I have heard and read this comment time and time again – journalists tell people living in the path of a dangerous hurricane to evacuate, yet you see reporters on the air live in the middle of the storm, sometimes hip-deep in water, struggling to stand in high winds. Why do these news organizations do this?
Tom Jones is Senior Media Writer for the highly respected Poynter Institute, which just happens to be headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Jones posted a story Wednesday morning as Hurricane Idalia made landfall on the Florida coast.
He addressed the commonly-asked question, why do news organizations, particularly local and cable TV news, have their reporters and live production crews in the middle of a dangerous storm?
Here is part of what Jones wrote, referring to a local reporter/meteorologist:
Perhaps anticipating what viewers might have been thinking, ABC Action News meteorologist Shay Ryan made a smart and timely point on the air. She said, “One of the things to keep in mind is that we have our reporters stationed strategically, and we put a lot of thought and care into where they are positioned and how they are positioned and (we) time out accordingly to how the conditions are going to change. So that is part of what we’re doing and why we ask you to (evacuate and seek shelter); so we can show you the pictures as safely as possible. It’s not always safe, even with all the precautions we take. So, again, we are going show you lots of live pictures and as we continue through this storm, it is best to stay indoors, to hunker down, hang out with the family and we’ll all get through this.”
Journalists covering a storm like Idalia will tell you their coverage helps save lives by emphasizing the true danger of a storm like Idalia. The old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words, is true here, particularly with a live TV picture.
Remember, those reporters and their production crews understand the danger they face, even when utilizing every precaution experts tell them to take, while every now and then have people yell “fake news” at them while they work.
I appreciate the news crews out in the field covering Hurricane Idalia.
U.S. News and World Report is best known for its annual ranking of colleges and universities in America, but the news organization also ranks high schools. Our two high schools in the Hamilton Southeastern District did well in the state-wide list. There is a national listing and ranking for each state.
Fishers High School ranks 11th in Indiana, 740th nationally and 6th in the Indy metro area.
Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) High School is listed as number 13 in Indiana, 893rd in the nation and 8th in the Indy metro area.
When evaluating listings like these, the devil is always in the details. I give U.S. News credit, they detailed their system for ranking these schools, and you can find it at this link. You can decide whether the methodology is fair.
Round Room, headquartered in Fishers, held a sales rally in downtown Indianapolis and used the occasion to pass out donations Tuesday totaling $1.7 million. Round Room is one of the nation’s largest Verizon Authorized Retailers.
My daughters are adults now but when they attended junior high during the late 2000s, we would often drop them off at a local high school football game and pick them up once the game was over. It was a regular social event for young people that age in Fishers.
I know there were police officers and other adults keeping a watch on the one corner of the football complex where the junior high students would congregate, and remember well the traffic jams when parents came to pick up their junior high students at the same time the entire crowd was leaving the game.
Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools shared a message sent to parents Tuesday that changes school policy. Now, if you have a student in grades K-8, there is a requirement that the student must be “accompanied and supervised by an adult.”
“We have seen a large number of unsupervised junior high students gathering at high school sporting events which has resulted in uptick of incidents,” says HSE Schools Spokesperson Emily Abbotts “While the school district has increased the number of SROs at the game and administration, we do not have enough personnel to oversee large numbers of unsupervised students. Our top priority remains student and staff safety.” ”
Abbotts also says the policy of requiring K-8 students to be accompanied by an adult “is not new and is standard for many of our surrounding school neighbors.”
Below is the entire message to parents sent by the HSE School District:
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Football season is upon us, and we love having the support of our school community cheering from the sidelines underneath the #FridayNightLights.
To increase safety at our high school sporting events this year, students in grades K-8 must now be accompanied and supervised by an adult (aged 18+) to enter the event. This change in practice is due in part to an uptick in incidences involving unsupervised K-8 students.
Although we want student participation at our home games, students without an adult will not be admitted.
These changes are effective immediately and will be enforced at the upcoming Royals vs. Avon football game on Friday, September 1, 2023.
We appreciate in advance the support of our students, parents, and community. We understand this change in practice may interrupt normal plans for event attendance, but we want to ensure that all attendees have an enjoyable and safe experience.
We wish our FHS Tigers and HSE Royals the best of luck in this year’s sporting events.
On June 19th, I recorded a podcast with Fishers Parks & Recreation Director Marissa Deckert, and asked her about the water quality at the Geist Waterfront Park beach. She explained that there is regular water quality testing to ensure the water is safe.
A recent posting on the Parks Department Web site says a test conducted recently shows “unsatisfactory results for E. coli levels.”
You can read the entire statement below:
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The Fishers Health Department conducts regular testing of open waters in Fishers to monitor water-quality levels, including water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and bacteria such as E. coli. For Geist Waterfront Park, Fishers Parks conducts regular testing specific to the beach area. A recent test conducted for the cove at Geist Waterfront Park resulted in unsatisfactory results for E. coli levels.
Bacteria, such as E. coli grow faster at higher temperatures. Higher temperatures combined with rain events and environmental factors can increase the pathogenic bacteria levels such as E. coli. Fishers has both urban and agricultural runoff inputs into the watershed which affects our water quality.
In a significant step towards enhancing public health and safety, the Fishers Health Department has unveiled a Retail Food Inspection Grading System for local restaurants. Positioned as the second municipality in the state to implement this groundbreaking protocol, the new system underscores the department’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its residents.
Having secured the approval of the Fishers City Council in November 2022, the system has been brought to life during the course of the 2023 food inspections. As part of this transformative approach, restaurants are now assigned a letter grade based on a meticulous 100-point scale, providing patrons with clear insights into the establishments’ adherence to food safety regulations. The grades are readily accessible to the public via an interactive dashboard located at this link.
In an effort to bolster transparency and foster awareness, beginning this September, these grades will also be prominently displayed on the exterior doors of all dining establishments across Fishers. The mandate stipulates that these information labels be exhibited no later than September 30, 2023.
“Although a popular program in cities around the United States, this is not something that Indiana residents are used to seeing as they enter their favorite restaurant,” said Monica Heltz, Fishers Public Health Director. “We hope to lead the charge in improving food safety standards in Central Indiana. Food grades are an evidenced-based strategy to achieve this aim. The health and safety of our residents is our top priority, and we are dedicated to partnering with our local restaurants to ensure they are successful under this new model.”
Emphasizing continuity and accountability, fresh grades will be assigned annually during the course of routine inspections. This system signals a significant stride in maintaining the high standards that Fishers residents have come to expect from their local dining establishments. For a more comprehensive understanding of the grading framework and to explore the user-friendly online dashboard, interested individuals are encouraged to visit this link.
The Fishers-based Youth Mentoring Initiative (YMI) is set to host its highly anticipated annual Mayor’s Breakfast to Benefit YMI, an event dedicated to supporting its mission of fostering mentorship connections between Hamilton Southeastern School District students and volunteer mentors. The fundraising event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 7th.
The breakfast event, now in its 8th year, aims to raise funds furthering YMI’s goal of matching students with mentors who can provide guidance and support on a weekly basis. The event has become a staple in the Fishers community, drawing attention to the positive impact mentorship can have on young individuals.
A highlight of the event is a panel discussion, moderated by none other than Mayor Scott Fadness, where the topic of mentorship will take center stage. The panelists, individuals who have reaped the benefits of mentorship, will share their experiences and insights into how mentoring has contributed to their achievements.
The distinguished panelists include:
Chris Huppenthal: A seasoned educator, Chris is a retired Hamilton Southeastern High School basketball coach with a state championship to his name.
Bailee Poore: Former HSE student and athlete under Coach Huppenthal’s guidance, Bailee has first-hand experience of the impact mentorship can have on a student’s growth.
Justin Masterson: A former professional baseball starting pitcher for renowned teams like the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, and St. Louis Cardinals. Masterson’s journey to success was marked by the guidance of mentors.
“We are excited to bring together this panel to discuss mentorship at all levels,” said YMI’s Executive Director Brittany Rayburn. “Each of these individuals has been guided and impacted by mentors along their journeys of accomplishment, and it’s our hope the morning will inspire others to see themselves in the role of mentor to one of our students.”
The 8th annual Mayor’s Breakfast to Benefit YMI is slated to take place from 7:00 am to 9:00 am at the picturesque Heritage Gardens at the Historic Ambassador House. As the largest annual fundraiser for YMI, the event plays a pivotal role in gathering resources to connect more Hamilton Southeastern students with caring adult mentors.
Tickets and sponsorships for the event are still available at this link. Those interested in becoming a mentor for YMI can find more information on their website, at this link.
There has been much discussion at the state and local levels about income taxes and property taxes in the Hoosier state. Now, the Hamilton County Council is proposing to raise the county income tax rate in order to lower property taxes.
The situation is fairly complicated, but Current Publishing reporter Leila Kheiry does a nice job of explaining how the state law works and how such a proposal would be enacted by a group of local governments within Hamilton County.
Library Board members Micah Beckwith (left) and Andre Miksha talk prior to the August 24 meeting
When I began this local Fishers news blog in January of 2012, I knew Fishers was a growing area and would make news as it became a larger municipality. It would have been hard at that time to imagine the massive media attention during the August 24 Hamilton East Library Board meeting.
The Indianapolis Star, the state’s largest newspaper, sent reporter Rachel Fradette, along with a photographer and a video camera to live stream the proceedings. I didn’t take a full count, but I believe all the television news operations in Indianapolis sent camera crews and reporters. It is hard to remember an event in this area that drew so much media attention.
The meeting was held in Noblesville, but the Hamilton East Library system serves both Noblesville and Fishers, with library buildings in each city. The board rotates where the meetings are held between the two locations.
Why all the media focus on Fishers? Because a majority of library board members implemented a policy of having the staff review all books in the teen section for possible reshelving into the adult collection, providing instructions to the staff on how to evaluate the books, based on the book’s content. Library Director Edra Waterman told the board it would take a year to complete such a review and cost more than $300,000, but the board said, do the review.
When New York Times best-selling author John Green discovered his book was moved from the young adult to the adult section of the library, he let it be known on social media he was not pleased.
Even when the board indicated the book in question, The Fault In Our Stars, would be returned to the young adult collection, Green made it clear that was not enough, he very clearly said he wanted the policy to be rescinded.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, in a statement to the Indianapolis Star and on a podcast with me, used words I have heard him use many times before, urging “discipline and humility over cultural matters.” He wants decision makers to be “thoughtful’ when putting together something like library policy.
The Hamilton East Library Board members are appointed by the Hamilton County Council, County Commissioners, Noblesville Schools and Hamilton Southeastern Schools. In an IndyStar story written by reporter John Tuohy, County Councilor Ken Alexander and County Commissioner Christine Altman both told the Star of being “exasperated” by some of the library board actions.
The media attention, which went national and international in its scope, apparently had something to do with the board’s unanimous vote at the August 24th session, with all that media looking on and a jammed meeting room, to “pause” the review of books in the young adult section.
The 7-member board has seen a number of 4-3 votes lately. The term of board member Laura Alerding expires at the end of August and Noblesville High School teacher Bill Kenley will replace Alerding following action by the Noblesville School Board. Will the addition of Mr. Kenley change the balance of power on the board? Time will tell.
As I have written before, I have been a fan of the Hamilton East Library for a long time. When first moving to Fishers in 1991, I visited the Noblesville location before the Fishers branch was constructed. My wife Jane and my daughters have used the library, and Jane I continue to be users of the Hamilton East Library in Fishers.
This entire dust-up over our local library’s policy has hurt the reputation of this community. The publicity generated has not been positive.
We all need to let our elected officials know how we feel. They appoint the members of the library board. We all have an interest in library policies that reflect the entire community.
On a side note, I started a Twitter account in January of 2012 when this blog started. The platform, recently renamed X, is used by me as a way to let my readers know when a new story is posted on the blog. A few days ago, I welcomed X follower number 3,000. That is a lot of followers for a small, local, volunteer news blog.
My thanks to the @larryinfishers X followers and to all that take the time to read this blog. I have a firm belief that civic involvement and interest in local elections will only happen if there is news coverage. I do the best I can as one person to provide that coverage.
I have tried to quit this enterprise twice, but something always happens to keep me here. Plus, I’m not getting any younger.
But my health is relatively good for a guy my age so I enter another election cycle hoping to let people know where the candidates stand.
Thanks for reading this blog and listening to my podcasts.
I retired from my government job in 2011, where most of my 28 years there were spent as a tax law specialist, dealing with federal statutes. I did some teaching, continuing education for tax professionals, at Indiana University for 5 years after retiring. I have been out of that game for a few years now, but a news story that popped-up in recent days caught my attention.
There is not just a crowded field seeking the Republican nomination for Indiana Governor in next year’s primary election, there are many candidates with access to lots of campaign cash. Hoosiers should prepare themselves to be bombarded with television and social media ads before next year’s May primary.
Candidates often look for an issue to separate themselves from the pack and start a discussion. Suzanne Crouch, currently Indiana’s Lt. Governor, is a candidate for the top job. She raised plenty of eyebrows by proposing the elimination of the state’s income tax. The Indiana state income tax generates one-third of all state revenue, about $8 billion.
How would candidate Crouch make up that revenue? She doesn’t say, but has been quoted as taking the position that she would not seek any other revenue sources. She asserts the state could simply cut spending and find government efficiencies. Crouch has not been specific about what exact spending would be cut or where efficiencies would be found.
Niki Kelly has been covering the Statehouse for a long time, first for the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette newspaper and now as editor of the news nonprofit Indiana Capital Chronicle. She is a regular panelist on the weekly Public Broadcasting program Indiana Week In Review.
During the August 25th edition of the TV program, Kelly said she appreciates candidates taking strong positions on the issues, but appears a bit baffled by Crouch’s approach to the state income tax.
“The details, from someone who’s covered the nitty-gritty of state budgets, are important,” Kelly said. “(Crouch) said we’re not going to raise any additional taxes. So, then, the idea of efficiencies, we heard again and again, efficiencies. This kind of cracks me up about this conversation. Republicans have been in charge for 20 years. Are there billions of dollars of efficiencies still in state government, or inefficiencies in state government? If so, why? They’ve been in charge for 20 years.”
According to Kelly, finding billions of dollars of efficiencies in the Indiana state budget “is just not realistic.”
Host of the Indiana Public Broadcasting program Brandon Smith pointed out in the same episode that economic development experts say finding a quality place to live with amenities is much more important than tax cuts when it comes to locating a business operation.
Indiana’s income tax is not large, about 5% in most counties. It varies because counties have the choice to levy their own income tax for local governments. If Crouch gets her way, those local governments would lose that funding.
Our state income tax in not progressive, based on experts that study such things. There are 9 states with no income tax. How do they manage that?
It varies by state. For example, Alaska uses revenue from the oil industry. Nevada relies on taxes paid by the gambling industry, but that has been uneven in recent years with more states legalizing gambling (including Indiana).
New Hampshire has no income or sales tax, but does tax businesses to make up the difference, along with very high property tax rates.
I won’t bore you with every state’s situation, but you get the picture. Are there really $8 billion in spending cuts and efficiencies in state government that Hoosiers will not feel in a big way?
I do not pretend to know the answer to that question. It will be up to Suzanne Crouch and other gubernatorial hopefuls to spell out any tax and spending proposals during the upcoming campaign next year.
