Wake Up Call for Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Posted on by Yellow Sheet Report Staff
Incumbent leads Dem primary in LD23 Arizona Capitol Times Incumbent Rep. Mariana Sandoval leads the Democratic Legislative District 23 primary race with just under 49% of votes after Tuesday’s early results from the Secretary of State’s office at about 8:45 p.m. Matias Rosales, a city councilman in San Luis, has gained about 35% of votes. Incumbent and running mate lead LD14 GOP House primary Arizona Capitol Times A Republican House candidate in Legislative District 14 whose husband and brother-in-law were recently charged with misdemeanors after a scuffle at a local GOP meeting trails in the district’s House race after Tuesday’s preliminary voting results. Rogers winning in LD7 Senate primary race, early results show Arizona Capitol Times Incumbent Wendy Rogers is leading by 7.6% of the votes in the Legislative District 7 Senate Republican primary race against current state representative, David Cook, according to early election results.  Leaders of the Year in Public Policy Arizona Capitol Times Each year, the Arizona Capitol Times recognizes leaders that have contributed to the growth of our state. These are the people and groups that hunker down each day to find ways to improve the quality of life of Arizona’s citizens.  Diaz pulls ahead of Sun in LD 22 Senate Democratic primary race Arizona Capitol Times Incumbent Eva Diaz has taken a significant early lead in the Senate District 22 Democratic primary over her rival, former representative Leezah Sun. Incumbent Bolick on track to win LD2 Republican Senate primary Arizona Capitol Times Incumbent Shawnna Bolick is poised to defeat her opponent, Josh Barnett, in the Legislative District 2 Republican Senate primary, setting up a competitive race in the general election. Mitchell takes big lead in County Attorney GOP primary Arizona Capitol Times Incumbent county attorney Rachel Mitchell leads her Republican challenger Gina Godbehere by about 18 points after an initial count of ballots. Good news! This is the last rotten Arizona primary election you'll ever vote in Arizona Republic We stink at primary elections in Arizona. On days like today our partisan conceit is on display for everyone to see, and to remember, and then to blow up completely in November, when we rewrite the rules. Kari Lake can't just win the Senate primary. Not if she wants to beat Ruben Gallego Arizona Republic One of Arizona’s most watched races on Tuesday will be Kari Lake and Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. From coaching to cancer, Arizona's first female Olympian can take on anything Arizona Republic Lois Drinkwater Thompson admits to getting a little teary as she watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Paris last week.

4 law changes affecting students this back-to-school season

Posted on by Rory Appleton

The Gist

Indiana students are returning to school, where several new state law changes await them. 

Perhaps the biggest adjustment will be a new state-mandated ban on cellphone use in the classroom. 

Third grade students must now pass a new literacy requirement before progressing at the end of this school year. 

Students may attend religious instruction for a portion of their school day.

College campuses will also see a notable change, as students may now lodge complaints against professors for infringing on the students’ viewpoints. 

Continue reading “4 law changes affecting students this back-to-school season”

Ag preservation study committee hears problems over loss of farmland to development

Posted on by Tammy Joyner

The Gist

Georgia has lost 20% of its farmland since 1974, much of it covered by sprawling subdivisions, gated communities and apartment complexes. 

Between 1974 and 2016, developed land in the state grew by 2.5 million acres, more than the size of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

“The loss of viable ag land is a concern,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper told the Study Committee on the Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands Tuesday during its first meeting. The committee, which was created earlier this year to find ways to preserve Georgia’s dwindling farmland, met in Statesboro.

The committee also heard from experts on land, water and natural resources as well as an agribusiness teacher at Ogeechee Technical College and a south Georgia farmer who has embraced land-conserving techniques. 

“The economic and environmental future here in Georgia is going to depend on the integrity of our land, the way that we use and the way that we steward our land,” Katherine Moore, president of the Georgia Conservancy, told the committee. The conservancy conducted a 50-year analysis of Georgia’s changing landscape called Georgia Now & Forever. “Proactive, intentional decisions about our land use, our land reuse and our land stewardship are the way that we need to think about our future.” 

Continue reading “Ag preservation study committee hears problems over loss of farmland to development”

Last-minute machinations: Stolen yard sign allegations, legendary coach’s endorsement

Posted on by Erik Schelzig

No election season would be complete without allegations of opponents removing yard signs. And this year is no different. 

Incumbent Jon Lundberg of Bristol filed a complaint against the father of Republican primary opponent Bobby Harshbarger for vandalizing and stealing his campaign signs. A Lundberg supporter captured video of confronting the elder Harshbarger about the signs on Tuesday afternoon. 

“I didn’t touch it,” Harshbarger said before getting in his car. 

Lundberg filed a complaint in Sullivan County General Sessions Court. Robert Harhsbarger Sr. became an issue during his wife Diana’s 2020 bid for an open U.S. House seat because of his past conviction on federal charges of distributing misbranded drugs from China in 2013.

The race has been the subject of heavy outside spending. The East Tennessee Conservatives PAC, which is funded by a national dark money group in Washington, has spent $606,400 in support of Bobby Harshbarger’s bid. Meanwhile, more than $1 million has been spent to back Lundberg by Senate Speaker Randy McNally’s PAC ($357,200), the Senate Republican Caucus ($228,700), Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson’s PAC ($191,700), the state chapter of the American Federation for Children ($93,200), the Team Kid PAC ($84,600) and Americans for Prosperity ($65,700).

The Lundberg campaign has reported spending $459,400 this year, while Harshbarger has disclosed $376,600 in expenditures.

The yard sign saga evokes memories of a 2016 contest between longtime Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville and Republican challenger Mark Lovell. Todd was arrested after being filmed uprooting signs and placing them in the trunk of his Mercedes. Lovell bailed Todd out of jail and went on to win the race. 

Going after the coach

In the open race for the state House seat vacated by Rep. Bryan Richey in Blount County, Republican candidate Jason Emert is taking umbrage over an endorsement of opponent Tom Stinnett by a former Maryville High School coach.

A mailer supporting Tom Stinnett in a House race to succeed Rep. Bryan Richey. (Credit: Stinnett mailer)

George Quarles, who had a 250-16 record at Maryville, in the mailer calls Stinnett “one of the finest individuals I have ever known.” Quarles left the high school in 2016 to become a college coach and is now an assistant at Austin Peay State University.

“Does Austin Peay allow coaches to involve themselves in political campaigns?” Emert asked in an email to the school’s athletic director, George Harrison, that was posted on Facebook by a supporter of a third candidate in the primary, Nick Bright.

Emert in the email makes unspecified allegations of mental abuse by Quarles when he played in his football program in high school, leading him to transfer and his parents to sue the school. Emert said he planned to issue a press release about the matter and hire an attorney.

“Emert is slinging serious mud in Maryville’s own beloved Coach Quarles’ direction trying to get him fired!” Bright supporter Mike Akard said in the Facebook post.

Emert has been endorsed by Gov. Bill Lee and has been the beneficiary of copious amounts of outside spending, including $559,500 from the Club for Growth’s School Freedom Fund, $65,500 from the Tennessee Federation for Children and $46,000 from the Americans for Prosperity.

On the Record: Bradsher on the bayou

Posted on by Jeremy Alford

— BRADSHER ON THE BAYOU: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher dropped into New Orleans yesterday to visit veterans and observe team events during the 2024 National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Bradsher served as an “honorary starter” of the cycling event, which was the largest handcycling race in the country. The annual wheelchair rehabilitation sports event is solely for military Veterans with disabilities. 

— ANOTHER GUILTY PLEA: A Louisiana man who used Facebook to brag about his activities on Jan. 6, 2021, pleaded guilty this week to a felony charge related to his breach of the U.S. Capitol. “His actions, and the actions of others, disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election,” according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Charles Tyler Himber of Slidell pleaded guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder before U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan. Judge AliKhan will sentence Himber at a date to be determined. According to court documents, Himber attended the “Stop the Steal” rally and joined others to push forward against police to force their way inside the Capitol.

— SPENDING DRAMA CONTINUES: “Hard-line conservatives in the House left Washington frustrated that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) didn’t uphold his promises on pushing through spending legislation — though they did not necessarily blame him. Johnson has now been in his post longer than his predecessor, who was ousted in part due to frustration with how he handled spending issues. But he is not closer to pleasing hard-line conservatives on spending matters… Despite efforts from leadership to push through 12 regular appropriations bills as hard-liners wished, conservatives continue to use high-pressure tactics and oppose them over disagreements about policies and spending levels… Though Johnson had pledged as he was running for Speaker last year that he would keep the House in session through August until all the spending bills passed, the House canceled scheduled votes for the last week of July and started August recess early.” (More from The Hill)

— CRYPTO CASH UNDERWRITING CAMPAIGNS: “Former president Donald Trump’s selection of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), as his running mate is expected to turbocharge the cryptocurrency industry’s spending in the 2024 election cycle. Vance, who owns up to $250,000 in Bitcoin, is a recent champion of the digital asset industry. During his time in the Senate, Vance has drafted legislation that would rework how the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulate the crypto community — much to the liking of crypto investors. Crypto-backed super PACs are already pouring tens of millions of dollars into congressional races. One pro-crypto super PAC launched in December 2023, Fairshake, has already spent $14.4 million to independently bolster the campaigns of crypto-friendly congressional candidates in the 2024 election cycle. The bulk of that spending has gone to attacking Democratic candidates in primaries but Fairshake has also spent to support candidates on both sides of the aisle.” (More from Open Secrets) 

— HARRIS ALONE IN ROLL CALL: “Kamala Harris will be the only candidate on the Democratic National Committee’s virtual roll call ballot for president, cementing her status as the party’s all-but-certain nominee. Convention delegates will begin voting on Harris’ nomination on Thursday and finish by Aug. 5, according to a statement released by the DNC Tuesday night. The vice president secured support from 3,923 delegates to appear on the virtual ballot. Harris’ expected nomination next week marks the end of a dramatic and condensed process that immediately elevated the vice president after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race on July 21. Less than 10 days later, Harris has cleared the field, and her name will be the only one placed in nomination.” (More from Politico)

— DRUG TALKS DAMPENED: “As drugmakers continue to try to overturn Medicare drug price negotiations in courts, they’re telling Wall Street the negotiations won’t materially affect their bottom lines in the short run. Why it matters: Talks on the first 10 drugs will conclude by Thursday, and Medicare must release final negotiated prices by Sept. 1, though patients won’t see lower price tags until 2026. Many of those drugs already are facing competition and looming patent expirations. But in the long run, the industry maintains the talks could have a significant financial effect and slow the drug development pipeline.” (More from Axios)

Delegation Chatter: Higgins added to Trump task force

Posted on by Jeremy Alford

— HIGGINS ADDED TO TASK FORCE: Speaker Mike Johnson announced this week the seven Republicans who will serve on the bipartisan House task force to investigate the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Acadiana Congressman Clay Higgins, a member of the Homeland Security and Oversight committees, made the cut. “We will deliver the truth to the American people,” Higgins said in a statement. The task force will have the full investigative authority of the House, including subpoena power, and will assume control and jurisdiction over all pending investigations regarding to the Trump shooting for the remainder of the 118th Congress. The task force is designed to assess the security failures that took place, ensure accountability and report solutions to prevent agency failures from happening again.

— CASSIDY PASSES SOCIAL MEDIA MEASURE: Via Shreveport Times reporter Greg Hilburn: “The U.S. Senate passed landmark internet legislation Tuesday, including a bill by Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy requiring social media companies to do more to protect children who use their platforms. Cassidy’s and Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Edward Markey’s updated Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and the Kids Online Safety Act legislation passed together on a 91-3 vote…. It’s unclear whether the House will take a vote on the legislation when it comes back from recess in September, though U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has been generally supportive. Still, the House will be focused on averting a government shutdown when it returns. ‘The House has to pass this; I’m hoping Speaker Johnson and (Majority Leader Steve) Scalise (also of Louisiana) (advance) the legislation,’ Cassidy said in an interview Tuesday morning before the vote.” (More)

— SCALISE’S SUMMER UPDATE: After a year and a half in the current term, Majority Leader Steve Scalise released a report on the progress the House GOP has made in fulfilling their Commitment to America agenda. “We’ve brought legislation to the floor to unleash American energy and lower costs for families, including bills to reverse the Biden Administration’s radical anti-energy policies and resume oil and gas leasing sales, promote domestic mining of critical minerals and reform our broken permitting process,” Scalise said. “We’ve also passed legislation to crack down on the Biden Administration and Border Czar Vice President Harris’ border crisis, such as H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which would stem the flow of migrants, reinstate Trump-era border policies, and keep fentanyl off our streets. Additionally, we’ve strongly supported our ally, Israel, against Iran and their terrorist proxies, as well as against the far-Left’s antisemitic attacks, and passed legislation to deter our adversaries.” (Read the full report) 

— LETLOW ON SURPREME COURT REFORMS: “President Biden’s newest suggestion to throw the Constitution out the window and pack the Supreme Court is unbelievable,” Congresswoman Julia Letlow said yesterday. “It would take an unprecedented constitutional amendment to accomplish, and there is a reason it has never been successful before. A better constitutional amendment would be one that prevents the President from undermining democracy and destroying the rule of law by using his Justice Department to attack and imprison his political enemies.”

Cone of Uncertainty: Senators want NFIP extension, deadline arrives during hurricane season

Posted on by Jeremy Alford

With an active hurricane season approaching what it usually prime time for Atlantic storms, Louisiana has but two months remaining until the National Flood Insurance Program expires on Sept. 30.

Our homeowners and policymakers know this dangerous dance all too well: talk of reforms never quite materialize while Congress tries to race the proverbial clock to address a scheduled expiration.

For his part, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy is once again pushing for a renewal with his NFIP Extension Act of 2024. The legislation would extend the NFIP for one more year, until Sept. 30, 2025.

Louisiana’s congressional delegation has long played a key role in keeping the flood insurance debate alive. In fact, of the 5 million Americans who rely on the NFIP, roughly 500,000 are from the Bayou State.

Kennedy said last week these families and businesses are why he filed his bill.

“With disastrous storms like Ida, Laura and Katrina burned in our state’s memory, Louisianians know the need for the NFIP better than anyone,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy and others had been pushing to reauthorize the program for five years, and to cap annual policy premium hikes. But as the September deadline looms, the goal for coastal lawmakers is to simply extend.

Our other voice in the upper chamber, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, advocated for a five-year extension as well, but lately he just wants attention for the issue. He has been is grabbing as much floor time as possible for speeches, the fourth and most recent being three weeks ago.

“NFIP is a safety net for homeowners after a storm. It protects them from being financially wiped out by a hurricane,” Cassidy said from the Senate floor. “However, this year is different from past years for two reasons. First, the National Weather Service predicts that 2024 will see ‘above-normal’ hurricane activity in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Second, there is much more uncertainty about whether NFIP will remain affordable.”

Cassidy highlighted the uncertainty NFIP’s new risk assessment process, Risk Rating 2.0, which has created a system where homeowners have no idea if they can continue to absorb rising premiums, leading a fifth of all policyholders to drop coverage.

“These aren’t millionaires’ beach homes,” said Cassidy. “These are hard-working folks who are uncertain whether they will be able to stay in their home because of a decision made with zero input from Congress.”

The uncertainty surrounding the program extends into the political arena as well. 

According to a recent report by Insurance Journal, “a plan by a politically conservative group to dismantle the National Flood Insurance Program, if Donald Trump is elected president, has been met with approval from a private flood insurer but sharp skepticism from economists and insurance agents who say such a move would disrupt home sales and property insurance across the country.”

The report specifically references the “Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, designed to be a blueprint for Trump’s first few months in office” and how its plan “would put an end to federal flood insurance as part of a broader plan to reduce the size of the federal government.”

As July gives way to August, Kennedy, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, knows a stand alone measure to extend the NFIP may not do the trick, and would certainly buck recent trends.

The NFIP was last extended this past spring, when Congress avoided a partial government shutdown with a multi-bill package that contained several riders, including an extension of the program though Sept. 30.

As such, Kennedy said has worked to ensure that multiple continuing resolutions to fund the federal government have the NFIP extension language. 

Most of the appropriations action so far has been on the House side, with an overall funding agreement appearing elusive at best.

Faced with its own political uncertainties, especially when it comes to efforts to avoid a partial government shutdown, the House has entered into its August recess early and won’t return to the Hill until Sept. 9.

​​​​​​​So until then, we wait — both for Congress, and whatever this hurricane season has in store.

FAUCHEUX: Louisiana needs predictable federal energy policy

Posted on by Tommy Faucheux

Louisiana is an energy state and an essential player in America’s energy story. For more than a century, the Louisiana oil and natural gas industry has contributed to the economic success of our nation, and supported our national security. 

Today, we are at the forefront of a new generation of energy production as the world seeks to decarbonize. A key player in the global energy economy, Louisiana industry creates jobs here at home, generates revenue for parishes and supports economic development across the state. 

Louisiana energy is something our nation and our communities cannot live without. Because of this undeniable truth, we need a strong, predictable national energy policy.

Recently, we have seen an unprecedented change in federal policy that has led to uncertainty for Louisiana’s oil and natural gas industry. Last year, the federal government allowed the first-ever lapse in the country’s five-year offshore leasing plan. 

Once released, the plan created a restrictive offshore leasing program that compromises U.S. producers’ ability to provide affordable, reliable energy to Americans. In Louisiana, revenue generated from the offshore oil and natural gas industry provides a lifeline to important environmental priorities and coastal protection and restoration programs, as well as critical funding for coastal communities that depend on energy revenues to fund vital government services.

We have also witnessed an attempt to pause future liquified natural gas permits. Louisiana LNG companies currently export natural gas to countries and allies around the world, including some that are impacted by the recent war in Ukraine. All the while Louisiana refineries continue to face immense regulatory pressure at the federal level in an anti-fossil fuel environment.

When it comes to decarbonization, Louisiana has made significant strides. Industry is playing a leading role in global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The EPA recently granted Louisiana primary authority over Class VI injection wells for carbon capture storage, positioning Louisiana as a national leader in CCS. 

This fits well with Louisiana industry’s other investments in low-carbon technologies such as the production of biofuels and hydrogen. These Louisiana investments, coupled with additional investments in the production and transport of natural gas, should make Louisiana an example of all that is possible as the world seeks to meet growing energy demands and reduce carbon emissions. 

In 2025, we need policymakers in Washington D.C. to once and for all write energy policy that makes sense for America. It should be a policy that responds to the needs of this country and the world. 

We need a strategy that doesn’t turn its back on the Louisiana oil and natural gas producers that drive today’s economy, and instead recognizes the fact that these same companies will lead the global decarbonization effort. A strong, predictable federal energy policy, that allows us to continue producing low-carbon oil and natural gas while allowing us to innovate and explore new carbon-reducing technologies, will create opportunities for Louisiana energy companies to capitalize on changing marketplace demands, make investments for the future and continue the tradition of being a leading energy state that America and the world needs. 

Tommy Faucheux is president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, a trade association representing all sectors of the oil and gas industry operating in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.

Kansas Daily News Wire July 31, 2024

Posted on by State Affairs

Welcome to the Kansas Daily News Wire, your daily roundup of top state and political stories from newsrooms across Kansas. — Hawver’s Capitol Report/State Affairs

STATE

Legislative Coordinating Council greenlights special interim committee to review budget process: The Legislative Coordinating Council on Tuesday authorized a special interim committee to evaluate and propose recommendations aimed at reforming the state’s budget development process, which could include capping the number of provisos for review. (Resnick, State Affairs)

Kansas court reporter’s state certificate revoked amid blackmail, abuse allegations: A former court reporter in Wyandotte County District Court was sanctioned by the Kansas Supreme Court for failing to cooperate with an investigation into allegations that she tried to get $2,000 from a former boyfriend in a blackmail scheme. (Kansas Reflector)

Kansas legislative candidates have spent over $3M. How does that affect key races?: Legislative candidates have spent more than $3 million on this year’s elections, including a few races where spending has already hit six figures. (Stover, State Affairs)

Woman sues Kansas hospital over alleged denial of emergency abortion: A Missouri woman is suing a Kansas hospital where she says she was denied an emergency abortion after she went into premature labor at 18 weeks of pregnancy, alleging she was denied emergency health-stabilizing care. (ABC News)

Former Rep. Marty Long back in Legislature after caucus: Marty Long is back in the Legislature after a local Republican caucus picked him to replace former Rep. David Younger. (Stover, State Affairs)

LOCAL

Shawnee County community centers are helping residents cool off on hot days: With high temperatures blanketing Topeka this week, efforts to help residents cool down are in place. (Topeka Capital-Journal)

‘Years in the making’ — 2 JoCo cities hope to link downtowns by trail: A new trail link may be on the horizon between the cities of Merriam and Shawnee. (Johnson County Post)

Nike to provide Wichita high school teams with uniforms: The Wichita Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to make Nike the official provider of apparel for its high school sports teams. (KAKE)

Police find car reported stolen from west Topeka Kwik Shop, puppy not located: Police were on the lookout for a car that was reported stolen with a puppy inside it early Tuesday from a west Topeka convenience store. (WIBW)

Boar’s Head Listeria recall expands to 71 products: Boar’s Head is expanding its recall over possible Listeria contamination to include 71 of the company’s products. (KSN)

Howey Daily Wire July 31, 2024

Posted on by Howey Politics Indiana

Happy Wednesday!

State Affairs reports the Indiana Attorney General’s Office has dropped a lawsuit filed against East Chicago after the city repealed an ordinance seen to be in violation of a state law barring sanctuary cities. And Purdue University’s president said the state’s proposed high school diplomas do not meet all of the university’s admission requirements. More news below. — Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs

Indiana drops ‘sanctuary city’ lawsuit against East Chicago: The state filed the lawsuit on July 9, accusing East Chicago of “maintaining an ordinance that restricts taking certain actions regarding information of citizenship or immigration status” and discouraging city agents and agencies from cooperating with federal immigration officials. (Appleton, State Affairs)

Purdue says Indiana’s proposed high school diplomas don’t meet university’s admission requirements: Purdue University President Mung Chiang said the state’s proposed diplomas specifically do not meet the university’s admission requirements in the subject areas of math, lab sciences, social studies and world language. (Meeks, State Affairs)

STATE

Ex-Treasurer Mitchell joins State Police as CFO: Former state Treasurer Kelly Mitchell is now part of State Police Superintendent Doug Carter’s senior leadership team. (Davies, State Affairs)

Holcomb details latest overseas economic development trip: Gov. Eric Holcomb returned to Indianapolis following an international economic development trip to Australia and Singapore “focused on advancing Indo-Pacific relationships and identifying new opportunities to partner across economic development, innovation and talent development,” according to a news release. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Plaintiffs oppose state’s legal response in HIP lawsuit: Plaintiffs said the Family and Social Services Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hadn’t met the bar for a stay, dismissing a state argument that striking POWER Account contributions would “force” administrators to put everyone on HIP Basic, which has fewer benefits. (Downard, Indiana Capital Chronicle)

French Lick hosts national rural economic development summit: The 2024 Stand Up Rural America Summit is taking place through Thursday at French Lick Resort, with some 200 officials from economic development organizations, chambers of commerce and industry in attendance. (Brown, Inside Indiana Business)

Multiple properties damaged by EF2 tornado in Madison County: Despite a three-mile path of destruction, no one was hurt or killed by Monday’s tornado. (Houle, WTHR-TV)

LOCAL

Elkhart faces police misconduct allegations in 3 lawsuits: Three lawsuits lodged against the City of Elkhart allege racial discrimination and a pattern of misconduct by law enforcement. (Fouts, The Elkhart Truth)

Indy schools say they are ready for new diploma requirements: The state mandates have coincided with a yearslong effort at Indianapolis Public Schools to create more career pathways while making advanced coursework available to more students. The result is that the district now feels prepared to help students meet the new requirements. (Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana)

Hancock County councilman floats hiring freeze for 2026: Hancock County Council member Kent Fisk floated a hiring freeze as soon as 2026 for the county at Tuesday’s joint meeting of the council and the county commissioners. (Jobman, Daily Reporter)

South Bend buys Union Station in hopes of attracting Amtrak: Rail service could come to downtown after the South Bend Redevelopment Commission purchased Union Station for $2.4 million. (Mazurek, Inside Indiana Business)

Indianapolis: Groups launch hospital-linked violence intervention program — A community group that promotes public safety has teamed with Indiana University Health to roll out a program to engage victims of gun violence as they are being treated in the hospital. (Russell, IBJ)

Zionsville mayor looks to withdraw plans to develop area south of downtown: Zionsville Mayor John Stehr asked the town council to delay a vote on the South Village Planned Unit Development because he does not believe there is enough consensus among council members. (Bradley, IBJ)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Legislature to study classroom discipline: ‘Schools need help’ — Student suspensions and expulsions have increased in recent years, according to Indiana Department of Education data. (Appleton, State Affairs)

Pryor: ‘We need to start over’ with proposed changes to high school diplomas — “This is one of the most drastic proposed changes I have seen,” state Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, said in a news release. “We need to completely start over on this proposal with all stakeholders at the table.” (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

CONGRESS

Young applauds Senate passage of Kids Online Safety Act: U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., announced the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act, bipartisan legislation that “requires social media platforms to put the well-being of children first.” (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Young, colleagues call on State Department and USAID to ‘revitalize’ US policy on Burma: Sen. Young joined others in a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power “urging them to develop a proactive policy on Burma given the rapidly evolving situation in the country’s civil conflict,” according to a news release. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Spartz: Biden ‘trying to intimidate the Supreme Court’ — U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., told Fox News regarding President Joe Biden’s proposed reforms for the U.S. Supreme Court and Vice President Kamala Harris’ support of those reforms: “They are trying to intimidate the Supreme Court.” (Darling, WIBC-FM)

Friday: Yakym to launch tour of district — U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym, R-Ind., will travel to the 11 counties in the 2nd Congressional District throughout August, with a focus on “manufacturing, agricultural producers, and transportation and infrastructure projects and initiatives,” according to an email to Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs.

Congressional schedule: The Senate will convene at 11 a.m. in executive session to resume consideration of the nomination of Meredith A. Vacca to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of New York. The House is out.

CAMPAIGNS

McCormick, McCray, congressional candidates address Kosciusko County Democrats: Kosciusko County Democrats gathered to hear four candidates: Jennifer McCormick for governor, Valerie McCray for U.S. Senate, Lori Camp for 2nd Congressional District and Kylie Adolph for 3rd Congressional District. (Patterson, InkFreeNews)

PRESIDENTIAL 2024

Mike Pence will get nearly $720K from taxpayers to pay for failed presidential campaign: Former Vice President Mike Pence is set to receive nearly $720,000 in public funds — a number that could grow if his campaign requests more money — to help pay for his recent six-month presidential primary run. (Carloni, IndyStar)

Trump, Harris ad buys focus on five states in revamped 2024 race: Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are concentrating 98% of their ad-buying firepower into the “Blue Wall” states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin at the highest rates, followed by Georgia and Arizona. (Bloomberg)

Trump calls Jewish Democrats ‘fools’: Former President Trump said in a radio interview that Jewish people who vote for a Democratic president are “fools.” (Axios)

Poll: About 8 in 10 Democrats satisfied with Harris — About 8 in 10 Democrats say they would be somewhat or very satisfied if Vice President Harris became the Democratic nominee for president, according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. (AP)

NATION

White House schedule: President Joe Biden will receive the Daily Brief at 10 a.m. Afterward, he will receive a briefing on the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. At 12:45, he will join Vice President Kamala Harris for lunch. Then Biden will be briefed on the administration’s actions to crack down on traffickers smuggling drugs into the U.S. and will meet with U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker. Vice President Harris will depart Washington, D.C., for Houston, where she will deliver remarks in the evening at a political event and at Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.’s 60th International Biennial Boulé.

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