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New Gov. Braun outlines his agenda and his vision for Indiana

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New Gov. Braun outlines his agenda and his vision for Indiana


Braun has officially started his term, and reiterated his priorities and vision for the state.

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s a new era for Indiana as the state’s 52nd governor, Mike Braun, was sworn into office. Surrounded by his family, supporters and other leaders in state government, Braun took the oath of office Monday morning downtown at the Hilbert Circle Theatre.

In his inauguration speech, Braun called on Hoosiers to use an entrepreneurial drive within themselves to face the challenges of today.

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“I am committed to be a governor of not just words, but action as we create a prosperous future for all Hoosiers,” Braun told those gathered, saying part of that action will be addressing the cost of property taxes, an issue already at the top of the new governor’s agenda this legislative session.

“We can accept rising property taxes as an unfortunate fact of life, or explore every avenue to reduce the burden on hard-working Hoosier families and businesses,” Braun said in his speech.

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Republican lawmakers have already said a complete overhaul of the state’s property tax system could take several sessions beyond the current one. 

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But Senate Republicans say they’ll treat property tax reform this session like they will the budget, making it a priority, using Braun’s ideas for reform in the first version of their main property tax bill.

“I guarantee you that we’re going to give it one good shot at getting that back in place where it needs to be,” Braun said. He also spoke about tackling the cost of healthcare.

“We can accept high healthcare costs as inevitable or take on the opaque system to lower costs and increase transparency for all Hoosier families, like I did in my own business 16 years ago,” Braun said.

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The 13News political team recaps the first week of the 2025 Indiana legislative session.

In his recently released agenda, Indiana’s new governor said he wants to reform the prior authorization process patients need from their insurance companies before they can get care. 

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The governor also wants to regulate pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen who negotiate drug prices and prescription coverage. Braun said Indiana is at a crossroads and the leaders of the state can be risk takers and trailblazers or maintain the status quo.

“We can let government inefficiencies impede our success or reshape government to sincerely serve the people. How about that?” Braun asked.

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Building on an oft-referenced theme of an entrepreneurial drive, Braun also said he intends to make Indiana the standard bearer for small business growth, something he knows about personally through his own business. 

In a 13News Exclusive, 13News anchor Dustin Grove sat down with Mike and Maureen Braun at their home in Jasper to discuss their life, politics and legacy.
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Braun also told those gathered he was committed to being a governor of not just words, but action and that it was time to get to work.

Braun also addressed education. In his recently released agenda, Indiana’s new governor said he wants to implement universal school choice for all Indiana families regardless of their income. He’s also called for a new Office of School Safety as part of his cabinet structure and increasing the starting pay for teachers, along with performance-based compensation.

“We can settle for complacency in our education system or empower parents and prepare our students for the jobs that will power the future,” Braun said.

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Republican lawmakers have also voiced support for universal school choice. Democrats have said state money should be used to expand pre-K and help families who need help with childcare, not give more state money to vouchers. As he settles into his new job and office, Braun will be returning to a place he’s certainly knows well.

A decade ago, he served as a state representative before becoming a U.S. senator. Now he returns to a different office, a much bigger one, as Indiana’s 52nd governor.

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Severe storm risk into tonight through early Wednesday morning

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Severe storm risk into tonight through early Wednesday morning


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — We are monitoring the potential for severe weather into early Wednesday morning.

Tornado Watch in effect until EDT midnight March 10, 2026, for Benton, Newton, and Jasper counties.

Tuesday night: Please make sure you have your safety plan on standby into tonight through pre-dawn Wednesday morning. There is now a level 4/5 severe risk in northwest Indiana. Much of central Indiana remains in a level 2/5 risk.

The risk for significant tornadoes (EF2+) and very large hail (2″+) is greatest north of I-70 with any discrete cell(s) that maintain their-selves into mainly northern Indiana. There is also potential for a max expected intensity of an EF-3+ tornado within much (if not all) of the level 3 & 4 risk zone.

This does not mean that every storm will produce a tornado of that magnitude. It is simply highlighting area of highest concern for the possibility of such occurrence.

Now, given a modestly unstable environment into the pre-dawn hours Wednesday with stronger wind flow aloft, all hazards will remain possible into central Indiana. The significant severe threat here is much lower.

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Overall, you need to have multiple ways of being able to get alerts tonight. Do not be scared, be prepared and you will be ok.

Wednesday: Beyond sunrise Wednesday, we will continue to track more in the way of showers and storms. The main area of the strong-severe storm risk looks to shift mainly southeast of Indy with damaging winds the primary concern through the morning into afternoon hours.

Rainfall amounts through Wednesday may amount to 1-2″ with locally higher amounts.

Highs to occur earlier in the day with numbers in the mid to upper 60s. Non-thunderstorm winds will also be quite breezy with gusts up to 30-35 MPH.

Thursday: Be prepared for quite a temperature shift into Thursday. We will start the day off with temperatures in the low 30 with 20s wind chills. Yeah, that will not feel great considering our recent stretch of more mild days. Highs will only get into the upper 40s.

7-Day Forecast: We look to warm back up into this weekend, but it will come with more active weather and breezy winds. Friday will feature highs in the mid to upper 50s with wind gusts up to 25-30 MPH. Highs look to tick back into the low 60s Sunday with more chances for rain. Then, temperatures really take a tumble into next Monday with highs only in the 30s and a chance for a rain/snow mix.



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Future of Chicago’s Soldier Field Uncertain as Bears Eye Move to Indiana

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Future of Chicago’s Soldier Field Uncertain as Bears Eye Move to Indiana


Change could be coming to Chicago’s Soldier Field, a historic landmark initially designed as a memorial for American soldiers who died in combat. Opened in 1924, and home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears since 1971, the 102 year old venue’s future is uncertain as the team is exploring a new stadium, possibility across the Illinois state line in Hammond, Indiana.

“The fact that they’re even considering coming to Hammond versus keeping it in their own state says a lot about what we’re going to try to do to tell everyone Indiana is a place move your business,” said Governor Mike Braun (R-Indiana), in a televised news conference Monday, monitored by Military.com. The governor’s remarks addressed a range of issues related to the end of the state’s legislative session.

Governor Mike Braun (R-Indiana) touts Indiana’s effort to lure Chicago Bears to Hammond with new stadium deal. (Indiana.gov)

“We’re proud that we’ve put together a package to attract $2 Billion worth of investment from the Chicago Bears,” said the governor of Senate Bill 27, which he signed last week. “They’re now looking at Indiana as a place to actually bring that franchise.”

With a seating capacity of more than 100,000 spectators. Soldier Field is used not only for Bears games, but as a site for many other sporting events and exhibitions, including numerous Army-Navy games. But without an anchor sports team like the Bears, the stadium will likely be used less and Chicago could see less tax revenue.

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson telling reporters Monday, the Bears were offered an opportunity to build a new stadium inside the city limits, as a way to stay in Illinois.

“We had an entire press conference, with a proposal on the lakefront two years ago,” Mayor Johnson said in a news conference. “How do you have an entire proposal with the Bears, with the city of Chicago, with labor, with the notion that somehow the greatest, the most fruitful, economic viable prime real estate anywhere in the state, anywhere in the region is somehow not suited?”

Mayor Brandon Johnson opposes efforts to move Chicago Bears outside city limits (City of Chicago).

There’s another proposed site on the table. Illinois lawmakers in the House have advanced House Bill 910, which would lock in property tax rates at the former Arlington Racetrack, in Arlington Heights about 30 miles from Soldier Field. The Bears already own the land, but the bill is still in its early stages and already has some critics.

“It would shift [tax] liability directly onto homeowners and small businesses,” said Brian Costin, deputy state director of the Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity, in a statement to Military.com. “It could double or triple the effective property tax rates over the next few decades.”

For now, the Bears have not made a commitment to move to Indiana or stay in Illinois. 

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The Bears said in a statement, “Indiana has taken important steps over the last few months, and we are grateful for the leadership reflected by Governor Braun signing SB 27 establishing the framework for a stadium development in Northwest Indiana. We continue to work on the necessary due diligence and appreciate the .”ongoing engagement with Indiana state and local leaders.”

The team also addressed Illinois efforts to keep the team from leaving Soldier Field or Illinois altogether.

Future of Chicago’s Soldier Field uncertain as NFL’s Chicago Bears consider moving (ChicagoBears.com).

 “We recognize and appreciate the advancement of mega project legislation by the Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee,” said the statement from the Bears. “We look forward to continued engagement as the lawmakers determine the legislative path forward.”

In Indiana, Governor Braun hopes the better deal will be for the Bears to abandon Soldier Field for new digs across the Illinois border, in Hammond.

“We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal,” Braun said in a statement obtained by Military.com. “We have built a strong relationship with the Bears organization that will serve as the foundation for a public-private partnership, leading to the construction of a world-class stadium and a win for taxpayers.” 

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Indiana Pacers Slide as 2026 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Rise

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Indiana Pacers Slide as 2026 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Rise


The Indiana Pacers are making a real argument to be the worst team in the NBA this season.

The Pacers could become the first team in the Eastern Conference to reach 50 losses this season if they don’t beat the Sacramento Kings tomorrow night. Power rankings across the internet have the Pacers and Kings as the bottom two teams in the league.

NBA.com, John Schuhmann (30, no change)

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Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter. | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

“With the Jazz beating the Wizards on Thursday and the Nets’ incredible comeback in Detroit over the weekend, the Pacers are the only team without a win (they’re 0-9) since the All-Star break. Seven of those nine losses have come against other teams with losing records,” Schuhmann wrote.

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“The Pacers and Kings are now tied for the fewest wins (15), and they’ll meet for the second (and final) time on Tuesday, with the Pacers having won the first meeting (Dec. 8) behind 28 points and 12 assists from Nembhard. That’s the end of the Pacers’ four-game trip, and they’ll then return home and begin their only stretch of five games in seven days.”

The Athletic, Law Murray (30, no change)

“The Pacers are the only team in the league without a win since the All-Star break, so they’re comfortably nestled at the bottom of these rankings. Indiana was only regular bad for the third quarter of the season overall, though the interior defense has been slammed like brakes,” Murray wrote.

“If they don’t win Tuesday in Sacramento in the Tyrese Haliburton trade bowl, then they’ll have to go and upset a team that is trying to secure wins for the rest of the March schedule.”

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Clutch Points, Brett Siegel (29, down 1)

“As soon as Tyrese Haliburton went down with his Achilles injury, everyone knew that the Indiana Pacers would be taking a step back. The decision for this to be a gap year and completely tank was made after several impactful players, like Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, and Andrew Nembhard, all went down with injuries,” Siegel wrote.

“After all, a team that found success through its depth is nothing when all of its key talents are injured.

“The Pacers own the second-worst record in the NBA right now, giving them a real shot at getting the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Remember, Indiana will keep their selection this season if it falls inside the top four, which have a 52.1 percent chance of happening.”

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Overview

It’s hard to argue the Pacers not being in this position because they’ve only won 15 games so far this season. On top of that, their last victory came on February 11, which was the final game before the All-Star break.

This isn’t exactly a bad thing for the Pacers, however, because they need that first-round pick to return to them in the draft. If they get the wrong shake in the lottery, the Pacers could be forced to give up their first-round pick in this year’s draft to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade.

The Pacers should use the rest of the season to figure out who fits in their system and develop their young players in hopes of some of them cracking the rotation for next season and beyond.

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