AGP Executive Report

Semiconductor Boom: Gov. Mike Braun joined SK hynix and Purdue officials in West Lafayette for the groundbreaking of a $4B next-generation HBM production hub, targeting cleanroom work by late 2028 and mass production in 2029. Storm Recovery & Accountability: Northwest Indiana power is back, but Gary’s recovery is still “in recovery phase” after Aug. 11 outages; NIPSCO says it’s suspending disconnections and collections through Sept. 30 and is putting $2M toward local storm relief. FEMA Help: FEMA says more than 13,000 Hoosiers have applied for federal disaster aid since the major disaster declaration for 21 counties; residents have 60 days to register. Meta Settlement: Indiana is set to receive at least $296M (up to $419M) from Meta as part of a landmark teen-safety settlement, with new opt-out tools and platform changes. Local Tech Leadership: Marion County named Kate Kotan permanent CIO/director of its Information Services Agency. Sports: Colts activated WR Alec Pierce from the PUP list ahead of the season opener. Community Calendar: Historic Newburgh returns Halloween Illuminations and Ghost Walks Oct. 16-18.

Utility Regulation & Energy Costs: Investment analysts are warning clients off Indiana utilities, citing “political intervention” and shifting profit rules after the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission shakeup. State Budget & Public Safety: Indiana’s prison population is climbing while local alternatives face shrinking grant support, raising pressure on state and county corrections budgets. Social Media Protections: Indiana is set to receive at least $296M—and up to $419M—from a landmark $17.1B Meta settlement, with new teen-safety requirements. Higher Education Affordability: Gov. Mike Braun announced a second year of a statewide tuition freeze at Indiana public colleges and universities. Local Community & Weather: Vincennes is continuing Washington Avenue Phase Two prep work, with utility relocation underway; meanwhile central Indiana is enjoying pleasant late-summer weather before 90s and humidity return. Sports & Culture: Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark is set to release Taylor Swift-inspired Nike shoes, and a PBS Michiana partnership brings a free “Walking with Dinosaurs” screening to the Indiana Dinosaur Museum.

Storm Recovery: Power is back in Gary after a 14-day blackout, but groceries and residents are still dealing with shortages and the long tail of recovery; Federal Help: Gov. Mike Braun says FEMA approved a major disaster declaration for 21 Indiana counties, opening the door to individual and household assistance; Utility Rates: Indiana Michigan Power filed for major rate reductions, including about $59 million in 2027 bill cuts and a three-year residential rate freeze, while NIPSCO’s response to the derecho is now under fresh scrutiny from Indiana lawmakers; Social Media Protections: Kentucky and Indiana are set to receive hundreds of millions from Meta’s $17B settlement over teen social media addiction, with Indiana guaranteed $296M up to $419.4M and new safeguards for minors; Public Safety: IMPD is urging gun-safety talks after a 17-year-old was killed and a 14-year-old injured in an east-side shooting; Sports & Indiana Spotlight: Caitlin Clark and the Fever’s Sunday win over the Chicago Sky averaged 3.31M viewers on NBC/Peacock, the most-watched regular-season WNBA game since 1997.

FEMA Disaster Aid: President Trump approved major disaster declarations for Indiana storm and flooding recovery, with Gov. Mike Braun saying 21 counties are in the first wave for federal help. Public Records Fight: Indiana’s public access watchdog is under fire for backlog and for changes that critics say weakened its independence, raising concerns about how quickly residents get records. Storm Recovery & Veterans: Braun also announced a new state program to help veterans and families displaced by severe weather. WNBA Culture Clash: Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected after a confrontation involving Natasha Cloud, as the Fever’s Sophie Cunningham remains at the center of a wider league debate. Local Weather: More thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night, followed by a return of summer heat. Community Spotlight: Four Wabash County family farms received Hoosier Homestead Awards, and the Indiana State Museum unveiled a new Cats & Dogs exhibit. Sports: The Colts’ kicking competition features Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader, while Indiana’s 2026 football schedule is being framed as tougher than last year.

Storm Recovery & Utility Accountability: Gov. Mike Braun announced $5,000 in State Disaster Relief Fund help for Hoosiers hit by recent storms and urged people to call 211 for debris, food, baby supplies and charging support, as Northwest Indiana residents continue pressing NIPSCO for answers after weeks-long outages. Public Safety: Indiana State Police are hunting an escapee near the Burns Harbor/Porter I-94 exit described as a Hispanic man in shackles wearing a black “Scarface” T-shirt; police say don’t approach and call 911. Courts & Voting Rights: The Indiana Supreme Court is set to hear Sen. Spencer Deery’s appeal in the District 23 recount fight over six disputed ballots that could flip the outcome. Local Agriculture: Three Ripley County family farms earned Hoosier Homestead Awards at the Indiana State Fair, including 100- and 150-year ownership honors. Sports & Culture: The Chicago Sky banned Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena home games after his ejection during a Fever game, with the team citing safety concerns. Community & Health: An abandoned infant was found behind an Indianapolis shopping center; IMPD says the baby appeared uninjured and reminds families about Safe Haven options.

Northwest Indiana Power Crisis: Nearly two weeks after Aug. 11 storms, thousands in Gary and surrounding areas are still without electricity, with Gov. Mike Braun calling for an investigation into NIPSCO and residents describing the situation as “end times” as families lose food, struggle with cooling, and some can’t use medical devices. Community Relief: The Chicago Bears announced a $200,000 donation to Catholic Charities for storm recovery in NW Indiana and Chicago suburbs, and an Elkhart church is running a supply drive to send items to Gary. Local Life & Safety: Indy Parks says outdoor pools are closed but splash pads remain open through Labor Day, with cautions for parks near the White River due to lingering water. Policy Watch: Indiana lawmakers are preparing to revisit automated license plate readers amid privacy and surveillance concerns. Sports & Culture: Caitlin Clark’s Fever routed the Chicago Sky 113-90, while the Enes Kanter Freedom–Natasha Cloud ejection keeps fueling the WNBA trans-athlete debate. Business/Jobs: Do It Best plans to close a Chicago office, consolidating operations in Fort Wayne and cutting more than 100 Illinois jobs.

Indiana Supreme Court Fight: The court set a Sept. 10 schedule for briefs in the 23rd District GOP Senate primary dispute, after a recount gave Paula Copenhaver a 3-vote edge over Spencer Deery and Deery asked the justices to step in. Power Outage Fallout: Gov. Mike Braun ordered an investigation into NIPSCO after nearly two weeks of outages in northwest Indiana, citing vegetation and reliability failures; meanwhile, residents in Gary and surrounding areas keep lining up for food and basic supplies as thousands still lack power. WNBA Culture War: Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was removed from a Fever game after a confrontation with Chicago Sky’s Natasha Cloud, reigniting debate over transgender women in women’s sports. Local Public Safety: A Northwest Indiana judge was arrested for drunk driving, with bodycam footage showing the stop and guilty plea. Sports & Jobs: The Pacers are moving regional broadcasts to DAZN with a $119.99 season pass, and Indiana’s July unemployment stayed around 3.2% in Gibson County and 3.3% statewide. Health Tech: The VA rolled out a federal electronic health record system at three Indiana hospitals, expanding access for more than 102,000 veterans.

WNBA Playoff Push: Caitlin Clark poured in 37 points and Kelsey Mitchell added 30 as the Indiana Fever beat the Chicago Sky 113-90, with Clark draining a career-high eight 3-pointers and dishing 10 assists; the win clinched playoff positioning while Chicago was eliminated from the postseason race. Hot-Button Incident: Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected after a courtside confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud, sparked by Freedom’s “WOMAN” T-shirt and escalating shouting; Cloud later posted a message saying trans people “belong” and “are loved.” Power Outage Fallout: A week-plus after severe storms, thousands in northwest Indiana still lack electricity, with residents in places like Gary reporting frustration and uncertainty about restoration timelines. Local Government Watch: Indiana lawmakers are weighing license plate camera rules as privacy concerns grow, including renewed scrutiny of automated license plate readers. State Fair Agriculture: Hoosier Homestead Awards honored 135 Indiana farming families for 100+ years of ownership and agricultural legacy. Consumer Complaints: One Indiana man says he gets 80–120 spam calls a day tied to Medicare pitches, highlighting ongoing scam pressure.

Northwest Indiana Power Crisis: Gov. Mike Braun deployed the Indiana National Guard to clear the way for NIPSCO crews as nearly two weeks of outages drag on; NIPSCO says it’s restoring power for thousands but residents in places like Gary and Portage are still waiting. WNBA Culture War: Outside the Fever–Liberty game at Barclays Center, dueling protests reignited the transgender-athlete debate, with supporters and opponents clashing near the arena. Fever Injury Update: Indiana ruled Aliyah Boston out vs. the Chicago Sky with a right lower leg injury, while Caitlin Clark was listed probable; the Fever are trying to snap a skid. Wrong-Way Crash: A wrong-way crash on I-65 near Seymour killed two adults and an infant; police say alcohol likely played a role. Local Safety/Scams: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Mishawaka tied for 19th in Indiana for July scam reports, with phishing the most common type. Education/AI: The Mark Cuban Foundation’s AI Bootcamp is coming to Fort Wayne this fall at Indiana Tech, offering free meals, transportation help, and tech access for underserved students. Road Work: INDOT’s Indiana 28 chip-seal preservation starts with lane restrictions and closures in Tippecanoe County beginning Aug. 24.

WNBA Playoff Push: The Indiana Fever clinched a playoff spot but fell 109-102 to the New York Liberty on Saturday, with Breanna Stewart scoring 22 and Leonie Fiebich adding 20 as Indiana’s late rally fell short; Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 25 and Caitlin Clark had 21. Next Up (Indiana Sports): Indiana closes the road trip Sunday at the Chicago Sky (7 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock), with Chicago riding a three-game win streak and still fighting for postseason positioning. Injury Watch: Chicago’s DiJonai Carrington sat out Friday with left foot soreness and is listed questionable for Sunday’s rematch. Storm Aftermath (Indiana News): Power restoration remains painfully slow across northern Indiana after deadly storms and flooding, with tens of thousands still without electricity—especially in Gary, where residents say they’re being overlooked. Public Safety: Police say a man shot two people inside an unincorporated Lowell antiques store, killing one and injuring another before turning the gun on himself. Statehouse/Utilities: Gov. Mike Braun’s office says fired IURC chair Andy Zay reached a $625,000 settlement with the state, ending his lawsuit over his firing. Local Business: Braun honored Lafayette-area staples Market Square Lanes and Brand Electric with Half Century Business Awards.

Storm recovery and power restoration: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun asked the federal government to expedite a major disaster declaration for 54 storm-damaged counties, as outages drag on across the state—especially in Northwest Indiana where tens of thousands remain without electricity. Utility and accountability: Braun also announced a settlement in the lawsuit filed by former IURC chair Andy Zay, who challenged his firing after the commission approved a $71 million AES Indiana rate increase. Local aid and relief: The Chicago Bears pledged $200,000 for storm recovery, splitting grants between Catholic Charities in Chicago and the Diocese of Gary, as residents continue to struggle with displacement and basic needs. Sports—WNBA: Indiana Fever clinched a playoff spot and head into Saturday’s Liberty matchup with Caitlin Clark back in the spotlight after a recent streak ended. Sports—NFL preseason: The Atlanta Falcons rolled past the Colts 34-6 in Indianapolis, with Cooper Rush and Jack Strand leading the offense while Michael Penix Jr. was cleared to practice fully. Indiana business: Indiana Tech is set to begin construction on “Junction 36” at Electric Works in Fort Wayne, a nearly $18 million advanced manufacturing innovation center.

WNBA Spotlight: The Indiana Fever (24-13) head to Brooklyn to face the New York Liberty at 7 p.m. Saturday on Prime Video, aiming to bounce back after a 91-85 loss to Dallas; Kelsey Mitchell’s record-setting scoring streak is the headline as Breanna Stewart leads New York (22-15) and Jonquel Jones says the Liberty want to slow Indy’s high-powered offense. Sports Culture & Debate: Sophie Cunningham’s transgender participation controversy keeps swirling, with fresh social-media fallout and renewed national attention after comments from high-profile athletes and media figures. Storm Recovery in Northwest Indiana: After a derecho left hundreds of thousands without power, residents are still scrambling for generators and gas; a class-action lawsuit targets NIPSCO over alleged tree-trimming failures, and shelters have been operating by flashlight while outages drag on. Public Safety: The FBI is warning Indiana utilities to prepare for cyberattacks targeting water systems, even as local providers say they’re taking precautions. Federal Help Push: Indiana’s congressional delegation is urging President Trump to approve a major disaster declaration for storm and flood damage. Local Crime: A man was convicted in the 2023 shooting death of his wife in Indianapolis.

Northwest Indiana Power Crisis: Tens of thousands of Hoosiers are still in the dark after the Aug. 11 derecho, with NIPSCO listing 41,290 customers without power Friday afternoon—about half in Gary—while Gov. Mike Braun calls it “unacceptable” and presses NIPSCO management to speed restoration. Storm Aftermath, Now Water Trouble: In Munster, a water main break is adding stress as residents juggle outage cleanup and sump pump failures, with about 1,400 customers still without power. Utility Response Scrutiny: CBS News Chicago reports outside linemen were sitting idle in Griffith for hours because they lacked NIPSCO work orders, raising new questions about the utility’s coordination. Flood Aid Push: Indiana officials estimate historic storm damage at $550 million to more than $5 billion to homes and apartments, and Gov. Braun is seeking major federal disaster help for 54 counties. Local Government Watch: Fort Wayne councilman Geoff Paddock asks IDEM for the “strictest possible” review of Google’s wetlands permit request tied to a major data center expansion. Public Safety: Indiana State Police arrested a wrong-way driver on the Indiana Toll Road in LaPorte County, charging him with intoxication, reckless driving, and drug possession.

Impaired Driving Crackdown: Greene County is teaming with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and local agencies to ramp up sobriety checkpoints and drug/alcohol enforcement through Labor Day, using federal CHIRP overtime funding. WNBA Spotlight in Indiana: Caitlin Clark’s Fever lost 91-85 to the Dallas Wings, with fans blasting officiating and coach Stephanie White after a physical fourth-quarter moment; meanwhile, Paige Bueckers and Clark had a heated exchange that drew a technical, and Kelsey Mitchell kept turning heads with another 20+ point streak. Local Roads: INDOT will chip seal SR 28 in Tippecanoe County with full closures and detours, followed by fog sealing, starting on or after Monday. Storm Recovery Still Hurts: More than a week after the Aug. 11 derecho, Northern Indiana residents remain in “survival mode” as outages drag on, with NIPSCO reporting hundreds of thousands still without power. Workforce Training Boost: Ivy Tech’s Workforce Pell approval lets students use Pell dollars for an eight-week clinical medical assistant program. Health Care Investment: IU Health is launching a Theranostics Center of Excellence with a $40 million donor-backed push to personalize cancer imaging and treatment.

Power Outages: Northwest Indiana residents are still in “survival mode” after a ninth day without electricity, with NIPSCO reporting tens of thousands affected and a new pole-fire outage hitting about 9,000 customers in Munster, Dyer, Schererville, St. John and Highland. Storm Recovery & Health: Indiana officials are warning about rising risks after flooding, including a Connersville sewage leak that has prompted Whitewater River and Great Miami River advisories. Education Policy: Gov. Mike Braun marked the first year of universal school choice, while Northwest Indiana districts are seeking state waivers after storm-related missed days. Foster Care Scholarships: First Lady Melania Trump announced a $2 million “Fostering the Future” expansion with IndyCar and Fox, funding scholarships at IU and Purdue. Public Safety: Indiana State Police are investigating a hit-and-run that killed a man changing a flat tire on I-69 in Fishers; a North Central High School student was arrested after a gun was found at school. Local Spotlight: Ivy Tech Sellersburg dedicated a new Pat Harrison Gateway entrance, and the Hoosier Art Salon opens Friday at the Indiana State Museum.

Severe Flood Recovery: Indiana’s deadly flooding crisis is still unfolding after the White River and other waterways surged, leaving at least 7 dead and more than 1,000 displaced as officials press for a federal Major Disaster Declaration so residents can access FEMA individual help. Northwest Indiana Power: Even after more than a week, tens of thousands remain in the dark in places like Gary, Munster, Highland and Lake County, with NIPSCO saying restoration could stretch into next week. State Response & Scams: Gov. Mike Braun says Indiana is ready to cover recovery costs while FEMA damage assessments continue, and state officials are warning residents about storm-related scams and contractor fraud. Sports—Colts & Fever: The Colts signed veteran WR Keenan Allen to a one-year deal, while the Indiana Fever keep rolling toward the playoffs as they prepare for a big matchup with the Dallas Wings. WNBA Culture Clash: Sophie Cunningham’s comments on transgender inclusion in women’s sports continue to spark national debate, including new fallout around WNBA security handling of “XX-XY” shirts. Local Life: Indianapolis Public Library hit a record summer reading total, and Delphi’s Indiana Bacon Festival is set for Saturday.