SOUTH BEND, IN (WSBT) — On Friday, December 5th, the new Indiana Congressional Redistricting Map passed the Indiana House of Representatives, sending it to the Indiana State Senate.

Indiana University South Bend Political Science Professor, Elizabeth Bennion, said that some communities could potentially be split by the new potential lines.

This could put a strain on on local and county governments to place new voter precincts to fit the new districts.

According to Bennion, the lines were drawn using a super computer that was coded to give Republicans the best opportunity to win all 9 of Indiana’s House of Representative seats.

“One of the things we know about how this map is determined is that super computers are being used to Get as many GOP districts as possible. In other words to try to get as many safe seats for Republican candidates as possible to maximize the likelihood that the GOP will hold all of the seats in the US congressional delegation for the state of Indiana,” said Bennion.

The State Senate will meet on Monday and will discuss the proposed map.

• Big Ten Championship: Ohio State (12-0) vs. Indiana (12-0), 8 p.m., Saturday; TV: Fox

It’s No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the Big Ten Championship game. It’s familiar territory for top-ranked Ohio State. But this is new ground for the “home” team as No. 2 Indiana looks to make history Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The winner is the College Football Playoff’s top seed and the loser should still finish in the top four, especially if the game is competitive. (And especially if the loser is Ohio State.) Think of this matchup as a barometer for both teams heading into the postseason.

Saturday’s title game could also help decide the Heisman Trophy as Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin and Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza are both among the favorites heading into the final weekend before Heisman votes cast their ballots.

Big Ten Championship: Ohio State may be Goliath, but Indiana is no David, ‘a different team’

More: OSU shifted focus to Big Ten title game ‘minute’ after Michigan win

Here’s what you need to know about the game and who we think will win:

Big Ten Championship game: Ohio State vs Indiana

• Records: Ohio State (12-0), Indiana (12-0)
• Time/TV: Saturday, 8 p.m., FOX
• Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Big Ten Championship game predictions

• Ohio State 27, Indiana 17: Curt Cignetti’s offense feasts on most Big Ten defenses. This is not your ordinary Big Ten defense, though. The Buckeyes keep winning with an anaconda defense that suffocates opponents. Pair that with steady-handed quarterback Julian Sayin and the best receiving corps in the country, and you get the nation’s most complete team. I’ve been on the Buckeyes to win the national championship since August. I’m not fading them now. — Blake Toppmeyer
• Indiana 27, Ohio State 24: I just can’t get over what the Ohio State defense has faced, instead of what it has done. Who have the Buckeyes played this season that could actually stress their defense? Texas? In Arch Manning’s first start? Washington? Illinois? Come on. The Hoosiers will be a completely different animal, a multiple offense with an accurate quarterback who can make every throw — and scramble and get critical yards. One more thing: Hoosiers have 34 sacks and have forced 24 turnovers. The defense will get enough stops, and Indiana will be the No.1 seed in the CFP. — Matt Hayes
• Ohio State 34, Indiana 16: Ohio State’s historically good defense is going to be tested by Indiana and possible Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. This is a group with no weak links, nearly unmatched depth and all-everything talent such as safety Caleb Downs, who might be the best pound-for-pound player in college football. The Buckeyes are on a collision course for a repeat national title and won’t be tripped up even by the mighty Hoosiers. — Paul Myerberg

Big Ten Championship game betting odds

Odds via BetMGM, as of Dec. 5.

• Spread: Ohio State (-4)
• Over/under: 47.5
• Moneyline: Ohio State (-200)

LAKE STATION, Ind. – Indiana State Police announced that charges have been dropped in the heat-exhaustion deaths of eight dogs discovered in a box truck last summer.

What we know:

A verdict was reached Thursday in the case involving the July 27, 2023, incident in Lake Station, Indiana, according to ISP.

Police said the box truck, allegedly unventilated, was transporting the dogs from O’Hare International Airport to a K-9 training facility in Michigan.

 “The Indiana State Police respects the role of the judiciary and the legal process; however, we are disappointed in the court’s recent decision to dismiss the charges in this case. Our detectives dedicated significant time and effort into this investigation, following the evidence, to present a thorough and accurate case for prosecution. We believe the charges filed by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office appropriately reflected the seriousness of the alleged conduct. The Indiana State Police will continue to work tirelessly to investigate crimes, support victims, and bring forward cases based on facts and evidence, regardless of the ultimate legal outcome,” ISP said in a statement. 

According to state police, multiple animal-cruelty charges had been filed against the two suspects, Michael McHendry and Jessie Urbinski.

The truck driver, who was representing a Michigan dog-training company reportedly known as FMK9, was allegedly allowed by Lake Station police to refuse help from Hobart Humane Society workers. Responders said they arrived quickly and attempted to provide first aid to the dogs.

PETA also issued a statement condemning the court’s decision.

“No amount of deference to the police and its contractors can undo the prolonged suffering these dogs endured, baking to death and desperate to escape cages as their organs shut down in the suffocating heat of an unventilated truck. But the system’s utter failure to hold the dogs’ “owner” accountable in some small way for the hell he put them through serves as another example of why the time is now for law-enforcement agencies to phase out the use of K9s,” PETA said. 

No additional details on the case or the court’s ruling have been released.

Indiana prosecutor requests investigation into heat exhaustion deaths of 8 dogs in box truck