APRIL 14-20, 2014
In this week's issue, Chris O'Malley digs into a federal lawsuit between Indiana body shop owners and car insurance companies, who are accused of squeezing compensation for collision-repair shops to the point of collapse. Also this week, Scott Olson previews an unexpected menu addition for Indy-based Steak n Shake. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry praises a congregation of theatrical works in the area with unconventional takes on men of the cloth.
Front PageBack to Top
Body shops sue insurers, allege push to drive down prices
In a federal lawsuit, 14 Indiana auto-body shops accuse State Farm and competitors of extracting “unreasonable and onerous” concessions on vehicle repair costs.
Read MoreSan Francisco route off to flying start
Indianapolis business travelers pay a premium to shave a few hours and a lot of hassle off their trips to Silicon Valley, and they appear eager to do so. A new nonstop route between Indianapolis International Airport and San Francisco was about three-quarters sold in January and February, the two slowest months for air travel.
Read MoreGrowth in Hoosier wages lagging inflation
Pay raises were a pipe dream for many Hoosiers last year—as the median wage in Indiana inched up 0.8 percent, to $31,990, according to federal data released this month.
Read MoreTop StoriesBack to Top
Bloomington brewer taps Indy ad firm, French designer to recast beer labels
Upland recently hired Indianapolis ad agency Young & Laramore to help streamline and unify its varied packaging themes.
Read MoreSteak n Shake sees appetite for organic
The Indianapolis-based burger chain won approval in late March from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark the “organic signature steakburger.
Read MoreKokomo, like Indy, trying to sway suburbanites to move in
The mayors of Indy and Kokomo in late February gave remarkably similar state-of-the-city addresses, both focusing on the need to make their communities more desirable as places to live, not just do business.
Read MoreIEDC urging government bets on spec-building
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. is encouraging local governments to help finance speculative industrial buildings, which could land new businesses but could put at risk hundreds of thousands in taxpayer dollars.
Read MoreHealth insurers must make educated guesses on 2015 prices
The back-loaded enrollment process for the Obamacare exchanges gives insurers far, far less information about their new customers than usual.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Electronics manufacturing short circuited in Indiana
The sector is migrating to states that beckon with better prospects.
Read MoreIndiana universities, manufacturers helping launch Digital Lab
Indiana manufacturers, universities and various state groups are abuzz about their involvement with the freshly minted, Chicago-based Digital Lab for Manufacturing—even if they’re not yet sure what their exact role will be.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Bike-share cements cycling legacy
Mayor Greg Ballard has accomplished plenty during his seven years in office, but his most enduring legacy may be in building a bicycle-friendly Indianapolis.
Read MoreRUSTHOVEN: Glad Kentucky went down in the finals
In sports, I typically root for my team to win, not for another team to lose. Exceptions are the New England Patriots (Colts loyalists need no explanation) and the New York Yankees, justly despised by all us Boston Red Sox fans and other real Americans.
Read MoreLANNAN: Cash could swing sprawling Fishers mayor’s race
A large amount of money is pouring into the Republican primary election for the mayor of Fishers. Don’t be swayed by the amount of money a campaign has raised.
Read MoreKim: Human nature stands in way of earning robust returns
‘Behavior gap’ is the difference between what an average investment returns and what the average investor actually earns, because he or she can’t leave investments alone long enough for them to prosper.
Read MoreHicks: Measuring the immeasurable is huge challenge
One aspect of economic research I think is especially powerful is the ability to measure or monetize the things humans clearly value but for which a market price is not necessarily apparent.
Read MoreAn alternate plan to repair streets
Mayor Ballard is criss-crossing Indy promoting Rebuild Indy 2.0 to make street, road, curb and sidewalk improvements. I agree; we need to make critical investment in our infrastructure. And quickly.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Councilor: ACLU settlement won’t deter panhandling proposal
Councilor Jeff Miller said the city’s settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union over panhandling enforcement shouldn’t deter a City-County Council effort to pass a more restrictive ordinance.
Read MorePROXY CORNER: WellPoint Inc.
Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc.provides managed care health benefit plans to employers and self-funded customers.
Read More