Those of you that are long-time readers of the blog, or know me well, are aware of my history with radio broadcasting.  I started out in 1968 as a teenage kid changing records and tapes, as well as keeping an eye on the transmitter, for a local radio station.

It was 1969 when I had the chance to work on the air at a small-10-watt public radio station (you could pick it up on your radio with a stiff wind that day).  My commercial radio career began in 1970 and stretched all the way to 1983, when I left the business to pursue a civil service career.

I did about everything one could do at a radio station at some point in my radio time, but focused on hosting talk shows and being a news reporter during most of my 15 years in radio.  Radio news was very important then, because it was often the first time you would learn of a news story, before the evening television news or the newspaper was printed.

One development in radio that began in the 1960s was the emergence of the “news-radio” concept, a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week constant supply of news.  One such station once promoted this – “Give us 20 minutes, we will give you the world.”

One of the first, and also one of the most respected all-news radio stations has been WCBS in New York City, 880 on the AM dial.  WCBS started the all-news format in 1967.  That concept is ending in 2024.

A changing radio business, with news at your fingertips on the Internet and your cell phone, has led to the demise of WCBS.  it was a sad day when the all-news format ended and long-time anchors and reporters signed-off for the last time.

WCBS will change its call letters and become an all-sports station.

This will once again put some very good journalists out on the street looking for work.  I wish them all well in their next pursuits.

It is not easy to adjust as technology and the business of broadcasting changes rapidly.  I am pleased that WBBM Radio, 780 AM, remains an all-news station in the City of Chicago.  But one wonders how long that will last.

The Andretti Racing Team has its involvement in plenty of auto racing series, perhaps even Formula One in the not-too-distant future.  But, what does this new Andretti Racing headquarters, currently under construction, mean for Fishers?

Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) reporter Daniel Bradley put together a piece with a deep dive into Andretti coming to Fishers, and has quotes from Mayor Scott Fadness and others on what this means for Fishers, the airport on the south side of Fishers and how a number of decisions by local officials brought us to this point in developing the airport.

You can read Daniel Bradley’s story at this link, but be aware you will likely need to be an IBJ subscriber to access this story online.  As I have written many times before, if you do not subscribe to your local media, your local media will eventually go away.

Continue reading Road construction update for the work week starting Monday, August 19 →

Scott Fadness has had many titles during his career in Fishers municipal government, including town manager and mayor.  Now, we can add another title, that of Professor Fadness.

Mayor Fadness will be joining the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Indianapolis as an associate faculty member for the fall 2024 semester, per a news release from the university.

He will be leading a course designed to help future leaders better understand what it means to be a public servant.

Fadness earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration in 2017 from the O’Neill School.

“We are thrilled and honored to add Mayor Fadness to our elite faculty roster at the O’Neill School,” says O’Neill Associate Dean of Student Services and Enrollment Management Suzann Lupton. “Mayor Fadness will provide critical real-world insight and experience to O’Neill students, helping to guide up-and-coming leaders on the importance of public service and how they can go on to make a difference in their communities.”

The course Fadness will be leading focuses on the history, philosophy, values, and outcomes for careers in public service. He will examine what drives people to those careers and the impact it has on communities.

“I am excited and honored to engage with the next generation of public servants,” says Fadness. “The problems and opportunities facing our world today are as complex as they have ever been, and we need to equip the next generation with the tools to tackle them. I am grateful to do my small part.”

Drive Planning has offices in Atlanta, St. Petersburg and Fishers.  The Fishers office is preparing to move from its 106th Street location to a new building on 116th Street near Olio Road.

The Indianapolis Business Journal is reporting the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is alleging the company was involved in a $300 million Ponzi scheme.

IBJ reporter Susan Orr details the allegations contained in the SEC action.  You can read her story at this link, but you may need an IBJ subscription to access this story.

The new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools, Tim Brown, presented a timeline for putting together the 2025 school district budget Wednesday.  However, there were several comments by the public before his presentation.

During the public comment period, which is held at the beginning of the meeting, several speakers criticized the budget timeline’s last entry – “Pass resolution establishing the monthly transfer amounts from Education Fund to Operations Fund.”  They argued this could be a method for the district to claim poverty when contract negotiations with the local teachers union, the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association,  begin in mid-September.  Teachers compensation can only be paid from the Education Fund.

Brown told the board transfers from the Education Fund to the Operations Fund has happened before and is “standard practice.”

Brown’s timeline calls for the first high-level overview of the budget to be presented to the school board Finance Committee September 10.  On September 25, Brown will provide preliminary budget recommendations to the board in a work session.  A public hearing will be held on the spending plan October 9, with a final board vote on the 2025 district budget set for October 23.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools is looking to work with a nonprofit organization, Opportunity Education, exploring the possibility of creating the first charter school in the HSE District, with up to 500 student by 2028.  The goal, according to HSE’s Director of K-12 Initiatives Steve Loser, is to create such a high school and also offer courses to students spending most of their time at HSE and Fishers High Schools.

Loser told the board this could provide career and technical education (CTE) to more students in the district.  Currently only 7% of HSE students are in technical education programs.

The board unanimously approved the MOU to move forward with Opportunity Education talks.

Becky Slayton of the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) wrote a post on Facebook critical of the HSE move to create a charter school.  She writes that such a charter school “often cuts out teacher voices” and the district brought this proposal to the union “the day before going to the board for approval.”

Slayton wrote the charter/innovation school model is “about deconstructing public education hidden behind a screen of CTE.”

Wealthy businessman Joe Ricketts, also the owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, is behind the creation of Operation Education.

You can see Steve Loser’s full presentation to the board at this link.

The State of Indiana released IREAD scores Wednesday and Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools revealed the local school district scores at Wednesday night’s board meeting.  IREAD is a test to ensure third-grade students have the reading skills to advance on to fourth grade.

Overall, HSE as a district, increased the number of third-graders passing IREAD, from 92.9% in 2023 to 94.2% in 2024.  The chart above, provided by HSE Schools, shows each elementary school’s 2023 & 2024 IREAD scores, using a 3-letter abbreviation for each school.

HSE has had second graders take the IREAD test.  District-wide, 58% passed the IREAD and will not need to take it again in third grade.  15% of second graders are on track to pass and 26% are at risk.  The same breakdown by elementary building, using the same three-letter abbreviations, can be found on the chart below.

Overall, 9 schools saw an increased IREAD pass percentage with 5 buildings meeting or exceeding the Indiana Department of Education goal of a 95% pass rate. All second grade students identified as “at-risk” of passing IREAD received “immediate intervention,” according to HSE Administrators.

Construction work continues on the Fishers Events Center, set to open in November of this year.

ASM Global, the company contracted by the city to manage the operation, has released a video on the construction progress.  You can view that video at the link below.

The City of Fishers is set to host its largest community race, the Geist Half Marathon Race Series, on Saturday, September 14. This year marks the 16th anniversary of the event, which takes participants on a scenic route around Geist Reservoir, a long-standing tradition originally organized by Geist residents and now managed by the City of Fishers as part of its Culture of Health initiative.

The race series will feature a half marathon, 5K, and the return of the 10K race. Operated in partnership with Vision Event Management, the event highlights the natural beauty of Geist Reservoir, offering participants views of the water, tree-lined trails, and picturesque waterfront bridges. The races are walker-friendly, and all participants will receive a race shirt, medal, and a complimentary drink at the post-race party.

“We’re excited to host the 16th running of this popular community race and solidify the Geist Half Marathon Race Series as a staple early-fall endurance race in the region,” said Ginny Zimmerman, Race Director of the Geist Half Marathon Race Series and Culture of Health Ambassador for the City of Fishers. Zimmerman noted the return of the 10K course, the addition of age group awards, and a later start time to allow participants to enjoy the sunrise over the course. She also highlighted the reimagined post-race party, which will offer expanded food and drink options from local businesses and nonprofits.

New this year is a post-race breakfast provided by Hero Hut, a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders. Breakfast tickets are available for $10, with all proceeds benefiting Hero Hut’s mission. In addition, Java House, Smoothie King, Athletic Brewing, and MashCraft Brewing will offer complimentary refreshments at the post-race party.

The 2024 race will also introduce the Mental Health Mile at mile five of the half marathon course, in collaboration with Aspire and Hamilton Southeastern’s student-led Bring Change to Mind Club. This new feature is designed to promote mental health awareness and support the Fishers Health Department’s Stigma Free Fishers initiative. Additionally, the Gold Star Mile at mile ten will honor Indiana’s fallen service members and their families, with special Gold Star race bibs available for pickup on Friday, September 13.

The City of Fishers is currently seeking volunteers to assist with the event, including course marshals, medal distributors, and water station volunteers. Opportunities are available for families, groups, and individuals.

For more information and to register for the event, use this link.