Indiana
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Cut From Indiana Republicans' Proposed Budget
The program promotes childhood literacy by sending one book a month to kids from birth up to age five
Indiana Republicans have proposed cutting state funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, which provides books to young kids in an effort to promote literacy.
According to the South Bend Tribune, legislators in the Indiana House of Representatives recently proposed a biennial budget that did not include the usual 50 percent matching funds the state provides to finance the program. The other half is provided by the United Way and local community foundations. The program would be unable to bear the full cost if the state reneges its funding.
Parton’s Imagination Library serves young readers across the country, providing one book a month to kids from birth until age five. In Indiana, the program was heavily embraced and now serves every county in the state. It’s been credited with helping to push Indiana up the nationwide rankings in child literacy rates from 19th to sixth.
Just this past January, Indiana’s outgoing Republican Governor, Eric Holcomb, hailed the program in an end-of-term op-ed for the IndyStar. Noting the state’s investment in literacy education, he said, “One of these days, Dolly Parton will pay us a visit to celebrate the statewide embrace of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, another tool to help our kids read.”
It’s unclear why exactly funding for the program was cut from Republican legislators’ proposed budget. Maureen Bauer, a Democratic state representative for South Bend said the initial budget was based on the priorities of Indiana’s new Republican Governor, Mike Braun. (Braun’s office did not immediately return Rolling Stone‘s request for comment. Nor did a rep for Parton.)
“It was a disservice to remove [the funding]” Bauer told the South Bend Tribune. She did add that House Democrats would aim to put the funding back when they presented their version of the budget. The budget will then be debated and combined with the Republican’s version before going to the state Senate.
On this episode of “Week in Review,” we cover the Indiana gambling case, the Bears’ 2026 schedule release and the Bulls landing the No. 4 draft pick. We also look at Jim’s Original moving after 85 years and Chicago Fire FC’s new McDonald’s Park stadium name. Plus, Cole Kmet joins Cop on a Rooftop, a White Sox phenom goes one on one and more top stories from around Chicago.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — More than 50 Indiana law enforcement agencies are taking to the roof to help local athletes.
Police and safety officers will be stationed around various Dunkin’ Donuts, taking up donations for the Special Olympics. People who monetarily donate will receive a coupon for a free donut. Those who donate $10 or more will receive a coupon for a free medium hot coffee.
“Supporting the Special Olympics isn’t just an event for us — it’s a commitment to people who inspire us every day,” Sergeant Wes Rowlader said. “These athletes show what determination, courage, and community truly look like. Every dollar we raise helps transform that spirit into training, competition, and lifelong confidence.”
More than 20,000 Hoosier athletes train and compete for free within the Special Olympics. To date, Cop on a Rooftop has raised more than $125,000 for Special Olympics Indiana.
The Indiana State Police will be at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 9821 Lima Road in Fort Wayne from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday.
A man’s family is demanding answers after he was shot by a security guard inside a hospital emergency room waiting area on Tuesday night in Gary, Indiana.
Methodist Northlake Hospital officials said, around midnight Tuesday night, its security staff responded quickly after a patient took out a gun. The hospital said he’d threatened to shoot himself or others.
The hospital commended the security guard who shot the man for “neutralizing the threat and helping ensure the safety of our patients and employees.”
Family members identified the man who was shot as Otis Brown. They said he is a kind father to a 12-year-old boy.
“Just a great person, a happy-go-lucky, always out there trying to do the right thing,” said his fiancée, Stacey Taylor.
Taylor said she was on a business trip when she got a call that Brown had been shot multiple times.
“Scared, uncertainty; you know, what story is right? You know, what happened?” she said.
After he was shot, Brown was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment.
Taylor said she had no idea why Brown went to Methodist Northlake Hospital in the first place. His family said he was trying to leave the hospital when the shooting happened, claiming that the hospital gave him his gun back after he was cleared to leave.
“We just want to get answers, just want to know what happened, particularly when people are defaming his name,” Taylor said.
She and Brown’s family hope the hospital has surveillance video footage that can help provide answers.
Gary police have not provided any details on the shooting. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department said it is investigating the shooting at the request of Gary police, but did not provide any further information.
-
Atlanta, GA2 minutes agoDriverless Waymo cars get into traffic jam in Atlanta
-
Minneapolis, MN8 minutes agoCity’s plans for Quincy Street construction worry northeast Minneapolis artists
-
Indianapolis, IN14 minutes agoThe 1972 Indianapolis 500
-
Pittsburg, PA20 minutes agoGorillas takes down Warriors, Hillcats to advance to Saturday
-
Augusta, GA26 minutes agoVA Augusta works to rebuild trust and workforce after investigations
-
Washington, D.C32 minutes agoPSA Airlines flight from DCA evacuated after smoke seen in cabin at Kansas City airport
-
Cleveland, OH38 minutes agoJason Kipnis Reminisces on the 2016 World Series and It’s Unforgettable Moments
-
Austin, TX44 minutes agoTexas softball handles Wagner; set for matchup with Wisconsin