Indiana

Indiana cases highlighted in national report on ‘pervasive’ statehouse sexual harassment problem

Published

9 months ago

March 12, 2025

Indiana cases highlighted in national report on ‘pervasive’ statehouse sexual harassment problem

A new national report on sexual harassment in U.S. state legislatures includes two lawmakers in the Indiana statehouse – Democratic state Sens. David Niezgodski and Greg Taylor – among 11 new cases nationwide revealed in 2024.

The “Abuse of Power” report, from the National Women’s Defense League, reported that the new allegations reported in 2024 in nine states including Indiana are part of at least 398 incidents of sexual harassment allegedly committed by 144 sitting state lawmakers since 2013.

The organization estimates that actual incidents are likely much higher due to underreporting by survivors, which is common in sexual harassment and assault cases.

The two Indiana cases were revealed by IndyStar reporting in 2024 and led to Taylor being removed from a legislative leadership post and the Indiana Democratic Party creating an ethics committee. Niezgodski described the matter as a private personnel matter and has said he regrets how he acted. Taylor initially apologized after allegations were revealed before categorically denying the accusations.

Emma Davidson Tribbs, director of the National Women’s Defense League, a nonpartisan group that aims to prevent harassment and protect survivors, said there needs to be more action taken and accountability in state legislatures in order to address the problem.

“Our latest research reinforces what we already knew: the problem of sexual harassment in statehouses is pervasive, damaging and covered up,” Davidson Tribbs said. “These abuses of power that not only inflict trauma, but impede policy making, waste taxpayer resources and disproportionately impact the leadership of women and minorities in government.”

The report also revealed that one in three U.S. state lawmakers in a recent survey reported experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment in their statehouse.

The extent of the problem in Indiana is unclear. IndyStar reported last year that legislative leaders are refusing to reveal the number of harassment complaints received.

“As an advocate for women in Indiana and an active participant in Hoosier political workspaces, I’m appalled by the ongoing pattern of sexual harassment and the lack of appetite to make the substantive, common sense changes necessary to fix it,” said Elise Shrock, a Democratic strategist and former Indiana Statehouse staffer, as part of the report.

The report also mentions sexual harassment allegations impacting Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s office. IndyStar reporting in 2024 revealed former Hogsett’s chief of staff Thomas Cook allegedly sexually harassed three subordinates over a decade. The mayor knew about at least one of the allegations and another case involving Cook’s relationship with a subordinate but continued to work with Cook.

Lauren Roberts, one of the people who said she was harassed by Cook, said that she’s spent more than a decade dealing with the situation, which was made worse by “negligent choices made by Mayor Hogsett, the Indiana Democratic Party, and others at the highest levels of power.” Those choices allowed Cook to prey on other women, she said.

“We need a radical shift away from the culture of abuse that exists at all levels of government and politics, and we need systems that protect survivors and hold abusers fully accountable,” Roberts said.

Though the recent reporting in Indiana has focused on allegations against Democratic officials, the national report makes clear that it’s a bipartisan problem. Between 2013 and 2024, instances of harassment are nearly equal between the Republican and Democratic parties, according to the report.

Indiana was highlighted in the 31-page report, the only state to get its own “close up” page describing the extent of the issue in the Hoosier state and its political ramifications.

“Indiana’s government workspaces, including the state legislature, were rocked by a series of sexual harassment accusations that spanned multiple levels of leadership, exposing deep cracks in accountability and ethics,” according to the report.”

Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.com. Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, curated by IndyStar political and government reporters.

Source link

Click to comment

Indiana

Sunny Sunday ahead of warming for Christmas in central Indiana

Published

2 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Sunny Sunday ahead of warming for Christmas in central Indiana

Following the 4th above average day so far this December Saturday, a cold front passed through and dropped our temperatures. However, its passage didn’t drop temperatures too dramatically!

In the picture above, the clouds in the distance are the clouds along the cold front. They are exiting our region and can be seen 70 miles away! Sunday is to be the day with normal temperatures around here! Expect readings in the upper 30s to near 40° across central Indiana. High pressure settles in giving us the widespread sunshine. Don’t get used to it because our skies will look a lot more like December this week.

While this week does come with mostly cloudy to overcast skies each day, it won’t feel like how late December should feel. A few rain chances exist for late Monday then Christmas Eve Wednesday. Otherwise, expect daily warming with Indianapolis surpassing 50° by Tuesday.

The peak of the warmth will be Christmas Day Thursday! Our forecast high for Indianapolis is 61°. Should that verify, it would be the fourth time within the last six years a top-10 warm Christmas Day would occur. 61° is just three degrees shy of the 129-year-old record high of 64°. I don’t think we’ll get there since the clouds will be around. But, 60° is attainable given the breezy southwest winds forecast.

Following Christmas, Friday looks dry but we’re seeing indications of a post-holiday front sometime next weekend. Otherwise, the polar air will stay north for 2025’s final days. I don’t think we’ll be as warm for New Year’s compared to Christmas. Nonetheless, no big cold snaps (or snow) in the near term.

Source link

Indiana

Indiana takes on Boston, aims to end 4-game skid

Published

14 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Indiana takes on Boston, aims to end 4-game skid

Indiana Pacers (6-22, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (17-11, third in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Monday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Indiana comes into the matchup against Boston after losing four straight games.

The Celtics have gone 13-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston is the leader in the Eastern Conference in team defense, allowing 110.5 points while holding opponents to 44.7% shooting.

The Pacers are 4-12 against Eastern Conference opponents. Indiana is the worst team in the NBA recording just 23.5 assists per game led by Andrew Nembhard averaging 6.4.

The Celtics average 15.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 4.1 more made shots on average than the 11.6 per game the Pacers give up. The Pacers are shooting 43.1% from the field, 1.6% lower than the 44.7% the Celtics’ opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jaylen Brown is averaging 29.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and five assists for the Celtics. Derrick White is averaging 4.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Pascal Siakam is averaging 23.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and four assists for the Pacers. Johnny Furphy is averaging 18 points over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 7-3, averaging 119.5 points, 42.9 rebounds, 23.2 assists, 8.5 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.0 points per game.

Pacers: 4-6, averaging 111.3 points, 42.5 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 7.8 steals and 6.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.2 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: Ron Harper Jr.: day to day (knee), Jayson Tatum: out (achilles), Jaylen Brown: day to day (illness).

Pacers: Obi Toppin: out (foot), Ben Sheppard: day to day (calf), Aaron Nesmith: out (knee), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Source link

Indiana

Indiana Pacers have a few trade candidates

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Indiana Pacers have a few trade candidates

The Indiana Pacers are a team to watch as a seller in the upcoming trade deadline.

Before Feb. 5, the Pacers should be expected to move at least one player and possibly more. Some members of the Indiana Pacers On SI staff pondered which player would be the likeliest to be traded.

Ethan J. Skolnick

Indiana has only two players earning more than $20 million, and one won’t be moved under any circumstances (Tyrese Haliburton) and another (Pascal Siakam) is likely staying unless Indiana is blown away. Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith seem to be parts of the future.

So the most likely candidates would seem to be Obi Tobbin (a pending free agent making $14 million) and TJ McConnell (on an extension paying him $11 million). As valuable as McConnell has been for the Pacers, he still could have value to one of this season’s contenders, so we will go with him as an option to land a future pick and younger option.

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs. | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Jeremy Brener

The Pacers are in a unique position in their gap year with Tyrese Haliburton out with a torn Achilles. The team is absolutely plummeted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, making them a seller at this year’s trade deadline. However, there’s no clear cut answer as to who they could part ways with because they are trying to contend next season.

Most of the roster is either injured or too valuable to trade at this moment in time. If there’s anyone that doesn’t fit either bill, it could be third-year forward Jarace Walker. If the team is not pleased with Walker’s progress before February, the Pacers may look to move him if there is a decent trade offer between now and then.

Tony Mejia

Indiana’s largest financial commitments are tied to injured point guard Tyrese Haliburton and versatile forward Pascal Siakam, so I wouldn’t expect too big a splash.

If the Pacers are looking to trim salary or change things up on the heels of their first Finals appearance in a quarter-century with Haliburton sidelined, the two most likely players they can move are wing Bennedict Mathurin and backup guard T.J. McConnell.

Mathurin’s rookie deal is coming to an end, while McConnell’s savvy and playoff experience could make him attractive to contenders looking to add a proven commodity who can add a spark off the bench.