As of 10:31 p.m., much of Indiana is still covered in snow from today’s winter storm. While weather conditions are expected to improve overnight, many roads are still snow covered and hazardous. Hoosiers are encouraged to check local conditions and follow the travel directions of local authorities. In Kosciusko County, county roads are still very …read more.

Ball State economist Michael Hicks says it is no surprise that Indiana’s unemployment rate is holding at 8 percent for the second consecutive month because the state’s economy, like the nation’s, is “stuck in neutral.” The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says the state’s unemployment rate was 8 percent in November, unchanged from the previous …read more.

Indiana’s annual population growth rate declined for the sixth consecutive year in 2012, according to population estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau and analyzed by the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, which represents the state to the Census Bureau. Indiana added 20,981 residents, a 0.32 percent increase, …read more.

Trine University, Angola, has hit a high note by adding a major in music option for those earning a Bachelor of Science degree. The new four-year degree option is intended to provide students with a personalized learning environment and to foster experiences in the performance, understanding and appreciation of the discipline and art of music. …read more.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is promoting policies and practices aimed at increasing the number of Hoosiers who complete college on time and do so with minimal student debt. Indiana college students borrow more than $27,000 on average to finance a four-year degree, and the state’s student loan default rate has increased by 35 …read more.

Despite U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations requiring generic medications to carry identical warnings to those on corresponding brand-name products, a study by Regenstrief Institute researchers has found that more than two-thirds of generic drugs have safety-warning labels that differ from the equivalent brand-name drug. The investigators reviewed 9,105 product labels for over 1,500 drugs …read more.

The Warsaw Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that incoming Indiana Governor Mike Pence has accepted the invitation to be keynote speaker for its 101st Annual membership dinner. Governor Pence will follow Mitch Daniels in not only the governor’s seat, but also as WK Chamber’s keynote speaker. Governor Daniel’s was the keynote …read more.

Gov. Mitch Daniels said today that Hoosiers who file individual returns next year will receive a credit of $111 and joint filers will receive a credit of $222 because of the state’s automatic taxpayer refund. “We insisted on a per capita refund for two reasons: first, maximum simplicity, as seen on the new tax form. …read more.

Enrollment in Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program more than doubled in the program’s second year with 9,324 families signing up to participate in 2012-2013. Last year, Indiana administered the largest first year voucher program in the nation’s history, with 3,919 families embracing the opportunity to choose schools that meet their children’s unique academic needs. “Once again, …read more.

Indiana nearly doubled the national rate of job growth in October, adding 7,700 private sector jobs. This marks the largest monthly gain since May. Private sector employment in the Hoosier state is now at more than 96 percent of the 2007 pre-recession levels. Significant October job gains also resulted in a drop in Indiana’s unemployment …read more.

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and Congressman Lee Hamilton, co-chairs of Indiana’s Bicentennial Commission, have announced the approval of 12 new Bicentennial Nature Trust projects to the ongoing conservation initiative. The Bicentennial Nature Trust is a statewide program aimed at expanding trails, wetlands and recreation sites to help celebrate Indiana’s 200 years of statehood in 2016. …read more.

The cost for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and all the usual trimmings increased slightly this year, according to an informal survey of grocery store prices conducted by Indiana Farm Bureau. The survey, which has been conducted annually in Indiana since 1993, indicated that the cost for this year’s feast for …read more.

Lt. Governor-elect Sue Ellspermann today announced Tonya Brothers-Bridge as her incoming chief of staff. Brothers-Bridge worked for 20 years in the financial services industry, serving as a senior-level executive. She started her own strategic marketing and consulting firm five years ago. Participating in the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series prepared Brothers-Bridge to …read more.

There were fewer reports of Indiana farm-related deaths in 2011 than the previous year, including none involving children for the first time in 13 years, according to a new Purdue University report. The Indiana Farm Fatality Summary reports that 16 people died in farm-related incidents in 2011, down from 23 in 2010. The number of …read more.

State general revenues totaled $1,085 million, $24 million (2.3 percent) above target and $4 million (0.4 percent) above collections for the same period last year. Sales tax collections totaled $558 million for the month, $16 million above collections for the same period last year. Individual income tax collections totaled $353 million for the month, $20 …read more.

The Indiana chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and several other local nonprofit associations will join forces on  Nov. 15 in honor of Indiana Philanthropy Day. The unprecedented joint conference coincides with National Philanthropy Day and will offer a comprehensive array of topics, speakers and interactive sessions at the Indianapolis Hilton to assist more …read more.

On Oct. 27, at the Parkview Huntington Community Gala, Parkview Huntington Hospital and Parkview Health System announced that the hospital will develop a comprehensive center for the treatment of autism, to open in early 2013. The Parkview Huntington Hospital Autism Center will provide therapeutic and rehabilitation services for children age 2 to 18 and support …read more.

The state’s gubernatorial candidates have used their final debate to reiterate their views on a massive southern Indiana coal gasification project. Republican Mike Pence said he would not move to cancel the state’s 30-year contract with the Rockport facility. Democrat John Gregg said his campaign continues to look into the deal. Governor Mitch Daniels has …read more.

Catamaran, a leading provider of technology and pharmacy benefit management services, today announced it has been awarded HCIT contracts to provide implementation, adjudication, and certain PBM services to the State of Indiana’s Medicaid program. The contracts are for a total of six years, not including two one-year options, and total approximately $60 million over the …read more.

A national site selection publication ranks Indiana among the top 10 states in the nation for doing business. Area Development magazine says the state topped the list in rail and highway accessibility, and tied for third in the category of states leading the economic recovery. 2012 Rankings 1. Texas 2. South Carolina 3. Georgia 4. …read more.

Indiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 8.2 percent in September, down from 8.3 percent in August. This marks the first decline in the rate since April. Indiana also recorded its first increase in the labor force in seven months, signaling more Hoosiers may be encouraged by strong job growth throughout the year and are …read more.

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, joined by Madam Qiao Chuanxim, chairwoman of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the People’s Political Consultative Conference, today commemorated the 25th anniversary of Indiana’s sister state relationship with Zhejiang Province, China. Today’s event held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway reciprocates a celebration held this past June in Hangzhou, China. Gov. Robert Orr …read more.

Hoosier voters can now submit questions to the Indiana Debate Commission for consideration to be asked of candidates in the governor’s race and U.S. Senate race. As many as 2,500 free seats will be available at venues across the state of Indiana that have agreed to donate their facilities. Indiana voters are invited to submit …read more.

The St. Regis Club will serve as the venue for a public town hall forum on Thursday, Oct. 18, when the Kosciusko County Young Democrats host Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg. The public town hall forum will begin at noon and will focus on issues facing Hoosiers. The public is invited to attend. The St. …read more.

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and former Congressman Lee Hamilton, co-chairs of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, unveiled the new Indiana Bicentennial license plate today at the Indiana Historical Society. Beginning Dec. 27, the plate will be the standard plate option for all Indiana passenger vehicles. The Bicentennial plate will replace the current blue background “Torch” plate …read more.

It began with a vintage Monopoly game piece and it will end – at least that is the ultimate goal – with a piece of debt-free real estate. Curtis Smeltzer of Milford is using the World Wide Web to keep “trading up” until he owns a house or a piece of commercial real estate “free …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An updated federal report shows that more than one-third of Indiana is still in at least extreme drought even though recent rainfall has improved conditions for much of the state. The new U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday says about 11 percent of Indiana is in the worst category with exceptional drought. …read more.

Indiana was recognized as an All-Star state by the Military Voter Protection Project for taking significant efforts to promote and protect the voting rights of America’s military service members and their families. “Military members and their families make great sacrifices for our country, including relocating to military bases away from home and even overseas,” said …read more.

Indiana and Purdue football and basketball fans will be able to catch games during the upcoming seasons on the LeSEA broadcasting stations. Indiana football and basketball games will air on Harvest 103.1 WHME-FM. Purdue basketball will also air on that station, while Boilermaker football games will air on Pulse FM 92.1 and 96.9. IU and …read more.

The stellar high school football career for Wawasee High School graduate John Essex will get one more footnote before coming to a close. Essex will take the field as a high school representative one last time on July 13 as a tight end for the Northern Indiana All-Stars when the Indiana North team will take …read more.

Nearly quarter of Indiana labeled extreme drought INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A federal report now lists nearly a quarter of Indiana as being in extreme drought as much of the state faces the driest June on record. The new U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows counties in the Evansville area and much of the area …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A lawyer who challenged Indiana’s immigration law in federal court says the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision blocking part of a similar law in Arizona shows the Indiana law is unconstitutional. A federal judge last year blocked part of the Indiana law that gave local police power to arrest anyone who has had …read more.

The Indiana Junior All-Star basketball teams split versus Kentucky Saturday night in the conclusion of the two-game series played at North Oldham High School in Goshen, Ky. The girls team posted a 78-68 victory as Taya Reimer of Hamilton Southeastern led the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Indiana swept the girls portion of …read more.

A new group, the Partnership to Eliminate Child Abuse, today announced a comprehensive educational and awareness campaign to work toward eliminating child abuse in Indiana and Kentucky. At this morning’s announcement, made in a packed lobby at Kosair Children’s Hospital in downtown Louisville, the group said it planned to partner with the news media and …read more.