By Niki Kelly | Editor-in-Chief
Levi Coffin, a key figure in the Underground Railroad, was born on this date in 1798. He moved from North Carolina to Newport, Indiana in 1826. He was a Quaker, merchant, and abolitionist known as the "President of the Underground Railroad.”
State officials laid out how a key medical definition will be applied to some Hoosiers on Medicaid who believe they can’t meet new work requirements.
Key GOP leaders are sending money to Republican Max Engling while U.S. Sen. Jim Banks is helping in other ways.
Will Gov. Mike Braun demand an Indiana Election Commission meeting before Nov. 3?
Plus, streetlight safety and more.
Medicaid Chief Clinical Officer Katrina Etter speaks on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at a quarterly financial review meeting. (Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Indiana unveils medical frailty exception to upcoming HIP work requirements
By Leslie Bonilla Muñiz
State officials on Tuesday revealed how they'll apply a new federal definition for medical frailty, a key but contested exemption to fast-approaching work requirements for tens of thousands of Medicaid expansion enrollees.
The Healthy Indiana Plan served roughly 475,000 Hoosiers as of Sept. 30, according to a quarterly financial presentation from the Family and Social Services Administration, with an “expansion” population of 355,000 working-age adults who earn slightly too much for traditional Medicaid coverage.
Republican candidate Max Engling smiles Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, during a secretary of state debate against Democratic candidate Beau Bayh at Fox59/CBS4 studios in Indianapolis. (Photo by Grace Smith/IndyStar pool photo
GOP elected officials rush to support secretary of state nominee
By Niki Kelly
High-ranking Republican politicians are pouring money into Max Engling’s secretary of state candidacy as the race comes down to the wire.
U.S. Sen. Todd Young’s leadership PAC sent $50,000 to Engling for a total of $105,000.
Attorney General Todd Rokita transferred $75,000 from his campaign committee for a total of $100,000.
U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer gave $50,000 and Gov. Mike Braun earlier sent at least $500,000 from related campaign accounts.
COMMENTARY
A Mirror Indy story revealed a disinformation scheme. An unknown sender sent a message to people in the Indianapolis area March 18, 2026, criticizing IPS leadership. The message included a video edited from snippets of a recent IPS board meeting. (Photo by Jenna Watson/Mirror Indy)
We’re drowning in sketchy information. Media literacy can keep you from going under.
By Tracey Compton
News media play a big role in bridging trust with the public and providing information for people to act on. But so does everyone else. There are a number of ways you can become a more savvy news consumer, including by learning to identify misleading information and manipulation online. Media Literacy Week, Oct. 26-30, focuses our attention on this problem. Keep reading for tools to help you discern the truth and find trustworthy sources of information.
NATIONAL NEWS
Streetlights illuminate autumn foliage in a suburban Maryland neighborhood. Brighter streetlights may help reduce nighttime violence, according to a new study. (Photo by Amanda Watford/Stateline)
Brighter streetlights cut nighttime violence, but only for a while, study finds
By Amanda Watford
As days grow shorter and darkness arrives earlier across much of the country, a new study suggests that brighter streetlights may help reduce nighttime violence — at least temporarily.
Researchers found that outdoor nighttime violent crime fell by about 46% in targeted areas of Newark, New Jersey, during the first six months after aging streetlights were replaced with LED fixtures. The reductions were driven largely by declines in aggravated assaults and robberies.
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