
By Niki Kelly | Editor-in-Chief
“This isn’t a partisan issue, it’s about standing up for the people who see the consequences of these decisions on their monthly power bill.” — Democratic Rep. Carey Hamilton
State officials can’t answer one key question as hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers prepare for new Medicaid work requirements: what counts as medically frail.
Speaking of those requirements, Medicaid enrollees from five states — including Indiana — sued the federal government Monday.
For the fourth time, the Trump administration has ordered two Indiana coal plants to remain open. The new order came after a ruling against similar action in Michigan.
Plus, check out some great stories from our colleagues in the in-case-you-missed-it section.

Sunshine Beam, director of the Division of Family Resources for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, answers questions at a town hall on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Photo by Mackenzi Klemann/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
How will Indiana define medical frailty? State is still working out the details.
By Mackenzi Klemann
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration still doesn’t know who will qualify for a medical frailty exemption from the state’s forthcoming Healthy Indiana Plan work requirements, with just three months before the requirements take effect.
Thousands of low-income Hoosiers insured through HIP, a Medicaid plan for able-bodied adults ages 19-64 who earn a bit too much for traditional Medicaid, could be subject to work requirements come January 1, 2027.

F. B. Culley Generating Station is coal-powered and located in Warrick County, along the Ohio River. (Photo by Macabe Brown/Courier & Press)
Indiana coal retirements delayed again as utilities seek to recover costs
By Casey Smith
Two Indiana coal-fired generating plants scheduled to retire last year must remain available through December under renewed Trump administration orders, prolonging a dispute over the cost of keeping the aging facilities on the grid.
The latest federal directives cover two units at NIPSCO’s R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Jasper County and one at CenterPoint Energy’s F.B. Culley Generating Station in Warrick County.
NATIONAL NEWS

Medicaid enrollees from five states and leading medical organizations filed a lawsuit Friday challenging new Medicaid work requirements. (Photo by Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Medical groups, patients sue Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements
By Nada Hassanein
Medicaid enrollees from five states and leading medical organizations filed a lawsuit Friday challenging new Medicaid work requirements.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland include Medicaid enrollees from five states — Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and North Carolina.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

(Giphy)
Thanks for reading Fast Break. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.