By Niki Kelly | Editor-in-Chief
"We felt that we were missing out on servicing our students in our community in a way that allowed us to reach all students.” — Ralph Shrader, superintendent of MSD of Warren County schools
Indiana’s history with virtual schools include a pandemic crisis and a massive fraud scheme. But it’s growing around the state.
If you’ve been outside much this summer you know ticks are a major problem. Our national story explains.
Plus, Hoosier lawmakers are trying to protect children from social media but today’s commentary says more needs to be done.
Elizabeth Sliger, executive director of Indiana Digital Learning School and Indiana Digital Alternative School, presides over a joint commencement ceremony in Indianapolis on May 28, 2026. (Photo by Mackenzi Klemann/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Students embrace technology in Indiana's growing virtual school sector
By Mackenzi Klemann
Sabanna Yenna situates herself into a seat in the crowded Hinkle Fieldhouse, surrounded by 900 of her virtual classmates gathered in anticipation of Indiana Digital Learning School's inaugural in-person commencement ceremony.
Yenna enrolled in the virtual school, now in its 10th year, her freshman year to escape bullies in her home North White School Corp. in White County.
She is one of nearly 29,000 Hoosiers who attended virtual K-12 schools in 2025, according to an Indiana Capital Chronicle review of enrollment data through the state's Graduates Prepared to Succeed portal.
The practice continues to expand despite ongoing legislative debate over state tuition support, financial and academic oversight.
COMMENTARY
The Indiana General Assembly restricted student cellphone use in K-12 schools and tightened regulations around youth social media accounts. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Indiana takes aim at youth use of phones and social media; communities need to follow through
By Tami Silverman
In the most recent legislative session, Indiana lawmakers demonstrated a desire to take meaningful steps to address concerns about youth safety and well-being in online spaces. The proposals debated focused on strengthening parental involvement, improving age verification, and limiting features on social media platforms that can be especially addictive or manipulative.
These discussions were shaped by consistent input from parents, educators, and youth advocates, as well as alarms raised by online exploitation cases. Although the resulting actions do not yet offer a full or definitive solution, they signal the beginning of a broader statewide effort to better protect children in the digital world.
NATIONAL NEWS
A lone star tick, which is a very aggressive tick that bites humans. A circular rash sometimes follows the bite. (Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Tick bites are surging in the US this year. Here’s what to know.
By Amelia Twyman
WASHINGTON — The prime time for ticks is here in the United States, and after an especially active start to the season, experts are urging the public to stay alert and take preventive measures.
Monthly emergency department visits for tick bites in April spiked to their highest level since 2017 and continued to remain high throughout May and June, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s tick bite tracker.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
(Tenor)
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