JUNE 19-25, 2020
Within days of a group of Indiana utilities asking regulators for permission last month to charge ratepayers for revenue they stood to lose because of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people from all corners of Indiana sent a flurry of complaints to the Statehouse. Utilities say they are dealing with a rare challenge, but the outpouring of reaction seems to show that Indiana customers are in no mood for another rate increase, John Russell reports. Also in this week’s issue, Greg Andrews surveys the renewed hostilities between real estate magnates David Simon and Bobby Taubman now that Simon is pulling back from a $3.6 billion to buy the latter’s company. And Susan Orr explores the difficulties that Indiana economists face when trying to forecast the future of the state’s economy.
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Retail real estate scions to battle in court–again
David Simon and Bobby Taubman are battling now in court over whether Simon Property Group is obligated to complete the $3.6 billion purchase of Michigan-based Taubman Centers that it announced in February.
Read MoreUtilities face major pushback over pandemic-relief request
More than 2,300 people have complained by email to the Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor, which is on track to become the largest number of complaints for any single case in at least a decade.
Read MoreArmed with $100M, Novus Capital prowls for acquisition
The “blank check company”—formed to acquire one or more businesses and merge with them as a way to take those companies public—closed its funding round in May and is looking for a business to buy.
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Black chamber leader calls for more city support
During the coronavirus pandemic—which research shows has disproportionately affected black-owned businesses—the 250-member organization has received no city funding to give loans or grants to its members who were struggling.
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COVID-19 uncertainty makes economic predictions more difficult
Economists are struggling to understand how bad the fallout might get and how long it might take to recover.
Read MoreQ&A with Nancy Boettner about the Irvington Farmers Market
Boettner is the market master for the Irvington Garden Club, which means she manages the Irvington Farmers Market that takes place from noon to 3 p.m. on Sundays in Ellenberger Park.
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City partnership aims to reimagine public safety in Indianapolis with community’s help
The goal of the partnership with the Criminal Justice Lab at the New York University School of Law is to create a new community-driven and community-monitored vision of criminal justice in Indianapolis.
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Protective Insurance rejects investment group’s offer but will explore alternatives
An investment group led by finance-industry veterans V.J. Dowling and David Delaney owns 7% of Protective’s voting stock and had proposed buying the remainder for more than $44 million.
Read MoreTHE LATEST: PPE Marketplace hits 20,000-bundle mark; BMV to begin charging penalty fees again; no movie theaters, playgrounds in Stage 3
Get the latest news on the coronavirus and COVID-19 in this ongoing series of updates available outside IBJ’s paywall.
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Lilly testing third potential treatment for COVID-19
The Indianapolis-based drugmaker said it is launching a global trial for the anti-inflammatory drug baricitinib, which it launched two years ago to treat moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.
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Indy-area museums, attractions will restart in phases—often with members-only events first
Though the city will allow museums and cultural institutions to operate at 50% occupancy starting June 19, many are planning to wait a few days or test the waters with a select group of members.
Read MoreCare-free days at theme parks giving way to virus safeguards
From Walt Disney World in Florida to Holiday World in Indiana, amusement parks are taking all kinds of steps to reassure the public and government leaders that they’re safe to visit amid the coronavirus crisis.
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Editorial: Treat Waterside rezoning with care
Any industrial uses permitted by city should be in sync with grand vision of creating an office, residential hub.
Read MoreNATE FELTMAN: Collective bargaining protects bad cops
It shouldn’t be so easy for officers who have a record of complaints to hang onto their jobs.
Read MoreMaria Quintana: Replacing yourself might be part of the solution
We all see color, we all are prejudiced, and we all are complicit. We do not need white saviors telling us how to end racism, but we do need their help.
Read MoreAndre Carson: Let’s seize this moment to make lasting change
we must dramatically reimagine and reconstruct policing. The Justice in Policing Act, introduced this month in Congress, is a good start.
Read MoreHAHN: Pursue these steps to increase your earning potential
We all have varying levels of human capital, and our mindset determines how we use and enhance that capital.
Read MoreCOOPER: Retain customers and expand market share through COVID-19
You have massive opportunity right now to start and grow a business if you assess market trends and respond accordingly.
Read MoreJared Council: Emotional dam breaks for black community, including black journalists
As black people progress in society and climb new heights in media, business and more, it brings a false sense of accomplishment that the work is done. Far from it.
Read MoreURBAN DESIGN: Let’s build places—and relationships—that harness diversity’s strength
People who work together in diverse groups learn from one another and build places all of us can be proud of.
Read MoreBOHANON & CUROTT: Pay attention to what’s happening at the margins
Marginal analysis is a cornerstone of economic reasoning. It’s the simple notion that the incremental value of a variable is what matters, not its total or average value.
Read MoreLetter: Release cities from financial handcuffs
Before you advocate for more local spending, you should lead the charge in removing the fiscal handcuffs on local governments statewide. Then, your proposals can be considered.
Read MoreOnly God, morals can restore society
I am in the silent majority, and we are fed up with the press and media promoting violence and discord for their own profit.
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City extends Dine Out Indy program to bars
The program was established last month to help restaurants and other businesses expand or add outdoor seating options as the city reopened following COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.
Read MoreDeveloper plans massive mixed-use project on western edge of Marion County
City planning staffers are opposed to the proposal for Tremont Town Center in its current form, but the 1.2 million-square-foot development with residential, retail and office space has support from key community figures.
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Simon Property, Brookfield, Authentic Brands in talks to buy J.C. Penney
Authentic and Simon Property Group also are in discussions with Brooks Brothers Inc. on a joint bid that would be part of a potential bankruptcy filing by that clothing retailer.
Read MoreMotorsports research body hires new director, relocating to Indianapolis
The International Council of Motorsport Sciences, established in Indianapolis in 1988, will relocate from Texas later this month after hiring veteran motorsports exec Tom Weisenbach as its new executive director.
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2020 Indiana 100: Cook Group still blazing own trail 9 years after founder’s death
The company, whose largest business is medical devices, generated $2.4 billion in revenue last year and employs 13,531 people worldwide, including 7,699 in Indiana.
Read MoreIndiana 100: Exec’s mission is to ‘transform information into knowledge’
Aarti Shah oversees Lilly’s global information technology, information security, advanced analytics and data sciences, and digital health.
Read MoreIndiana 100: CNO investment chief says keep-it-simple approach works best
Eric Johnson leads a team with $25.3 billion in assets under management.
Read More2020 Indiana 100: ADESA exec integrating online, in-person auctions
Srisu Subrahmanyam brings a diverse set of experiences to his job as chief operating officer of ADESA.
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MIKE LOPRESTI: Tamika, Harvey and other special dad/kid pairs
From the Mannings to the Unsers to the Griffeys, Hoosiers have been fortunate to witness some famous family acts.
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