MARCH 16-22, 2015
The IndyCar Series and USA Today have agreed to merge marketing, advertising and news coverage in a deal some observers describe as ethically worrisome. As Anthony Schoettle reports, USA Today will produce stories and special sections about IndyCar in exchange for preferred access to series bigwigs and potential advertisers. Also in this issue, Greg Andrews examines how Simon Property Group might proceed with its proposed $22.4 billion acquisition of Macerich Co. And in A&E Etc., Mike Lopresti looks back on great moments in Indy’s history of hosting the Final Four.
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State’s pensions stung by oil plunge
The drop in oil prices since July left more money in consumer bank accounts, but it was costly to Indiana’s pension funds.
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IndyCar deal with USA Today lifts ethics eyebrows
The IndyCar Series and USA Today Sports Media Group have agreed to merge marketing, advertising and news coverage in a deal observers alternately describe as groundbreaking or ethically worrisome.
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Injured diver starts clinic that fills void in therapy
Chris Leeuw opened the doors of the NeuroHope rehab clinic on Feb. 18 to offer patients more time to recover and to help them remain healthy in spite of their immobilizing spinal cord and brain injuries.
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David Simon tightens screws in quest for biggest deal yet
Analysts say Simon has reason to covet Macerich, whose 40 best malls have lofty sales per square foot of $618.
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Land Bank chief wasn’t undercover FBI agent’s first target
Former Indy Land Bank director Reggie Walton wasn't the initial target of an undercover FBI agent who came to town in 2012. But Walton, 33, managed to talk himself into a federal indictment that could put him in prison for 20 years.
Read MoreCan Hc1 become the Salesforce.com of health care?
Zionsville-based Hc1 is using its latest round of funding to expand from its roots—making software to help medical labs, pharmacies, physicians and hospital systems track the business relationships they have with one another—into a company that also helps those organizations interact directly with patients.
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Maker-space movement touches down in Indy
The corner of Brookside Avenue and 10th Street, just off Massachusetts Avenue, could soon be the center of what city planners hope is a model to address industrial blight.
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Council President Maggie Lewis campaign reports thin on details
Indianapolis City-County Council President Maggie Lewis received more than $10,000 from her campaign over the past three years as reimbursement for various expenses. Her campaign reported almost all of the payments with no other description of purpose than a one-letter code, “O” for operations, as required by law.
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Some banks putting tellers behind remote monitors
“Branch of the future” is a hot phrase in banking circles, as technological changes and consumer habits prompt executives to rethink how much space and employees are needed at branches.
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Voluntary cleanup needs a higher gear
Are the owners of polluted properties using a state remediation program to duck responsibility for cleaning them up? It’s hard to reach any other conclusion when you consider that several local properties enrolled in the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s VoluntaryRemediation Program have been in it for more than a decade. Property owners who participate […]
Read MoreMAURER: If religion dictates, be prejudiced and proud
If the Indiana Legislature sanctions discrimination, consumers should know who’s taking advantage.
Read MoreFEIGENBAUM: Hard realities impose basic design of next Indiana budget
Now that the budget bill has crossed the rotunda, we suggested last week that the Senate Committee on Appropriations chairman, Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, was likely to pare back some spending proposed by the typically less-frugal House. That will certainly be true, a circumstance made more likely—if not yet exigent—by recently released February state revenue numbers. […]
Read MoreBOHANON & STYRING: Eleven’s political power play gets yellow card
What criteria is the public official supposed to use when she is forcing taxpayers to support a private venture? The government’s ability to support private enterprise is limited.
Read MoreKIM: How the ‘Oracle of Omaha’ built Berkshire Hathaway
To understand the evolution of Buffett’s investment process, it’s important to know his history with Berkshire.
Read MoreTITTLE: Time out on nursing home construction
Many challenges are coming down the pike for the long-term-care industry, the most immediate of which is from those who want to flood Indiana with opulent and expensive nursing homes that simply aren’t needed and, worse, drive up taxpayer costs.
Read MoreWAGGONER: What I’ve learned from lawyers gone bad
Recent news of Hoosier attorneys donating $100,000 to the victims of disgraced Indiana lawyer Bill Conour prompts several thoughts about bad lawyers and the consequences for those victims.
Read MoreIBJ spilled on its shirt
Lou Harry’s [March 9] wink-wink-nudge-nudge review of Twin Peaks isn’t a moral outrage. It’s not demeaning to women (who certainly don’t need a man’s help to defend themselves). It’s just laughable.
Read MoreTreat climate change warnings with skepticism
Sheila Kennedy [March 9 Viewpoint] misstated what Sen. Jim Inhofe said. He did not say that the snowball in his hand disproved “climate change.”
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Merrill Lynch abruptly parts ways with top financial adviser
Thomas J. Buck, who spent 34 years at the local office of Merrill Lynch while becoming one of the country’s top financial advisers, suddenly split from the firm last week.
Read MoreUPDATE: Vera Bradley to close Indiana plant with 250 workers
The Fort Wayne-based maker of handbags, luggage and accessories said Tuesday it will close the factory May 9 unless business conditions require earlier action.
Read MoreChicago venture capital firm plans local office
Hyde Park Venture Partners plans to establish an Indianapolis office this spring on Monument Circle to be led by former ExactTarget executive Tim Kopp.
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