AGP Executive Report

Utility Accountability: Indiana House Democrats are asking lawmakers to investigate NIPSCO’s response to the Aug. 11 derecho after hundreds in northwest Indiana still lacked power and the utility filed multiple rate requests during recovery, with critics warning costs could land on ratepayers. Storm Recovery: In New Castle, flood-damaged apartment residents are being told to vacate within two weeks as repairs are expected to take months, while volunteers continue gutting and rebuilding homes in the Ravenswood area. Local Safety: Two middle school students were hospitalized after a school bus crash in Harrison County involving a U-turn attempt and a rear-end collision that also sparked a fire; the bus driver received a citation. Public Safety Campaign: Rensselaer police are joining a statewide push to crack down on impaired driving with sobriety checkpoints through Sept. 7. Politics & Voting: Candidates for Indiana secretary of state faced voters in a debate and a Bloomington town hall focused on turnout and costs of living. Sports (Hoosier Spotlight): Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell set WNBA history as the Fever beat the Sky 113-90, while Lexie Hull’s slump ended with a strong return.

Storm Recovery & FEMA: President Trump approved a major disaster declaration for 21 Indiana counties, unlocking more individual and public assistance for households and repairs after the Aug. 11 storms and flooding. Indiana 211 Help: Gov. Mike Braun launched a texting option—IN211HELP to 898-211—so residents can pick their need by zip code and get disaster-specific resources, with 2-1-1 and IN211.org as backups. NIPSCO Accountability: Braun ordered the OUCC to file a complaint and petition the IURC to investigate NIPSCO after prolonged Northwest Indiana outages; officials say about 10,000 customers were still without power near two weeks later. Tuition Freeze: Indiana’s public colleges and universities will keep in-state undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees flat for a second year (2026–27), matching the 2025–26 freeze. Meta Settlement: Indiana is set to receive a guaranteed $296 million and up to $419 million from a multi-state Meta child-safety settlement, with required changes to Facebook and Instagram. Surveillance Fight (Flock): Fort Wayne City Council voted down renewing Flock license-plate camera funding, while a separate case alleges a Shively officer misused Flock data to track a woman across Kentucky and Indiana. Local Planning Notice: Lake County’s Plan Commission will hold a special meeting Aug. 27 on an amended I-65/SR 2 interchange economic development plan.

Storm Recovery & Power: NIPSCO says power restoration in northwest Indiana is in the final stretch, with about 99% back on Tuesday night in Gary and the Calumet region, but hundreds still remain in the dark as another storm threat looms—while Gov. Mike Braun pushes for answers and an investigation into NIPSCO’s response. Federal Disaster Aid: President Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Indiana after Aug. 11 storms and flooding, unlocking FEMA help for 21 counties, including individual assistance for households and public assistance for emergency work and damaged facilities. Local Costs & Help Access: Hoosiers dealing with spoiled food, generator bills, and lost wages are being directed to use 211 for relief resources, including emergency grants and debris cleanup support. Public Safety: An escapee who jumped from a moving ICE transport vehicle during an I-94 Porter County manhunt was found near a marsh and returned to custody after hours on the run. Sports & Culture Clash: The Chicago Sky banned Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena home games after his ejection from an Indiana Fever matchup, with owner Michael Alter citing him as a “potential threat.” Community Support: The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence launched new grassroots tools to help friends, family, and coworkers recognize abuse and connect survivors to help.

Storm Recovery & Power Accountability: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun ordered a regulatory investigation into NIPSCO after prolonged Northwest Indiana outages, and the state also agreed to pay $625,000 to settle a lawsuit tied to Braun’s firing of a utility commission member. Gary Power Crisis: Residents in Gary say they’re still living without electricity nearly two weeks after the storms, while the mayor called the restoration pace “unacceptable.” State Courts: The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether to uphold a recount that flipped a state senate primary result, with oral arguments set for Sept. 10. Local Safety: A semi crash on I-94 near the Indiana Toll Road shut down lanes in both directions Tuesday morning as crews cleared wreckage. Road Salt Shortage: Vincennes officials say they have enough salt for now, but a statewide shortage could hit harder if winter turns severe. Community Planning: Residents in Warrick County raised concerns at a public forum about how large AI data centers could affect their communities. Public Safety Crackdown: Police statewide are increasing patrols and sobriety checkpoints ahead of Labor Day. Education & Health: IU Southeast released Dean’s and Chancellor’s List honors, and HealthLinc earned six national quality awards from HRSA.

Power Crisis in NW Indiana: Gov. Mike Braun has ordered an investigation into NIPSCO after nearly two weeks of outages left thousands in places like Gary still without electricity, with regulators asked to review storm prep, vegetation and right-of-way work, and whether reliability money was spent as promised. Local Relief Efforts: In Gary, food influencer Keith Lee is hosting a community giveaway with food trucks, music, and storm-relief kits in partnership with the Salvation Army and the city, aiming to help families still recovering. Health Care Update: The VA rolled out a federal electronic health record system at Indiana VA facilities, including Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, to streamline records and reduce duplicate testing. Sports—Fever Make History: Caitlin Clark powered the Indiana Fever to a 113-90 win over the Chicago Sky, setting a WNBA record with 37 points and 10 assists. Public Safety: Five men were arrested in a southern Indiana online child sex offender sting, and firefighters responded to a large Jeffersonville house fire with no injuries reported.

Power Outages & Accountability: Gov. Mike Braun is pushing the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to investigate NIPSCO after nearly two weeks of prolonged northwest Indiana outages, including vegetation and right-of-way upkeep and whether state infrastructure funds were used as promised; the state says tens of thousands are still in the dark as restoration timelines slip. Storm Damage Costs: Braun estimates Indiana storm and flood damage could top $5B as he seeks expedited federal disaster aid for dozens of counties. Local Anger in Gary: Gary Mayor Eddie Melton calls the outage length “unacceptable,” saying families and businesses are paying the price while NIPSCO works to restore power. WNBA Spotlight in Indiana: Caitlin Clark powered the Fever to a 113-90 win over the Chicago Sky with 37 points and eight 3s, but the weekend’s biggest controversy was Enes Kanter Freedom’s ejection after a confrontation with Natasha Cloud. Statehouse Jobs: Indiana Senate Republicans announced paid spring internships for the 2027 session, offering a $900 biweekly stipend for college students and recent grads. Indiana State Police vs. MrBeast: ISP troopers took part in a MrBeast challenge in Indiana, capturing the “fugitives” with $500,000 on the line.

WNBA Spotlight: Caitlin Clark poured in 37 points and hit a career-high eight threes as the Indiana Fever beat the Chicago Sky 113-90, with Kelsey Mitchell adding 30; Indiana set a franchise record with 18 made triples and won despite Aliyah Boston sitting out with a right leg injury. Arena Flashpoint: Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected after a heated confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud, after Cloud yelled and pointed at him late in the third; Kanter later framed it as “supporting WOMEN,” while the league and teams tried to move past the distraction. Local Impact—Power Outages: Nearly two weeks after the Aug. 11 storm, thousands in northwest Indiana still lack electricity, including about 9,000 in Gary; Gov. Mike Braun and the National Guard have been deployed to clear the way for NIPSCO crews, while residents and groups keep pushing for faster restoration and help with food and water. Community & Recovery: Keith Lee is teaming with the Salvation Army and the City of Gary for a flood-and-power relief event, aiming to get supplies and meals to families still waiting on restoration. State Fair Finale: The Indiana State Fair closed with a surge in attendance as weather cleared, boosting vendors who said storms hurt early-week profits.

WNBA—Fever vs. Liberty: Breanna Stewart scored 22 and Leonie Fiebich returned after a long absence to add 20 as the New York Liberty beat the Indiana Fever 109-102, tightening playoff positioning. Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 25, with Aliyah Boston 22 and Caitlin Clark 21, but Indiana couldn’t finish after tying it at 100 late. WNBA—Next up in Chicago: Indiana now turns around for a Sunday rematch at the Chicago Sky (7 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock), with Chicago riding a three-game streak and Indiana still playing for better seeding. Local Schools: Indiana’s new classroom cell phone ban is drawing mixed reactions—some students say they’re worried about staying connected, while Warren Central reports strong compliance and fewer phones taken. Public Safety—Hebron antiques shop shooting: A woman was killed and another woman was injured in a shooting at Karmic Sunshine in unincorporated Lowell/Hebron area; police say the 62-year-old suspect died by self-inflicted gunshot. Storm fallout—power and health strain: After historic outages, tens of thousands in northwest Indiana remain without power, with residents describing survival-mode conditions and health risks as recovery drags on. Scams: July BBB Scam Tracker reports show Indiana cities like Indianapolis and Fort Wayne leading the list, with smaller cities tied for mid-pack spots.

Shooting Investigation: Indiana State Police and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a Saturday night shooting at a Hebron strip mall near I-65, where two people were critically hurt and a third suffered minor injuries; officials say there’s no active threat. WNBA Fever-Liberty: The New York Liberty held off the Indiana Fever 109-102 as Leonie Fiebich returned from injury to score 20 and Breanna Stewart added 22; Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 25 and Caitlin Clark had 21. Transgender Sports Protests: Ahead of the Fever’s game in New York, Sophie Cunningham addressed anti-trans protests that have followed her comments, while demonstrators clashed outside Barclays Center. Storm Recovery, Power Still Out: Northwest Indiana residents are still waiting on electricity more than a week after the Aug. 11 derecho; Gov. Mike Braun urged faster restoration and the Chicago Bears announced $200,000 in donations to Catholic Charities in Gary and Chicago to support recovery needs. Utility Commission Settlement: Indiana is set to pay $625,000 to settle a lawsuit tied to former IURC member Andy Zay’s firing by Gov. Mike Braun. Local Sports: No. 22 Indiana men’s soccer hosts in-state rival Evansville on Sunday after a strong start, while Indiana State women’s soccer beat Chicago State 5-1 on Senior Day.

Power Outage Fallout in Northwest Indiana: After storms and a powerful derecho, thousands of Hoosiers in and around Gary were still in the dark for an 11th day, with NIPSCO reporting 33,124 customers without electricity Saturday and some residents told restoration could slip until Tuesday. Legal Pressure on NIPSCO: A class-action lawsuit has been filed over the prolonged outage, with customers complaining about spoiled food, flooded basements and health impacts. Scam Warning After Disaster: Indiana’s attorney general is urging residents to watch for weather-related fraud, warning scammers may pressure homeowners, claim they can “manage” insurance claims, or offer fake contractor lists. WNBA Spotlight: The Indiana Fever clinched a 2026 playoff spot and head to Brooklyn Saturday to face the New York Liberty at 7 p.m. on Prime Video, after Kelsey Mitchell’s record-setting scoring run was snapped in a loss to Dallas. Community Relief & Recovery: Local leaders and residents described generator shortages and daily survival challenges as power restoration drags on. Indiana Fever Good News: Caitlin Clark drew praise after donating $2,000 to a GoFundMe honoring a fan, aimed at funding buddy benches for a local playground.

Northwest Indiana Storm Recovery: Ten days after the Aug. 11 derecho, tens of thousands of Hoosiers are still without power, with NIPSCO reporting more than 37,000 customers in the dark Friday night—about 18,500 in Gary—leaving residents in “survival mode” as some communities may not see restoration until Tuesday or later. Local Government & Utilities: In Hobart, school support staff will be paid for eight missed storm days after the board voted unanimously to avoid penalizing workers; meanwhile, residents and officials are questioning NIPSCO’s handling of outside crews as some linemen reportedly sat idle without work orders. Flood Damage in Indianapolis: Central Indiana flood cleanup continues, with Indianapolis officials documenting 552 residential properties with damage and estimating about $36.8M in residential losses so far. Statehouse & Environment: Fort Wayne councilman Geoff Paddock asked IDEM for the strictest wetlands review standards for Google’s data center expansion, citing concerns about filling more than 2 acres of forested wetlands. Education & Community: Indiana’s IREAD reading results show continued gains, with nearly 9 in 10 third-graders reading at grade level for the fifth straight year. Sports & Culture: High school football Week 1 is underway statewide, and Caitlin Clark’s Fever community is mourning a longtime fan, with Clark reportedly donating $2,000 to a memorial fundraiser.

WNBA: Dallas Wings beat the Indiana Fever 91-85 Thursday, ending Indiana’s five-game winning streak. Kelsey Mitchell poured in a Fever-high 37 points, but Arike Ogunbowale (32) and Jessica Shepard (26) powered Dallas, with Awak Kuier adding a career-high seven blocks. Local Flood Memories: Tipton residents are looking back at a major flood from more than 70 years ago as this week’s historic flooding hits the state again. Storm Recovery & Power: Northwest Indiana continues to struggle with long outages after severe storms, with residents still in “survival mode” as restoration drags on. State Education: Hamilton County lawmakers highlighted 2026 IREAD gains, saying more than 88% of third graders passed for a fifth straight year of improvement. Community & Crime: Carroll County booked one person on a marijuana possession charge Aug. 12; Allen County booked nine people on drug charges that same day. Sports (College): No. 22 Indiana men’s soccer opened the season with a 3-1 win over Notre Dame, with Oliver Moller-Jensen scoring twice. Scams Watch: Kendallville reported one BBB scam report in July, tied for 55th among Indiana cities.

WNBA Record Watch: Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell set a new WNBA standard with 21 straight games scoring 20+ points, breaking A’ja Wilson’s mark during a Thursday loss to the Dallas Wings. Fever vs. Wings: Dallas won 91-85 as Arike Ogunbowale scored 32 and Jessica Shepard added 26; Caitlin Clark had 10 points and nine assists, while Mitchell poured in 37. Storm Aftermath: Tens of thousands in Northwest Indiana are still without power more than a week after deadly storms, with NIPSCO restoration timelines stretching into next week and residents reporting spoiled food, heat, and boil-water advisories. Local Safety: Indiana State Police report a fatal two-vehicle crash in Bartholomew County on State Road 11 near County Road 800 South, killing a 42-year-old Seymour man and injuring three teens. Politics: Former VP Mike Pence spoke in Indianapolis, warning about a populist shift in the GOP and reflecting on his 2020 election certification decision. Education Policy: Indiana schools are enforcing new phone rules, with reporting on how discipline is handled when students break the “bell to bell” restrictions. Community & Culture: The Indiana State Fair announced “Taste of the Fair” winners, led by Nitro Hog BBQ’s The S’Mork.

WNBA Ratings Boom: The Indiana Fever’s 95-91 overtime win over the Atlanta Dream averaged 2.6 million viewers on ESPN—an all-time cable high for the league—while also sparking controversy after fans were told to cover XX-XY shirts, prompting a league response. Pacers Streaming Shake-Up: The Indiana Pacers are moving to DAZN under a new five-year deal, with 22 games available for free before the paywall and a mix of app streaming and over-the-air options. Flood Recovery in Indiana: Record rainfall and historic flooding continue to hit communities, with tens of thousands still without power in northwest Indiana and state emergency relief grants up to $5,000 available for uninsured flood damage. Power Outage Update (Gary/NW Indiana): NIPSCO says Gary residents may have to wait until next week as debris and damage slow restoration. Agriculture Watch: Record rainfall is raising concerns for Indiana crops, with experts warning about stalk rot, crown rot, lodging, and possible yield loss. Local Government Help: Henry County lawmakers urge storm victims to apply for state emergency resources and temporary housing support. Road Work: I-70 lane and ramp closures near 18th St. in Morgan County are set for Aug. 21-22 for bridge work. Education & Workforce: Indiana’s Ivy Tech is among the first in the nation to receive Workforce Pell Grant approval, aiming to expand job-focused training. Lottery: The Hoosier Lottery is projected to send about $350M to state coffers.

Northwest Indiana Power Crisis: Eight days after Aug. 11 storms, about 75,000 NIPSCO customers still lack electricity, with roughly 22,000 in Gary and full restoration not expected until Aug. 25. Crews say the damage is extensive, with hundreds of poles needing repair or replacement. Flood Recovery Watch: Carmel is still cleaning up after historic flooding, while Indiana emergency officials warn more rain could worsen conditions in already-saturated areas. Local Safety Alert: Indiana State Police are investigating a fatal I-69 hit-and-run in Fishers where a man was struck while changing a flat tire; investigators ask drivers with dashcam footage to save it. Education & Workforce: The U.S. Department of Education approved Indiana’s second Workforce Pell Grant program, letting eligible Ivy Tech students use Pell dollars for an eight-week Clinical Medical Assistant track. Utilities & Costs: The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will hold a Fort Wayne field hearing Aug. 26 on Aqua Indiana’s proposed water and wastewater rate increase. State Policy & Money: Indiana will distribute nearly $44M to local governments to replace lost revenue from the gas tax holiday. Community & Business: A deaf-owned Fishers coffee shop, Niyyah Coffee, is moving into a downtown Fort Wayne space. Sports Talk: Sophie Cunningham again challenged WNBA leadership, saying the league needs a bold, confident commissioner as Cathy Engelbert’s contract runs through 2026. Civic Action: Indianapolis approved a temporary moratorium on new data centers through end of 2027, a win for opponents.

Flood Recovery Watch: More rain may hit Central Indiana, with the NWS warning of possible flash flooding and prolonged high river levels even as conditions improve after last week’s historic storms. Emergency Response: Indiana National Guard Blackhawk helicopters are now supporting Carmel flood efforts, including sling-loading 2,000-pound sandbags to protect critical sewer infrastructure. Courts & Reproductive Rights: A federal appeals court struck down an Indiana law requiring parental consent or court approval before out-of-state abortion info could be promoted to pregnant teens, saying it violates free speech rules. Local Economy & Jobs: Gov. Braun announced V Tech Conversions will open in Plymouth, creating up to 25 high-wage jobs by 2028. Water Infrastructure: Google is sending $10 million across Indiana for water projects tied to data-center operations, including $1.1 million for Fort Wayne City Utilities to boost water reuse and cut withdrawals from the St. Joseph River. Education & Training: Workforce Pell Grants are expanding to help pay for short career training programs, potentially making some Indiana options like Ivy Tech far more affordable for low-income students.