By Niki Kelly | Editor-in-Chief
“I am the only candidate that has actually done something about the issues that we’ve seen in the office. I ran at the (Republican) convention and replaced the current secretary of state.” — Max Engling
As we get closer to Nov. 3, we are stepping up our election coverage. This week we explained a constitutional amendment on bail and covered a debate in the secretary of state’s race.
But other news is still happening, so don’t miss stories on higher education budget asks, the state surplus, new wildlife land in west central Indiana and rising water bills.
Have a great day!
Indiana voters have two constitutional questions to weigh in on this year at the ballot box. (Getty Images)
Right to bail: Amendment asks voters to rewrite pretrial detention rules
By Mackenzi Klemann
Hoosiers will vote this fall on a proposed constitutional amendment years in the making to rewrite these rules, so judges could deny bail to any defendant if the state proves they cannot be safely released.
Supporters say the amendment is needed to detain defendants who repeatedly commit violent crimes while on bail, while critics worry it jeopardizes due process rights for defendants who may spend months in jail without a conviction.
The Indiana Debate Commission hosted a debate on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, featuring, left to right, Libertarian Lauri Shillings, Republican Max Engling, Lincoln Party candidate Greg Ballard and Democrat Beau Bayh. It was moderated by University of Indianapolis political science professor Laura Merrifield Wilson. (Photo by Doug McSchooler for Indiana Debate Commission)
Sharp divides in Indiana secretary of state debate over noncitizen vote, spending audit
By Tom Davies
Republican Max Engling leaned into blocking noncitizen voting as a top priority as he and the other three Indiana secretary of state candidates debated Wednesday night.
Engling maintained that he was the only candidate firm on that issue — arguments that Democrat Beau Bayh called “ridiculous” and Lincoln Party candidate Greg Ballard labeled “ludicrous.” Libertarian Lauri Shillings described Engling’s push for tighter voter rules as unnecessary.
COMMENTARY
The bipartisan Gateway to Careers Act, which has been referred to the U.S. Senate HELP Committee, would help expand access to workforce training programs and ultimately help families make ends meet. (Getty Images)
Rising prices may be here to stay, but poverty doesn’t have to be
By Patrick Turner
For millions of Americans living in poverty, rising prices are a threat to their wellbeing and the wellbeing of our communities.
These prices often result in painful choices — like rationing groceries, skipping meals, or not sending your children to extracurricular activities. Those choices are everywhere these days, with one recent poll showing that half of all Americans are struggling to afford gas and groceries.
NATIONAL NEWS
Household water bills are increasing faster than inflation and income, according to a new analysis by the nonprofit Food and Water Watch. (Photo by Sarah Ladd/Kentucky Lantern)
Americans’ water bills are growing faster than groceries, overall inflation
By Kevin Hardy
Household water bills are increasing faster than inflation and income, according to a new analysis.
The environmental advocacy nonprofit Food and Water Watch analyzed water bill data among the nation’s 500 largest community water providers. Those systems serve a collective 155 million people — nearly half the nation’s population.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Ball State president questions timing of college performance funding push | Mackenzi Klemann
Inside Indiana’s state surplus warehouse | Mackenzi Klemann
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