INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A suspicious letter with a powdery substance was sent to the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office.

That’s according to Secretary of State Diego Morales.

Field testing showed the substance in the envelop was not hazardous.

The envelop and its contents were being sent to an FBI laboratory for further testing.

Nobody was hurt.

News release

“INDIANAPOLIS – (September 17, 2024) – Today, employees at the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office reported delivery of suspicious envelope containing a powdery substance. Public safety and law enforcement agencies were called to the State Government Center to secure the immediate area, conduct tests, and remove the suspicious material. Responding agencies included the Indiana Capital Police, Indiana State Police, State Fire Marshall, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, State and Post Office hazardous materials units, and the FBI.

“After field testing by local, state, and federal authorities the contents in the envelope were preliminarily determined to be non-hazardous. The mail piece and contents are being transported to an FBI laboratory for forensic testing.  No injuries resulted from the incident. 

“The Indiana Secretary of State’s Office has received alerts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and federal law enforcement agencies to be alert for suspicious, potentially dangerous election mail. Other states have reported receiving suspicious is aware of several other Secretary of State Offices across the country recently receiving suspicious election mail.

“‘We take every precaution to ensure the safety of our employees and the public.  I want to especially thank members of my team; our law enforcement partners and other first responders for their swift and professional response. We are relieved that everyone is safe,’ said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State.

“Earlier this year, Secretary Morales hand delivered instructions on spotting and handling suspicious email, along with doses of Narcan nasal spray to county clerks’ offices throughout the state. In July and August, the Secretary of State and Indiana Department of Homeland Security conducted a series of regional election security and safety conferences for county election administrators, emergency management offices and local law enforcement agencies.”

Advertisement

Lindsey Eaton, communications director for Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – An Indiana state agency honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by kicking off a two-day service project in Indianapolis on Tuesday.

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission hosted its first of two MLK Days of Service in the Northwest Landing Neighborhood.

Over the years, the annual event has evolved from a half-day to two days.

The expansion is due to an executive order allowing state employees two days of community service leave. It was signed back in 2022.

ICRC Executive Director Gregory Wilson says they’ve put on the community cleanup event for the last 14 years.

“It’s all about service,” Wilson said. “We started doing it in September. We used to do it in January. (Holding it now) is great because the weather is warmer, we can do more. We work with the neighborhood (association).”

The ICRC teams up with the Indiana Black Expo and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission to host the service days. Several government agencies will also be helping out with the effort.

David Flesichhacker, the ICRC’s deputy director and general counsel, says the project goes hand in and with work they do.

“I get to help people who have potentially experienced discriminatory acts against them,” Flesichhacker said. “We get to investigate that and help them obtain the relief that they need. That’s my role in kind of giving back to humanity working in that state government position where I can make a difference.”

Volunteers will be mulching, weeding, picking up litter, restoring benches and planting fresh flowers around the neighborhood. Organizers say more than 200 volunteers signed up for the project.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita says projects like these embody Dr. King’s legacy.

“That’s what his life was, an example … to so many people,” Rokita said. “I was glad to help kick off the state employees who are helping out over the next two days.”

People are welcome to sign up for the project on Tuesday and Wednesday. No equipment is needed as organizers will provide the tools needed.

Registration for Days of Service starts at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers will be working until about 4 p.m. both days.

(WISH) — With gas prices always a concern for motorists, Thursday is shaping up to be an ideal day for Hoosiers to go Car-free or “Car-lite.”

The global event invites people to reduce their reliance on cars, offering a fun, free way to save money, alleviate stress, and contribute to a cleaner, more vibrant community.

World Car Free Day, celebrated every September since its inception in 2000, aims to lessen the impact of car-dominated societies by encouraging alternative modes of transportation. On this special day, drivers are urged to leave their vehicles at home and opt for biking, vanpooling, carpooling, teleworking, walking, or taking the bus.

In downtown Indianapolis, employees have been encouraged to join in by choosing alternative transportation methods for their commutes on Thursday for Car Free Day Indy. The day will feature live music from The DOO! Band at Monument Circle, with performances scheduled from 7-9 a.m. and from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Additionally, the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority will be on Monument Circle to offer transportation resources, free food, and live music to help spread the word about the global observance.

Join the movement and help make Central Indiana a cleaner, more sustainable place to live!