INDY MAYOR-ELECT, JOE HOGSETT/(Photo Credit: AC Brown)
Get In the Know With Kim’s Post-Election “Hump Day” Indy and National News & Sports Headlines
Democrat Joe Hogsett is going to be the next mayor of Indianapolis and he said he’s ready to get to work. Hogsett grabbed more than 60 percent of the vote Tuesday, beating out Republican Chuck Brewer and write-in Independent Sam Carson. Hogsett thanked everyone during his victory speech, taking special note of Brewer and his service to Indy. He based his campaign on pledges to reduce crime in the city by hiring additional police officers. He also expressed interest in reaching juveniles early, before they become entrenched in criminal behavior.
And this out of the mayor’s office…outgoing Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard will outline his plans to transition the city’s projects and information to Hogsett’s incoming mayoral administration during a press conference later this morning at 10:30 at the City-County Building.
Source: City of Indy Website. Gov\’t Approved Head Shots / City Indy Head Shot
When Mayor-Elect Hogsett assumes control of the city January 1, he’ll be backed by a Democratic majority on the City-County Council. The party narrowly held onto power taking 13 of the 25 seats on the Council. The party won control despite the use of redistricting maps drawn by Republicans in 2011. City-County Council President Maggie Lewis handily retained her council seat.
Democratic candidates for mayor did well across the state on Election Day. Democrats won seats from the heavily Republican city of Ft. Wayne, to South Bend, Bloomington, Anderson and Kokomo. The Democratic candidate tied Jasper’s sitting Republican mayor with 1,856 votes each.
Though Dems overall were the winners of the night, Republican Steve Collier pulled an upset in the race for the mayor’s office in Lawrence. Collier beat incumbent Democrat Dean Jessup Tuesday night in a race that grew more contentious in the days before voters in the district headed to the polls. At issue was the response times of first responders in the community and Jessup’s alleged use of utility funds to mail campaign materials.
We now know who was killed in a traffic accident that snarled yesterday’s drive in to work from the south side. He was a volunteer poll worker, Victor Risch, who was on his way to election day activities. You may recall, that accident happened at Banta Trail and South Meridian Street when the 74-year-old attempted to pick up some items that had fallen out of his rental van. Police say the driver of the vehicle that hit Risch tested negative for alcohol.
An Indianapolis man is suing the city in order to clear his name after a man with a criminal background stole his identity. He’s 28-year old Wesley Taylor, according to indystar.com. Taylor says that because of the theft he has been wrongly incarcerated, had his driver’s license suspended, and even been fired from a job. His lawyer says Taylor has tried a number of times to get his record cleaned up, but the city still hasn’t done anything to clear his name.
National Headlines:
A new government-backed retirement savings program starts today. The free, low-risk financial account is called MyRA. It’s designed for lower- and middle-income Americans who don’t have access to a 401(k) plan at work. Individuals earning less than $131,000 per year, and couples who earn less than $193,000 and file taxes jointly, can have a MyRA account.
Marijuana use is going to remain illegal in Ohio. Voters on Tuesday shot down an amendment to the state’s constitution that would legalize both the personal and medical use of marijuana for those over 21. Supporters and budding entrepreneurs had lined up to snag a limited number of licenses to go into the marijuana growing and distribution business immediately upon passage, including singer/entertainer Nick Lachey–who’d starred in ads promoting passage of the amendment. With passage thwarted, it’s back to the drwaing board. Meanwhile in Texas, the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance is being rejected by a wide margin. Voters decided Tuesday against the LGBT non-discrimination ordinance 62-percent to 38-percent.
A new national presidential poll out today spells bad news for Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. The former Secretary of State still has a large lead in her own party over Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, but when compared to potential Republican candidates she doesn’t do so well. The Quinnipiac University poll shows that Clinton would lose to Ben Carson 50-40 and to Florida Senator Marco Rubio 46-41. The lone bright spot in the poll for Clinton is that she would edge Donald Trump 46-43.
Speaking of Trump, his campaign is deleting and doing a lot of explaining on this Wednesday morning. The Republican presidential candidate’s staff is saying Trump didn’t see images linking GOP rival Jeb Bush to Nazis before sharing a tweet that has since been deleted. The tweet included a photo of Bush’s family next to a Nazi flag, and one depicting the former Florida governor as a Mariachi musician, among others.
Sports:
In a move that many observers call ‘throwing him under the bus,’ the Indianapolis Colts have fired Offensive Coordinator Pep Hamilton after three seasons and three straight losses this year. The team made this move Tuesday evening after swirling media speculation that something was going on with the Colts after the team’s coach missed his radio show for a rumored personnel meeting at the team’s Eagle Creek-area headquarters. It was less than 24 hours after the team lost in overtime to the undefeated Panthers on the road in Charlotte. Colts’ Head Coach, Chuck Pagano, said, ”As head coach of this team, it’s my responsibility to make sure I’m doing everything we can to put us in the best position to succeed,” Pagano’s statement continued saying, ”We thank Pep for his service to the team and wish him all the best.” Associate Head Coach, Rob Chudzinski will now make the plays for the team. To recap, Colts’ Offensive Coordinator, and Howard University alum, Pep Hamilton is out of a job.
The Pacers dominated the Detroit Pistons on the road with a 94-82 win Tuesday night in the Palace of Auburn Hills. They return to action tonight, here at home, hosting the Boston Celtics.
At tonight’s home game, the Pacers organization plans to honor former legendary Pacers center, Mel Daniels. This will be the first of two planned events. Daniels died Friday in Sheridan, Ind. During the game they’ll celebrate his life with a series of tributes throughout the night. On Thursday at 1 p.m. a public memorial service will be held in Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the ABA All-Star and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member who helped lead the Pacers to three ABA championships. Daniels died unexpectedly at the age of 71.
Indianapolis Weather:
Today’s high…75.
Enjoy your day!
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