Indiana
Indiana's overall child well-being scores decline in new national report • Indiana Capital Chronicle
A new state-by-state report shows Indiana’s child well-being ranking has dropped — in part due to Hoosier kids’ dismal math and reading scores, as well as increased rates of youth deaths.
Although Indiana continues to rank in the bottom half of states for its rates of teen births and children living in high-poverty or in single-parent households, those numbers are showing improvement.
The 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book ranked Indiana 27th among states, three places lower than last year. It’s still a slight improvement, however, compared to 2022 and 2021, when the state ranked 28th and 29th, respectively.
In specific categories covered in the latest report, Indiana came in 15th for economic well-being, 17th in education, 31st in family and community, and 32nd in health.
“Indiana has significant opportunities and challenges ahead in supporting the well-being of our children,” said Tami Silverman, president and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute.
“We should celebrate the progress we’ve made, especially in economic well-being areas such as parental employment rates and housing affordability; and we must acknowledge the disparities that persist for our kids,” Silverman continued. “Every child in Indiana should have access to quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances. By addressing these disparities head-on, we not only invest in the future of our children but also in the economic prosperity of our state.”
The report is prepared by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in conjunction with organizations across the county, including the Indiana Youth Institute. It rates states in 16 wide-ranging areas, which are lumped together under the categories of health, education, economic well-being, and family and community support.
Gaps in reading and math
The education portion of the latest edition — focused on student achievement — reiterates low numbers familiar to Hoosier education officials.
Just 32% of fourth graders nationally were at or above proficiency in reading in 2022, the latest year for which numbers were available. That was down from the 34% who were proficient in 2019, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scores were even worse for eighth grade math. Nationwide, only 26% of eighth graders were at or above proficiency in math two years ago, down from 33% in 2019.
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In Indiana, one-third of fourth graders performed at or above proficiency in reading — a four percentage-point decrease from the 2019 rate of 37%, the report showed.
Further, only 30% of Indiana eighth grade students performed at or above proficiency in math, marking an 11% decrease from 2019, ranking the state 11th nationally.
Among Indiana fourth graders in 2022, Black students had an average reading score that was 23 points lower than that of white students. Students eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) had an average reading score 18 points lower than those not eligible for NSLP, according to the KIDS COUNT report.
Meanwhile, eighth grade Black students in Indiana had an average math score that was 31 points lower than white students. Hispanic students in the same grade had an average math score that was 19 points lower than their white peers.
The Casey Foundation report contends that the pandemic is not the sole cause of lower test scores, though. Rather, the foundation says educators, researchers, policymakers and employers who track students’ academic readiness have been ringing alarm bells “for a long time.”
U.S. scores in reading and math have barely budged in decades. In Indiana, state education officials have repeatedly pointed out that Hoosier literacy exam scores have been on the decline since 2015.
During the 2024 legislative session, state lawmakers took decisive action as part of an ongoing push to improve literacy and K-12 student performance.
Paramount among the new laws passed was one to require reading-deficient third graders to be held back a year in school.
Stats on youth health and family life
Health-focused portions of the report show that — after peaking in 2021 — the national child and teen death rate stabilized at 30 deaths per 100,000 children and youth ages 1 to 19.
Indiana youth face mental health crises, declining school performance
But in Indiana, the death rate has continued to rise. While 29 deaths per 100,000 Hoosier children and youth were recorded in 2019, the rate increased to 36 deaths in 2022, per the report.
The Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) has already drawn attention, for example, to higher rates of mental health crises such as depression and suicidal ideation among the state’s youth. According to IYI data, one out of every three students from 7th to 12th grade reported experiencing persistent sadness and hopelessness. One out of seven students made a plan to commit suicide.
The most recent data available additionally show that nationwide and in Indiana, the child poverty rate improved and economic security of parents increased back to pre-pandemic levels.
Between 2018 and 2022, roughly 113,000 — or 7% — of Hoosier children were reportedly living in high-poverty areas. That’s a drop from 10% between 2013 and 2017, according to the report.
From 2019 to 2022, teen births per 1,000 declined from 21 to 17, and the percentage of children in single-parent families also dropped from 35% to 32%.
Still, some gains
Advocates pointed to “some bright spots” for Hoosier kids and their families in this year’s national report, as well:
- Between 2019 and 2022, more parents (75%) had full-time secure employment in Indiana — which surpassed both the national average and that of the four neighboring states: Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.
- In 2022, fewer children (22%) lived in households that faced a high housing cost burden, spending 30% of their income solely on housing expenses, in comparison to the national average (30%).
- In 2022, more Hoosier teens (95%) between the ages 16 and 19 were either enrolled in school or employed, an improvement from 93% in 2019.
- Far fewer children under 19 (5%) were also uninsured. Indiana saw the fifth-highest decrease nationally in uninsured children between 2019 and 2022 — a 29% improvement.
The report offers several recommendations for policymakers, school leaders and educators that include chronicling absenteeism data by grade, establishing a culture to pursue evidence-based solutions and incorporating intensive, in-person tutoring to align with the school curriculum.
“Kids of all ages and grades must have what they need to learn each day, such as enough food and sleep and a safe way to get to school, as well as the additional resources they might need to perform at their highest potential and thrive, like tutoring and mental health services,” said Lisa Hamilton, president and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. “Our policies and priorities have not focused on these factors in preparing young people for the economy, short-changing a whole generation.”
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Outsiders might not associate the Crossroads of America with scenic beauty, but get beyond Hoosiers’ Midwest modesty and Indianapolis residents will point you to some truly inspiring views in their home state.
You can drive from Fremont in far northeast Indiana to Mount Vernon in the state’s southwest in less than six hours, and there are ample day trips to be had in the spaces between. While not an exhaustive list of Indiana’s most treasured places, these sites offer varied experiences that are all breathtaking in their own right.
[ Most Treasured Views in America: National | West | South | Middle America | Northeast ]
Brown County’s fall colors from Bean Blossom Overlook
A day trip to scenic Brown County is a fall rite of passage for many Hoosiers. With acres of wooded hills, Indiana’s “Little Smokies” offer a unique rural refuge only an hour’s drive south of downtown Indianapolis.
From Nashville’s quaint shops and restaurants to Brown County State Park’s numerous trails and views from its 90-foot fire tower, there are relaxing options for all abilities and interests. A five-minute drive north of Nashville on State Highway 135 will take drivers to the Bean Blossom Overlook, one of the best vistas for fall foliage peeping in the county.
Brown County offers year-round cultural and recreational activities, but peak visiting season comes between October and early November when leaves from the region’s American beech, sugar maple, black walnut, shagbark hickory and white ash turn vibrant hues of yellow, orange and red.
Things to do:
- Pull off at the Bean Blossom Overlook, 3.7 miles north of Nashville on State Highway 135, and soak in the views from the easily accessible roadside stop.
- Visit Brown County State Park for miles of hiking, horseback riding, or even an overnight stay at the park’s historic Abe Martin Lodge. Brown County State Park offers a variety of free and paid activities, which visitors can research on its website. The daily entrance fee is $7 for Hoosiers and $9 for nonresidents.
- Tour downtown Nashville’s eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and historical landmarks. From fine dining to ice cream, artisan shops and a pioneer museum, Nashville can offer a fun break and fuel for further outdoor exploration.
Indiana Dunes National Park’s expansive Lake Michigan vistas
With sand between your toes, Lake Michigan gently lapping at its southern shore, and abundant birdwatching, Indiana Dunes National Park brings Hoosiers beach vibes without the full-day drive to Florida or the Carolinas.
Dedicated as a national park in 2019, this 15-mile stretch of sandy beaches, rising dunes and wildlife-filled marshes is unlike anything else in Indiana. Today’s dunes, a 2 ½-hour drive north of Indianapolis, are the result of more than a century of struggle to preserve this ecologically diverse stretch of lakeshore from development and decline.
Park explorers can learn about the dunes’ shifting sands, Great Lakes ecosystem and more through interpretative offerings, or just kick back and enjoy some sand and sun on a hot summer day.
Things to do:
- Take a hike. The park’s 1966 Hiking Challenge is inspired by its 19 hikes covering 66 miles of trail. Ranger-led hikes are held at 8 a.m. Saturdays from late April through August. Those who complete all 19 treks, with a ranger-led group or on their own, can earn a commemorative sticker.
- Plan a beach day. Most of the park’s beaches are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., while West and Porter beaches close at 9 p.m. West Beach offers locker rooms, showers and lifeguards from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend.
- Contemplate the cosmos. The park’s Kemil Beach is open 24 hours, allowing stargazers a chance to enjoy dark skies afforded by the park’s remote nature and nearby Beverly Shores’ designation as an International Dark Sky Community.
Indiana Dunes charges a $25 entrance fee per vehicle. America the Beautiful pass holders can enter for free. Learn more about the park, fees and activities at www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm.
University of Notre Dame’s majestic campus
Few university campuses can claim to match the instantly recognizable grandeur of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend. The golden dome of the Main Building towers over a campus filled with iconography of the Catholic faith, Hoosier history and college football tradition.
Campus explorers can find the Gothic-inspired Basilica of the Sacred Heart next to the Main Building, reflect at the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes, take in the famous mural of “Touchdown Jesus” on the Hesburgh Library and circle legendary Notre Dame Stadium on their own, or as part of one of the university’s guided tours.
Things to do:
- Tour Notre Dame Stadium. Football junkies can schedule a paid tour, ranging from $10 per person to $300 for a private group of 10. The private tours and $20 North Tunnel Experience include a stop at the iconic “Play Like a Champion” sign.
- Shop at the bookstore. The Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, 1 Eck Center, is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Sure, it sells college essentials, but the wide variety of Fighting Irish memorabilia is the real draw for visitors. Pro tip: Notre Dame is a cashless campus, so be ready to break out your debit or credit card.
- Dine on campus. Exploration is hungry work, and Notre Dame has numerous options for visitors seeking a step up from the dining halls. Legends of Notre Dame and Rohr’s are both open to the public and take reservations. Legends pub is just south of Notre Dame Stadium, while the more upscale Rohr’s is located in Morris Inn.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, right before the Indy 500
You didn’t think we’d forget “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” did you?
You don’t have to be here on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend to enjoy Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A newly renovated museum, the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course, and IndyCar Experience two-seat race car rides are among the diverse options to take in racing’s hallowed grounds.
But there’s nothing else in the world like the moments before the Indianapolis 500, as more than 300,000 fans gather for “(Back Home Again in) Indiana,” the national anthem and military flyover, and the unmistakable roar after “Gentlemen, start your engines!”
Race fans can enter the grounds and browse the IMS Museum’s gift shop for free outside of event days, or pay to attend any number of events on the track. Outside of the Indy 500, the annual IMS schedule stretches into October, with NASCAR’s Brickyard 400, the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks, and the Indy 8 Hour Intercontinental GT Challenge among the late summer and early fall offerings.
Things to do:
- Kiss the bricks: Recreate this Indy 500 tradition by kissing the bricks at the track’s finish line. The track’s “Kiss the Bricks Tour” runs $15 for adults with discounted rates for kids and seniors. Museum admission is required for all tours and costs $25 for adults.
- Take in a race: Visit indianapolismotorspeedway.com/season-schedule for a full schedule of upcoming events and plan a visit around a day of racing.
- Grab some gear: The official IMS shop is attached to the speedway’s museum, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, though hours vary in May. Race junkies need to be prepared for impulse buys, though, as everything in the store is an eye-catcher. The museum is at 4750 W. 16th St., in the track’s infield.
Eric Larsen is IndyStar’s executive editor. Reach him at ericlarsen@indystar.com
‘Deadly’ tomatoes in southern states recalled by FDA due to salmonella
Tomatoes distributed in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina are under a Class I recall due to potential salmonella contamination, according to the FDA.
unbranded – Newsworthy
Be careful with breakfast.
About 1.7 million dozen shell eggs are being voluntarily recalled after being linked to a salmonella outbreak, officials say.
Indiana is among nine states where the eggs were sold.
The salmonella outbreak is linked to 79 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.
The recall was issued on June 6 after brown cage-free eggs and brown certified organic eggs distributed by August Egg Company and sold under different brand names and restaurants were linked to the outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration says.
“FDA is working with the firm to determine if eggs were distributed elsewhere and will update the advisory as information becomes available,” the FDA states on its website.
The outbreak has led to an investigation, the FDA says.
Which brands sold recalled eggs?
The eggs were sold under the following brands, according to the FDA:
- Clover
- First Street
- Nulaid
- O Organics
- Marketside
- Raleys
- Simple Truth
- Sun Harvest
- Sunnyside
Where were the eggs sold?
The eggs were sold in Walmart locations across nine states:
- California
- Washington
- Nevada
- Arizona
- Wyoming
- New Mexico
- Nebraska
- Indiana
- Illinois
Eggs recalled from Walmart were distributed from Feb. 3 to May 6, and sell-by dates ranged from March 4 to June 19.
How can I tell if I purchased the recalled eggs?
The eggs were sold under the plant code numbers P-6562 or CA5330 and include organic and cage-free eggs, the FDA says.
Other stores that sold the recalled eggs
Eggs were also sold in the following locations in California and Nevada:
- Save Mart
- FoodMaxx
- Lucky
- Smart & Final
- Safeway
- Raleys
- Food 4 Less
- Ralphs
The eggs sold in the stores listed above were distributed from Feb. 3 to May 15, and had sell-by dates that ranged from March 4 to June 4.
What to do if you purchased the recalled eggs
Anyone who has purchased the recalled eggs should throw them away or return them to the store where they were purchased, according to the CDC. People should also wash anything the eggs may have touched using “hot soapy water or a dishwasher.”
Anyone who is experiencing the following severe symptoms should call their health care provider immediately, the CDC says:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees
- Diarrhea for more than three days
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting with inability to keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration:
- Lack of urination
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com:@cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Game 2 of the NBA Finals tips off tonight in Oklahoma City. Back here Indiana, the Pacers are hosting a watch party at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Official watch party tickets sold out within 30 minutes of being released. But you can still attend the watch party according to Ticketmaster, verified resale tickets are available for resale.
Gates for the watch party open at 7 p.m., with the game tipping off at 8 p.m.
Concessions are open and the jumbotron is lowered. Inside the arena, fans will also be able to check out the massive Larry O’Brien trophy.
This evening will also feature in game giveaways, the Pacers Entertainment Team and Concourse Entertainment.
“I think the Pacers will be ready to go. Rick will have it ready to go. But here, it’s a watch party again. I’m looking forward to it,” play-by-play announcer for the Pacers Chris Denari said. “I’ve helped host two of them. I was in Oklahoma City for Game 1, but I’ll be right here tonight with all the great Pacers fans at the Fieldhouse.”
With Game 2 tipping off this evening, we asked Denari about the keys to the Pacers winning and going up 2-0.
“Well they’ll hopefully get off to a little bit better start than they did in Game 1. We know this team is capable of a comeback — but get off to a better start, take care of the ball,” he said. “… Don’t get behind so early, but if they do, don’t go away. Because you’ll never want to go away from this Pacers team.”
Denari says he can feel the energy from all of Indianapolis and the state.
“It’s something special to go around town seeing people with their Pacers gear on. You go in the neighborhoods, people are flying Pacers flags. This is just a chance to bring people together, right?” Denari said.
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