AGP Executive Report

County Fire Fight: Allen County Councilwoman Lindsay Hammond wants to delay a proposed $49 million countywide fire and EMS district until 2028, while its chief says the service is needed next year. The council is expected to vote Oct. 19. Indiana Jobs: Batesville medical-device maker Med-Mizer plans a $9 million expansion, creating up to 73 jobs. Crawfordsville’s Nucor plant also plans a $105 million expansion and up to 100 jobs. State Services: Gov. Mike Braun’s new AI tool is simplifying public documents at the Department of Workforce Development; 58 revised documents are already available. Execution Debate: Jeffrey Weisheit’s attorneys are seeking a delay in his scheduled execution next month to examine possible brain injuries. A state lawmaker plans to propose firing squads as Indiana’s primary execution method. Household Costs: Midwest inflation reached 4.2% in September, above the national 3.7%; gasoline prices were up 35.5% from a year earlier.

Power Grid: A federal emergency order authorizes backup power measures across 13 states, including Indiana, through Oct. 16 as warm weather and plant maintenance strain the PJM grid. Fort Wayne Growth: City Council rejected a proposed one-year data-center moratorium and task force, leaving questions about how the city will manage the industry’s expansion. Housing: Fort Wayne launched a catalog of six pre-reviewed home designs for urban lots, aiming to speed construction and address the housing shortage. Schools: Wawasee’s board approved a $48.3 million 2027 budget as administrators flagged gaps in middle-school reading and math scores. Jobs: Med-Mizer plans a $9 million Batesville expansion expected to create up to 73 jobs. Election 2026: Indiana secretary of state candidates are outlining plans for election security and business services as Hoosiers prepare to vote.

Economic Development: Gov. Mike Braun is sending Indiana’s commerce secretary to Japan to strengthen business ties; Japanese companies operate in 60 Indiana counties and have committed more than $10 billion in state investments since 2005. Med-Mizer plans a $9 million Batesville expansion, adding up to 73 jobs. Energy: A federal order directs PJM to bring generators online through Oct. 16 to guard against blackouts amid high demand and planned outages. PJM says customers should see no impact. Election 2026: Indiana treasurer candidate Coumba Kebe is campaigning on state finances and says her experience in Medicaid operations prompted her run. Flood Recovery: Cambridge City is bringing in specialists to reassess about 200 flood-damaged properties after residents questioned initial damage estimates. Courts: Death row inmate Jeffrey Weisheit is asking Indiana’s Supreme Court to delay his Nov. 5 execution by two weeks so experts can review brain scans for his clemency case. Civic Learning: Ball State received a $2.7 million federal grant for a three-year program to strengthen civics and government education across Indiana.

Election Watch: Early voting is underway in Indiana, with nearly 600 Floyd County voters reportedly receiving incorrect ballots. State Policy: Indiana is asking a federal appeals court to revisit a ruling that lets providers refer minors to out-of-state abortion care. Schools: Fort Wayne Community Schools will hold a listening tour as it develops an application for a potential $17 million grant to address barriers such as hunger and transportation; the district received $100,000 for planning. Business and Development: State regulators approved AES’s plan to power Google’s data center in Monrovia. In Indianapolis, the 38-story, 800-room Signia Hilton is scheduled to finish construction by Dec. 9, adding a major hotel to the convention center expansion.

Business: Indiana-based Corteva has split into separate crop-protection and seed companies, giving shareholders stakes in both as the agribusiness pursues a more focused strategy. Energy & Development: Indiana approved AES’s plan to power Google’s data center in Monrovia, amid wider debate over the water and electricity demands of rapid data-center growth. State & Local Affairs: Attorney General Todd Rokita says federal officials reversed plans to close Indianapolis Downtown Heliport after state intervention. Gov. Mike Braun also announced a partnership with Ivy Tech Bloomington to support Main Street businesses. Public Services: Upcoming federal Medicaid changes could add pressure to already strained hospitals, with new work requirements and more frequent eligibility renewals. About 125 Indiana National Guard members are also deploying to Texas to support immigration enforcement. Jobs & Politics: Nucor plans a $105 million Crawfordsville expansion expected to create up to 100 jobs. In Northwest Indiana, Republican Trevor De Vries and Democrat Scott Houldieson are vying for the District 1 state Senate seat.

College Sports: Indiana men’s basketball opened exhibition play with a 96-68 win over Butler. The Hoosier football team climbed to No. 5 after rallying past Nebraska, while Purdue women’s soccer upset No. 2 Michigan State. Local News: Indiana Commons has shifted from original reporting to republishing outside coverage, its editor says. Environment: EPA testing in Spencer found no need for vapor-mitigation systems at 25 homes checked near the Franklin Street Superfund site; more groundwater sampling is planned for November, with a full report expected in 2027. Politics: Candidates for Indiana secretary of state clashed over election safeguards, office oversight and spending audits ahead of November’s vote. Business: Nucor plans a $105 million Indiana expansion that could add up to 100 jobs. Education: Purdue Fort Wayne opened nearly $2 million in renovations at its business school, adding classrooms and faculty offices.

Hoosier Sports: No. 7 Indiana rallied to beat Nebraska 20–17, scoring the game’s final 14 points. The Colts visit Pittsburgh today at 1 p.m. ET, with both teams seeking to move above .500. State Politics: Indiana secretary of state candidates debated noncitizen voting and spending audits as voters weigh election issues; House District 60 candidates Mayfield and Syczylo are also facing off. Jobs & Education: The state launched online resources for student workplace learning, while Ball State received a $2.7 million grant to strengthen civic learning. Allen County will host a job fair Oct. 21, with county departments recruiting for a range of roles. Indianapolis Business: The Signia Hilton, set to open in December, unveiled its restaurant and bar plans, adding new dining venues to the city’s hospitality scene.

Hoosier Football: No. 7 Indiana rallied past Nebraska 20-17, extending its winning streak to 22 games and staying unbeaten at 6-0. Josh Hoover hit Nick Marsh for a 75-yard touchdown before the pair connected again for the go-ahead score. Student Opportunities: Indiana launched an online hub to help schools and employers build work-based learning programs under the state’s new diploma requirements. Local Decisions: Paoli approved up to $21,450 for wastewater repairs and grant agreements for a hotel restoration and a youth crisis center. Portage is weighing a $60.9 million 2027 budget, which officials expect to trim before final approval. Ballot Watch: County commissioners oversee infrastructure and administration, while county councils set fiscal priorities. Most Hoosiers will see races for both on their November ballots. Civic Education: Ball State won a $2.7 million federal grant for a three-year initiative to strengthen civics teaching across Indiana, reaching about 2,000 students. Economic Growth: Gov. Mike Braun outlined plans to expand Indiana’s sports economy and jobs, while Sen. Todd Young highlighted the state’s growing biotech role at an IU symposium.

Hoosiers in Lincoln: No. 7 Indiana faces unbeaten Nebraska Saturday in a key Big Ten matchup. Fever Watch: Caitlin Clark defended coach Stephanie White amid questions about her future and condemned hateful messages targeting teammate Kelsey Mitchell after Indiana’s playoff exit. Storm Recovery: FEMA aid remains available to Northwest Indiana residents affected by August storms; the application deadline is Oct. 25. Lafayette Emergency: A chemical spill prompted shelter-in-place orders and evacuations, with officials issuing a health warning. Jobs & Business: Nucor plans a $105 million Crawfordsville expansion expected to create 100 jobs. Interra Credit Union also completed its acquisition of Hicksville Bank, adding four branches in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio. Election Concerns: Nearly 600 Floyd County voters reportedly received incorrect ballots as Hoosiers prepare to elect all nine members of Indiana’s congressional delegation.

Energy Costs: Indiana gas averaged $3.87 a gallon Friday after jumping 15 cents in a day. Gov. Mike Braun’s fuel-tax suspension runs through Nov. 4. Jobs and Industry: Nucor plans a $105 million Crawfordsville expansion expected to create 100 jobs. Public Safety: A chemical spill near Lafayette’s South Street released about 300 gallons of corrosive material, prompting shelter-in-place orders and an evacuation. Election: Hoosiers face a busy November ballot, including a proposed expansion of judges’ power to deny bail and retention votes for appellate judges. All nine congressional seats are contested. Muncie Development: Model aviation association members allege its 1,100-acre property is being considered for sale to a data center developer; no finalized deal has been confirmed. Infrastructure: Indianapolis International Airport rebuilt a 10,000-foot runway with concrete that captures and stores CO₂, part of a $190 million project. Higher Education: Purdue Fort Wayne received an $8 million gift to expand scholarship support.

Indiana Elections: Voters face two statewide ballot questions, judicial retention choices and a crowded secretary of state race. Candidates have clashed over election security, oversight and noncitizen voting as early voting gets underway ahead of Nov. 3. Property Taxes: Indiana’s tax debate is also turning to assessed values, with critics seeking more stability in assessments that help determine household and business bills. Business: Nucor plans a $105 million expansion at its Indiana pole-manufacturing operation, with up to 100 jobs expected. Hoosier Sports: Caitlin Clark condemned hateful messages aimed at Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell and said she hopes the veteran guard stays in Indiana.

Manufacturing: Nucor will invest $105 million to expand its Crawfordsville plant, adding up to 100 jobs by 2029. Power and Utilities: Indiana Michigan Power extended public comment on a proposed high-voltage line through five northeastern counties to Nov. 13, after strong local opposition. Aqua Indiana customers will also get another hearing on the utility’s request for a 40.7% sewer-rate revenue increase. Election 2026: Indiana secretary of state candidates clashed over voter eligibility rules and election oversight. State Sen. Ron Alting says he is stepping back from campaigning amid shoplifting allegations but remains on the ballot. Local Growth: Owen County approved a yearlong pause on data center applications, while Gosport adopted restrictions on the facilities. Gov. Mike Braun also extended Indiana’s gas-tax suspension through early November.

Secretary of State Race: Indiana’s four candidates clashed in their second debate over election security, noncitizen voting and whether the office needs an audit. A recent poll put Republican Max Engling and Democrat Beau Bayh nearly even. Government Services: Gov. Mike Braun says a new AI tool is helping the Department of Workforce Development simplify public documents, with staff reviewing changes for accuracy. He also announced measures to help veterans enter trucking careers. Business and Jobs: Nucor plans a $105 million Indiana expansion that could add up to 100 jobs. Data-Center Dispute: A judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging approval of a proposed data center at Jefferson Proving Ground, finding the plaintiffs had not met legal requirements for review. Purdue Expansion: The university’s veterinary medicine and One Health district plans aim to grow training and research opportunities and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Casino Debate: U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman opposes a proposed Northeast Indiana casino, saying it could harm communities; voters will consider the issue in November.

Election 2026: Indiana’s secretary of state candidates clashed over election security, noncitizen voting and whether the office needs an independent audit, with Democrat Beau Bayh challenging Republican Max Engling’s claims. Data Center Debate: Martindale-Brightwood residents renewed opposition to a planned Indianapolis facility, questioning a deal offering nearly $56 million in tax breaks; a potential tenant could save much more. Fuel and Roads: Gov. Mike Braun’s gas-tax suspension is in effect through Nov. 4, alongside a temporary easing of dyed-diesel restrictions for farmers. Officials say tolling may be needed as highway construction and maintenance costs outpace fuel-tax revenue. Growth and Energy: West Lafayette is negotiating how to share tax revenue from SK hynix’s planned $4 billion plant, while 900 megawatts of the Mammoth Solar project in Pulaski County are nearing commercial operation. Indiana communities can also apply to prepare for potential advanced nuclear projects.

Clean Energy: A Meta-backed solar project in Gibson County secured $350 million in financing. The 203-megawatt site, being built on reclaimed coal-mining land, is expected to support about 200 peak construction jobs. Elections: Early voting is underway in Indiana, with candidates for secretary of state set to debate election reforms. One local commentary says limited voter education and an early registration deadline can make voting intimidating. Jobs & Skills: Gov. Mike Braun launched a digital hub to connect students with work-based learning and expanded a program helping veterans earn commercial driver’s licenses. Growth & Infrastructure: Indiana cleared eminent domain for power lines serving major projects in Boone County, including Meta and Lilly developments, while data center growth raises questions about energy needs and community costs. Local Investment: Rushville’s Love Community Center won a statewide placemaking award for turning a vacant store into a hub for recreation, childcare, library services and more.

Indiana Elections: Indiana Secretary of State candidates are set to debate Wednesday, with Beau Bayh, Max Engling, Greg Ballard and Lauri Shillings taking the stage at 7 p.m. Public Safety & Courts: DeKalb County Sheriff Brady Thomas announced a fall membership mailing for the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, while in Hancock Circuit Court attorneys filed competing motions tied to a subpoena in the wrongful-death case of Sammy Teusch. Statehouse Watch: Gov. Braun says Indiana’s Blackout license plate sales topped 380,000, generating nearly $13 million for BMV modernization, and he appointed Brittney Long as the new public access counselor after complaints about delays. Local Governance: West Lafayette City Council reviewed its 2027 budget amid property tax changes under SEA 1. Business & Community: MH Equipment will combine operations with Bohl Equipment, expanding to more than 30 locations across Indiana and Ohio. Health & Housing: Indiana United Ways launched an interactive ALICE® experience on tough financial choices, and it also highlighted disaster recovery support through the Indiana Natural Disaster Fund. Sports (Hoosier focus): Indiana’s Josh Hoover-led offense and the Hoosiers’ defense headline weekend coverage as the team prepares for Nebraska.