They were arrested for just being there. This is absolute bullshit. In the 90s, there was a protest camp there against the Gulf War that was there 24/7. I know because I was in it sometimes, helping to cook food and do other things to keep it a place to live in.

In the 80s, there was a semi-permanent shantytown there to protest South African apartheid.

This is utter bullshit.

Instead of 300,000 spectators, as multiple officials projected, Bloomington saw tens of thousands, according to early estimates. And while the smaller-than-expected crowds enabled the city to escape snarled traffic, the overestimates also kept some Bloomington residents from leaving their homes and attending the local events, from Switchyard Park to Memorial Stadium.

...

IU spokesman Mark Bode said the university hosted “tens of thousands of visitors and students across at least seven separate events,” including “nearly 10,000” at Memorial Stadium.

(The maximum capacity of the stadium is over 50,000.)

While between 50,000 and 100,000 eclipse viewers were expected in Nashville and Brown County, an estimated 20,000 showed up.

...

Jiffy Treet in Ellettsville, the epicenter of the total solar eclipse in Indiana, had a big day. More than 50 people watched the eclipse from a grassy field adjacent to the Ind. 46 ice cream shop.

Incidentally, the parking by Jiffy Treet was charging $50 per car, so that's not exactly shocking.

The eclipse was on a Monday. Most kids not near the path of totality had school. Why they thought so many thousands were coming is beyond me. This should have been easily predicted.

I don't even know where to begin with some of the quotes in this article, good or bad.

The topic of politics can be aggausting, but I wonder if there isn't merit to this idea?

If we'll have republican local reps regardless based on trends, should people jump party and vote for more moderate candidates, if any exist?

Even if you know your candidate isn't likely to win, do you vote them on principle to vote metrics and data, or do you vote for the lesser evil opponent, even if you feel dirty for it?

I'm not taking or endorsing a side or suggesting anyone should, just curious. Pretend it's the opposite parties than Indiana if it helps thinking through it.

INDIANAPOLIS – Angry reaction from community leaders continue to pour in after a controversial punishment was handed down to the man who was convicted of killing Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer Breann Leath.

Dorsey was sentenced on Thursday to 25 years in prison after he was found guilty but mentally ill on the following charges:

One count of reckless homicide Three counts of criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon One count of attempted murder One count of criminal confinement Dorsey was not convicted of murder by the jury. That charge was reduced to the lesser reckless homicide charge.

...

Snyder, who is the president of the Indianapolis FOP, said during a Friday afternoon news conference that residents of Indianapolis, as well as Indiana residents and those throughout the country, saw a “miscarriage of justice” through Stoner’s sentencing.

In response, Snyder said the maximum sentence of 63 years should have been implemented for Dorsey in this case, which Snyder called an attempt of “cold blooded murder.”

...

“As mayor and as a father, I’m shocked and disappointed in the decision that was handed down yesterday,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.

INDIANAPOLIS — A traffic stop ended up leading investigators to a restaurant on Indy’s east side where police uncovered cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, fentanyl and enough firepower for a shootout.

William Collins, 45, was arrested by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department on Monday for his role in the alleged drug trafficking. Collins also isn’t permitted to own a firearm due to being a convicted felon.

Police said Collins was arrested during a traffic stop after detectives witnessed a “hand-to-hand drug transaction” in a parking lot in the 3200 block of N. Emerson. During the traffic stop, police found a handgun in Collins’ possession.

The investigation eventually led police to 1313 Eatery, a chicken wing shop located at 5299 E. 38th Street. Detectives searched the business and seized approximately 600 grams of cocaine, five pounds of meth, one pound of marijuana and 70 grams of fentanyl pills.

Also found in the restaurant were three firearms, two of which were reported stolen, and nearly 900 rounds of live ammunition.

Police said they initially responded after patrol officers in the downtown area heard several shots being fired nearby. They found six minors, among a larger group of kids, suffering from injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. An emergency medical services crew transported all of them to a hospital for treatment. One of the victims' conditions was critical at the time of transport, but the classification was updated and that person is now stable. The other five victims were stable when they were transported.

A seventh victim, who police determined had been shot during the same downtown incident, was treated as a walk-in at a different hospital. That person's condition was listed as stable too, according to Indianapolis police.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Police troopers made 120 traffic stops and cited a majority of those drivers for speeding during a two-hour ticket-writing blitz on the west side of Indianapolis Wednesday.

More than a dozen troopers, warned by lawmen with handheld laser speed detectors, pulled over drivers exceeding the 55-mile-per-hour limits on I-465 between 56th and 38th streets for two hours in the afternoon.

Sgt. John Perrine said troopers were stopping only drivers topping out at 75 MPH and above.

”We’re certainly not out here looking for the people who are minor speeding. We’re looking for the most egregious, most aggressive drivers who are really causing problems,” he said. ”We would like to lower that threshold but it’s really hard to go out and stop the people doing 10 over when we know a few seconds later there is somebody coming who is doing thirty over.”

Perrine said excessive speed is often to blame for road rage incidents.

”We have a group of drivers who want to drive slow in the left lane and say, ‘Hey, you’re not passing me. If I’m gonna drive the speed limit, you’re gonna drive the speed limit.’ And the other side of the selfish driver is, ‘I don’t care about anybody else. I’m gonna drive the way I want as fast as I want.’ We really need to get a handle on both of those.”

Perrine said troopers from across the state will be patrolling Indianapolis area interstates through the rest of this year engaging in occasional blitzes. ...

Why can't we go faster?

Why cant the speed limit of Indiana's 465 beltway be increased over 55 mph?

Copilot

The speed limit on I-465, despite most drivers exceeding it, remains at 55 mph due to Indiana state law. Specifically, because I-465 is considered to be within an urban area, its speed limit cannot exceed 55 mph. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has the authority to lower the speed limit if an engineering study demonstrates that a lower speed is necessary for safety or traffic reasons1. So, even though many drivers find the current limit too low, it remains in place due to legal constraints.

Interestingly, the real-world data supports the notion that drivers consistently exceed the speed limit on I-465. For instance:

96.3% of vehicles recorded at one spot on the northwest side of I-465 were going over the speed limit. More than half of the vehicles were recorded at speeds exceeding 65 mph, which is more than 10 mph over the limit1. While there have been discussions about implementing variable speed limits on parts of I-465, the existing legal framework keeps the maximum speed at 55 mph2. So, despite the bustling traffic and the urge to go faster, the beltway remains a place where the Racing Capital of the World meets the 55 mph speed limit1! 🏎️🚗

southbendtribune.com indystar.com aaroads.com

Let's Play Date, Marry, Kill...with Roundabouts.

What are your thoughts as Indiana starts adopting these modern traffic control measures (Europe has been doing them since...forever)?

Most people I talk to either love or hate these intersections. For some reason, I can't find people who are indifferent to them very often.

According to the Carmel's city webpage: "Carmel is internationally known for its roundabout network. Since the late 1990’s Carmel has been building and replacing signalized intersections with roundabouts. Carmel now has more than 150 roundabouts, more than any other city in the United States."

"The number of injury accidents in Carmel have reduced by about 80 percent and the number of accidents overall by about 40 percent."

https://www.carmel.in.gov/government/departments-services/engineering/roundabouts#:~:text=Carmel%20is%20internationally%20known%20for,city%20in%20the%20United%20States.

General PROs / CONs

• Up to a 90 percent reduction in fatalities
• 76 percent reduction in injury crashes
• 30-40 percent reduction in pedestrian crashes
• Reduces the severity of crashes
• Keeps pedestrians safer
• Roundabouts reduce the number of potential accident points within an intersection, 75 percent fewer conflict points than four-way intersections
• No signal equipment to install and repair, savings estimated at an average of $5,000 per year in electricity and maintenance costs
• Service life of a roundabout is 25 years (vs. the 10-year service life of signal equipment)
• Reduces pollution and fuel use
• 30-50 percent increase in traffic capacity, improves traffic flow for intersections that handle a high number of left turns, reduces need for turn lanes
• While roundabouts can handle moderate to heavy traffic volumes more efficiently than traditional intersections, they may experience congestion and delays during periods of extremely high traffic volumes or if not designed properly for the anticipated traffic flow
• Pedestrians and cyclists may face challenges navigating roundabouts, particularly multi-lane roundabouts with higher traffic volumes. Proper design considerations, such as providing safe crossing points, adequate sight lines, and dedicated pedestrian/cyclist facilities, are crucial to ensure their safety.
• Drivers unfamiliar with roundabouts may initially experience confusion or hesitation when navigating them, potentially leading to increased risks or delays until they become accustomed to the traffic patterns.
• Roundabouts generally require a larger footprint and more land area

https://www.in.gov/indot/traffic-engineering/roundabouts/#:~:text=Up%20to%20a%2090%20percent,points%20than%20four%2Dway%20intersections (CONs came from general searching, LLM compilation)

Indianapolis and the surrounding suburbs are implementing them more frequently now, how about your city?

Did you know that traffic circles are different from roundabouts? PA has a little comparison chart that was interesting (If you're into that sort of thing): https://www.penndot.pa.gov/PennDOTWay/pages/Article.aspx?post=24

The actor, who just celebrated his 93rd birthday on March 22, shared his excitement about experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime event. When asked about what to expect from him during the celebration, he said “darkness” with laughter.

“The next one over Indiana will be like a hundred years from now," he said. "We’ll all be dead. I might not be, but you guys are going to be dead the next time. It’s an event, but when you ponder the mystery - if you ponder what’s taking place in the heavens - it’s gargantuan.”

...

William Shatner, known for his iconic role as Captain William T. Kirk in the classic television series "Star Trek," is headed to Bloomington to take part in Indiana University’s “Hoosier Cosmic Celebration.”

...

The pace of violations, recorded since the city restricted turns at 97 downtown intersections, amounts to an average of about seven tickets per month.

Two pedestrian advocates told Mirror Indy they would like to see more enforcement, but city officials said the number of tickets issued is only one metric — and not the most indicative of success when it comes to pedestrian safety measures.

“Their desired effect was not to increase (the) number of tickets issued by IMPD. It was to ensure the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists in the Mile Square,” Vop Osili, the Democratic president of Indianapolis City-County Council, said in an emailed statement to Mirror Indy.

...

The policy change followed a study from the Indianapolis Department of Public Works that looked at a five-year history of pedestrian-related crashes in the downtown area. It found that 57% of were the result of vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections with traffic signals.

Data also showed that downtown pedestrians were more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash compared to pedestrians in the rest of Marion County.

...

Freeman, who was a city-county councilor from 2010 to 2016, argued that the policy would “create confusion and congestion” and “won’t stop distracted, reckless or aggressive driving.”

INDIANAPOLIS — Senator and Indiana Gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun reportedly missed a spending package vote early Saturday morning.

Braun’s officials also reported that he had a seat on a 9:35 p.m. flight to Washington D.C. The team added that Braun decided to skip the flight and stay in Indiana because no votes were scheduled at the time.

I'm trying to get better at recycling, mostly by finding places to bring my stuff. Do I have this right? This is mostly just based on searching earth911, but I'm not sure they are 100% up-to-date.

• Broken lightbulbs: Maybe Batteries + Bulbs
• Broken lightbulbs: Hamilton County dropoffs
• Alkaline batteries, pretty much all lightbulbs except maybe LEDs: Batteries + Bulbs
• Alkaline batteries, pretty much all lightbulbs except maybe halogen bulbs: ToxDrop
• Phones: Lowe's
• Phones: RecycleForce
• Tires: South Side Landfill and Recycling Center
• #5 plastic (rigid): Seems like a lot of people will take it but probably nobody actually recycles it
• #7 plastic (rigid): Seems like a lot of people will take it but probably nobody actually recycles it.

Indiana just passed legislation to require schools to ban phones.

They permit them for health reasons, emergencies, when part of lesson, and when part of a formal plan.

I personally don't like the idea of schools requiring locking them up. What would you do in that emergency they mentioned?

Why should kids not be able to use them at lunch?

If you want to control your kid's phone time, there's already apps for that.

Edit: additional comment from a teacher: she said the phone restrictions aren't going to be as effective as one would think with all the kids having watches with data plans. Dude...

Looks like Indiana is getting happy hour back.

Article says senators tried to kill carry out drink options.

Indiana allowed carry out drinks during COVID to help businesses during lockdown.

• Did you experience, or come across data that supports the claim that carry out will lead to increasing drunk driving?

• How do you feel about carry out?

• How do you feel about happy hour offerings and encouragement of more or just cheaper alcohol consumption?

Just when I thought a piece of legislation was going to just be clean and good, instead I read there's opponents, and it's because it holds back African and Latin kids...

Dammit, I just want kids to be able to read!

I'm curious if anyone feels they get the same degree of workplace protection the concept of tenure for professors?

• Some contractors get protection if it's built into their contracts
• Unions create termination restrictions
• Military gets sanctuary for their last two years before twenty years service, then usually kicked out, unless they're generals
• you can't legally fire someone because color, religion, orientation, etc

What makes professors different or not different?

You can fire retail workers for anything not illegal

Based on your stance, if professors should be special, why?

If not, do you believe we won't get good ones all the sudden if they can't have tenure?

I'll try to find specific arguments made by opposing legislation, but but not necessarily asking for people just to verbally slay conservative/liberals. There's already a million posts for that.

Ah yeeeah!

If there was ever a time to email your reps...

Now, before you go ape shit on Republicans are all....

Instead, I'm curious about the matter of running vs voting.

Do you believe you should only be able to run for a party you voted for?

Does this protect the party? Or limit candidates (assuming it's a candidate you don't disagree with)?

Are there down sides to this?

What is if a moderate ran for Republican, but he voted Democrat a few times, or vise versa?

Would it be good if a middle of the road person ran instead of a more partisan candidate?

Lastly, I'm not advocating for this guy. Only discussion about the situation.

Far out dude...

I am super interested to see how this goes. I've heard studies from western states have shown encouraging results in some people.

It only took 50 years to circle back to considering these things might have benefits beyond getting high or hearing colors.

Here's the response when I give information:

• https://midwest.social/post/8623717

Here's the response when I request information:

• https://midwest.social/post/4145243
• https://midwest.social/post/8494769

Everyone is a beginner at some point. Both questions and answers inform the community.

DBAD.

I'm not affiliated with the organizers. Come on down!

This article covers upcoming deployment.

I haven't come across overall Indiana sentiment on this yet

There are many things I'm unhappy about in this matter:

• Deployment of Indiana guard for something the federal government should be doing.
• Putting Indiana citizen soldiers in a very difficult position: having to deal with immigration policies in actual practice, political shenanigans, dealing with humanitarian issues when the primary mission isn't saving lives. We are good at war and helping save lives, anything else is asking for trouble.
• Combining immigration policy with border protection. I don't like that they aren't separate. I feel like it's all political games, but someone convince me that we can't control borders without barring all immigration.
• Crazy talk about federalizing a state's national guard.
• Crazy talk about States and federal government clashing to the point of escalation. I don't think cool heads and reason win the day anymore. I feel like the populous seems willing to support more extreme measures these days
• Separation of service members from their families

On one positive side, this will give 50 service members and their families a first hand view of a major topic instead of hearing it from the news.

I know this is old and hinges on your favor of trump, but I have more respect for Sen. Young after this and his breaking away from Republican shenanigans regarding this border security.