State Board of Ed amends new diploma proposal
The Indiana State Board of Education has released a second draft of a new High School Diploma proposal after receiving a lot of criticism questioning if students would be prepared enough for higher education. The new plan has students needing 42 credits to earn a diploma, with the ability to earn around 60 credits. Additionally, there are two readiness seals that Indiana high school students can achieve: an Honors Seal or an Honors Plus seal. For each of the two seals, students can obtain them in the enrollment, employment or the enlistment category.
If adopted, this will take effect with the class of 2029. Schools can opt in with the new requirements beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
IU Police Academy graduates 24 new Officers
The 51st class of the Indiana University Police Academy graduated over the weekend. IU is the nation’s first program to allow full-time students to earn a college degree and become a certified police officer in the state. The 24 new police officers completed intense law enforcement training that covered over 90 topics, including federal and state laws, individual rights, investigation procedures, physical tactics, medical aid, and emergency vehicle operations.
WNBA All-star game headed to Indy
Although the WNBA will not make an official announcement until next week, it is being reported that Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis will be the site of the 2025 WNBA All-star game. Indy is coming off of a successful hosting of the NBA All-star game, and has recently been announced as the city for several more consecutive Big Ten Football championships and flagship WWE events as well.
Developer agrees to pay City of Bloomington $3.5 Million and project gets green light
There is more discussion around town regarding what some are describing as a pay to play system for development projects in the City of Bloomington. The latest housing project in town to get the green light is 2 five story buildings with about 450 apartments a couple of blocks west of the IU Football stadium on just shy of 6 acres of land. The city has allowed an expanded footprint for the project because the developer has agreed to meet certain green building standards and also pay the city nearly 3 and a half million dollars directed to its Affordable Housing Fund.
Southport residents support demoted Police Chief
There is still confusion in the town of Southport, Indiana after the town Mayor removed the Chief of Police from office on Monday, and demoted him to a reserve officer for allegedly refusing to release personnel files. During last night’s Public Safety meeting, more than a hundred Southport residents came out to speak on behalf of the now-former Police Chief Tom Vaughn, but a city Attorney ultimately stated that the Mayor does indeed have the final say on the appointment and removal of the Chief of Police.
Bedford man killed in crash while riding motorcycle
41 year-old Jeremy Hall was fatally wounded in a motorcycle accident over the weekend when he was struck by a vehicle John Williams Blvd in Bedford. Hall was in the left lane, heading west, when a vehicle heading the opposite direction attempted to turn left in front of his bike. Hall, who was not wearing a helmet at the time, was unresponsive at the scene. He later died from his injuries at Bedford Hospital. The investigation is ongoing.
This Week in Hoosier History
1810 – William Henry Harrison met with Shawnee Chief Tecumseh at the governor’s home in Vincennes. Tecumseh expressed his disapproval of a recent treaty, which gave the U.S. a large tract of Native American land in Central Indiana.
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