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Indiana State Senate District 23 candidates discuss top voter issues

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Indiana State Senate District 23 candidates discuss top voter issues


LAFAYETTE, IN — The Journal & Courier asked candidates in contested primary races to answer questions to help voters learn about them.

A complete list of Tippecanoe County candidates on the May 5 Primary Election ballot can be found online.

Indiana State Senate District 23

Incumbent State Sen. Spencer Deery faces a Republican primary challenge from Paula Copenhaver, a former Fountain County clerk and current Fountain County Republican Party chair.

Tell us about yourself.

Deery: Age: 43. Current occupation and any political experience: higher education administration, and I was elected to the state senate in 2022, the first and only office I have sought or held. City you live in: West Lafayette.

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Copenhaver: Age: 53. Current occupation and any political experience: current governmental affairs director for the lieutenant governor’s office, Covington City Council member, Fountain County Republican Party chairman, and former Fountain County clerk.

What are the three biggest issues you’re hearing from constituents in this election cycle?

Deery: Affordability, Indiana’s independence, and education

Copenhaver: Property taxes, the cost of living and protecting conservative values are the top concerns I hear from Hoosiers every day. Families are being taxed out of the homes they worked hard to buy, and the state senate has failed to deliver meaningful property tax relief. At the same time, rising prices are making it harder to afford groceries, gas and everyday essentials. Hoosiers want leaders who will cut taxes, rein in government, and stand up for conservative principles. I’m running to make Indiana more affordable and put working families first.

How do you plan to address those issues if elected?

Deery: Affordability: You can’t stop inflation from a state senate seat, but we can do our part. Increasing the housing supply, reducing property taxes, following through on recent utility reforms, pursuing health-care reform, stabilizing gas taxes, and building up our child-care infrastructure all would help.

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Indiana’s independence: Dark money groups in Washington, D.C., are trying to buy Indiana elections and to control our state. The Constitution gives sovereignty to Indiana in many areas, and we need leaders who will not be beholden to anyone other than their constituents — especially not to forces in D.C.

Education: Recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers will have the most impact. We do that by continuing to remove barriers to entry into the teaching profession, providing competitive compensation, and supporting those making a difference in the classroom.

Copenhaver: We have to get serious about cutting government spending. Wasteful spending and unfunded mandates are driving up costs for Hoosier families.

As state senator, I will fight to deliver real property tax relief, reduce the size and cost of government, and stop using taxpayer dollars to subsidize projects Hoosiers don’t support, like data centers, solar farms and carbon capture pipelines.

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Indiana law enforcement takes up donations for Special Olympics

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Indiana law enforcement takes up donations for Special Olympics


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. 

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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.



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Man shot by security guard in hospital emergency room waiting area in Gary, Indiana

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Man shot by security guard in hospital emergency room waiting area in Gary, Indiana


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.

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“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.

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“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.



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Indiana A.G. finishes Karl King Tower investigation, finalizes compliance order

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Indiana A.G. finishes Karl King Tower investigation, finalizes compliance order


The Indiana Attorney General has finished its investigation into Karl King Tower and issued a compliance order.

This is coming after a months-long investigation into the unsafe living conditions for residents at the apartments.

From December 2025 to January 2026, there were prolonged failures with the heating and a lack of heat for residents during winter conditions at Karl King.

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The property owner provided a 20% rent credit for affected tenants and documentation related to health and safety issues.

Below is the agreement from the Attorney General:

  • The owner must complete boiler and heating system improvements by September 30.
  • The property is subject to a monitoring period for multiple years.
  • The owner needs to provide on-site security, including cameras in common areas and monthly incident reports.
  • The building needs an on-site property manager to address resident concerns.
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The Attorney General has the authority to inspect the property and enforce compliance if commitments aren’t met.



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