Senator Braun announces intention to run for Indiana Governor
US Senator Mike Braun of Indiana has announced his intention to run for Governor in 2024. The 68 year-old Senator made his declaration at press conference in which he stated his platform will be based on balancing the state’s budget, addressing the rising costs of health care, and creating a pro-business climate. Current Governor Eric Holcomb is ineligible to run for re-election due to reaching the term limit.
Braun owns an auto parts distribution and logistics business in Jasper. He won the US Senate seat in 2018, defeating Democrat incumbent Senator Joe Donnelly.
Indiana announces $219 million in tentative national settlements with CVS and Walgreens
Attorney General Todd Rokita has finalized tentative agreements with CVS and Walgreens that will bring $219 million to Indiana to settle allegations against the two pharmacies that they contributed to the opioid crisis through their conduct in the distribution and dispensing of prescription drugs. When a recent tentative settlement with Walmart is added, Indiana’s total tentative recovery from the three pharmacies exceeds $278 million.
Indiana is tentatively set to receive $105 million from CVS, $114 million from Walgreens and $59.4 million from Walmart. The tentative agreements with Indiana are part of a tentative national multistate settlement with the two companies. Last month, Indiana Attorney General Rokita announced that Indiana expects to receive $59.4 million as part of a tentative multistate settlement with Walmart to resolve allegations that it, too, contributed to the opioid addiction crisis by failing to appropriately oversee the distribution and dispensing of opioids at its stores.
In addition to the financial settlement, CVS and Walgreens — along with Walmart earlier — have agreed to court-ordered injunctive relief that requires the pharmacies to monitor, report and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions. This court-ordered injunctive relief will help ensure a crisis like this does not happen again.
Settlement funds are intended to be used to remediate the opioid crisis by supporting such priorities as prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services. The payments are structured to ensure critical support in early years as well as sustained resources over time. Most of Walmart’s amount will be paid during the first year; CVS’s payments will be spread over 10 years; Walgreens’ payments will be spread over 15 years. If there is sufficient sign-on, payments will begin during the second half of 2023.
Kids Crash Course in Moviemaking
Tue Jan 17th 5:00pm – 7:00pm @ Constellation Studios, 411 East 7th Street, Bloomington
A Crash Course In Moviemaking for Kids is open to all 3rd – 6th grade students and is a prerequisite to participate in Constellation Studios Short Film Projects. Students will cover the basics of film production, including: Overview of the beginning-to-end filmmaking process, Shot composition, Visual Pre-Production, Storytelling, Scene Coverage, Film set roles and responsibilities, and more!
Price: $10 per student / Enrollment Deadline: January 13 at midnight! Enroll and learn more here
This Week in Hoosier History
1909 – Workers placed the last of 3.2 million ten-pound bricks on the 2½-mile oval track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It has been called “The Brickyard” ever since.
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