By Niki Kelly | Editor-in-Chief
“I think increasing the loan amounts would be rocket fuel for the economy.” — U.S. Sen. Todd Young
A Trump cabinet member joined U.S. Sen. Todd Young at the Indiana State Fair, where they talked about ways to boost farming and small businesses.
We have a story about how differing priorities of the Trump and Biden administrations show up in the declining amount of federal grants coming to Indiana.
Other stories include the latest on the Chicago Bears looking at Hammond sites for their new stadium and why a top Braun administration official gets to skip a one-year cooling off period before he starts a lobbying job.
Thanks to everyone who came out for our meet and greet. It was wonderful to talk with you all — and we have some great new story ideas!
U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler and U.S. Sen. Todd Young discuss agriculture and small business issues on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Young, Loeffler pitch expanded small business lending during Indiana visit
By Casey Smith
Federal small business loan limits should be dramatically increased to help farmers and manufacturers contend with rising equipment costs, U.S. Small Business Administration chief Kelly Loeffler said Thursday during an Indiana visit with U.S. Sen. Todd Young.
Loeffler, a member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet, joined the Indiana Republican senator for a tour of an Indianapolis manufacturer before heading to the Indiana State Fair, where the pair met with farmers and participated in a discussion focused on agriculture and small businesses.
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., amid fog on Dec. 10, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
Federal grants to Indiana fell last year by more than $700M
By Leslie Bonilla Muñiz
The state of Indiana took in $733 million less from the federal government last year compared to the previous year, according to an analysis by award indexer Granted.
The grand total in the previous federal fiscal year — which ran from Oct. 1, 2024 through Sep. 30, 2025 — was $22.6 billion, down 3%.
But when Medicaid is excluded from the results, the percentage drop grows to double digits. Competitive grants to Indiana fell to $6.7 billion, down 22% from the previous $8.6 billion subtotal.
COMMENTARY
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun speaks with leaders of St. Mary’s Early Childhood Center in Indianapolis during a visit on April 30, 2026. (Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Braun is playing fast and loose with gas tax suspension
By Niki Kelly
I love saving money at the gas pump, but I fear the precedent Gov. Mike Braun is setting by ignoring state law in favor of unilateral executive power. And so should lawmakers.
His gas tax holiday could turn into a loss of eight months in road funding, all without the involvement of the legislative branch of state government.
It’s a slippery slope to just start picking and choosing the laws our elected officials follow or not. And all people should be concerned about the rule of law even if they agree with the ultimate result.
NATIONAL NEWS
Idaho Democratic state Rep. Brooke Green, her toddler Bridger Byington, and her baby Bryson Byington at the Boise River in Boise, Idaho, on Aug. 6, 2026. Opposition to the two ways that Green had her children, IVF and surrogacy, is rising. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger for Stateline)
More GOP party platforms include anti-IVF language. Is surrogacy next?
By Kelcie Moseley-Morris
Republicans in Idaho and four other states have added specific anti-IVF language to their state party platforms, and some anti-abortion groups, including Students for Life of America and Live Action, have become increasingly outspoken in their opposition to both IVF and surrogacy.
One reason is that many same-sex couples use both methods to have children, and many conservatives believe children should be raised by heterosexual married couples. Conservative critics also connect surrogacy to immigration, saying it facilitates “birth tourism” and birthright citizenship. And they note that IVF can involve the discarding of some embryos, which they say is akin to abortion.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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