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Pharmacy software company lays off 71, including 11 at Indy HQ – Indianapolis Business Journal

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Pharmacy software company lays off 71, including 11 at Indy HQ – Indianapolis Business Journal


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Just three years ago, an Indianapolis company that sells pharmacy-automation software had huge hopes for growth here.

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Innovation Associates, which does business under the name iA, said it planned to expand its Indianapolis office from 20 to 420 by the end of 2023. Gov. Eric Holcomb and Mayor Joe Hogsett joined company executives in announcing the expansion plan.

But instead of growing, the company is now shrinking. Last week, the company quietly laid off 11 people in the Indy office and 60 people in other markets.

“Since entering the Indianapolis market, we have experienced great growth opportunities and an increase in workforce,” the company said in a statement to IBJ. “We’ve also experienced leadership changes, strategic shifts and additional external factors that affected and will continue to inform the evolution of iA. The number [of workforce growth] published in 2021 was a broad estimation given the business strategy and working environment at the time.”

The company declined to say how many people are working today at its Indianapolis office, located on the 15th floor of the 8888 Keystone Crossing building. It did provide a figure for total workforce of 537, “across multiple headquarters offices, as well as many in remote settings across the U.S.”

According to the Indiana Economic Development Corp., the company was eligible for up to $8 million in conditional tax credits if it employed 440 workers here by Dec. 31, 2023.

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But according to the IEDC’s transparency portal, the company has claimed only $236,731, suggesting that iA has hired only a fraction of its stated goal. The portal does not show the number of workers employed by any particular company.

The company declined to make a senior leader available for an interview. The company had a change in leadership last year, when CEO Marvin Richardson retired and was succeeded by Tom Utech.

In his retirement announcement, Richardson said the industry has started a movement toward automation. “While the industry has yet to fully embrace technology at rates other industries have, it is poised to do so,” he said in written remarks in November.

In a column published in January in Chain Drug Review, Utech said the industry has faced unprecedented challenges for the past three years and have stepped up to meet them. “The dedication is admirable, yet the increasing demands for prescription fulfillment have brought to light the urgent need for change, for a Movement.”

Utech, who holds a doctorate in pharmacy from Creighton School of Pharmacy and Health Profession, said the industry needs to streamline through automation, undergo a digital transformation, and embrace innovative leadership and technology.

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iA was founded in 1972 as Innovation Associates, which once designed manufacturing processes for a variety of industries, from the U.S. armed forces to personal computing, according to a profile on Utech in Creighton University’s alumni magazine.

iA sells software products to the retail, hospital, federal health care and mail-order pharmacy markets. It built its first fulfillment centers roughly a decade ago, the alumni magazine said.

“iA’s retail partners no longer fill the majority of their prescriptions on-site,” the magazine said. “The prescriptions are instead filled in a central fulfillment facility and brought to the brick-and-mortar store for the patient to pick up the following day.”

But the company did not want to discuss its business matters with IBJ, including workforce levels in Indianapolis.

“iA is declining any further comment on this matter,” the company told IBJ through an outside spokeswoman. The company did not return several phone calls to IBJ.

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Multiple Fatal Shootings Rock Indianapolis in Overnight Violence

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Multiple Fatal Shootings Rock Indianapolis in Overnight Violence


Source: KiddNation / Kidd Nation

Multiple Fatal Shootings Rock Indianapolis in Overnight Violence

INDIANAPOLIS — A series of overnight shootings across Indianapolis left at least two people dead and several others injured, capping a violent stretch that kept police and emergency crews moving from scene to scene late Saturday into early Sunday.

Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to multiple locations across the city over a span of several hours. Each call involved reports of gunfire, and in several cases, victims were found suffering from gunshot wounds when officers arrived.

On the near north side, police discovered a victim who had been shot. Medics attempted life saving measures at the scene, but the individual was pronounced dead. Authorities have not released the victim’s identity as they work to notify family members.

A second deadly shooting unfolded on the west side of the city. In that case, officers again arrived to find a victim in critical condition. The individual was transported for medical care but later died from their injuries. Investigators have not disclosed what led up to the shooting.

Beyond the two fatalities, several other people were wounded in separate incidents across Indianapolis during the same time period. Some victims were taken to area hospitals in stable condition, while others suffered more serious injuries. Police have not confirmed an exact total of those hurt, but officials described the number of incidents as significant for a single night.

Detectives believe the shootings occurred in different areas and under separate circumstances. At this stage, there is no clear indication that the incidents are connected, though investigators are continuing to examine any possible links. Crime scene technicians worked through the night collecting evidence, while detectives began interviewing witnesses and reviewing any available surveillance footage.

No arrests have been announced in connection with the shootings. Police are asking anyone with information to contact authorities, stressing that tips from the public can play a critical role in identifying those responsible.

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The wave of violence comes as Indianapolis continues to confront ongoing concerns about gun violence, particularly during weekend hours when multiple incidents often occur within a short period of time. City leaders and community leaders have repeatedly emphasized the need for conflict resolution, responsible gun ownership, and stronger community engagement to help reduce these incidents.

As the investigations continue, families are left mourning loved ones while police work to determine what sparked the deadly encounters and who may be responsible.



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A Fan’s Guide to the Indianapolis Colts’ 2026 Offseason Calendar

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A Fan’s Guide to the Indianapolis Colts’ 2026 Offseason Calendar


The Indianapolis Colts began Phase 1 of their offseason schedule with voluntary work on April 21st, right in the thick of draft week. This period focuses on meetings, strength training, and rehabilitation before the team ramps up its workload for the rest of the summer.

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Veterans quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. and cornerback Kenny Moore II have been away from the team as they remain on the trade block.

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While work thus far has not been open to the media, there will be plenty of opportunity moving forward to get a closer look at the younger, faster Colts.

Here’s a look at the key dates Colts faithful will want to circle on their calendars, along with the media’s scheduled access dates (subject to change at the team’s discretion).

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Rookie Minicamp: May 8-9

The 2026 Colts’ draftees get their on-field debut in their team-issued apparel as they take the field alongside undrafted free agents and prospects invited to participate for a try-out.

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Most notably, it’ll be interesting to see where the Colts’ first two draft selections — defenders CJ Allen and A.J. Haulcy — are being used in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme.

This two-day glorified oreientation of sorts will feature far less team-based activities than it will individual drills and general acclimation to the pros, but it’s still a worthy introduction nonetheless.

This padless, non-contact minicamp is meant to familiarize the amatuers more than it’s meant to baptize them by fire, and head coach Shane Steichen will be sure to deliver that message.

OTA Offseason Workouts: May 26-27, May 29, June 1-2, June 4

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Colts Trent Pennix(36), Evan Hull (26) and Adonai Mitchell (10) team up for the next drils during Indianapolis Colts minicamp practice Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. | Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

This is the third and final phase of the offseason program, the first portion of the offseason where the offense and defense can come together for some 11-on-11 work.

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With quarterback Daniel Jones, wide receiver Alec Pierce, and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner all set to be sidelined until at least training camp as they rehab their respective injuries, their presence will be greatly missed as far as teambuilding goes. On the flip side, at least those Colts below them on the depth chart will get some valuable run in their time away.

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The on-field work will still be a non-contact simulation, though this is the first time when the veterans and the rookies will come together for practice. These workouts are still voluntary for the vets; it won’t truly be a first full look at the projected 2026 roster together, but that comes not too long after OTAs conclude.

Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11

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Offensive tackles, guards, centers and others run drills during Indianapolis Colts minicamp practice Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. | Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

This will be the biggest offseason event yet, as it will be the closest we get to a real Colts practice. Unlike OTAs, which are voluntary, this minicamp requires that all members of the team be in attendance.

These sessions are more or less like the beginning of the training camp cycle, a period that features a similar practice regimen while still being padless and non-contact.

This will give us a closer look at how rookies are adjusting to the next level after being a month in, as well as provide a sneak peek as to which on-field chemistries are brewing.

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Runners are revving their engines for chilly 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

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Runners are revving their engines for chilly 500 Festival Mini-Marathon


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The month of May begins with “the greatest spectacle in running.”

Runners from all over gear up for the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, with the first race starting at 7:35 a.m. Saturday.

At the Indiana Convention Center on Friday, participants were prepping. They picked out shoes and running gear, and checked out the course map. Organizers estimated over 20,000 runners for the big race day. There’s the 5K run and, of course, the half-marathon that runs through Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This year marks the 50th annual Mini-Marathon. Organizer Linday Labas of the 500 Festival said, “We have five Indy alumni who have done this race all 50 years, so they just keep coming back. They like the other part of the month of May, celebrating and tackling it. I know it looks different now than it was 50 years ago, but they keep coming back, because they love the celebration around Indy Mini.”

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Cecilio Martinez has marathon tattoos for all the times he’s run. He ran the Chicago, Berlin, Honolulu and New York City marathons. But, he only has one half-marathon inked on his calf, and that’s Indy’s Mini-Marathon with the 50th anniversary medal. He said this isn’t the first time he’s run the Indy Mini. “I like the course. I like the people. I love Indy Mini.”

Runner Karina McDougle said, “Unlike 2025, the race is going to be chilly with temperatures as low as 39 degrees. “Honestly, because I’ve been running in so much cold weather, I’m pretty used to that, and I would prefer that. I do overheat a lot. It’s great for me, I’m looking for a cool day.”

There are also lots of first-timers running the half-marathon, including Wabash Middle-High School wrestler James Day. “We’re just excited about the experience. They actually talked me into it. I didn’t want to do it originally. I ran one day this week. We’ll see how this goes. I just came back from a wrestling season, though, so I should be in a decent shape.”

At the end of the 13.1 miles, runners will receive a golden medal to mark their accomplishment.

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