News across Greater Muncie
Indianapolis Zoo working to restore accreditation
The Indianapolis Zoo is working to restore its accreditation. It announced on Sept. 28 that it lost national accreditation through the Association for Zoo and Aquariums, or AZA. That status renewal was set to start Oct. 1. The AZA evaluates key areas including animal care,…
Tip line for bullying, school safety concerns to launch in Indiana
Indiana will launch a $1 million tip line for schools statewide to monitor potential safety threats beginning next year. The tip line, announced by Gov. Mike Braun Friday, will provide around-the-clock monitoring at no cost to schools, which can opt to enroll in the program…
Braun appoints new leader for troubled public access counselor’s office
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun selected a new chief for public access requests and grievances, after months of complaints about his previous pick’s responsiveness. Brittney Long, who has been deputy general counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will serve as the…
Purdue University expedition to look for Amelia Earhart’s plane begins this month
A long-planned Purdue University expedition to possibly solve a 90-year-old mystery will set sail next week. Purdue’s quest to find Amelia Earhart’s lost plane started in 2020, when satellite photos discovered the “Taraya Object,” believed to be the wreckage of the aircraft.…
Ballard wants secretary of state office ‘out of politics.’ His opponents see a problem
The Independent running to be Indiana’s next secretary of state said he wants to see the office banned from endorsing other candidates or donating to a political party. Greg Ballard held a press conference at the statehouse Wednesday outlining his proposal to keep the office out…
Voter registration closes Oct. 5. Make sure you’re registered here
The deadline to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 5. In this year’s election, voters will choose a congressional representative, a new secretary of state, statehouse representatives, county leaders and school board leaders. They will also decide on two constitutional amendments…
Joint campus for state blind and deaf schools hits construction milestone
State leaders marked a significant milestone on Wednesday for the construction of the new co-location of Indiana’s School for the Deaf and the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The project has been in the works since 2019. Gov. Mike Braun and leaders from both schools…
Governor extends gas tax holiday, adds relief for farmers
Indiana will once again receive a gas tax suspension for thirty days, part of a gas tax holiday instituted by Gov. Mike Braun this spring. “Global disruptions are still there, but I expect that could gyrate between now and the midterms,” Braun told reporters Monday. “So I am…
Indiana ‘making the case’ to host US Space Academy
Indiana has entered the latest space race. An increasing number of states are jockeying for the honor — and the benefits — of hosting the nation’s first Space Academy. President Donald Trump established the academy Aug. 28, in an executive order that sought to develop a…
Muncie asks for community input to update parks plan
Most cities have a master plan for their parks and recreation amenities, updated every few years. Muncie’s update is this year. IPR’s Abby Urban reports on what the community says they want to be included. Muncie residents can attend public meetings and fill out an online survey…
Voter registration deadline approaching for Indiana residents
There are only a few days left for Indiana residents to register to vote in this year’s general election. Monday, Oct. 5 is the registration deadline, and Indiana’s nearly month-long early voting period starts the next day. How to register in Indiana: Online at indianavoters.com,…
IEDC boasts businesses moving to Indiana, eyes supercomputer and Space Academy
State officials are touting major business investments that have brought jobs and higher wages to Indiana. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation met for a quarterly meeting Monday and delivered a largely positive outlook on the state’s investments, efforts to attract…