Indiana
Lana Keesling endorsed by Gov. Braun for Indiana Republican Party chair
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WANE) – Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced Monday he will endorse Fort Wayne City Clerk Lana Keesling to serve as chairwoman of the Indiana Republican Party.
According to an article from Indiana Capitol Chronicle, the state committee must officially elect Keesling. She would be the fourth GOP state chair in the last two years.
Keesling in 2015 became the first Republican city clerk of Fort Wayne since 1971. She currently serves as vice chair of the Allen County Republican Party and treasurer of the 3rd District Republican Congressional Committee, said the article from the Indiana Capitol Chronicle.
“Lana Keesling’s experience as a county party leader and elected official gives her a deep understanding of what local organizations need to grow and succeed,” Braun said in a press release. “She will be a strong partner for grassroots leaders and elected Republicans in Indianapolis and Washington, working to improve the Indiana Republican Party’s technology, organization, and communication efforts.”
Mike Wolf, acting director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, weighed in on this endorsement.
“I think it means a lot to the Allen County Republican Party, which has had some great success,” said Wolf. “Both in the state legislative elections and then U.S. Senator and other things, it shows the stability of leadership.”
Indiana Republican Party Chairman Randy Head resigned in December after five months in the role, said the article from the Indiana Capitol Chronicle.
Voting for the remainder of the term will happen in mid-February and for the full term in mid-March.
WANE 15 has reached out to both Governor Braun’s office and Keesling for comment, but has yet to hear back at the time of publication.
Allen County has another political leader running at the state level, Derek Camp, who announced last week he will run for Indiana Democratic Party Chair. He was the Allen County Democratic Party Chair for four years.
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.
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