Beyond 465

Back home again in Indiana after more than a decade away, I'm trying to get a handle on politics in the Hoosier state.

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

#Indiana #Flock news roundup for Aug 17-22, links in 🧵:
• Fort Wayne City Council member Russ Jehl does not expect the city's Flock contract renewal will pass on Aug 25.
• On Aug 18, members of the public expressed concerns about Flock at the Fort Wayne City Council meeting.
• Vandals hit Flock cameras in Adam, Allen, and Wells counties.
• Many comments on @ABC21WPTA's Facebook page are supportive of the Flock vandals.
• Lafayette's new Technology and Privacy Committee is not just about Flock cameras, but all technology use, including AI.
• Kosciusko County Council has delayed a budget vote over Flock camera concerns. Discussion set for Sept. 10.
• New change .org petition gains signatures calling for Kosciusko County to clamp down on Flock.
• Marshall County, will no longer auto-renew its Flock contract, instead requiring a vote.
• Marion County ranks first in Indiana with 478 Flock cameras.
• Greene County launches Flock transparency portal.

[Governor Mike Braun @GovBraun]

I am pleased to share that my request for a major disaster declaration has been approved for multiple counties. Thank you, @POTUS. This critical support will help Hoosiers recovering from historic storms and flooding. We’re grateful for this partnership as we work to rebuild, recover, and help communities get back on their feet.

[Edward Dowd @DowdEdward]

Obvious to many of us at the time but Natalie brings the receipts.

Covid & the jabs were the largest mass psyops ever.

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

"Get the #Flock Out of Marshall County, #Indiana was formed to sound the alarm about the automatic license plate reader cameras at the center of controversy across the country."

"Get The Flock Out of Marshall County will protest again on Saturday, September 5th from 10a and 2p."

https://t.co/Y1bln8X794

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

The Grissom Air & Space Expo is this Saturday & Sunday, featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue parachute team, and a variety of military aircraft. FREE Admission, but parking is limited (free parking passes are required).

#HoosierHeritage #WeekendPlans

https://t.co/578VX42YRd

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

In a unanimous vote, Fort Wayne's City Council has decided to not renew its contract for #Flock license plate readers.

https://t.co/5HpxplFldx

[Ben Reidy @BenReidy_]

🚨🚨 HUGE NEWS

The Fort Wayne City Council just voted to CANCEL its contract with Flock Cameras.

This should send a clear message across Indiana: We must protect the freedom of Hoosiers and reject government surveillance. Big win for @IndianaAFP

Fort Wayne is leading the way!

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

39 state banking associations, including #Indiana's, are targeting a 2027 launch of a common blockchain platform.

"The BankChain Alliance network will allow participating financial institutions the ability to provide emerging banking capabilities.... smart payment tools, tokenized deposits, stablecoins, automated settlement and other innovations."

[Indiana Bankers Association @indianabankers]

The IBA is proud to announce our participation in the BankChain Alliance, joining state banking associations from across the country in a collaborative effort to explore an industry-owned, bank-governed, banking network.

Read the news release: https://t.co/vNFJQfOqx3

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

Kip Tom, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, will lead an effort to modernize USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Tom is CEO of Tom Farms in Kosciusko County #Indiana.

"The modernization plan aims to replace cumbersome paper questionnaires with high-tech solutions. Tom points to advanced satellite imagery capable of scanning every acre down to five-meter accuracy, which could allow USDA to predict yields as early as July and transition sluggish monthly reports into biweekly updates."

[Hoosier Ag Today @hoosieragtoday]

USDA’s farm-data system has seen survey participation plunge to just 35%. Indiana farmer and former U.S. ambassador Kip Tom (@TomFarms) is leading an effort to modernize @usda_nass with satellite technology and reports updated far more frequently.

https://t.co/LWAkne8AY9

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

Enjoy two days of colorful hot air balloons, live music, fireworks, family fun, food, and shopping at the 2026 Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest. Watch special-shaped balloons launch and glow at night, plus enjoy live bands, tethered rides, kids’ activities, and food vendors. Held at West Boggs Park in Loogootee, which features a 622-acre lake, 154 campsites, golf, kayak rentals, and more.

#HoosierHeritage #WeekendPlans

https://t.co/WTNeEhwCIE

[Franklin Graham @Franklin_Graham]

The scenes coming out of the Indianapolis area over the past two weeks are heartbreaking. Days of relentless rainfall and historic flooding submerged neighborhoods, damaging hundreds of homes. @SamaritansPurse disaster relief teams and @BGEA Rapid Response Team chaplains both deployed to the area over the weekend to provide help and hope in Jesus’ Name. Pray for the families who are dealing with this disaster. It is so difficult to see your home and possessions underwater.

[Ryan Hall, Y’all @ryanhallyall]

The most likely place in the USA to see a tornado tomorrow is around Fort Wayne, IN, South Bend, IN, and Gary, IN. That's a Level 2 tornado risk.

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

Visit Jay County this weekend to experience the 61st Annual Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show, which is the world's largest gathering of its kind. This year's event features International Harvester and Indiana Engines.

See 100s of antique tractors, demos of sawmills and threshing equipment, and antique & craft dealers offering everything from period tools to handmade goods.

#HoosierHeritage #WeekendPlans

https://t.co/4NxySivjOG

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

This weekend, the Michiana Renaissance Festival is returning to South Bend for its 14th annual event.

Experience food, song, sword fights, comedy, magic, glass blowing, metal forging, axe tossing, textile spinning, re-enactments, & falconry.

#WeekendPlans

https://t.co/2wMmRW5JDX

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

The Zionsville and Whitestown police departments have both launched #Flock transparency portals after Zionsville teen asked for data related to their camera use.

#Indiana

https://t.co/1spZ78gHyG

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

Jasper County Sheriff to host #Flock information session on Sept. 2.

#Indiana

https://t.co/DUmbpD4RDi

[indy reporter @Indy_reporter_]

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨BREAKING:

@GovBraun is directing the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor to file a complaint and petition the IURC to investigate NIPSCO after widespread, prolonged power outages in Northwest Indiana.

Nearly two weeks after severe weather hit, around 10,000 Hoosiers are still without power.

The investigation will examine whether NIPSCO properly maintained vegetation and rights-of-way and whether money approved by regulators for infrastructure and reliability improvements was actually spent as promised.

[Beyond 465 @Beyond_465]

State Rep. Jim Pressel is drafting a bill to set minimum standards for how law enforcement should use license plate readers in #Indiana. “It’s something that I think we need to preserve the good that it does, while at the same time putting up guardrails to protect Hoosiers from surveillance.”

Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis "wants to see a comprehensive analysis of how license plate readers are used in the next legislative session."

#Flock

https://t.co/iZcxs9HPXO

[indy reporter @Indy_reporter_]

https://t.co/eCQ1xnfY5Y

Note to citizens of Gary. If your power isn't working, the worst thing you can do is shoot at the people that are trying to get your power turned on.

Mayor of Gary, Eddie Melton, Outlined Increased Security for NIPSCO Crews After Vehicle Struck by Gunfire.

"Let me be clear: this type of violence is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the City of Gary," said Mayor Eddie Melton. "These crews are here for one reason—to help our residents and restore electricity to families who have already endured days without power."

https://t.co/quGOr2FrhU