BlackRock, along with EQT, the Qatar Investment Authority and CalPERS, has announced a $33 billion deal to acquire AES Corp., the parent company of AES Indiana. I am extremely concerned by the news that more than 500,000 Hoosiers in Marion, Hendricks, Morgan, Boone, Hamilton, Putnam, Johnson, Shelby and Hancock counties will now be served by…

To answer, Does turning farmland into solar make sense for our future? I think it makes more sense than how farmland is used to grow crops for fuel today. Roughly 38% to 40% of the total U.S. corn crop, more than 30 million acres, is farm-to-fuel land dedicated to growing corn for ethanol production. Now,…

As residents of Dubois County watch more farmland being proposed for large-scale solar projects, we should pause and ask a very simple question: Does this make sense for our future? Southern Indiana has some of the most productive farmland in the state. For generations, these fields have produced corn, soybeans, hay, and livestock that support…

Is this what you voted for? In 2024, while running for office, Donald Trump said he would act immediately to lower food prices. Have you been to the grocery store lately? He said that he had a plan to reduce health care costs. Have you been to the doctor lately, the hospital, the drug store?…

We are being told that large-scale solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems are perfectly safe. That statement deserves serious scrutiny. High-density lithium-ion battery storage facilities are not passive infrastructure. When these systems fail, they fail in a way that is fundamentally different from most other industrial fires. The documented risk is thermal runaway, a cascading…

I am writing to urge Dubois County residents to educate themselves about the significant risks and costs associated with the AES Crossvine Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) proposed near the Southwest Dubois County School Corporation schools. The safety and well-being of our children and community must be our highest priority, and the placement of this…

Below is a data-driven op-ed from Dr. Addie Angelov urging lawmakers to finish social media legislation this session. It foregrounds peer-reviewed research, national surveillance data, and Indiana-specific law enforcement statistics, and it explicitly acknowledges that the first version will not be perfect. In my role as an independent researcher with federally approved access to highly…

We are not angry at the landowners who chose to lease their property for solar panels and battery energy storage systems. They made a private business decision on land they own, and that right deserves respect. What concerns many residents is not the landowner’s choice, but the expectation that the rest of the county should…

For more than a year, residents of Dubois County have been asking a simple question: Who is responsible for keeping our communities safe when massive industrial energy projects move in? The troubling answer, as the Crossvine Solar and Battery Energy Storage project has shown, is that no level of government seems willing to take responsibility….

If I decide to build a new house, the cost is mine. If I overspend, choose a bad contractor, or the project doesn’t deliver what I promised, my neighbors are not forced to pay for it. Yet that is exactly how Indiana’s utility system works today. Investor-owned utilities are allowed to build massive solar and…

A bill authored by State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) that would automatically update voter registration for candidates who withdraw from elections if the address on their withdrawal form is different from their registration passed the House today by a vote of 72-24 with bipartisan support. Senate Enrolled Act 112 would help to ensure Hoosiers are voting…

When residents raise concerns about large battery energy storage systems being placed near homes, schools, and churches, we are often told, “It’s no different than a Tesla car battery.” That comparison is misleading. A Tesla vehicle battery typically stores around 70 to 100 kilowatt-hours of energy. The battery system proposed for the Crossvine project uses…

Hoosiers are opening their utility bills and asking the same question: Why does electricity keep getting more expensive?  We are told that large solar and battery energy storage projects will lower costs, yet rates across Indiana continue to rise. Utility companies are spending billions on new infrastructure—solar fields, massive battery systems, transmission upgrades, and substations,…

The Indiana General Assembly has reached the halfway point of this year’s legislative session, which means bills must have passed out of their original chamber in order to continue through the legislative process. In the Senate, 290 bills were filed this year, and 112 were passed by the chamber. More than 90% of these bills…

House Bill 1333 is being presented as a technical land-use and economic development bill, but its real impact deserves closer attention from Hoosiers—especially those in rural communities. HB 1333 makes certain large developments on agricultural land a “permitted use,” meaning they can move forward without rezoning, special exceptions, or meaningful local approval. This strips counties…

Last week’s winter storm offered a real-world test of large-scale solar and battery energy storage systems proposed for Dubois County. We received about 10 inches of snow, followed by very cold temperatures and heavy cloud cover. During that time, solar panels were largely unable to produce electricity. Snow-covered panels do not generate power, and in…

The recent government shutdown exposed a critical problem: air traffic controllers went without paychecks while doing essential work. This only amplified existing personnel and technology constraints in ATC. For manufacturers in rural Indiana, this kind of disruption threatens operations and the jobs we support. OFS Brands and companies like ours depend on a functioning aviation…

My comments in response to Governor Braun’s recent post. If you truly cared about the sanctity of life, why do you never talk about the public health effects of your policies on prenatal development and maternal health? Where does Indiana rank in air and water quality, and what are the logical effects upon our children…

Residents of Dubois County deserve to understand how large energy projects can affect their electric bills. While solar fields and battery storage systems are often promoted as “clean energy” (when the sun is not shining, coal-fired power plants will charge the batteries), what is rarely discussed is who actually pays for them. These facilities require…

State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) is encouraging residents of Senate District 48 to take his online survey to provide feedback and insights on important issues he may address during the 2026 legislative session. Schmitt’s survey is available online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Schmitt. “As your State Senator, I want to hear from you on important topics like illegal immigration, government spending…

What would you have us do? After viewing over and over from every angle the appalling tragedy of a young mother being executed as she attempted to leave the scene following a confrontation with heavily armed and masked ICE agents, what is the appropriate response? The argument is being made that she was violating the…

As Jasper prepares for a leadership transition, residents are facing decisions that will influence how future governance reflects community priorities. The new mayor will not be elected by voters but chosen by a caucus of local Republican Party members. The composition of the caucus members is not published, but a listing of local Republican officials can be…

While my work as your state senator takes place throughout the year, the Indiana General Assembly is only in session for a few months. The 2026 legislative session will reconvene the first full week of January. This year’s session is expected to be complete by late February, and bills go through a lengthy process before…

If people here in Dubois County have any opposition to the recent events in Venezuela, they may give thought to the statement made to me yesterday by one of my Venezuelan tenants here in Jasper. His statement was, “Thanks to Mr. Trump, we are now FREE. Gene HostetterJasper

It is that time of year again, where friends and family come together from throughout our community and beyond to celebrate Christmas. While Christmas is an important holiday throughout the world, it has an extra special meaning here in Senate District 48 as the home of Santa Claus. For decades, local residents have come together…

I am writing this because I am deeply troubled by President Trump’s recent comments calling Somali people “garbage.” Even when individuals commit fraud, it is wrong — and dangerous — to condemn an entire culture. Our democracy depends on respecting the dignity of every person and responding to wrongdoing through due process, not dehumanization. I…

In rural Dubois County most of us get our electricity through Dubois REC, which has continued to do an excellent job of serving our community. As a cooperative, Dubois REC purchases our power through Hoosier Energy. While Hoosier Energy continues to balance energy needs to deliver the best product at a good price, unfortunately there…

I have been reluctant to write about the redistricting debate in Indiana. After all, there is no original sin to gerrymandering and the economic effects are generally well into the future. But this Indiana General Assembly session offers a rich environment in which to judge the people involved. Originally, redistricting was supposed to have captured…

If you lived in Indiana as late as 1990, you have met, spoken with or smiled at a former member of the Ku Klux Klan. After all, only a half-century earlier, 1 in 3 Protestant Hoosier men were members. These former Klansmen could’ve been the kindly old man shaking your hand as you entered church…

I enjoy telling this little anecdote about how voters tend to feel about taxes and spending. From 2004 to 2007, I lived in a suburb near a military base in Ohio. It was a very conservative area, voting for George W. Bush, John McCain and Mitt Romney by double-digit margins. But, twice during my brief…

The Dubois County Sheriff requested to hire two new deputies to investigate online child predators. Whether you want to admit it or not, this is a massive problem worldwide with the availability of social media to our children. Contrary to popular belief, Dubois County is not excluded from this evil.  We are all aware of…

On October 24, 2025, in defiance of the Wilderness Act passed in 1964 by a large bipartisan majority of both the Senate and House, President Trump opened the Arctic and Izembek National Wildlife Refuges to oil and gas leasing and drilling and to the construction of a commercial road through the Refuges. This action gravely…

Across Indiana and the nation, people are working hard to stay afloat as the federal government shutdown stretches on. They’re doing their best to keep food on the table and stability within reach, even as circumstances beyond their control make that harder each day. The shutdown is interrupting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which…

What does MAGA mean? What is it that makes America Great? Is it having a president who bullies and intimidates foreign leaders as well as huge numbers of hard working and thoughtful US citizens including those with skin colors he doesn’t like, including veterans, immigrants,  professional people and workers of all kinds as well by calling them…

I take umbrage with Ms. Melchior‘s partisan attack regarding the No Kings Rally. These rallies were allowed because we have no King nor a Monarchy.. “Democracy dies in darkness” as the banner on the Washington Post screams. Hiding the ill-conceived plans of an out-of-power political party is what this means. The current shutdown of our government is…

I just returned from a No Kings rally, and I am cheered by the enthusiasm of all the participants who care enough about their state and their country to stand up for them. I was saddened to hear Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, along with numerous Republicans, state that those who protest the current…

he Jasper Chamber of Commerce works with businesses, merchants, and industry to advance the civic, economic, industrial, professional and cultural life in the City of Jasper and throughout Dubois County, Indiana. Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day was October 15, 2025, and here is some information about the Jasper Chamber and why you should…

 Maintaining Indiana’s Strong Economy By State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper)?  In recent years, Indiana has become one of the nation’s leading economic powerhouses as businesses look to invest in our state. Every year since 2017, the state has broken economic development records. This includes more than $39 billion in capital investment commitments in 2024, up…

While tremendous progress has been made against vaccine-preventable diseases, in this era of global health challenges—from reduced funding to competing priorities to the proliferation of anti-vaccine sentiment—we’re at risk for the resurgence of diseases like polio. Although Rotary and its Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners have reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent worldwide thanks…

Proverbs 14:4 says, “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” I love to read the Proverbs. They offer very simple, practical advice. The main idea behind this verse is this: “Do you want less problems or less product?” It is more convenient not to…

As leaders and residents of Dubois County, we believe public officials must be held to the highest ethical and moral standards. The Sheriff’s Office, in particular, depends entirely on the trust of the people it serves. That trust has been compromised under Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter’s leadership. The Indiana State Board of Accounts identified nearly $17,000…

Recently, I attended a meeting that I found immensely helpful. It was a round table, open forum discussion with participants from the Jasper, Huntingburg, and Ferdinand areas. Folks were given an opportunity to talk freely about their local concerns and listen to others. Various opinions were expressed, and not everyone agreed, but there was a…

“Workforce” is an important aspect of every community across the nation. By definition, workforce is people engaged and available for work. September is a month that is marked as National Workforce Development month. Year after year, SWIN Workforce connects hundreds of residents to jobs, skills training, and career opportunities. These investments don’t just change lives, they…

by Niki Kelly, Indiana Capital ChronicleAugust 29, 2025 I’m on my third decade covering the Indiana General Assembly, so I’ve seen a lot. But a mid-cycle redistricting will be a new one. I say “will” because it seems like an inevitability at this point. So, I researched the history of apportionment and redistricting in Indiana….

Saint Meinrad Archabbey Cultural Events, St. Meinrad, IN, will present “A Little Night of Mozart” on September 6, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. Central Time in St. Bede Theater. This concert will be performed by Saint Meinrad’s Arete Orchestra. The Arete Orchestra is an ensemble of some of the most accomplished and respected musicians across the…

OTHER ME: Holy crap, Scott, what happened to you? ME: You are obviously referring to my knee brace and crutches. OTHER ME: Knee replacement? ME: Why does everyone assume I’ve had a knee replacement? Just because I’m 60? I’m 100% the same old me. Heart, hips, teeth and all. Trust me, what happened to my…

A year after I started at Jasper Engines & Transmissions in 1986, they instituted a 401(k) with a company match. I remember thinking we were so fortunate because not a lot of companies around here offered that at the time. It was generally a great place to work. Our owners always told us that what…

With all the conversation (or threats) of states redistricting to favor one party over another, it is interesting that there has been little or no mention of solutions by elected officials or voter rights organizations to prevent such situations. One solution would be non-partisan redistricting commissions. What would this look like? One possible example would…

Dear God-fearing DuCo friends,  Recently my eyes have changed in a new way. I’ve always been nearsighted and wore contacts. But just recently, I’ve lost some of my nearsightedness and now I require progressive lenses. It’s that or go to CVS and buy a pair of ‘cheaters’. I ’m not satisfied with the progressive lenses….

Dubois County Prosecutor Beth Schroeder is joining prosecutors, the Indiana Department of Child Services/Child Support Bureau, and child support services agencies throughout the country to recognize August as Child Support Awareness Month. Prosecutor Schroeder wants to increase awareness about existing child support services provided by our office. These services are vital to custodial parents and…

On behalf of all the members at VFW Post 2366 and American Legion Post 109 of Huntingburg, we would like to thank all our volunteers and players who participated in our 2025 Annual Veterans Golf Scramble that took place on June 22nd, 2025, at Huntingburg Country Club. Also, a big thank you and shout out…

After reading that Governor Mike Braun intends to turn Indiana into a state that can meet the increased demand for energy that the future may require by providing nuclear power to lure new large-load electricity customers into Indiana, I feel compelled to respond. What is left unsaid in this equation is the devastation to the…

As we wrap up the 2025 Ferdinand Heimatfest sponsored by MasterBrand, Inc., we want to thank all the volunteers, sponsors, groups, organizations, and especially our guests who helped make this year’s fest a success! The weather, entertainment, and socialization made this a great weekend! Your support will help to accomplish our mission of “Enabling Ferdinand…

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was established in 1964. It was created to promote recreational opportunities and protect natural areas, water resources, and cultural sites in the United States. Funding comes from offshore oil and gas revenues, not from taxpayers. It was established with the majority of support from both political parties to…

Long designated as Flag Day for U.S. citizens to express their patriotism by displaying the flag, June 14 has been appropriated by the Trump administration to stage a grandiose military parade, dwarfing those of authoritarian rulers of the past. Such a display (coinciding not accidentally with Trump’s birthday) is designed to serve as a supreme…

I was going through some things the other day and found an old letter I received from you back in 2016 when you were still a State District 63 Representative. It was a respectful letter, an official form letter in which you said: “When arguments have strong points on both sides, knowing how my district…

Hi Tom (Moorman), I just wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation from our whole family for the incredible new pool you and your team have brought to town. It’s such an amazing addition to our community, and we’re truly grateful for the time, planning, and effort that clearly went into it….

“ALASI cancels Festival Latino 2025 due to growing safety concerns for immigrant community” It has hit home in our communities. A joyful family festival has to be cancelled for “safety concerns.” “Safety concerns.”  I am heartbroken. I am angry that it is this way for so many fine people in this country.  In this county….

It’s a sunny day, and you have finally broken free from the monotony of stop-and-go traffic. As your two beautiful children in the backseat sing along to the radio, your wife nudges you to swing through the coffee shop. Holding fresh lattes, you pull out and turn down an old country road instead of hitting…

The Supreme Court’s recent decision to permit the deportation of Venezuelan migrants, many of whom have lived and worked honestly in our country for years, is deeply troubling.  These individuals are not criminals; they are neighbors, workers, and contributors to our communities. To uproot them without clear justification is not only unwise—it is profoundly unkind….

I was born and raised in Huntingburg and have lived my life in this area; I never expected to live in a world so filled with distrust and fear of others. It saddens me that our Latin family can not come together as a group to enjoy and rejoice in their heritage. Maybe we should…

As Congress weighs the latest budget reconciliation bill, it’s important to take a step back and consider how these decisions will affect everyday people in Dubois County and across Indiana. Reducing federal spending and promoting self-reliance are important goals for Congressman Messmer, but some of the proposed changes could unintentionally create more problems than they…

HOW I BROKE THIS | EPISODE 11 | MIMI’S TRUE MIME PODCAST GUY RAZZ: I’m Guy Razz, host of How I Broke This. Welcome to my narrative journey about business ineptitude and the failed leaders who failed to learn from their failures. Listen as my guests reveal what led to their crushed entrepreneurial spirits. As…

In 1848 Karl Marx wrote “The Communist Manifesto”, a treatise on his imagined exploitation of the working class by the ruling class. In it, he put forth the principle that all members of a society would contribute to the society according to their ability, and all members would then take from society only what they…

While the call to “bury hateful rhetoric and learn to work together” sounds admirable, it overlooks a fundamental truth: under capitalism, such unity is largely impossible. Yes, capitalism has pulled some individuals out of poverty, but it has systemically kept the majority in it—by design. It relies on a “reserve army of labor,” a pool…

The United States is an open and free country with a vibrant capitalist economy. It is this very type of economy that reduces poverty. Capitalism is not the enemy of the people, it is their salvation. The late Pope Francis was a Socialist from a Socialist country and by his own words he abhorred capitalism….

After nearly four months of working with constituents, colleagues and stakeholders, the Indiana General Assembly adjourned Sine Die on April 25, meaning the 2025 session has now formally ended. The end of session gives lawmakers a chance to reflect on the important work we completed this year while looking ahead to find more ways we can make…

“Once capital becomes an idol and guides people’s decisions, once greed for money presides over the entire socioeconomic system, it ruins society. It condemns and enslaves men and women, it destroys human fraternity, it sets people against one another.“ (Pope Francis) As I sit this Saturday morning, the spring unfolding outside my window, I am…

This week, the Indiana General Assembly adjourned the 2025 legislative session. One of the most important bills we worked on this year was Senate Enrolled Act 2, which would help preserve Indiana’s Medicaid program. In recent years, the state has experienced significant increases in Medicaid costs that have impacted our ability to fund other important budget…

Now that Congress is on a two week recess, does anyone know if Congressman Mark Mesmer has scheduled a town hall meeting to address everything that has taken place in Washington in just the past four months. We are confident the congressman will not count his recent unexpected appearance at a Jasper Chamber of Commerce…

As an 88-year-old citizen who has watched this nation endure wars, social upheaval, and moments of both shame and triumph, I find myself deeply troubled by what I see today. Our country was built on the sacrifices of men and women who risked their lives to defend its ideals — freedom, justice, truth, and unity….

By Michael Hicks The GOP is vacillating between contradictory claims that President Trump’s tariffs are either negotiating tactics designed to end tariffs everywhere or a long-term strategy to onshore U.S. manufacturing. We have no evidence that either approach has worked anytime, anywhere in the past 250 years. Assuming this time isn’t different, we should measure…

“I’m not ashamed to tell the world, I’m in love with a man and his name is Mister Coffee!”-Jennifer Haubrich, Humor in the Middle, Substack When I was a kid, my uncle visited on Saturday mornings to chat with Mom and drink coffee. Sometimes his knocks woke us. Other times, Mom was already in her…

Ok. Let’s all take a deep breath. There has been so much trash talk regarding our newly elected Governor Mike Braun. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and to freedom of speech, but let’s make sure we have all the facts first. Having spoken with several friends in law enforcement, I know that the Governor…

In recent years, the state of Indiana has worked hard to exercise fiscal responsibility as stewards of taxpayer dollars. At the end of 2024, the state had a $2.6 billion cash reserve and currently has the fourth lowest debt per capita in the country at $186 per Hoosier. While Indiana has maintained responsible management of taxpayer money,…

It’s no secret that in southwest Indiana, many people make their living in the agricultural industry. In fact, when I’m not working in the legislature, my primary job is farming. There is a lot more to running a farm than just taking care of livestock and planting fields. At the heart of every farm is…

This just in from WAIT . . . WHAT? Real News Now: White House Resident Donald Trump has named both Elon Musk and Musk’s son X (formerly Twitter) Ash A Twelve, or X Æ A-Xii, to the front of the line for accessing the Doomsday Device passcode. Musk (home planet, Mars) is at the #1…

The most recent Census population data tell a pretty important story about Indiana’s future. Some of it is great, but not for most of the state. Overall, population growth was tepid. We added 44,144 residents—slower than Kentucky but a tad bit faster than Michigan, Illinois or Ohio. The composition of this growth is most telling….

As many constituents know, before my time in the Indiana Senate I served in local government on the Dubois County Council and Dubois County Regional Sewer District Board. These roles gave me an opportunity to learn how local governments operate, which benefits me in the Indiana Senate. This year I am serving on the Senate Committee on Local…

The Power of Sport: A Legacy of Unity and Inspiration, which Nelson Mandela embraced as the iconic anti-apartheid revolutionary and President of South Africa, is not a well-known part of his history. Mandela, better known for his contributions to Peace, Justice and equality, was not as well known for his connection to the world of…

The Braun administration has published a rural economic development plan for Indiana. It looks a lot like plans offered by GOP and Democratic governors over the past 75 years. Indeed, the only element distinguishable from such a plan in the 1960s is broadband. Back then, we were worrying about better phone service. Braun’s plan discusses…

Hundreds of bills are filed each year by members of both chambers of the General Assembly during a legislative session. After a bill is filed in the Senate, the Senate Pro Tem assigns it to a committee. Committees allow legislators to use their expertise in given fields to ask questions and hear from the public…

According to national statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation for 2016, 1.4  million people were then in nursing homes.  Each one of those 1.4 million was incurring yearly costs of around $82,000.  Of those 1.4 million, 62 percent were having the bill paid by Medicaid for a total expenditure of around $55 billion per year. …

Over the years, I’ve written frequently about government efficiency and inefficiency. I even wrote a book that, among other things, measured types of efficiency across 38,000 local governments in the U.S. We now live in a time when lots of folks complain about government efficiency. Some of them have experience in government and some have…

Last week, the General Assembly officially passed the midway point of the 2025 legislative session, bringing on a new phase for legislation to move to the House or Senate. With this being my first session serving as a state legislator, it has been an honor to play an active role in this process, and work alongside my…

Governor Mike Braun has wasted no time showing Hoosiers where his priorities lie, and unfortunately, it’s not with working families, public schools, or local communities. Instead, Braun has decided to hand out massive pay raises to his cabinet members—fourteen top officials, including the heads of the INDOT, the Department of Education, and the Indiana Economic…

Social Security is a lifeline for millions of Americans, yet concerns about its long-term solvency continue to grow. A simple, fair solution would be to remove the income cap on Social Security contributions. Currently, earnings above $168,600 (as of 2024) are not subject to Social Security payroll taxes. This means that millionaires stop paying into…

Earlier this week, I voted in favor of providing property tax relief for Hoosiers across the state. Over the last two years, the General Assembly has been working on tax reform through the State and Local Tax Review Task Force. While Indiana already has some of the lowest property taxes in the country, inflation during the…

I’ve been considering writing a letter to the editor since the 2024 election, and now that the current administration has brazenly defied the constitution by displaying inhumane policies that are disrupting daily life for many of our most vulnerable citizens in our country. After using his gullible but violent MAGA followers to attempt to overturn…

I am thankful that the U.S., and especially Indiana, finds itself at a turning point in diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order ending DEI in state government, because much of it has been rightly adjudicated as unconstitutional. No doubt it will soon be extinguished in state universities and local…

Keep up the good fight Jim (Arvin) I hope eventually you get some satisfaction from your efforts. No one wants to lose land. However, I don’t see how anyone believes that the traffic count on Highway 231 is acceptable now, and it’s only going to get worse. At some point, you landowners will need to…

The Mid-States Corridor is a hotly debated issue, yet not by those in our state and local governments. This is due in part to the fact that they, the elected officials, are either totally on board with the Mid-States Corridor project or just don’t want to rock the boat. I have sent several letters to…

As many local residents know, in September I was sworn in as Senate District 48’s state senator. Before my swearing in, the district was represented by Mark Messmer, who is now serving as a Congressman for Indiana’s eighth district. During his time in the Indiana General Assembly, Congressman Messmer would regularly update our community on…

by Niki Kelly, Indiana Capital Chronicle January 10, 2025 After an outside group encouraged Democrats to vote in the GOP governor’s primary last May, a bill has been filed to close Indiana’s primary system. That didn’t happen in 2008 when conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh urged Republicans to do the same thing in the presidential…

A reflection on the Scripture readings of the second Sunday of Advent (Lk 3:1-6) Dear Brothers and sisters,  Have you ever thought of a hilly and treacherous road being a sign of the fallen world that we live in? Due to the sin of our first parents, our fallen condition is first and foremost within…

The 2024 Election is over, and as the Chairperson of the Dubois County Democratic Party, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate in the electoral process by casting their vote. I was also a candidate for State Representative in this election. I was disappointed that my opponent, Representative Lindauer, along…

I have a few questions for all the Harris supporters out there. Four years ago when running for president, she had dropped out of the race before the first primary because her polling numbers were so bad because she was actually running left of Bernie Sanders. She still says that Joe Biden is as vibrant…

Stay the course? We often hear the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” Indiana has long had Republican leadership, but what has that leadership done for Hoosiers? Well, let’s just look at the last 20 years.  In areas of healthcare, healthcare quality, public health…

Dear Dubois County, I am a millennial who just turned 30 this year. My wife and I have four beautiful children, and we make our home in the lovely little town of Ferdinand, where we just relocated to after two years of living on the north side of Jasper. I am very burdened for the…

I have been asked to find a candidate who will end America’s endless wars and return to prosperity. Certainly. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Neither believes “NATO is obsolete” but will continue the rallying of NATO, which has allowed Ukraine to reduce Russian ground fighting capability by 2/3. Neither will ridicule American POWs, demean Gold…

Many must realize they are promoting Donald Trump, a man who took action against our country, a man who is a criminal, a tax cheat, a sexual assault pervert, a man who attempted to overthrow our Constitution (that he swore to defend and protect), a criminal convicted of 34 counts of business fraud by an…

Voting is an essential part of our democracy and the most important step in ensuring that the people we put in leadership positions are interested in governance more than power, in making policy more than making money. We do this by listening to what they have to say…and just like in 2020 our incumbent party…

Our Covid-19 lockdown had an eerie “Twilight Zone” feel to it. Now, I’m leaning into the 1959-1964 TV series to explain another modern phenomenon: Trumpism. I’ve wondered how I’d explain Trumpism to people like my parents who died long before Donald Trump’s rise to the White House. Explaining to the uninitiated would have once been…

Dear fellow Christians, I’m sure this will come as a surprise to some of you but there have been times in my life when I was wrong in my thinking. Has this ever happened to you? Perhaps you were so dug in on what you believed or felt in a conversation with your spouse or…

Teresa Kendall, the Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 63, has officially called for a debate with her Republican opponent, Shane Lindauer, ahead of the upcoming November elections. In a letter sent to Lindauer, Kendall emphasized the importance of providing voters in Daviess, Dubois, Martin, and Pike Counties with an opportunity to hear from both…

To take a break from examining the continuing over-taxation of Dubois County city/town residents through Tax Increment Financing, rising property taxes and new taxation, I want to talk about debates and how many Republicans are refusing to debate. To start off, a tip of the cap to Senator Braun’s willingness to debate for governor. He…

I have spent a great deal of time in recent months poring through the 992 pages of “Mandate for Leadership, The Conservative Promise,” more commonly called Project 2025 (see https://www.project2025.org/). Every American needs to hear what this document is, who organized and wrote it, and what it promises for our future. It is disturbing. Project 2025 was published…

INTRODUCTION V.O.: Ineptitude . . . Failure . . . Inanity . . . Stupidity . . . MURDER! . . . MURDER!!. . . MURDER!!! This is How I Broke This. SFX: (cartoonish broken spring) BOINGGGGGGG. GUY RAZZ: I’m Guy Razz, host of How I Broke This. Not to be confused with that other…

Semantics— it’s a word people use to end an argument they can’t win: “you’re just talking semantics…” There are other ways to shorten what we consider to be a pointless debate: “You say to-MAY-to, I say to-MAH-to”, and the “Seinfeld” series gem, “Yada, Yada, Yada”. Our thumb-pumping society doesn’t suffer fools (those who disagree with…

As we wrap up the 2024 Ferdinand Heimatfest sponsored by MasterBrand, Inc., we want to thank all the volunteers, sponsors, groups, organizations, and especially our guests who helped make this year’s fest a success! The weather, entertainment, and socialization made this a great weekend! Your support will help us accomplish our mission of “Enabling Ferdinand…

In March, the Indiana Department of Education released new proposed diploma requirements for graduation, Indiana Graduate Prepared to Succeed (GPS). This system creates two diplomas, GPS and GPS Plus and will impact the class of 2029. One issue this update presents is the continuation of constant upheaval of Indiana’s education system over the past 20…

People still wonder how politics, personalities, and religion have become such a volatile mix the last decade. Politics and religion have always been “enter-at-your-own-risk” topics, but differing opinions used to coexist with tolerance. We didn’t pre-hate people for their political or spiritual views. What happened? I don’t know, but I have a theory. My first…

The current situation in Huntingburg and Jasper, where elected officials are considering increasing the income tax for safety reasons, raises critical questions about their management of local finances and spending of property taxes. Historically, property taxes have been a primary funding source for essential services such as police and fire departments. However, a combination of…

Now that the primaries are over, we must not give up the game in the locker room. We are still in control of our fate and the fate of the Mid-States Corridor. The Dubois Cabal can still be beaten. Like the failed Link 101 Corridor project, the Mid-States Corridor is too costly. INDOT decided to…

This Tuesday, we go to the polls to select who we want to represent us in November’s General Election. It’s not always a good idea to vote on a single issue, but this year, it is imperative that we do exactly that. That single issue is opposition to the Mid-States Corridor. We may not be…

Nothing is more important than the safety of our children and grandchildren. My research on the Mid-State Corridor leads me to believe that it is welcome and necessary to maintain a safe flow of traffic for the future of southern Indiana. Steve StallingsJasper

The other evening Mr. Jason McCoy hosted an informative talk about the history of the Mid-States Corridor. He went into great detail of the who, what, when, where and how we have arrived at the place we are at today. Mr. McCoy is not a politician; he’s “just a brick layer” who is concerned about…

Being a Hoosier Veteran brings me pride. Being a helping professional who supports fellow veterans striving toward reaching their self-directed recovery goals fills me with purpose. The passing of House Bill 1021, Indiana’s Green Alert for missing at-risk veterans, goes a long way in proving that the state’s leadership is here to support our vets….

As a concerned citizen of the 8th district of Indiana, I am writing to express my support for the principled statesman, John Hostettler. John Hostettler served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Indiana’s 8th congressional district from 1995 to 2007.  John was respected on both sides of the aisle due to his courage and…

Someone said, “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” Former ambassador and recent Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has a similar problem with chaos—the kind that follows a certain ex-president. Actually, the chaos was CREATED by that ex-president, it doesn’t just follow him around. Thanks to people like Haley, it’s raining…

Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton—could willingly and convincingly poke fun at themselves. That alone might not help a president save the world, but it’s hard to stay mad at someone who is more than marginally likable. Reagan and Clinton were deemed “Teflon” presidents for their ability to deflect criticism. President Clinton left office with a…