NOVEMBER 19-25, 2012
This week, find out how Yats' founders are looking to grow the local restaurant chain and read about plans for a new entrance to Circle Centre mall. In Focus, learn what Indiana colleges think about competency-based education. And in Forefront, see what our columnists have to say about the 2012 elections.
Front PageBack to Top
Ritz turns to D.C. in quest for clout
Politically boxed in at home, newly elected state schools chief Glenda Ritz is looking to Washington for some wiggle room to make changes to Indiana’s education rules.
Read MoreExecutives backing push to launch pro soccer team
A group of Indianapolis business executives is laying the groundwork to launch a professional soccer team here in 2014. Members of the group won’t identify themselves, but this month they launched a website—indyprosoccer.com—seeking season-ticket commitments.
Read MoreExactTarget co-founder Baggott turns zeal to natural farming
Chris Baggott has spent the past year and a half raising cattle, pigs and chickens on pasture, rather than conventional feed grain, and without the use of hormones or antibiotics.
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Carmel project dogged by conflict questions
An executive ousted from the firm developing The Barrington in Carmel alleges that the $142 million retirement-community project was driven by conflicts of interest.
Read MoreYats founders prepare to franchise chain across Midwest
Yats founders Joe and Regina Vuskovich decided earlier this year to grow their restaurant through franchising. Broad Ripple resident John Sutton and his sister Brittany Franken jumped at the opportunity.
Read MoreCircle Centre to build entry through empty Nordstrom
Construction could begin soon in the former home of Nordstrom at Circle Centre mall, but the project does not signal an end to the mall’s limbo following the 2011 departure of its marquee anchor.
Read MorePlenty of turbulence ahead, despite Republic’s progress
Analysts are impressed by Bedford’s cost-cutting achievements at Republic’s scheduled-service carrier, Frontier Airlines, and his early progress in restructuring its Chautauqua unit, which flies small regional jets on contract for branded carriers.
Read MoreTransit, runoff bills on environmental group’s legislative wish list
But with a legislature that could be unreceptive to environmental policy, HEC is also guarding against an unwinding of existing laws.
Read MoreMuch of trustee’s suit against Fair Finance lenders dismissed
Fair Finance Co.'s investors have been dealt a blow by a federal judge who dismissed a bankrutpcy trustee's lawsuit against one of the company’s deep-pocketed lenders.
Read MoreSmall biz exposure clouds WellPoint’s future
WellPoint’s average small-employer client has just 8.5 lives covered on its health plan. And firms of that size are far more likely to use the new health insurance exchanges, said WellPoint Chief Financial Officer Wayne DeVeydt.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Indiana universities slow to embrace competency-based learning
Western Governors University allows students to complete courses as fast as they want and take as many courses as they want a semester, all for the same per-semester fee. But universities in Indiana believe the style isn’t for everyone.
Read MoreIU online program getting big overhaul
University is opting to open more courses to the masses.
Read MoreIU: Growth of Indiana’s labor force slowing rapidly
The Indiana Business Research Center attributes the predicted slowdown during the next 30 years to an increasing number of baby boomers entering retirement and a cresting of the decades-long rise in female labor force participation.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: University bloat ripe for review
The number of administrative workers at Purdue shot up 54 percent in the past decade, nearly eight times the increase in tenured and non-tenured faculty, Bloomberg reported. Meanwhile, the cost for room, board and other expenses for attending the university swelled 60 percent.
Read MoreMORRIS: Tony Bennett took one for the team
I’m worried the defeat of Tony Bennett as superintendent of public instruction puts this state’s education reforms not at risk, but on a slower pace.
Read MoreKENNEDY: Be careful what you wish for
I’ll admit to taking guilty pleasure from two highly significant miscalculations of this year’s election cycle: the infusion of gazillions of corporate dollars to sway voters, and efforts to (ahem!) “true the vote.
Read MoreSNYDER: An unnecessary barrier to entry
A few months ago, I was visiting a friend in the hospital. As I observed the staff attending to him, I was impressed by the quality of care he received. It was clear he was in good hands.
Read MoreALTOM: It’s easy to fill gaps in business knowledge online
The online world is blossoming with education, both good and questionable. It was one of the first uses for the Web. The Web brought technical people together to share information, and often it was in the form of a tutorial to answer the question, “How do I get this to do that?”
Read MoreHICKS: Thelma and Louise approach the fiscal cliff
Reaching an agreement on our budget deficit requires one or both sides to concede central parts of their arguments.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Long-term investments make solid tax shelters
This is the season many investors review their year-to-date gains and losses and scan their portfolios for any other year-end tax maneuvers.
Read MoreDon’t ruin Mass Ave
Carol Faenzi hit the nail on the head [Nov. 12 Viewpoint]. I don’t find many who endorse the exterior design of the proposed Mass Ave structure.
Read MoreMass Ave project has character
Schmidt Associates is pushing Indianapolis’ building facades into 21st century leadership.
Read MoreMaurer on target
A note to heartily second your thoughts [Maurer column, Nov. 12] regarding Republican Party politics.
Read MoreState Democrats reach critical turning point
Like many Democrats, I ended election night with polarized emotions. I started off ecstatic.
Read MoreRitz should advocate higher teacher salaries
Teachers have the most difficult job in the world. They aren’t paid what they’re worth.” Across Indiana, these words have become cliché. In their guts, Hoosiers know what data has proven—better pay for teachers translates, in the long run, to better outcomes for students.
Read MoreTeachers crave rules
The Bennett/Ritz election was a contest between forward motion and status quo. Daniels and Bennett are pressing the accelerator. Ritz represents a tactically oriented teacher group and will pump the brakes to slow change initiatives.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Local chain takes vacant Clearwater restaurant spot
Zionsville-based Oobatz! will open in building formerly occupied by Uno Chicago Grill.
Read MoreState’s local income tax system isn’t keeping up with demand
A report by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute and Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute recommends streamlining the system.
Read MoreU.S. colleges look to foreign students to help bottom line
New figures show international enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities grew nearly 6 percent last year, driven by a 23-percent increase from China. Growth is even higher at Midwest schools like Indiana University and Purdue.
Read MoreGreen BEAN Delivery expands with second farm
The locally based purveyor of organic produce is leasing 50 acres in Ohio to serve its customers in that state, Indiana and Kentucky.
Read MoreLemonade Day wants to grow seed money
Lemonade Day is having a fundraiser Monday evening to raise $5,000 to $10,000 for a startup capital fund for the annual children’s entrepreneurship event.
Read MoreOhio-based logistics firm opens first local facility
Spartan Logistics is hiring about 35 people to staff a warehouse on the east side near 33rd Street and Franklin Road.
Read MoreNFP of NOTE: Kiwanis Foundation of Indianapolis Inc.
The mission of the Kiwanis Foundation of Indianapolis Inc., on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis, is to build a better community through charitable giving and service projects that focus on youth in the Indianapolis area.
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