Attorney General Todd Rokita co-leads 22-state lawsuit against Biden administration
Indiana AG Todd Rokita has filed suit over Federal demands that schools approve particular transgender policies as part of qualifying to receive nutritional assistance. The lawsuit specifically names the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as defendant. On May 5, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services issued guidance to Indiana and other states announcing that discrimination on the basis of sex in Title IX and the Food and Nutrition Act includes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. This new guidance has jeopardized states’ Title IX and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) school lunch funding.
In the lawsuit, the attorneys general argue the USDA’s guidance is unlawful for several reasons, including, that states never had opportunity for input on such a policy change and that the guidance is based on a misapplication of U.S. Supreme Court precedents.
The National School Lunch Program services nearly 30 million schoolchildren each day, many who rely on it for breakfast, lunch, or both. Approximately 100,000 public and non-profit private schools and residential childcare institutions receive federal funding to provide subsidized free or reduced-price meals for qualifying children.
Salt Creek Brewery to close its doors after 12 years
Salt Creek Brewery, the Lawrence County staple over the past dozen years, has announced through social media that they will plan to close at the end of September. La Cala Cocina, the well-reviewed Mexican Restaurant inside of the brewery is also believed to close at the same time. Owner Brad Hawkins also announced that anyone interested in purchasing the Brewery should email saltcreekbrewery@gmail.com.
Detectives from the Indiana State Police Indianapolis District have recently received complaints about a potential scam in the form of a text message. The messenger claims to be from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and indicates the recipient has unclaimed money from the state. The message gives instructions to click a link, that link will take them to a webpage asking for personal / confidential information.
ISP warns of latest scam related to unemployment benefits
Detectives have communicated the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and confirmed that they WILL NOT send a text or email message asking individuals to click a link to receive benefits or any type of payment. Clicking on the link and providing personal information will give fraudsters the ability to access personal accounts or sell personal information on the dark web. You can report unemployment fraud here: in.gov/dwd/indiana-unemployment/fraud/
The fraudulent link received via text message looks like this: https: //uplink-indiana .us/ login
A reputable resource to research potential scams, or cross check a suspicious message you have received can be found on the Better Business Bureau’s Website: https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/
The Indiana State Police would like to remind Hoosiers the easiest way to protect yourself from being scammed by text or by email is to ignore and delete unsolicited requests for information from unknown senders. You should NEVER provide any information to an unknown sender about your personal identity, social security number, bank account(s), or credit card number(s). Be extra cautious about clicking any links that are sent to you by an unknown person.
Many options to get to and from the Indiana State Fair
FAIRGROUNDS PARKING
Fairgrounds parking is $10 per vehicle. Available parking areas are located in the Fairgrounds Infield, South Lot (38th Street) and at the Indiana School for the Deaf (42nd Street), while space is available.
ACCESSIBLE PARKING
Accessible parking can be found inside of Gate 1 (38th Street entrance), in the southwest corner of the infield adjacent to the ADA accessible walk tunnel and the South Lot.
STATE FAIR E-Z PARK
These $10 lots are located south of 38th Street (the South Lot) across from the Main Gate and at the Indiana School for the Deaf on 42nd Street.
IndyGo PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
IndyGo Routes 4 & 39 will bring you just steps away from the Indiana State Fairgrounds main entrance on 38th Street. Fare is $1.75 per ride or $4 for an all-day pass. Youth 18 and under and people 65 and older are eligible for reduced fare with proper ID. Plan your public transit trip to the Fair at www.IndyGo.net.
PEDAL & PARK
Save $1 off Fair admission when you ride your bicycle to the State Fair and use one of the free secured bicycle racks available off the Monon Trail north of 38th Street and the NEW location at Fall Creek Parkway and 39th Street. Available Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 10AM to 9PM, or 10AM to 11PM Thursdays and Saturdays.
This Week in Hoosier History
1926 – Artist Theodore Clement Steele died at his home in Brown County, Indiana. A member of the “Hoosier Group” of painters, he is famous for his Indiana landscapes and portraits of prominent citizens.
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