Tonight’s Gubernatorial Debate will go on as Braun heads to D.C. to vote
The Indiana Debate Commission’s 2024 Republican gubernatorial debate will proceed as scheduled Tuesday evening, although U.S. Sen. Mike Braun’s campaign team notified the commission late Monday that he must be in Washington D.C. for a vote.
Braun remains welcome to participate if the Senate votes – scheduled for 1pm – are completed in time for him to return to Indianapolis by the 7pm event start.
The five other GOP candidates for governor have committed to attend: Brad Chambers, a real-estate businessman and former head of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. under Gov. Eric Holcomb; Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch; Eric Doden, founder of a private equity firm and former head of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. under Gov. Mike Pence; Curtis Hill, former Attorney General; and Jamie Reitenour, a former compliance officer who’s now a stay-at-home mother of five.
Jon Schwantes, host of PBS’s “Indiana Lawmakers,” will moderate.
All tickets have been claimed for the debate, which will take place 7-8:30 p.m. at Hine Hall Auditorium on the IUPUI campus. The debate can be watched or heard live at https://indianadebatecommission.com/live-debate-feed/ and local TV and radio stations and media websites across Indiana.
Bloomington residents encouraged to apply for Stormwater Grants
The City of Bloomington Utilities Department (CBU) invites homeowners to apply for funding through the sixth annual Residential Stormwater Grants Program. CBU helps homeowners pay for environmentally friendly drainage projects such as rain gardens, bioswales, and detention pond maintenance. Residents may be interested in this program if they struggle with standing water, flooding at their homes, or soil erosion.
CBU hosted a public information meeting about the grant application process and project requirements on Thursday, April 18, 2024, which was recorded and is available on the CBU grants webpage at bloomington.in.gov/utilities/stormwater/grants.
CBU provides small grants to homeowners for sustainable stormwater infrastructure projects on private residential property. These projects help control stormwater before it enters local waterways or the City’s stormwater conveyance infrastructure, known as the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). Improving stormwater management can reduce localized flooding and erosion and reduce pollutants entering local waterways since stormwater flows directly into streams and water systems without treatment.
For consideration during the 2024 review window, prospective applicants must apply by 5 pm on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at bloomington.in.gov/utilities/stormwater/grants. CBU recommends that residents get a head start on applications in the spring because it takes time to research options, develop a plan, and meet with potential contractors.
The City Council approved funding for the program through an updated stormwater fee in 2018. In 2023, the Residential Stormwater Grants Program funded 6 projects ranging from $1,500 to $11,000 and included rain gardens, dry creek beds, and other drainage stabilization projects. Stormwater revenue also funds green infrastructure improvements in City projects to replace traditionally gray infrastructure. These projects contribute to improved stormwater management in the community.
A review committee will rank the applications and decide which projects to fund and how much each will receive. Projects will be selected based on their potential to improve drainage and reduce the number of pollutants discharged into local waterways. Projects containing stormwater solutions involving more than one property and/or residing in low-income areas as designated by the Census will be preferred. Grant recipients selected will have components of their projects that improve stormwater quantity and quality funded by CBU. Other parts of a proposed project that don’t affect stormwater will need to be paid for by the homeowner.
UPDATE: Search underway for two missing kayakers (Marion County)
The body of Solomon Shirley, 22, of Indianapolis, was recovered from the White River just south of the Michigan Street bridge in Indianapolis at 9:30 a.m. today. The search efforts are ongoing for Marcus Robinson, 30, who went missing with Shirley while kayaking on the river on April 17.
Release as of April 17, 2024, at 9:18pm
Search efforts have been suspended for the night and will resume tomorrow morning.
Release as of April 17, 2024, at 3:01pm
Indiana Conservation Officers have resumed the search for two missing kayakers that went missing last night on the White River in Indianapolis. At approximately 8:30pm, Marcus Robinson, 30, and Solomon Shirley, 22, both of Indianapolis, were kayaking when they traveled over the remnants of a low-head dam near the 2000 block of North White River Parkway Drive West. A witness observed both men being ejected into the water. Search efforts are underway using shore- and water-based operations along with aerial searches with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and a helicopter.
Bluey and Bingo to return to Victory Field
Bluey and Bingo had so much fun at Victory Field on Sunday, that they’re coming back for a full weekend – For Real Life! Everyone’s favorite Blue and Red Heelers are returning to Victory Field on Saturday, August 3, and Sunday, August 4 for even more smiles, hugs and photos. In addition, all children aged 14 and under on Sunday receive a free hot dog, bag of chips and a Capri Sun® juice pouch with the price of admission as part of our Kids Eat Free Sundays deal.
This Week in Hoosier History
1970 – Herb Shriner and his wife were killed in an automobile accident in Florida. Shriner was famous for his homespun humor about Indiana. His monologues, accompanied by harmonica, were popular with radio and television audiences.
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson