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The news today is enough to put you in a bad mood. How many of us have stopped watching the news, reading papers (other than IBJ) or got off social media because it’s just too depressing and too polarizing?
You might have heard the saying, “Bad news sells.” Well, that is probably true. In fact, studies have shown that most people remember bad news much longer than good news and that people pay more attention to negative headlines than to positive ones.
We take a different approach at IBJ Media. Our mission is to deliver trusted news and information to current and aspiring business, not-for-profit, government, civic and community leaders. We also work to deliver news and resources that contribute to our customers’ strategies for growth, community engagement and career advancement. This is a multifaceted mission that we are doing our best to achieve.
Our goal is to deliver news accurately, with integrity and with respect for our community. We are locally owned and independent, which gives us the best opportunity to be unbiased and balanced. That doesn’t mean we report only good news—that wouldn’t give readers an accurate view of our city. It also doesn’t mean we always succeed at being unbiased. We are human with our own opinions and experiences that affect our perceptions.
Luckily, as a columnist, I can be intentionally biased. My bias this week is to focus on the positive.
◗ Indy Eleven becomes first local professional team to return to action. After four months without sports, the Indy Eleven took the field and notched a 2-0 victory over Saint Louis FC in front of nearly 5,000 fans properly socially distanced at Lucas Oil Stadium. By all accounts, the health and safety protocols put in place were strictly followed. The Indy Eleven play again this Saturday against Sporting KC II if you are ready to scratch your sports itch. Sports are back (cross your fingers that they’re back for good)!
◗ Steve Huse recovers from COVID-19. Ever had your nose burn after diving into St. Elmo’s shrimp cocktail? Well, you can thank Steve Huse for that wonderful experience. Steve bought St. Elmo Steak House in 1986 to preserve one of Indy’s most iconic restaurants, and his son, Craig Huse, continues the tradition.
Steve contracted COVID-19 and was perilously close to succumbing to the virus. With the help of medical professionals, family and friends, Steve has had what many describe as a miraculous recovery after more than 100 days in the hospital, including a month on a ventilator. It’s an incredible story of perseverance.
◗ Plywood is giving way to glass. Little by little, downtown is beginning to look like it used to. This first cosmetic step is important to bringing people back downtown. More important, issues such as racism, panhandling, crime and education are at the forefront of every downtown discussion. Civic leaders are stepping up and realize that we must act boldly and collaboratively to ensure Indy’s future.
◗ GOP nominates Rokita to run for attorney general. The challenges facing sitting Attorney General Curtis Hill have been well documented by The Indiana Lawyer and IBJ. Democrats were salivating to take on Hill; the negative ads wrote themselves. Unfortunately for Indiana Democrats, the delegates to the Indiana Republican State Convention chose former Secretary of State and congressman Todd Rokita.
A proven vote-getter and relentless campaigner, Rokita will be a much more formidable challenger to Democrat Jonathan Weinzapfel. While you can’t rule out negative ads, they won’t be as brutal or salacious with Hill out of the race— that’s a positive!
After thinking about all this positive news, I’m in a better mood. I hope you are, too.•
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Feltman is IBJ Media’s CEO. Send comments to nfeltman@ibj.com.
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