Indiana
New Indiana Democratic Party chair says opportunities for expansion exist
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The new chair of the Indiana Democratic Party said it’s possible to unify the party’s base while still appealing to new voters.
Former state Sen. Karen Tallian was elected party chair on March 15. In an interview with News 8 for All INdiana Politics, she said the party’s base has splintered and it’s time to bring everyone back together. Moreover, she said Democrats need to prioritize voter turnout, particularly among their own base. Even as this happens, she said she sees an opportunity to peel off voters exasperated with the direction the Republican Party has taken.
“I really believe that a lot of what’s going on right now has become so disruptive, so awful on so many different levels, that we will get to bring people back,” she said. “This is our opportunity to say, look, we are the party of working people and rational programs.”
Democrats have not won any statewide election since 2012 and have not won the governor’s race since 2000. To reverse that, Tallian said the party needs to bring people back to the table.
She said political attitudes ebb and flow over time and she expects voters will tire of Trump-style conservatism, particularly if it leads to gutting programs and services ranging from Social Security to national parks.
Tallian said the party should work to peel off disaffected Trump voters, such as some of those within organized labor. Some within the labor community have told Tallian they’re willing to come back to the Democratic camp.
“I think we can do this. I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t believe the Democratic party could not do this,” she said.
The Indiana Democratic Party has been rocked in recent months by sexual harassment scandals involving two Indianapolis Democrats.
In July and August, three former staffers accused Thomas Cook, former chief of staff and chief deputy mayor under Mayor Joe Hogsett, of making unwanted sexual advances. Then, in November, a total of six former staffers accused then-Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor of sexual harassment. Senate Democrats initially reelected Taylor to his post but later ousted him from leadership.
Tallian said the party as an organization can censure accused harassers if necessary but can do little otherwise because elected officials are responsible to voters and their caucuses, not the party organization itself. She said it’s up to the General Assembly to discipline any member accused of misconduct. As for party staff, Tallian said the Indiana Democratic Party recently updated its sexual harassment prevention policy and has a robust system in place.
All INdiana Politics airs at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on WISH-TV.
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — It’s fair season and a new law uncorks adult beverage sales!
The new Indiana law will go into effect July 1st, making it legal to sell alcohol at county fairs.
The Kosciusko County Fair is set to kick off in just a few weeks and Indiana is officially allowing alcohol to be sold.
The law is bringing back something that’s not necessarily new to this fair.
Here’s what you need to know
The new law will go into effect on July 1st. It officially allows county fairs to apply for fee-free permits to sell alcohol.
Officials with the Kosciusko County Fair say they are participating this year. They are implementing the same guidelines they used when they sold alcohol just at grandstand events.
The difference now is, you can walk around the grounds with your drink. But strict guidelines will be in place for purchasing a drink.
“Actually, we’ve never had any issues. Because we card everybody, so we take that seriously. We also got the ID guides so we can identify the different types of IDs,” said Sheal Dirck, Treasurer of Kosciusko County Fair.
The Kosciusko County Fair already have guidelines in place, so this was an easy transition for the fair.
They will be the only vendors selling alcohol, which will make it easier to control distribution.
The sales will also bring in more revenue.
“Hopefully it allows to keep our ticket prices where they are because right now, insurance, utilities and everything else is going sky high and it’s hard to make ends meet,” said Dirck.
However, some fairs cannot participate because of the July 1st start date, like the Pulaski County Fair, which is going on right now. Pulaski County officials said it is on the agenda for next year. Whereas other fairs are choosing to sit this year out.
“We wanted not spend some time to, to see what that really means for us. It was not a decision we wanted to rush into. But we are happy for the option of it,” said Shelly Steury, GM of Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds.
Leaders at the St. Joseph County and Elkhart County Fairs said neither of them are selling alcohol.
The Kosciusko County Fair is the only fair that will sell alcohol in our area this year.
Indiana
‘Foul play’ suspected in death investigation on Indiana-Ohio state line, Wayne County officials say
WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating the death of a person who died in the emergency department of Reid Health in Richmond.
Wayne County Coroner Brent Meadows was notified of the death Wednesday evening, according to a media release. Evidence has reportedly indicated that foul play is involved.
Officials believe the incident may have occurred in the area of the Petro Travel Center in New Paris, Ohio, just across the Indiana-Ohio state line.
The coroner’s office said the deceased person has been transported to the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio, for a forensic autopsy and identification.
The office is still working the locate and identify the victim’s family.
This remains an active investigation.
News 8’s Michaela Springer contributed to this report.
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