Chief Justice John Roberts addressed ongoing speculation about his possible retirement during a public appearance in Buffalo, New York, this week.
The comments come four months into President Donald Trump’s second term, amid growing interest in whether Roberts would allow Trump to appoint another justice to the Supreme Court.
Roberts, appointed in 2005 by President George W. Bush, has served as Chief Justice for nearly two decades. His tenure has included pivotal decisions such as the legalization of gay marriage in 2015 and the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Speaking to a crowd of lawyers and legal observers, Roberts dismissed the idea that his departure was imminent. “I’m going out feet first,” he said, adding a touch of humor to his response, as reported by Trending Politics.
Roberts recounted a conversation he had with two individuals he trusts, in which he asked them to tell him when it might be time to retire. He said both responded, “‘It’s time to go.’ So I said, ‘Alright, never mind.’”
Though he joked about staying indefinitely, Roberts acknowledged that declining health could eventually factor into a decision to step down. He said if he became a burden to the court, that would signal the time to leave.
His comments were delivered during a celebration marking the 125th anniversary of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. However, his remarks on retirement quickly overshadowed the anniversary event.
Roberts addressed the broader topic of aging justices. When asked if those in their late 80s should still be deciding complex constitutional matters, he noted that such situations have occurred only “a handful of times.”
He said that while some justices may have stayed longer than advisable, such instances have typically resolved themselves without major disruption. Roberts did not mention specific names in this context.
At 70, Roberts is younger than Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Sonia Sotomayor. He stated that he still feels “pretty healthy” on most days, indicating no immediate reason to consider retirement.
The Chief Justice also mentioned that he visited his childhood home in Buffalo before attending the event, underscoring a personal connection to the location.
In response to a question about the rise in presidential impeachments, Roberts stated that impeachment should not be used to express disagreement with judicial decisions.
Calls for term limits for Supreme Court justices have increased in recent years. Despite this, Roberts and others on the bench have largely dismissed such proposals.
Justice Samuel Alito, who is part of the court’s conservative bloc, has also rejected the idea of stepping down during Trump’s term. Sources close to him insist that he does not view his role through a political lens.
A source quoted by the Wall Street Journaldenied rumors that Alito, age 74, is preparing to retire to allow Trump to appoint a younger conservative replacement.
Roberts’ public remarks reaffirmed his intention to remain on the court and emphasized a nonpartisan approach to judicial service.
The comments come four months into President Donald Trump’s second term, amid growing interest in whether Roberts would allow Trump to appoint another justice to the Supreme Court.
Roberts, appointed in 2005 by President George W. Bush, has served as Chief Justice for nearly two decades. His tenure has included pivotal decisions such as the legalization of gay marriage in 2015 and the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Speaking to a crowd of lawyers and legal observers, Roberts dismissed the idea that his departure was imminent. “I’m going out feet first,” he said, adding a touch of humor to his response, as reported by Trending Politics.
Roberts recounted a conversation he had with two individuals he trusts, in which he asked them to tell him when it might be time to retire. He said both responded, “‘It’s time to go.’ So I said, ‘Alright, never mind.’”
Though he joked about staying indefinitely, Roberts acknowledged that declining health could eventually factor into a decision to step down. He said if he became a burden to the court, that would signal the time to leave.
His comments were delivered during a celebration marking the 125th anniversary of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. However, his remarks on retirement quickly overshadowed the anniversary event.
Roberts addressed the broader topic of aging justices. When asked if those in their late 80s should still be deciding complex constitutional matters, he noted that such situations have occurred only “a handful of times.”
He said that while some justices may have stayed longer than advisable, such instances have typically resolved themselves without major disruption. Roberts did not mention specific names in this context.
At 70, Roberts is younger than Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Sonia Sotomayor. He stated that he still feels “pretty healthy” on most days, indicating no immediate reason to consider retirement.
The Chief Justice also mentioned that he visited his childhood home in Buffalo before attending the event, underscoring a personal connection to the location.
In response to a question about the rise in presidential impeachments, Roberts stated that impeachment should not be used to express disagreement with judicial decisions.
Calls for term limits for Supreme Court justices have increased in recent years. Despite this, Roberts and others on the bench have largely dismissed such proposals.
Justice Samuel Alito, who is part of the court’s conservative bloc, has also rejected the idea of stepping down during Trump’s term. Sources close to him insist that he does not view his role through a political lens.
A source quoted by the Wall Street Journaldenied rumors that Alito, age 74, is preparing to retire to allow Trump to appoint a younger conservative replacement.
Roberts’ public remarks reaffirmed his intention to remain on the court and emphasized a nonpartisan approach to judicial service.
❤4
INDIANA
SW INDIANA PODCAST 👇🏻👇🏻
Cheryl and Ken (RIBS) Republicans In Bad Standing discuss the upcoming “Solar farm “ scheduled for VANDERBURGH County and the property tax debacle.
They discuss the lack of a Hoosier Constitutional Sheriff and the scheduled Precinct Committeeman Training at the VANDERBURGH GOP.
The local VANDERBURGH GOP is permitting an anti-Trumper to be the guest speaker at the next Lincoln Day Dinner.
A large number of America 🇺🇸 First coalitions are forming throughout Indiana as a result of Indiana GOP Tyranny.
Video. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
https://rumble.com/v6tefjr-indiana-property-taxes-solar-farms-anti-trumper-scheduled-to-speak-at-gop-l.html?e9s=src_v1_upp
SW INDIANA PODCAST 👇🏻👇🏻
Cheryl and Ken (RIBS) Republicans In Bad Standing discuss the upcoming “Solar farm “ scheduled for VANDERBURGH County and the property tax debacle.
They discuss the lack of a Hoosier Constitutional Sheriff and the scheduled Precinct Committeeman Training at the VANDERBURGH GOP.
The local VANDERBURGH GOP is permitting an anti-Trumper to be the guest speaker at the next Lincoln Day Dinner.
A large number of America 🇺🇸 First coalitions are forming throughout Indiana as a result of Indiana GOP Tyranny.
Video. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
https://rumble.com/v6tefjr-indiana-property-taxes-solar-farms-anti-trumper-scheduled-to-speak-at-gop-l.html?e9s=src_v1_upp
INDIANA
Indiana Governor Mike Braun has expressed intent to seek federal approval to establish tolls on Indiana's interstate highways, including I-80/94 and I-65, as a means to fund road maintenance and infrastructure improvements. This plan stems from House Bill 1461, signed into law on May 1, 2025, which allows the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to request a federal waiver from the Federal Highway Administration to implement tolls on interstate highways. The bill, authored by State Representative Jim Pressel, removes a previous restriction that prohibited tolling within 75 miles of existing toll roads, such as the Indiana Toll Road (I-90), thereby enabling tolls on major highways across the state, including those in Northwest Indiana.
Braun has justified the need for tolling by citing declining revenue from Indiana’s 35-cents-per-gallon gasoline tax and the additional 7% sales tax on fuel, largely due to increased fuel efficiency in vehicles. According to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, tolling could generate approximately $4.2 billion in the first five years and up to $38.2 billion between 2029 and 2050, addressing an estimated $900 million annual shortfall in local transportation funding and a $2.4 billion annual need to improve roads and bridges rated as “poor” or “failed.”
The tolling plan has sparked controversy. Critics, including some lawmakers and residents, argue it imposes a financial burden on drivers, particularly in regions like Lake and Porter counties, where interstates are heavily used for daily commutes. Attempts to exempt these counties from tolling were defeated, and amendments to remove the tolling provision failed. Opponents, such as Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., have warned of political backlash, predicting it could lead to a Democratic governor in future elections. There is also uncertainty about federal approval, given recent resistance to tolling initiatives, such as U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s 2025 halt to New York’s congestion pricing program.
Braun has not detailed specific toll rates or implementation timelines, and his office has been reserved in public statements. However, he has indicated openness to tolling as a necessary measure to maintain Indiana’s “main arteries,” with potential reliance on electronic tolling systems to avoid traditional toll booths. The plan’s progression depends on federal authorization, which Braun suggested he would pursue under the administration of President Donald Trump.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/05/braun-signs-indiana-illinois-border-commission-gary-supplemental-pay-and-others-into-law/
Indiana Governor Mike Braun has expressed intent to seek federal approval to establish tolls on Indiana's interstate highways, including I-80/94 and I-65, as a means to fund road maintenance and infrastructure improvements. This plan stems from House Bill 1461, signed into law on May 1, 2025, which allows the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to request a federal waiver from the Federal Highway Administration to implement tolls on interstate highways. The bill, authored by State Representative Jim Pressel, removes a previous restriction that prohibited tolling within 75 miles of existing toll roads, such as the Indiana Toll Road (I-90), thereby enabling tolls on major highways across the state, including those in Northwest Indiana.
Braun has justified the need for tolling by citing declining revenue from Indiana’s 35-cents-per-gallon gasoline tax and the additional 7% sales tax on fuel, largely due to increased fuel efficiency in vehicles. According to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, tolling could generate approximately $4.2 billion in the first five years and up to $38.2 billion between 2029 and 2050, addressing an estimated $900 million annual shortfall in local transportation funding and a $2.4 billion annual need to improve roads and bridges rated as “poor” or “failed.”
The tolling plan has sparked controversy. Critics, including some lawmakers and residents, argue it imposes a financial burden on drivers, particularly in regions like Lake and Porter counties, where interstates are heavily used for daily commutes. Attempts to exempt these counties from tolling were defeated, and amendments to remove the tolling provision failed. Opponents, such as Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., have warned of political backlash, predicting it could lead to a Democratic governor in future elections. There is also uncertainty about federal approval, given recent resistance to tolling initiatives, such as U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s 2025 halt to New York’s congestion pricing program.
Braun has not detailed specific toll rates or implementation timelines, and his office has been reserved in public statements. However, he has indicated openness to tolling as a necessary measure to maintain Indiana’s “main arteries,” with potential reliance on electronic tolling systems to avoid traditional toll booths. The plan’s progression depends on federal authorization, which Braun suggested he would pursue under the administration of President Donald Trump.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/05/braun-signs-indiana-illinois-border-commission-gary-supplemental-pay-and-others-into-law/
👎5👍2
INDIANA
SOLAR PANELS (1000 acres)
VANDERBURGH COUNTY
This project will be discussed in-depth on an upcoming Colbertreport on Rumble.
Cheryl and Ken attended an “open house”, yes there was food, regarding the “Solar Farm” just a few miles from my home.
Things to know:
1) All parcels are under contract to lease for thirty years, the largest landowner is Curran and Miller Auction Company in Evansville, 2nd largest parcel is owned by the Seib Family farmers. All properties are identified in Blue.
2) Orion is an international company with its US based company in California.
3) Orion has completed projects in Indiana already, primarily in NE Indiana
4) The IEDC is involved! The subsidiary in Evansville EREP ( Evansville Regional Economic Partnership) all UNELECTED OFFICIALS, are determining the “Tax Credits” to be issued to the developer. ⚠️ WARNING. Same issue in other areas of the State. It’s the Economic Development Boards and Commissions giving away the “tax credits”.
5) Local Evansville residents will NOT receive a utility reduction benefit from the harvested energy, it will be sold and redirected to proposed “Data Centers”.
6) Orion will be selling the “investment” to Centerpoint upon completion. The project will be financed by Hoosier Taxpayers, tax credits to the investors, and financial benefit provided to the private utility. Hoosiers will not benefit from the “investment”; being used: YES!
7) The Indiana Regulatory Utility Commission, appointed by the Governor, is aware of the project and provided approval. Follow the money!
8) Colbertreport will be truthbombing the public-private partnership (money laundering) of this project. Stay tuned!
@GovBraun @braun4indiana @MicahBeckwith @LGMicahBeckwith @RealHickory @SenatorBanks @Jim_Banks @GovBraun @braun4indiana @Indy_reporter_ @indgop @Jamie4INgov @AdamsCoINGOP @Schmitz4Indiana @RobMKendall @CityofFortWayne @lcgm1951 @CherylWMusgrave @EvansvilleINGov @KColbertReport @TruthRenagade
SOLAR PANELS (1000 acres)
VANDERBURGH COUNTY
This project will be discussed in-depth on an upcoming Colbertreport on Rumble.
Cheryl and Ken attended an “open house”, yes there was food, regarding the “Solar Farm” just a few miles from my home.
Things to know:
1) All parcels are under contract to lease for thirty years, the largest landowner is Curran and Miller Auction Company in Evansville, 2nd largest parcel is owned by the Seib Family farmers. All properties are identified in Blue.
2) Orion is an international company with its US based company in California.
3) Orion has completed projects in Indiana already, primarily in NE Indiana
4) The IEDC is involved! The subsidiary in Evansville EREP ( Evansville Regional Economic Partnership) all UNELECTED OFFICIALS, are determining the “Tax Credits” to be issued to the developer. ⚠️ WARNING. Same issue in other areas of the State. It’s the Economic Development Boards and Commissions giving away the “tax credits”.
5) Local Evansville residents will NOT receive a utility reduction benefit from the harvested energy, it will be sold and redirected to proposed “Data Centers”.
6) Orion will be selling the “investment” to Centerpoint upon completion. The project will be financed by Hoosier Taxpayers, tax credits to the investors, and financial benefit provided to the private utility. Hoosiers will not benefit from the “investment”; being used: YES!
7) The Indiana Regulatory Utility Commission, appointed by the Governor, is aware of the project and provided approval. Follow the money!
8) Colbertreport will be truthbombing the public-private partnership (money laundering) of this project. Stay tuned!
@GovBraun @braun4indiana @MicahBeckwith @LGMicahBeckwith @RealHickory @SenatorBanks @Jim_Banks @GovBraun @braun4indiana @Indy_reporter_ @indgop @Jamie4INgov @AdamsCoINGOP @Schmitz4Indiana @RobMKendall @CityofFortWayne @lcgm1951 @CherylWMusgrave @EvansvilleINGov @KColbertReport @TruthRenagade
❤4
PLANTS ARE MEANT TO HEAL PEOPLE
Nesa’s Beyond Organic CBDa Hemp Extract is made with Living Hemp—a rare form of hemp that is delicately produced by using the whole plant and keeping it alive during the extraction process. This extraction method, unique to Nesa’s Hemp, sustains the plant’s natural molecular structure enriched with healthy fats, vitamins, naturally occurring CBDa, and beneficial phytonutrients – resulting in restored cellular balance, restfulness, and rejuvenation.
https://www.nesashemp.com/cbda-vs-cbd/
Nesa’s Beyond Organic CBDa Hemp Extract is made with Living Hemp—a rare form of hemp that is delicately produced by using the whole plant and keeping it alive during the extraction process. This extraction method, unique to Nesa’s Hemp, sustains the plant’s natural molecular structure enriched with healthy fats, vitamins, naturally occurring CBDa, and beneficial phytonutrients – resulting in restored cellular balance, restfulness, and rejuvenation.
https://www.nesashemp.com/cbda-vs-cbd/
Nesas Hemp
CBDa vs CBD - Nesa's Hemp
Nesa’s Hemp Extract is Living Hemp. It contains all the vital compounds found naturally in the hemp plant.
👍3
Your birth certificate is monetized. It becomes a bond, issued and sold on international markets. It’s assigned a CUSIP number, just like any stock or bond on Wall Street. It’s sent to the DTCC (Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation) and traded as a financial instrument. You, the living being, become the underwriter and surety for this new corporate entity.
And every time you sign your name, apply for a loan, pay taxes, or enter a courtroom, you are assumed to be acting as the agent of your Strawman. A representative of a dead thing. And that’s how they trap you.
Not through chains.
But through contracts.
https://x.com/isainsane1/status/1925261457781825687?s=46&t=2ialNWrWHLmSHhHYZxFa9Q
And every time you sign your name, apply for a loan, pay taxes, or enter a courtroom, you are assumed to be acting as the agent of your Strawman. A representative of a dead thing. And that’s how they trap you.
Not through chains.
But through contracts.
https://x.com/isainsane1/status/1925261457781825687?s=46&t=2ialNWrWHLmSHhHYZxFa9Q
👍4
Supreme Court issues decision on Tennessee's gender-affirming care ban for minors
The decision comes amid a range of other federal and state efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people.
Author: MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
Published: 10:31 AM EDT June 18, 2025
Updated: 10:31 AM EDT June 18, 2025
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, a stunning setback to transgender rights.
The justices' 6-3 decision in a case from Tennessee effectively protects from legal challenges many efforts by President Donald Trump's Republican administration and state governments to roll back protections for transgender people. Another 26 states have laws similar to the one in Tennessee.
The decision comes amid a range of other federal and state efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people.
Author: MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
Published: 10:31 AM EDT June 18, 2025
Updated: 10:31 AM EDT June 18, 2025
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, a stunning setback to transgender rights.
The justices' 6-3 decision in a case from Tennessee effectively protects from legal challenges many efforts by President Donald Trump's Republican administration and state governments to roll back protections for transgender people. Another 26 states have laws similar to the one in Tennessee.
AP News
U.S. Supreme Court | Latest Updates
Read the latest U.S. Supreme Court news, from cases and rulings to new nominees and confirmations. Get all of the most up-to-date coverage from AP News.
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Indiana House Bill 1461 (HB 1461) passed in the 2025 legislative session and was signed into law by Governor Mike Braun on May 1, 2025, becoming Public Law 173. The bill, primarily focused on road funding, includes several key provisions:
- Road Funding Adjustments: It modifies the state's road funding formula, allocating additional funds to urban areas like Indianapolis based on lane mileage. Starting in fiscal year 2027, Indianapolis could receive $50 million annually for secondary streets if the city matches the funds with non-transportation revenue.
https://legiscan.com/IN/bill/HB1461/2025)
https://mirrorindy.org/indiana-road-funding-bill-indianapolis-community-crossings-wheel-excise-tax/
https://www.indianahousedemocrats.org/news/moed-supports-bill-to-provide-significant-road-funding-increase-to-indy)
- Vehicle Taxes: The bill requires municipalities to adopt a wheel tax and vehicle excise tax by June 30, 2027, to remain eligible for full Community Crossings matching grants. It also "unstacks" these taxes so residents in cities with both county and city taxes pay only one.
https://dailyjournal.net/2025/03/04/indiana-bill-would-require-cities-towns-to-levy-vehicle-taxes-to-receive-community-crossings-money/)
- Tax Credits: It introduces a state income tax credit for qualified railroad and new rail infrastructure expenditures, with a cap on total credits per fiscal year.
https://legiscan.com/IN/bill/HB1461/2025)
- Tolling Authority: HB 1461 allows the Indiana Department of Transportation to request a federal waiver to toll interstate highways, such as I-80/94 and I-65, without requiring further legislative approval if the waiver is granted. This provision has sparked controversy, with some X users expressing frustration over potential tolls.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/11/indiana-toll-road-bill-amended-in-committee-but-toll-road-language-remains/
(https://x.com/C_waddell1267/status/1935707038316712348)
- Bridge Maintenance:
The bill shifts responsibility for certain bridges back to counties from municipalities.
https://dailyjournal.net/2025/03/04/indiana-bill-would-require-cities-towns-to-levy-vehicle-taxes-to-receive-community-crossings-money/)
- Speed Limit Increase: It raises the speed limit on I-465 around Indianapolis from 55 mph to 65 mph, effective July 1, 2025.
(https://x.com/wrtv/status/1914427927271186719)
The bill passed the House on February 20, 2025 (72-21), the Senate on April 15, 2025 (38-10), and the House concurred with Senate amendments on April 17, 2025 (68-17).
It was supported by a bipartisan group, including Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) as the lead author, but faced opposition over tolling and tax mandates.
(https://legiscan.com/IN/bill/HB1461/2025)
(https://fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/in/2025/bills/INB00014253/)
For the full text or further details, visit the Indiana General Assembly website at iga.in.gov.
https://legiscan.com/IN/text/HB1461/id/3054941)
- Road Funding Adjustments: It modifies the state's road funding formula, allocating additional funds to urban areas like Indianapolis based on lane mileage. Starting in fiscal year 2027, Indianapolis could receive $50 million annually for secondary streets if the city matches the funds with non-transportation revenue.
https://legiscan.com/IN/bill/HB1461/2025)
https://mirrorindy.org/indiana-road-funding-bill-indianapolis-community-crossings-wheel-excise-tax/
https://www.indianahousedemocrats.org/news/moed-supports-bill-to-provide-significant-road-funding-increase-to-indy)
- Vehicle Taxes: The bill requires municipalities to adopt a wheel tax and vehicle excise tax by June 30, 2027, to remain eligible for full Community Crossings matching grants. It also "unstacks" these taxes so residents in cities with both county and city taxes pay only one.
https://dailyjournal.net/2025/03/04/indiana-bill-would-require-cities-towns-to-levy-vehicle-taxes-to-receive-community-crossings-money/)
- Tax Credits: It introduces a state income tax credit for qualified railroad and new rail infrastructure expenditures, with a cap on total credits per fiscal year.
https://legiscan.com/IN/bill/HB1461/2025)
- Tolling Authority: HB 1461 allows the Indiana Department of Transportation to request a federal waiver to toll interstate highways, such as I-80/94 and I-65, without requiring further legislative approval if the waiver is granted. This provision has sparked controversy, with some X users expressing frustration over potential tolls.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/11/indiana-toll-road-bill-amended-in-committee-but-toll-road-language-remains/
(https://x.com/C_waddell1267/status/1935707038316712348)
- Bridge Maintenance:
The bill shifts responsibility for certain bridges back to counties from municipalities.
https://dailyjournal.net/2025/03/04/indiana-bill-would-require-cities-towns-to-levy-vehicle-taxes-to-receive-community-crossings-money/)
- Speed Limit Increase: It raises the speed limit on I-465 around Indianapolis from 55 mph to 65 mph, effective July 1, 2025.
(https://x.com/wrtv/status/1914427927271186719)
The bill passed the House on February 20, 2025 (72-21), the Senate on April 15, 2025 (38-10), and the House concurred with Senate amendments on April 17, 2025 (68-17).
It was supported by a bipartisan group, including Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) as the lead author, but faced opposition over tolling and tax mandates.
(https://legiscan.com/IN/bill/HB1461/2025)
(https://fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/in/2025/bills/INB00014253/)
For the full text or further details, visit the Indiana General Assembly website at iga.in.gov.
https://legiscan.com/IN/text/HB1461/id/3054941)
LegiScan
Indiana HB1461 | 2025 | Regular Session
Summary (2025-05-01) Road funding. [Public Law 173]
❤6
Mayor Joe Hogsett, the Indianapolis Foundation, and the Indianapolis City-County Council announced the sixth round of recipients for the Elevation Grant Program. In all, 51 grants totaling more than $9 million will be distributed to Indianapolis organizations. The funding supports local, grassroots nonprofits working to address root causes of violent crime and comes as part of Mayor Hogsett’s three-year, $150 million comprehensive violence reduction strategy.
“When we listen to our neighbors and empower them to make the changes they want to see in their own neighborhoods, our whole community moves forward,” said Mayor Hogsett. “The Elevation Grant Program allows organizations in our city to expand and enhance the good work that is making Indianapolis a better, safer place for all.”
The Elevation Grant Program is a partnership between the City of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Foundation. Through six rounds of funding granted over three years, the program is investing $45 million in Indianapolis neighborhoods to address the root causes of violent crime through a comprehensive approach, including neighborhood empowerment and community building.
“The Indianapolis Foundation is proud to administer the Elevation Grant Program, which has provided funding to organizations working day in and day out to reduce gun violence in Indianapolis,” said Lorenzo Esters, president, Indianapolis Foundation. “We believe community action is best when led by the people who live in the community. Through the Elevation Grant, we have supported the expansion, reach, and impact of community organizations working to reduce gun violence.”
Round six grants focused on organizations providing direct services to priority populations with immediate intentionality around violence reduction using evidence-based programming that elevates the assets, aspirations, and hopes of neighborhoods impacted by violence, and improves their overall safety. With round six being the final round to include federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in addition to City budget funds, additional consideration was given to organizations that had developed sustainability plans, demonstrated strong past performance, and displayed effective program design as well as collaborative approaches to providing services.
Evansville is following the same path of utilizing “grants” to squander valuable taxpayer funds for self enrichment of the organizers; it’s their source of income. The next local money laundering scheme is “affordable housing”. A series of future posts will expose those responsible.
https://www.cicf.org/2024/10/07/mayor-joe-hogsett-and-the-indianapolis-foundation-announce-round-six-elevation-grant-recipients/
“When we listen to our neighbors and empower them to make the changes they want to see in their own neighborhoods, our whole community moves forward,” said Mayor Hogsett. “The Elevation Grant Program allows organizations in our city to expand and enhance the good work that is making Indianapolis a better, safer place for all.”
The Elevation Grant Program is a partnership between the City of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Foundation. Through six rounds of funding granted over three years, the program is investing $45 million in Indianapolis neighborhoods to address the root causes of violent crime through a comprehensive approach, including neighborhood empowerment and community building.
“The Indianapolis Foundation is proud to administer the Elevation Grant Program, which has provided funding to organizations working day in and day out to reduce gun violence in Indianapolis,” said Lorenzo Esters, president, Indianapolis Foundation. “We believe community action is best when led by the people who live in the community. Through the Elevation Grant, we have supported the expansion, reach, and impact of community organizations working to reduce gun violence.”
Round six grants focused on organizations providing direct services to priority populations with immediate intentionality around violence reduction using evidence-based programming that elevates the assets, aspirations, and hopes of neighborhoods impacted by violence, and improves their overall safety. With round six being the final round to include federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in addition to City budget funds, additional consideration was given to organizations that had developed sustainability plans, demonstrated strong past performance, and displayed effective program design as well as collaborative approaches to providing services.
Evansville is following the same path of utilizing “grants” to squander valuable taxpayer funds for self enrichment of the organizers; it’s their source of income. The next local money laundering scheme is “affordable housing”. A series of future posts will expose those responsible.
https://www.cicf.org/2024/10/07/mayor-joe-hogsett-and-the-indianapolis-foundation-announce-round-six-elevation-grant-recipients/
🤔2🙏1
Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations will be eliminating its entire statewide team of reporters and editors at the end of the year after the Indiana General Assembly defunded the organization.
“This is an incredibly difficult decision, but with the loss of state funding, individual stations have to make some very difficult decisions to address funding shortfalls and are focused on sustaining services to their local communities,” said Mark Newman, the executive director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, Inc.
IPBS is a non-profit consortium of 17 public radio and television stations established in 1979. IPBS and its member stations are partners on education initiatives, civic affairs programming and public safety projects.
Indiana lawmakers in April cut the program’s $3.675 million annual funding after a lower-than-expected revenue forecast. Other programs were trimmed, but IPBS lost its entire line item.
Shortly after, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that cut all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides funding to the Public Broadcasting Service, National Public Radio and member stations, alleging “bias” in the organizations’ reporting.
Outside of public dollars, stations largely rely on donations and grants.
IPBS posted a statement Tuesdaywith few details.
“Amid the loss of state funding and the threat of potential federal funding cuts, the Indiana’s public broadcasting stations have proposed strategic changes and reductions for the IPB News statewide reporting collaboration,” the post said.
According to IPBS, its 17 member stations serve 95% of Hoosiers, delivering critical public safety information at no charge to Indiana residents. Such local broadcasting was crucial during flooding in North Carolina when residents didn’t have access to power, with hosts using their stations to connect residents to resources.
“The state funding cuts are being felt for real. This is the impact on public services that Hoosiers depend on and care about. It’s a quality of life matter and a necessity of life matter. That’s the hand we’ve been dealt,” Newman told the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
He said the organization’s focus will be to maintain their “core services,” or local content in Indiana communities.
“This is a transformative time. This is an opportunity to figure out a way to do this better, more effectively and with more impact. Focusing on how our stations operate and what we do. We intend to be here the next fifty years,” Newman said.
“Individual stations will continue to collaborate on statewide reporting relying on the deep community knowledge and on-the-ground work of local reporters who live in, listen to, and report for their own communities. This proposed approach and reorganization to the IPB News statewide reporting collaboration is an immediate consequence of state funding cuts. Specifics of the plan will be released in the near future,” the post concluded.
Indiana Public Broadcasting has an eight-person statewide team that includes education, labor, health, Statehouse and energy and environment editors and reporters.
Some recent stories include: a feature on the Indiana Court of Appeals’ program taking arguments on the road; Gov. Mike Braun celebrating improved coordination to enforce anti-abortion laws; reaction to Indiana University degree cuts; detailing a Medicaid beneficiary panel; sharing results from a youth tobacco study; and highlighting a citizenship ceremony.
Brandon Smith has covered the Statehouse for more than a decade and co-hosts Indiana Week in Review on WFYI. Other impacted reporters include: health reporter Abigail Ruhman; energy and environmental reporter Rebecca Thiele; digital editor Lauren Chapman; and labor and employment reporter Timoria Cunningham.
“This is an incredibly difficult decision, but with the loss of state funding, individual stations have to make some very difficult decisions to address funding shortfalls and are focused on sustaining services to their local communities,” said Mark Newman, the executive director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, Inc.
IPBS is a non-profit consortium of 17 public radio and television stations established in 1979. IPBS and its member stations are partners on education initiatives, civic affairs programming and public safety projects.
Indiana lawmakers in April cut the program’s $3.675 million annual funding after a lower-than-expected revenue forecast. Other programs were trimmed, but IPBS lost its entire line item.
Shortly after, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that cut all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides funding to the Public Broadcasting Service, National Public Radio and member stations, alleging “bias” in the organizations’ reporting.
Outside of public dollars, stations largely rely on donations and grants.
IPBS posted a statement Tuesdaywith few details.
“Amid the loss of state funding and the threat of potential federal funding cuts, the Indiana’s public broadcasting stations have proposed strategic changes and reductions for the IPB News statewide reporting collaboration,” the post said.
According to IPBS, its 17 member stations serve 95% of Hoosiers, delivering critical public safety information at no charge to Indiana residents. Such local broadcasting was crucial during flooding in North Carolina when residents didn’t have access to power, with hosts using their stations to connect residents to resources.
“The state funding cuts are being felt for real. This is the impact on public services that Hoosiers depend on and care about. It’s a quality of life matter and a necessity of life matter. That’s the hand we’ve been dealt,” Newman told the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
He said the organization’s focus will be to maintain their “core services,” or local content in Indiana communities.
“This is a transformative time. This is an opportunity to figure out a way to do this better, more effectively and with more impact. Focusing on how our stations operate and what we do. We intend to be here the next fifty years,” Newman said.
“Individual stations will continue to collaborate on statewide reporting relying on the deep community knowledge and on-the-ground work of local reporters who live in, listen to, and report for their own communities. This proposed approach and reorganization to the IPB News statewide reporting collaboration is an immediate consequence of state funding cuts. Specifics of the plan will be released in the near future,” the post concluded.
Indiana Public Broadcasting has an eight-person statewide team that includes education, labor, health, Statehouse and energy and environment editors and reporters.
Some recent stories include: a feature on the Indiana Court of Appeals’ program taking arguments on the road; Gov. Mike Braun celebrating improved coordination to enforce anti-abortion laws; reaction to Indiana University degree cuts; detailing a Medicaid beneficiary panel; sharing results from a youth tobacco study; and highlighting a citizenship ceremony.
Brandon Smith has covered the Statehouse for more than a decade and co-hosts Indiana Week in Review on WFYI. Other impacted reporters include: health reporter Abigail Ruhman; energy and environmental reporter Rebecca Thiele; digital editor Lauren Chapman; and labor and employment reporter Timoria Cunningham.
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INDIANA - EVANSVILLE
The images of the portable data centers were forwarded by an anon. It’s a local employer that has/is utilizing the TPS workers and now storing these portable data centers in the employee parking lot.
The drivers of the trucks like to talk! There are 65 modular data centers arriving from Texas, each weighing 73,000 pounds. The Evansville employer is storing the data centers and will be shipped out to other destinations across the country.
What Is a Modular Data Center?
Modular data centers exist as part of a container, such as a trailer, or a freight or shipping box, so that they can be transported with ease and deployed quickly.
“It's like a shrink-wrap of all components that you might need, with some preconfigurations,” says Naveen Chhabra, principal analyst at Forrester.
As for use cases, Eaton’s SmartRack modular data centers could make it easier for governments to adopt edge computing, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Amazon Web Services modular data centers came about when companies needed to transfer data through network pipes in a short amount of time.
A state or local agency could deploy a modular data center quickly, prebuilt and preracked, For a dire situation, such as response to a natural disaster, it’s important for the modular data centers to be preplanned.
Several companies specialize in producing portable data center systems, often housed in trailers or modular containers for rapid deployment, disaster recovery, edge computing, or temporary IT needs.
1. Expandable Trailers
- Denoscription: Offers mobile data center trailers designed for secure, portable IT infrastructure. These trailers support disaster recovery, remote work sites, and temporary data storage with features like advanced climate control, high-power electrical systems, secure locking mechanisms, and optional surveillance. They emphasize eco-friendly designs with optimized ventilation and energy-efficient hardware.
2. CANCOM Physical Infrastructure
- Denoscription: Produces the ECO2BOX and AIO BOX, containerized data centers built in ISO shipping containers. These units include UPS, air conditioning, fire protection, and modular racks on rails for maintenance. They are designed for global transport (ship, plane, train, truck) and can operate in extreme climates.
3. Delta Power Solutions
- Denoscription: Provides containerized data center solutions tailored for edge computing and IoT applications. Their designs emphasize fast deployment (weeks to months), modular power and cooling systems, and high system integration for reliability.
4. BMarko Structures
- Denoscription: A leading manufacturer of modular data centers using steel for durability. Their portable data centers include cooling technologies (e.g., evaporative cooling), security features (lighting, fencing, surveillance), and fire suppression systems. They focus on rapid deployment and cost-effective construction.
5. Kentucky Trailer
- Denoscription: Designs and manufactures custom mobile data centers in trailers, trucks, containers, or modular buildings. Their solutions are tailored to specific client needs, offering full-capability data centers on mobile platforms.
6. Vertiv Group Corporation
- Denoscription: Offers prefabricated modular data centers (integrated modular solutions) with power, thermal management, and IT infrastructure components. Their solutions include UPS systems, power distribution units, racks, and advanced cooling (liquid cooling, in-row cooling).
7. Power Systems & Controls (PS&C)
8. E3 NV, LLC
- Denoscription: Builds mobile data centers with integrated UPS, generators, HVAC, and two-phase immersion cooling (2-PIC) for high efficiency. Their trailers are designed for telecom and disaster recovery, offering all-in-one solutions for rapid deployment.
The images of the portable data centers were forwarded by an anon. It’s a local employer that has/is utilizing the TPS workers and now storing these portable data centers in the employee parking lot.
The drivers of the trucks like to talk! There are 65 modular data centers arriving from Texas, each weighing 73,000 pounds. The Evansville employer is storing the data centers and will be shipped out to other destinations across the country.
What Is a Modular Data Center?
Modular data centers exist as part of a container, such as a trailer, or a freight or shipping box, so that they can be transported with ease and deployed quickly.
“It's like a shrink-wrap of all components that you might need, with some preconfigurations,” says Naveen Chhabra, principal analyst at Forrester.
As for use cases, Eaton’s SmartRack modular data centers could make it easier for governments to adopt edge computing, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Amazon Web Services modular data centers came about when companies needed to transfer data through network pipes in a short amount of time.
A state or local agency could deploy a modular data center quickly, prebuilt and preracked, For a dire situation, such as response to a natural disaster, it’s important for the modular data centers to be preplanned.
Several companies specialize in producing portable data center systems, often housed in trailers or modular containers for rapid deployment, disaster recovery, edge computing, or temporary IT needs.
1. Expandable Trailers
- Denoscription: Offers mobile data center trailers designed for secure, portable IT infrastructure. These trailers support disaster recovery, remote work sites, and temporary data storage with features like advanced climate control, high-power electrical systems, secure locking mechanisms, and optional surveillance. They emphasize eco-friendly designs with optimized ventilation and energy-efficient hardware.
2. CANCOM Physical Infrastructure
- Denoscription: Produces the ECO2BOX and AIO BOX, containerized data centers built in ISO shipping containers. These units include UPS, air conditioning, fire protection, and modular racks on rails for maintenance. They are designed for global transport (ship, plane, train, truck) and can operate in extreme climates.
3. Delta Power Solutions
- Denoscription: Provides containerized data center solutions tailored for edge computing and IoT applications. Their designs emphasize fast deployment (weeks to months), modular power and cooling systems, and high system integration for reliability.
4. BMarko Structures
- Denoscription: A leading manufacturer of modular data centers using steel for durability. Their portable data centers include cooling technologies (e.g., evaporative cooling), security features (lighting, fencing, surveillance), and fire suppression systems. They focus on rapid deployment and cost-effective construction.
5. Kentucky Trailer
- Denoscription: Designs and manufactures custom mobile data centers in trailers, trucks, containers, or modular buildings. Their solutions are tailored to specific client needs, offering full-capability data centers on mobile platforms.
6. Vertiv Group Corporation
- Denoscription: Offers prefabricated modular data centers (integrated modular solutions) with power, thermal management, and IT infrastructure components. Their solutions include UPS systems, power distribution units, racks, and advanced cooling (liquid cooling, in-row cooling).
7. Power Systems & Controls (PS&C)
8. E3 NV, LLC
- Denoscription: Builds mobile data centers with integrated UPS, generators, HVAC, and two-phase immersion cooling (2-PIC) for high efficiency. Their trailers are designed for telecom and disaster recovery, offering all-in-one solutions for rapid deployment.
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MONEY LAUNDERING
Indiana has poured almost $1 billion into a contentious technology park with few tenants and a mystery budget, reporters with the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism and the Indiana Capital Chronicle have found.
The Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Research and Innovation District, led by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC), is among the costliest economic development projects Indiana has attempted.
But the agency’s quasi-private structure obscures its spending and who benefits. And it’s withholding the project’s budget from public disclosure.
Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism staff Max Reich, Marissa Meador, Mia Hilkowitz, Alaska Jones, Libby Erlenbaugh and Zoe Benson co-wrote this special report.
Throughout a six-month investigation, reporters tallied spending on land, water and more — accounting for $985.1 million. They reviewed business contracts across multiple agencies, environmental reports, property data and responses to public records requests, in addition to speaking with public officials.
The IEDC said it has received $693.9 million in state-appropriated money for LEAP since 2022. Of that figure, $574.1 million has already been spent, $41.1 million is dedicated to land under contract and $78.7 million remains in the coffers for additional property and infrastructure. The agency’s figure doesn’t include LEAP-related spending by other state departments.
Outcry from concerned residents, elected officials and environmental groups has shadowed LEAP since it went public nearly three years ago.
Now, campaigns to toughen water regulations are gaining momentum within the Indiana General Assembly even as proposals to increase oversight of IEDC teeter. And lawmakers on opposite sides of the aisle describe different levels of access to information about the agency’s activities.
“Communication comes from relationships, from trust, (when) both parties know that you’re willing to work with one another, even if you don’t agree all the time. … And passing a bill doesn’t really make that happen,” Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, said of IEDC. “So, … whether there’s more legislation on this or not, we’ll continue to try and make sure that communication is really good.”
But Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, wants more.
“We don’t have a mechanism for the Legislature to conduct any oversight,” he said. “… We know what the schools are doing; we know what the National Guard is doing. We know what the Department of Transportation is doing, but we don’t know what IEDC is doing.”
FULL ARTICLE 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
https://www.therepublic.com/2025/02/24/leap-spending-nears-1b-with-projected-budget-shielded-investigation-finds/
Indiana has poured almost $1 billion into a contentious technology park with few tenants and a mystery budget, reporters with the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism and the Indiana Capital Chronicle have found.
The Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Research and Innovation District, led by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC), is among the costliest economic development projects Indiana has attempted.
But the agency’s quasi-private structure obscures its spending and who benefits. And it’s withholding the project’s budget from public disclosure.
Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism staff Max Reich, Marissa Meador, Mia Hilkowitz, Alaska Jones, Libby Erlenbaugh and Zoe Benson co-wrote this special report.
Throughout a six-month investigation, reporters tallied spending on land, water and more — accounting for $985.1 million. They reviewed business contracts across multiple agencies, environmental reports, property data and responses to public records requests, in addition to speaking with public officials.
The IEDC said it has received $693.9 million in state-appropriated money for LEAP since 2022. Of that figure, $574.1 million has already been spent, $41.1 million is dedicated to land under contract and $78.7 million remains in the coffers for additional property and infrastructure. The agency’s figure doesn’t include LEAP-related spending by other state departments.
Outcry from concerned residents, elected officials and environmental groups has shadowed LEAP since it went public nearly three years ago.
Now, campaigns to toughen water regulations are gaining momentum within the Indiana General Assembly even as proposals to increase oversight of IEDC teeter. And lawmakers on opposite sides of the aisle describe different levels of access to information about the agency’s activities.
“Communication comes from relationships, from trust, (when) both parties know that you’re willing to work with one another, even if you don’t agree all the time. … And passing a bill doesn’t really make that happen,” Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, said of IEDC. “So, … whether there’s more legislation on this or not, we’ll continue to try and make sure that communication is really good.”
But Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, wants more.
“We don’t have a mechanism for the Legislature to conduct any oversight,” he said. “… We know what the schools are doing; we know what the National Guard is doing. We know what the Department of Transportation is doing, but we don’t know what IEDC is doing.”
FULL ARTICLE 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
https://www.therepublic.com/2025/02/24/leap-spending-nears-1b-with-projected-budget-shielded-investigation-finds/
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Indiana’s Camp Atterbury will be used to detain immigrant detainees under a new federal plan revealed this week by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth outlined the plan in a July 15 letter to Congressional members, naming Camp Atterbury and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey as two sites available “for temporary use by the Department of Homeland Security to house illegal aliens.” The letter was first published late Thursday by NJ Spotlight News.
The defense secretary additionally noted that holding detainees at the bases “will not negatively affect military training, operations, readiness, or other military requirements, including National Guard and Reserve readiness.”
The letter confirmed the Trump administration’s plans to utilize military bases amid a capacity crisis in federal immigration facilities. Federal officials have cited overcrowding in Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities as the reason for seeking additional space.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle reported in May that Camp Atterbury had been floated as a possible location under consideration, but federal officials declined to confirm it at the time.
It remains unclear when detainees might begin arriving at the Indiana facility or how many individuals could be housed there. Camp Atterbury, located about 40 miles south of Indianapolis, is a federally owned facility that is licensed to and operated by the Indiana National Guard.
The base provides full logistical and training support for up to two brigade-sized elements simultaneously on more than 34,000 acres, according to the guard website.
The Indiana National Guard did not immediately respond to the Capital Chronicle’s request for comment.
Democrat U.S. Rep. André Carson demanded answers from federal officials in June about the potential use of the base for detentions. He said the use of Camp Atterbury for immigration purposes raises “serious questions” and flagged concerns about legal rights, humane treatment and national security.
DHS had not responded publicly to the letter as of Friday.
ICE detainees are typically held pending immigration court proceedings or deportation. Advocates have raised concerns over conditions in detention centers and the prolonged nature of some detentions.
Critics of the Trump administration’s policy warn, too, that prolonged detention could violate civil liberties and strain local infrastructure.
“This kind of mass detention always results in significant rights abuses for the people being detained,” said Chris Daley, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. “The ACLU of Indiana is very concerned about the dignity and safety of the hundreds of our hard working neighbors who are likely to be held at Camp Atterbury if this poorly conceived plan goes forward as described.”
Camp Atterbury has previously been used to house Afghan evacuees and Ukrainian refugees, but not immigration detainees held under enforcement authority.
During Operation Allies Welcome, the base accommodated over 7,000 Afghan evacuees in 82 lodging buildings across six neighborhoods, complete with dining facilities and medical centers. The infrastructure includes dorm-style housing for families and open bay barracks for individuals, all equipped with heating, air conditioning and plumbing.
Just last month, actor Gary Sinise played a concert at Camp Atterbury for the Indiana National Guard.
Hegseth outlined the plan in a July 15 letter to Congressional members, naming Camp Atterbury and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey as two sites available “for temporary use by the Department of Homeland Security to house illegal aliens.” The letter was first published late Thursday by NJ Spotlight News.
The defense secretary additionally noted that holding detainees at the bases “will not negatively affect military training, operations, readiness, or other military requirements, including National Guard and Reserve readiness.”
The letter confirmed the Trump administration’s plans to utilize military bases amid a capacity crisis in federal immigration facilities. Federal officials have cited overcrowding in Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities as the reason for seeking additional space.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle reported in May that Camp Atterbury had been floated as a possible location under consideration, but federal officials declined to confirm it at the time.
It remains unclear when detainees might begin arriving at the Indiana facility or how many individuals could be housed there. Camp Atterbury, located about 40 miles south of Indianapolis, is a federally owned facility that is licensed to and operated by the Indiana National Guard.
The base provides full logistical and training support for up to two brigade-sized elements simultaneously on more than 34,000 acres, according to the guard website.
The Indiana National Guard did not immediately respond to the Capital Chronicle’s request for comment.
Democrat U.S. Rep. André Carson demanded answers from federal officials in June about the potential use of the base for detentions. He said the use of Camp Atterbury for immigration purposes raises “serious questions” and flagged concerns about legal rights, humane treatment and national security.
DHS had not responded publicly to the letter as of Friday.
ICE detainees are typically held pending immigration court proceedings or deportation. Advocates have raised concerns over conditions in detention centers and the prolonged nature of some detentions.
Critics of the Trump administration’s policy warn, too, that prolonged detention could violate civil liberties and strain local infrastructure.
“This kind of mass detention always results in significant rights abuses for the people being detained,” said Chris Daley, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. “The ACLU of Indiana is very concerned about the dignity and safety of the hundreds of our hard working neighbors who are likely to be held at Camp Atterbury if this poorly conceived plan goes forward as described.”
Camp Atterbury has previously been used to house Afghan evacuees and Ukrainian refugees, but not immigration detainees held under enforcement authority.
During Operation Allies Welcome, the base accommodated over 7,000 Afghan evacuees in 82 lodging buildings across six neighborhoods, complete with dining facilities and medical centers. The infrastructure includes dorm-style housing for families and open bay barracks for individuals, all equipped with heating, air conditioning and plumbing.
Just last month, actor Gary Sinise played a concert at Camp Atterbury for the Indiana National Guard.
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AVON, Ind. — Federal immigration authorities made 20 arrests during a traffic blitz in Avon on Tuesday, sources tell FOX59/CBS4.
Those sources said Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) worked with the Avon Police Department to conduct several dozen traffic stops throughout the town to detain illegal immigrants.
There are no police reports from Avon police documenting the arrests and they do not appear in the Hendricks County Jail public log.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed they were part of the operation.
“We did not conduct traffic stops as the FBI is not authorized to conduct those,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “We were there to assist Avon Police and ICE/ERO with any needed federal warrants.”
After numerous attempts to obtain information, Avon Police Chief Sean Stoops sent FOX59/CBS4 a lengthy email that framed the operation differently.
He confirmed that his officers conducted a “traffic blitz” in the Avon area and made numerous stops for reasons such as traffic violations, registration violations and aggressive driving.
“During a few of these traffic stops, our police officers encountered undocumented and/or unlicensed foreign nationals,” Chief Stoops wrote. “Avon Police officers requested assistance from Immigration Customs and Enforcement agents. Agents responded to the traffic stop location and assisted with identifying the foreign nationals and conducted their own investigation into the status of those individuals.”
However, sources tell FOX 59/CBS 4 that ICE reached out to Avon police first. The agency also contacted other police departments, who declined to participate.
In his statement, Stoops said his department works with all federal law enforcement agencies and that if they request their help, his officers will assist.
Lisa Koop with the National Immigrant Justice Center said ICE uses local law enforcement agencies to circumvent the normal judicial process. Koop said agents are required to have probable cause to make a warrantless arrest.
“If they are seeking to circumvent those requirements and bypass the need to establish that they’ve gotten the administrative warrant or that they’ve established probable caused to make an arrest, then a convenient shortcut would be to lean on local police,” Koop explained. “[They can] make what may or may not be a legitimate traffic stop and if they have someone in criminal legal custody…it makes it a whole lot easier for ICE to come in and apprehend someone and initiate deportation proceedings.”
Koop argues the legality of that strategy remains an open question. She believes police still need a legitimate reason to stop someone.
“If police are only pulling over people who look like they might be immigrants in their view, then yes, it’s racial profiling,” Koop said. “Whether there’s probable cause to make any kind of arrest, criminal or immigration related, I think is called into question.”
We went back to Stoops with various questions about the relationship between Avon Police and ICE and how those traffic stops were conducted.
“There are some portions of our strategic operational planning that we do not share publicly to ensure the safety of our officers and to protect them in the future and to ensure mission success,” Stoops said. “As I stated in my previous email, we reciprocate with all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies when it comes to assisting with law enforcement operations and actions.”
Those sources said Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) worked with the Avon Police Department to conduct several dozen traffic stops throughout the town to detain illegal immigrants.
There are no police reports from Avon police documenting the arrests and they do not appear in the Hendricks County Jail public log.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed they were part of the operation.
“We did not conduct traffic stops as the FBI is not authorized to conduct those,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “We were there to assist Avon Police and ICE/ERO with any needed federal warrants.”
After numerous attempts to obtain information, Avon Police Chief Sean Stoops sent FOX59/CBS4 a lengthy email that framed the operation differently.
He confirmed that his officers conducted a “traffic blitz” in the Avon area and made numerous stops for reasons such as traffic violations, registration violations and aggressive driving.
“During a few of these traffic stops, our police officers encountered undocumented and/or unlicensed foreign nationals,” Chief Stoops wrote. “Avon Police officers requested assistance from Immigration Customs and Enforcement agents. Agents responded to the traffic stop location and assisted with identifying the foreign nationals and conducted their own investigation into the status of those individuals.”
However, sources tell FOX 59/CBS 4 that ICE reached out to Avon police first. The agency also contacted other police departments, who declined to participate.
In his statement, Stoops said his department works with all federal law enforcement agencies and that if they request their help, his officers will assist.
Lisa Koop with the National Immigrant Justice Center said ICE uses local law enforcement agencies to circumvent the normal judicial process. Koop said agents are required to have probable cause to make a warrantless arrest.
“If they are seeking to circumvent those requirements and bypass the need to establish that they’ve gotten the administrative warrant or that they’ve established probable caused to make an arrest, then a convenient shortcut would be to lean on local police,” Koop explained. “[They can] make what may or may not be a legitimate traffic stop and if they have someone in criminal legal custody…it makes it a whole lot easier for ICE to come in and apprehend someone and initiate deportation proceedings.”
Koop argues the legality of that strategy remains an open question. She believes police still need a legitimate reason to stop someone.
“If police are only pulling over people who look like they might be immigrants in their view, then yes, it’s racial profiling,” Koop said. “Whether there’s probable cause to make any kind of arrest, criminal or immigration related, I think is called into question.”
We went back to Stoops with various questions about the relationship between Avon Police and ICE and how those traffic stops were conducted.
“There are some portions of our strategic operational planning that we do not share publicly to ensure the safety of our officers and to protect them in the future and to ensure mission success,” Stoops said. “As I stated in my previous email, we reciprocate with all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies when it comes to assisting with law enforcement operations and actions.”
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