NOVEMBER 4-10, 2013
In this week's issue, Scott Olson hits the streets with local real estate legend Bif Ward, who is approaching the mind-boggling milestone of $1 billion in career sales. Scott rides along for a day on Ward's rounds and tries to figure out what makes her tick. Also in this issue, Anthony Schoettle uncovers what brought the behemoth Performance Racing Industry Show—with a total local economic impact of $45 million—back to Indianapolis after an eight-year absence. And in A&E, dining reviewer Lou Harry gets the scoop on the super-sized new Yats on Massachusetts Avenue.
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Tireless agent Bif Ward closing in on $1B milestone
For 34 years, Ward has been selling homes in the Indianapolis area, often to the city’s elite, racking up 12-hour days during her busiest times.
Read MoreRedevelopment commission for Carmel in turmoil
The city's big-spending redevelopment commission, which helped fund some of Carmel's most ambitious projects, now is facing a tight budget, a staff exodus and brow-raising audit.
Read More‘Zero-premium’ insurance could leave hospitals hurting
So-called “zero-premium plans” are priced in such a way that their premiums would be no greater than the federal tax subsidies that low-income buyers could claim.
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Racing home: Fast-growing trade show returns to Indy
The upcoming Performance Racing Industry Show—in its first year back in Indianapolis since 2004—is beating expectations for exhibitors, attendees and, most important, visitor spending.
Read MoreAngie’s List stock falls after growth slows
Never mind that Angie’s List posts a loss every year. Wall Street isn’t worried about that, right now. But let its double-digit revenue growth slow just a bit and, before you know it, the stock has fallen 33 percent—as it did in October.
Read MoreYelp making grass-roots push to boost inroads in Indy
Internet reviewers aren’t always the kindest people when it comes to their opinions, which is a bit intimidating for a mom-and-pop shop. But not embracing Yelp can be outright foolish as the San Francisco-based customer-review website expands its reach in Indianapolis, business owners say.
Read MoreSale may extricate Harlan Labs from its debt problems
San Francisco-based Genstar Capital is exploring selling the 2,600-employee company in the wake of failing early this year to renegotiate the company’s massive debt load.
Read MoreConference for women attracting big interest
Maybe it was the chance to meet Martha Stewart. Perhaps it was the opportunity for entrepreneurs to pitch their concepts to investors.
Read MoreTom Wood dealership snaps up 15 acres near Anson
The local auto group that sells 14 car brands could move its Toyota dealership from Lafayette Road to the Zionsville site, where the population is growing thanks to the Anson development.
Read MorePreservationists float ideas for reusing City Hall
An upscale hotel, a brewery and an event center were among the proposals suggested by members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The group is holding its annual conference in Indianapolis for the first time.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Purdue makes big push into state’s pharma industry
With a $60 million-plus investment, the university aims to take molecules from discovery to clinical trials.
Read MoreMILLER: Specialty medications have potential to cut costs
Today’s specialty medications are modern miracles, helping millions of patients with chronic, life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Study water needs while there’s time
Ignoring the future won’t make it go away. And without legislative leadership, Indiana’s future looks dry.
Read MoreMORRIS: Make your job easier—don’t be a jerk
Management trainer tells you how you can be nice and effective at the same time.
Read MoreKENNEDY: Money doesn’t buy happiness
When my mother told me money can’t buy happiness, she was evidently onto something. Recently, the World Happiness Report recognized Denmark—a cold country with one of those high-tax “socialist, nanny-state” governments—as the happiest nation on Earth.
Read MoreRACE: Historic Maple Road has power to transform city
Bus Rapid Transit could revive 38th Street and the neighborhoods that surround it.
Read MoreMore progress needed for primary care docs
Thank you for [Oct. 21 Morris column] on the shortage of primary care doctors from a patient’s perspective.
Read MoreLIBMAN: Great Recession isn’t over for the arts
As we all know, the Great Recession that began in 2008 was the worst economic disaster to hit America and the global economy since the Great Depression. While the Great Recession is technically over as measured by economists, millions of Americans are still out of work or have stopped searching for work, and some sectors of the economy have not recovered.
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Zinn events keep spotlight on Daniels controversy
The controversy about former Gov. Mitch Daniels’ emails criticizing the late historian Howard Zinn will continue this month as professors, students and staff members gather at universities around the nation to read Zinn’s writings.
Read MoreEnvironmentalists targeting ag laws
The Hoosier Environmental Council has targeted food safety, animal rights and the environmental impact the corporate livestock industry has in Indiana.
Read MoreRolls-Royce contractor grows on southwest side
Belcan Corp. has hired about 20 people this year and expects to keep adding to its local work force over the next several years as it continues to provide engineering services to Rolls-Royce, its largest local customer.
Read MoreFCC fines Greenfield broadcaster for transmitting from silo
The signal from Hoosier Public Radio Corp. interferred with an aircraft radio frequency, according to the federal agency.
Read MoreIndiana University joins gay marriage ban fight
Indiana University has joined a campaign fighting a proposed state constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriages.
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