Author

A native of upstate New York, Whitney previously covered statehouse politics for CNHI’s nine Indiana papers, focusing on long-term healthcare facilities and local government. Prior to her foray into Indiana politics, she worked as a general assignment reporter for The Meridian Star in Meridian, Mississippi. Whitney is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University (#GoBonnies!), a community theater enthusiast and cat mom.
Number of Hoosiers without health insurance declines
By: Whitney Downard - September 21, 2023
The number of Hoosiers without health insurance decreased between 2021 and 2022, falling 0.6% to 7% uninsured, according to a release from the United States Census Bureau. “For seven of the states with lower uninsured rates in 2022, the difference was driven by increased private coverage. For 10 states, the uninsured rate decrease was related […]
Fifth Congressional District sees another candidate
By: Whitney Downard - September 11, 2023
When U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz declined to run for re-election, she opened up her Fifth Congressional District seat for the taking — with the list growing to four candidates following a weekend announcement. Raju Chinthala, a speech-language pathologist and business owner, released an advertisement Saturday proclaiming his intention to run for the vacancy. “I will […]
Chambers launches first campaign ad
By: Whitney Downard - September 7, 2023
The newest gubernatorial entry, Brad Chambers, released his first campaign ad Thursday — sharing a message that was heavy on identity but slim on platform specifics as he seeks to gain name recognition with potential voters. His campaign said the one-minute video was backed by a seven-figure ad buy across the state. It came just […]
Campaign finance contributions on the Indiana Supreme Court docket
By: Whitney Downard - September 7, 2023
Jim Bopp’s anti-abortion clients haven’t been limited by Indiana campaign finance laws or restricted from making contributions, but he argued Thursday that a “plain language” reading of state statute could potentially harm political action committee activities in the future. The well-known Hoosier attorney was before the Indiana Supreme Court in a hearing determining whether Indiana’s […]
State project aims to give diapers to safety net recipients
By: Whitney Downard - September 7, 2023
A new state-funded service project aims to get diapers into the hands of impoverished parents. Advocates hope it will improve infant health and provide indirect financial aid to the state’s neediest. The Indiana Diaper Bank, based in central Indiana, will helm the 2-year, $4 million project, which will distribute 200 diapers every other month to […]
Holcomb lauds county buy-in on public health
By: Whitney Downard - September 5, 2023
The vast majority of Indiana’s counties opted to participate in a statewide program designed to revamp the state’s public health investment — which averages $55 per resident, far below the national average of $91 per capita. Gov. Eric Holcomb celebrated the commitment, which requires participating counties to offer several “core” public health initiatives to receive […]
Lawmakers urge Holcomb to reconsider ABA rate cuts
By: Whitney Downard - September 1, 2023
A bipartisan group of lawmakers from both chambers sent a letter to Gov. Eric Holcomb earlier this week urging him to reconsider the proposed rate cuts for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, a specialized form of treatment for autistic children. The letter, authored by Shelbyville Republican Rep. Robb Greene, was signed by 13 senators and […]
Democrat Kiley Adolph joins race for Congress
By: Whitney Downard - August 31, 2023
The race to fill a Congressional vacancy got another candidate this week with the announcement of Democrat Kiley Adolph, a global consultant, filing for the Third Congressional District. Adolph, an Angola native, joins a growing list of competitors seeking the seat held by U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, who is running for the U.S. Senate. “Politics […]
21st Century Scholars automatic enrollment in effect
By: Whitney Downard - August 30, 2023
The first class of students to be automatically enrolled in 21st Century Scholars includes more than 40,000 students in the 2027 cohort, double the previous year’s enrollment, according to a Wednesday release from Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE). The scholarship fund, created in 1990, covers full tuition and fees […]
Bernard, Rokita opt against appeal in licensing case; matter now closed
By: Whitney Downard - August 30, 2023
Indianapolis doctor Caitlin Bernard will not be appealing a ruling from the medical licensing board earlier this year in which she was reprimanded for violating patient privacy laws, according to an announcement from her legal representation. Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office also did not appeal so the matter is now closed. Each side had 30 […]
Perfect resigns from Indiana Senate
By: Whitney Downard - August 30, 2023
Republican Sen. Chip Perfect resigned from his seat in the Indiana Senate due to personal reasons effective Sept. 26. It comes not even a year after he was re-elected to a four-year term. “I have had the honor to serve as senator of Senate District 43 for nearly nine years and have made the difficult […]
Biden administration chooses first 10 drugs for Medicare price negotiations
By: Ashley Murray and Whitney Downard - August 30, 2023
WASHINGTON — Medicare can now negotiate lower prices for 10 common high-priced drugs, cutting out-of-pocket costs for an estimated 9 million seniors and saving taxpayers billions, the Biden administration said Tuesday. Medicare will begin this year to negotiate with the manufacturers of popular medications used to treat blood clots, diabetes, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic […]