Author

Casey Smith

Casey Smith

A lifelong Hoosier, Casey Smith previously reported on the Indiana Legislature for The Associated Press. Internationally, she has reported on water quality across South America. She holds a master’s degree in investigative reporting and narrative science writing from the University of California/Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. She previously earned degrees in journalism, anthropology and Spanish from Ball State University, where she now serves as an instructor of journalism.

doctor

Indiana abortion doctor testifies she properly reported 10-year-old rape victim’s abuse

By: - November 22, 2022

An investigator at the Indiana Attorney General’s Office said in court Monday that the agency is still pursuing consumer complaints against an Indianapolis-based doctor who is at the center of a controversial abortion case. This despite testimony and evidence that appears to show Dr. Caitlin Bernard communicated with Ohio authorities even before performing the abortion […]

doctors

Judge delays ruling on doctors’ request for emergency injunction against AG Rokita

By: - November 18, 2022

Lawyers for two Indianapolis-based doctors maintained in court on Friday that they are being targeted by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who they say is trying to use “frivolous consumer complaints” to gain access to patient medical records. Legal counsel for Rokita’s office pushed back, however, arguing that one of the doctors violated patient privacy […]

MacKenzie Scott makes unsolicited $3 million donation to Indianapolis-based charter school

By: - November 18, 2022

An Indianapolis-based charter school announced this week that it will receive an unsolicited $3 million donation from MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The discretionary gift came as a surprise to Paramount Schools of Excellence, said chief executive officer Tommy Reddicks. The funds are already earmarked for the ongoing construction of two new […]

New report says rural Indiana needs more investment to ensure economic stability, growth

By: - November 17, 2022

Rural Hoosiers “desperately” need state leaders and lawmakers to make greater investments in Indiana’s lesser-populated regions, especially as the younger and more educated workforce moves to more urban areas of the state. That’s according to a new report released Wednesday by the Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute, an Indianapolis-based advocacy group that seeks to prevent […]

monkeypox vial

Indiana health department confirms first monkeypox-related death

By: - November 16, 2022

The Indiana Department of Health on Wednesday reported the first death of an Indiana resident in which monkeypox was a contributing factor. The individual had “multiple other health conditions” that contributed to the death, according to the state health department. IDOH officials said no other information about the patient will be provided, citing patient privacy […]

Indiana education department prepares to launch new data dashboard

By: - November 16, 2022

Indiana education officials are weeks away from launching a new online dashboard that seeks to increase transparency around school performance data. The new Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS) is expected to go live in December, although an exact launch date still has not been determined. Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner told the Indiana […]

Indiana higher education commission advances funding model, despite some pushback

By: - November 11, 2022

Indiana’s higher education officials on Thursday approved recommendations for a new approach to funding higher education that is based on school-specific goals, rather than blanket recommendations. But some raised concerns about the prospective model, saying it still lacks clear goals for the state’s public colleges and universities. Others cautioned that it could unfairly shift the […]

Only half of Indiana school referendums get voter approval

By: - November 10, 2022

Indiana voters on Tuesday rejected half of the K12 operating fund referendums in the state, making it one of the worst nights for the school ballot questions in the last decade.  Three of the seven Indiana school districts that placed ballot questions to approve property-tax levies for operational funds failed to get enough voter approval. […]

gop leadership

Supermajorities maintained; GOP leadership unchanged in House, Senate

By: and - November 10, 2022

Senate Republicans picked up a seat while the House GOP appears to have held its advantage pending final tallies — a red victory that maintained supermajorities and led to the re-election of leadership in both chambers Wednesday. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray did have to fend off a challenge for control from Sen. Mark […]

Incumbents see easy wins in most Indiana congressional races

By: - November 8, 2022

Indiana Republicans secured easy victories in multiple congressional races, while Democrats still waited late Tuesday to see if their incumbent would come out on top in the hotly contested First Congressional District. The Associated Press called races in most of the congressional districts by 9 p.m. Tuesday. It was still unclear late Tuesday night who […]

GOP U.S. Sen. Todd Young claims second term victory over Democrat Thomas McDermott

By: - November 8, 2022

Republican U.S. Sen. Todd Young claimed victory against Democratic challenger Thomas McDermott Tuesday evening, calling it “a great night for the Republican Party.” The Associated Press called the race for Young at 8:26 p.m. Preliminary and unofficial poll results show the incumbent senator defeating McDermott with 59% of votes, with 29% of precincts reporting. “We […]

‘Crossing the Finish Line’ helps thousands of high schoolers earn college credits, credentials

By: - November 8, 2022

A statewide initiative funded by federal COVID-relief dollars has helped thousands of Indiana high school students finish up college credits and other high-value credentials, new data shows. The hopeful sign comes as state leaders continue to stress a need for more Hoosiers to earn post-high school credentials, whether at two- and four-year colleges, or through […]