unreported side gigs and more among IEDC and its partners. * Two arrested at Micah Beckwith town hall in Newburgh; woman tackled by sheriff's deputy * Two people were arrested – one of them a woman tackled by a Warrick County Sheriff's Office deputy – during a town hall event hosted by Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith in Newburgh on Wednesday night. * Throughout the town hall, the woman later identified as [Amanda] Bennett shouted at Beckwith − as did many other attendees − and authorities told her to stop or she would be removed. After a few warnings, and before police moved to remove her, Bennett said she would leave on her own. * A person waiting at the mic for their turn to ask a question was set to restart when a commotion erupted from near the exit. A deputy had tackled Bennett to the ground, and attendees were making their way over to gather around. * Bennett charged with felony battery * In addition to the battery charge, Bennett also faces one misdemeanor count of resisting law enforcement and two mis… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.projectnextindiana.com