After their abortions, 3 Indiana women hope election will restore rights
By Natalie Fitzgibbons natfitzg@iu.edu | @NatalieFitz9
Editor’s note: This story includes mention of potentially triggering situations including abortion, abuse and sexual abuse.
Danielle Spry, a nurse, held her daughter against her chest for the first and last time in a hospital bed. She had a dilation and evacuation — a type of abortion — due to serious health complications with her daughter, Charlotte. She was 21 weeks and 6 days pregnant.
Taylor Gardner, a preschool teacher, always wanted kids — specifically two. She grew up with one younger brother, who she adored since he was born. She babysat and tutored children and went to college for early childhood education. But when she became pregnant with a third, she wasn’t ready.
Sarah Renfro, a reverend, visited a reproductive healthcare clinic for the first time when she was a preteen. Her mother took her there to educate her on the menstrual cycle. She revisited the clinic twice more — once when she was 19 and once when she was 27 — each time for an abortion.
Abortion rights came under fire after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its nearly 50-year-old decision Roe v. Wade in 2022. The initial ruling protected abortion access constitutionally
through at least the first trimester, but the overturned decision now allows states to create laws prohibiting abortion at any stage.
Indiana enacted a neartotal abortion ban Aug. 2023, relenting only in cases of rape or incest up to 10 weeks, or severe risk to the mother or fetus up to 20. Mifepristone, a pill that stops the growth of a pregnancy, cannot be used after eight weeks. Abortions cannot be administered by reproductive healthcare clinics.
Three central Indiana women told the Indiana Daily Student of their experiences seeking and obtaining abortions before Indiana’s current restriction took effect. All three women emphasized the importance of having bodily autonomy. All three intend to vote for Kamala Harris to be the next president.
***
Danielle, 38, woke up from anesthesia Nov. 21, 2019, in the operating room to the sound of her nurse’s voice asking someone for a hat. The doctor who performed the procedure followed as she was wheeled back to her room and handed Danielle her daughter.
Dressed in a white hat with a pink bow and wrapped in a white blanket with pink and blue stripes, Charlotte weighed less than a pound.
The doctor instructed Danielle and her husband not to open the blanket — just to hold her. A dilation and evacuation procedure can lead to the fetus being disfigured.
“She’s so beautiful,” Danielle told her husband. “She’s just perfect.”
Danielle still remembers the smell of the cleaning solution from the labor and delivery floor, how the sound of life around her faded into the background like static. For her, time stopped. But everything else around her continued.
Danielle counted each of her daughter’s ten toes, which stuck out from the blanket. She held Charlotte until she was ready to say goodbye.
“I’m really, really sorry,” Danielle told her.
Danielle spoke to the Indiana Senate and House of Representatives following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. She told them about Charlotte.
The day she spoke to the House, she remembers waiting in line in the courtroom. She could hear protesters and counterprotesters outside the statehouse. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears. Then it was her turn. She had two minutes. Two minutes to convince the legislators that the right to choose matters.
Before, during and after her testimony, Danielle heard counterprotesters yelling abortion is murder. She
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remembers thinking, “you just don’t know.”
***
The overturning of Roe v. Wade was the loss of a human right, Indiana obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Caitlin Bernard said. States having their own individual abortion laws creates confusion surrounding what medical providers can do and what patients can receive. Many state laws do not define in detail the legality of abortions. In Indiana, for instance, abortions are permitted in cases when pregnancy poses serious health risks to the mother.
“When a pregnancy is health- and life-threatening, how sick does somebody have to be?” Bernard said. “How much blood do they have to lose? How infected do they have to be? These are the things nobody has defined.”
Bernard became a target for many Indiana lawmakers in 2022 after the Indianapolis Star reported she performed an abortion on an Ohio 10-year-old who was raped.
Bernard told the Star about the girl being forced to travel to Indiana to receive an abortion due to Ohio’s strict abortion laws. The story broke just a week after Roe v. Wade was overturned, but before Indiana’s abortion ban went into effect. At the time, Indiana permitted abortions up to 22 weeks into a pregnancy.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita launched an investigation into Bernard, an IU Health employee, for violating HIPAA patient privacy rights by speaking about a case to the media and failing to report a case of abuse.
He also filed a lawsuit against IU Health for failing to protect a patient’s privacy.
Rokita and many conservative pundits and politicians accused Bernard of falsifying the story. But the crime’s perpetrator was later identified, proving Bernard’s testimony to be true. The Indiana Supreme Court disciplined Rokita for referring to Bernard as an “abortion activist acting as a doctor, with a history of failing to report."
The Indiana Licensing Board issued her a $3,000 fine after finding that she did violate privacy laws by speaking to a reporter about the case. However, the board unanimously decided Bernard followed abuse reporting protocol, and the abuse was reported immediately.
Rokita dropped the lawsuit against IU Health on Aug. 7, 2024.
Bernard rejects the idea that there is a dichotomy between “pro-life” and “prochoice.”
“I’m an OB-GYN. I deliver babies every day,” Bernard said. “There’s nothing about me that is not pro-life.”
Many lawmakers don’t fully grasp the potential consequences and risks of unwanted pregnancies, Bernard said. A forced pregnan-
cy can negatively affect one’s mental and physical health. It can also make it difficult to receive an education or income. “You can’t just snap your fingers and create a support system for people,” Bernard said. “For many people it just doesn’t exist, it’s a not a reality for their life.”
***
Danielle found out Charlotte was a girl after genetic blood tests in her 10th week of pregnancy. The tests showed that Charlotte had no genetic diseases. It was almost false hope, Danielle said. She was already envisioning Charlotte’s first birthday, picturing the little sister to her first-born son. Her 20-week anatomy scan told a different story. It revealed Charlotte had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia — a hole in the diaphragm. Her abdominal organs had moved into her chest cavity and her lungs were undeveloped.
Charlotte’s best-case scenario would have been being placed on a ventilator, long-term feeding tube and ECMO — a form of life support. Charlotte’s most likely scenario was suffocating at birth.
Danielle reached out to a friend, an obstetrician, for a second opinion and advice.
“Are you considering termination?” they asked.
SEE ABORTION, PAGE 4
PHOTOS BY LYDIA NORTON | IDS
Danielle Spry holds her daughter Charlotte's urn in her hands Oct. 12, 2024, in Plainfield, Indiana. Danielle decided to terminate her pregnancy after learning her daughter had serious health complications.
Danielle sits in her home next to her basket for Charlotte. When Indiana government officials met to discuss the future of abortion in Indiana, Danielle told them about her daughter.
Gardner, 31, sits in her preschool
Reverend Sarah Renfro sits in her office Oct. 15, 2024, in Fishers, Indiana. She chose to have two abortions: one at 19 and another at 27.
How much do IU administrators make?
By Isaac Perlich iperlich@iu.edu | @isaacperlich
IU President Pamela Whitten is not the only IU administrator to receive a raise in recent years, after she was awarded a $175,500 bonus Sept. 13.
Members of her cabinet have also seen pay increases, with some salaries more than tripling over the last four years, according to the Office of the University Controller’s website. All 18 members will make at least $300,000 in 2025, and the future IU Bloomington chancellor will likely receive a similar salary.
Overall, the university has spent north of $1 million in the last year on raises for cabinet members.
A 2024 report published by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources found median pay for university administrators in the U.S. exceeded the inflation rate for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The current administration has instituted marketbased salaries for cabinet members and other leaders,” IU executive director of media relations Mark Bode wrote in a statement to the Indiana Daily Student.
“This represents a significant change from the prior administration’s structure, which included bonuses, deferred compensation and other awards on top of base salaries. The change represents a more transparent accounting of individual pay where all salary data are now publicly available. This, coupled with market factors, explains the current salary figures.”
Rahul Shrivastav
Rahul Shrivastav became provost and executive vice president of IU in 2022. He provides academic leadership for the Bloomington campus and supports faculty and student initiatives.
He made $525,000 during the 2023 fiscal year, $540,750 in 2024 and will make $556,973 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Shrivastav succeeded John Applegate, who served as interim provost and executive vice president from 2021-22. Applegate made $373,084 in the 2021 fiscal year and $440,084 in 2022.
Lauren Robel served as provost and executive vice president under former IU president Michael McRobbie from 2012-21. She made $442,702 in 2021.
Latha Ramchand
Latha Ramchand was appointed the inaugural chancellor of IU Indianapolis in 2024. She leads the Indianapolis campus, which split from Purdue University
in July, and teaches finance. She will make $609,760 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Nasser Paydar served as chancellor of then-Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis from 201522. He earned $411,478 during the 2022 fiscal year.
Jay Hess
Jay Hess is the executive vice president for university clinical affairs and dean of the IU School of Medicine. He made $583,625 in 2021, $592,379 in 2022, $616,075 in 2023, $634,557 in 2024 and is set to make $653,594 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Ken Iwama
Ken Iwama was appointed vice president for regional campuses and online education in July. Prior to that, he served as IU Northwest’s chancellor from 2020-24. The appointment earned him a pay increase of $108,000, as he will make $390,000 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Susan Sciame-Giesecke, who served as the first vice president for regional campuses and online education at IU from 2022-24, retired in June. She made $313,200 in 2022, $345,000 in 2023 and $355,350 in 2024.
Brenda Stopher
Brenda Stopher was appointed Whitten’s chief of staff in 2022 and became vice president of strategic operations in January. She advises and works with Whitten on operational and organizational issues. She made $309,920 in 2023, $319,218 in 2024 and will make $460,000 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Karen Adams was McRobbie’s longtime chief of staff and made $268,563 in 2021.
J.T. Forbes
J.T. Forbes was appointed president and CEO of the IU Foundation in 2022. He previously served as CEO of the IU Alumni Association. ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer reports he made $466,490 in the 2023 fiscal year. The IU Foundation started in 1936. The nonprofit raises money for the university by collecting donations and investing funds, according to its website.
Nancy Paton
Nancy Paton is the vice president and chief communications and marketing officer at IU. She leads the university’s communication strategy, including brand management, digital communications, events and conferences, corporate sponsorships and trademarks and licensing. She was appointed in
2022 and made $410,000 in 2023, $422,300 in 2024 and will earn $434,969 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Brad Wheeler served in the position under McRobbie and made $383,703 in 2021.
Todd Richardson
Todd Richardson was appointed vice president and chief human resources officer in 2022. He leads talent acquisition, leadership development and employee relations.
He made $400,000 in 2023, $412,000 in 2024 and will make $424,360 during the 2025 fiscal year.
John Whelan served in the position under McRobbie from 2018-21 and made $299,426 during his final year in office.
Scott Dolson
Scott Dolson has served as vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics since 2020. He also directly supervises IU men’s basketball.
Dolson made $263,838 in 2021, $487,200 in 2022, $504,252 in 2023, $519,380 in 2024 and is set to make $950,000 during the 2025 fiscal year. According to the Indianapolis Star, Dolson’s earnings still rank near the bottom of the Big Ten Conference.
Former athletic director
Fred Glass retired in 2020. He made $572,262 that year. Glass started in 2009 with a $410,000 salary.
Anthony Prather
Anthony Prather was appointed vice president and general counsel in 2022. He provides legal counsel for IU and serves as a point of contact for any legal issues at the university.
He made $505,000 in 2023, $520,150 in 2024 and will make $535,755 during
the 2025 fiscal year.
Jacqueline Simmons served in the position under McRobbie from 2012-21. She made $344,597 in 2021 and stepped down that year after a controversy with an IU law professor regarding the university’s presidential search.
IU law professor Steve Sanders requested public records from the university and published a report about how Pamela Whitten was selected as president. Whitten was not named among the finalists during the search process.
Simmons said Sanders acted in his own interest — not the public’s — and called him a “muckraking journalist.”
Indiana’s public access counselor issued an opinion, writing IU violated state law and took too long to respond to Sanders’ request.
Thomas Morrison
Thomas Morrison was appointed IU’s inaugural vice president for capital planning and facilities in 2009. He manages the infrastructure for IU’s nine campuses.
He made $250,000 his first year in office and is set to make $415,008 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Rashad Nelms
Rashad Nelms became interim vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion in July. Before that, he served as vice provost for diversity and inclusion in the provost’s office and executive-in-residence in the vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion’s office.
Nelms made $130,000 in 2023, $225,000 in 2024 and is set to make $300,000 during the 2025 fiscal year.
James Wimbush served in the position under McRobbie and Whitten
from 2013-23 and made
$326,913 in 2023. Edwin Marshall served in the position before Wimbush from 2007-13, earning $263,493 during the 2012 fiscal year.
James Dudich
James Dudich was appointed interim vice president for finance and chief financial officer in 2024. He started as the associate vice president for fiscal and economic strategy in 2023. He advises Whitten on financial objectives, policies and programs and works on long-term financial planning, budgeting and investing for the university. He made $210,000 in 2024 and is set to make $490,000 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Dudich succeeded Dwayne Pinkney, who was appointed for the same position in 2022. He made $588,000 in 2023 and $605,640 in 2024. John Sejdinaj served in the position from 201621 under McRobbie. He earned $472,862 during the 2022 fiscal year.
Rob Lowden
Rob Lowden became vice president for information technology and chief information officer in 2020. He leads IT services, infrastructure, cybersecurity and research.
He made $239,230 in 2021, $357,001 in 2022, $371,281 in 2023, $450,000 in 2024 and will make $463,500 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Brad Wheeler served in the position under McRobbie and made $498,000 in 2019.
Hannah Buxbaum
Hannah Buxbaum was appointed vice president for international affairs in 2018. She leads the univer-
sity’s international presence, oversees international admissions and manages study abroad programs. She made $299,425 in 2021, $303,916 in 2022, $316,073 in 2023, $325,555 in 2024 and will make $335,322 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Russell Mumper
Russell Mumper has served as vice president for research since 2023. He manages research development, administration and compliance.
He made $465,000 in 2024 and will earn $479,648 during the 2025 fiscal year. Fred Cate served in the position under McRobbie from 2014-23. He made $403,638 in 2023.
Julie Payne-Kirchmeier
Julie Payne-Kirchmeier was appointed the first vice president for student success at IU in 2022. She leads the university’s student success strategy and provides support for students. She made $395,000 in 2023, $406,850 in 2024 and is set to make $419,056 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Michael Huber
Michael Huber serves as vice president for university relations. He manages IU’s state and federal government relations and contribution to the state’s economy by partnering with local communities and businesses.
He made $463,500 in 2024 and will make $477,405 during the 2025 fiscal year.
Bill Stephan served in the role from 1999 until he retired in 2022. His tenure spanned four IU presidents, and he made $376,454 during his final year in office.
20-Year-Old canvasses for Democratic House candidate
By Andrew Miller
| @andrew_mmiller
ami3@iu.edu
Josh Montagne raps three quick knocks on the door of your typical ranchstyle two-story American home. A woman on the other side opens it after a brief scuffle and a few barks.
He introduces himself: a canvasser for Democratic state House candidate Thomas Horrocks, and asks if she has a plan to vote. She tells Montagne she won’t be voting this year.
“I always voted Republican, but I just can’t stand Trump,” she says.
“I completely understand,” Montagne replies.
“But I need to tell you that Thomas Horrocks, he’s a pastor and a veteran and he believes in working across the aisle.”
He continues listing points from his script. She’s not buying it. He catches on and leaves literature for her.
He argues afterward that if she detests the Republican Party of Trump, she should do something about it. Send the party a message. The same idea extends to IU students, who, like college students nationwide, have much
lower turnout than most voters, though that number is rising.
He’s seen all sorts of reasons why people don’t vote. It’s ranged from not feeling represented by the candidates to apathy to simply being too busy, especially for students who work jobs on top of school. It’s usually apathy.
Montagne, 20, has to press on. Hers was just one door out of hundreds he’ll knock on in a typical week. ***
Josh Montagne wants to be president. His idea is to run in 2040, right after he passes the age requirement. After then would be all good, too.
That said, he hasn’t nailed down much policy at this point, nor plans for his first 100 days in office that the media will swarm him about. He doesn’t like reading theory for his political science major. Where does that leave him?
Door-to-door campaigning for those running for local office. He interns with congressional candidate Tim Peck and is omnipresent at the Mon-
roe County Democrats’ headquarters. Hours upon hours of knocking doors, messaging into video doorbells, talking to people and chatting with older folks who tend to linger.
Montagne is now a sophomore at IU. From the suburbs of St. Louis, he’s now registered and completely committed to Indiana politics.
When he was younger, he would make political ads against himself.
“Josh Montagne didn’t take out his trash. Bad for his family. Bad for Missouri.”
The genius of the ads was that his parents would find them adorable and forgive whatever transgression he committed. He held his first leadership position in Boy Scouts, where he said he probably held a high approval rating.
He recognizes his hope to jettison from state positions to national ones, and eventually president, is a long shot. The first Indiana campaign he volunteered in was last year, where he helped get Sydney Zulich elected to Bloomington’s
city council. This campaign, he’s a workhorse. He times the seconds after he knocks to gauge whether a person will answer. He sticks the pamphlets in after seven. Getting closer to the election, Montagne’s mostly focused on getting out the vote and making sure people have a plan. Most people either aren’t home or don’t answer the door. In those cases, he leaves leaflets. Video doorbells are fun for him: He gets to do his pre-ordained speech without bothering people going about their day. As Election Day approaches, Montagne is focused on more Democratic-leaning precincts, pushing up turnout in a race that will be decided by it. He’s been campaigning for Thomas Horrocks in the Indiana House of Representatives in a district Democrats lost in 2022 by 74 votes. The ultimate goal is to topple one domino against the Republican state House supermajority, held by four seats.
It’s a rainy Sunday as Hurricane Helene’s rem-
nants hover over Kentucky and turn the rolling forests of South-Central Indiana into rainforest. Montagne’s out canvassing in a T-shirt and training a new volunteer. Montagne and the trainee are hitting the first few doors together then plan to split off. Their training is in luck today; four people in a row answer their doors. This time, they’re in a much bluer area of Bloomington: single-family homes in rapprochement with ivy and general plant life. The first three tell the
duo that they indeed do have plans to vote.
“I’m definitely not voting for Republicans,” one woman says. The two knock on the fourth. A middle-aged woman cracks the door open. Montagne lets the trainee go into the spiel about Thomas Horrocks, a family man, a pastor, a veteran, a man who wants to work across the aisle…
“I’m ashamed to say,” she interrupts. “Is he a Republican or a Democrat?” They answer, she smiles and she soon after shuts the door.
ALAYNA WILKENING | IDS
Whitten was
Jewish students describe a year of struggle, antisemitism
By Andrew Miller ami3@iu.edu | andrew_mmiller
Editor’s Note: This story includes mention of potentially triggering situations, including harassment, hateful language and antisemitism.
Oct. 7 this year marked the first anniversary of the devastating Hamas-led attack on Israel, and the beginning of the subsequent war. It also marked the third day of reflection after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah and the 10 following days served as a time of coming together for many Jewish people. For a moment, many could put the past year’s fear, confusion and anger aside as they embraced their communities.
But there were reminders of the past year everywhere. At IU Hillel’s services, a table sat empty in memory of the hostages still held in Gaza. Issues regarding the war were openly discussed.
When Jewish student leaders looked back at the past year, they told the Indiana Daily Student they looked back on a year of struggle, of being unseen, of othering, of togetherness, of students feeling the world tearing them between war and school. For some, feeling like a target was put on their back for identifying as Zionists, for wearing a Star of David necklace, for being Jewish.
The Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, left around 1,200 in Israel dead and 250 taken hostage. About 100 hostages are estimated to still be in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead. The Israeli military began a ground invasion later that month. Most of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have been displaced since the start of the subsequent war, with more than 43,000 dead and around 100,000 injured.
It’s the afternoon of Oct. 7, 2024, and pro-Palestinian protesters are spray-painting the sides of the bridge on Eagleson Avenue. They’re telling passersby to come to the pro-Palestinian demonstration at Sample Gates that night.
A pair walk past. “Vigil for Palestine at 7:30! Will you be there?” a protester asks.
The two don’t respond. “We’re Jewish,” one says to the other after they clear the bridge. “What the fuck?”
The bridge’s layers of paint, pressure washed every so often, record a living history of the divisions on campus that the Oct. 7 attack unearthed. The pro-Palestinian group paints inverted red triangles over blue hearts and Stars of David. A pro-Israeli group later sprays Stars of David over the Palestinian flag right in front of its painters. More than 800 community members later that day went to a separate Oct. 7 vigil, put together by Jewish organizations, for the nearly 1,200 killed in the Hamas-led attack and the 100 hostages still in Gaza.
Jewish student leaders said they felt disgusted that pro-Palestinian groups would organize a vigil on that solemn day for Israelis and many Jewish people around the world. Another student leader said they felt relieved. There would be no protests at their vigil. They were separated physically. Still, the separation is a symptom of a year of division that, more than anything, has made many Jewish students feel othered.
Divides on campus escalated significantly since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023. The night of Oct. 9, 2023, became the first indication of unearthed tension on campus, as IU Hillel and IU Chabad organized a vigil at Dunn Meadow to honor those killed in the attack.
The vigil one year ago was planned to take place at Sample Gates, but IU recommended it be moved to Dunn Meadow because of a large expected turnout. The Palestine Solidarity Committee simultaneously held what it originally called a “counterprotest” at Sample Gates, where attendees said they were advocating for peace.
During Hillel and Chabad’s vigil, several people drove past yelling “free Palestine” and waving Palestinian flags. That, Jewish
students in attendance have told the IDS, made them feel mocked.
The 100-day pro-Palestinian encampment this year that furthered many of these tensions is gone, cleared by the university before the start of the fall semester. Some Jewish students said they feel this semester has been calmer so far. Still, Jewish student leaders said they don’t know what the future will look like as the war continues and escalates. The uncertainty is jarring.
Alvin Rosenfeld, director of IU’s Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism, primarily studies historical antisemitism, which has stemmed from religion, conspiracy and more recently, he said, the conflicts in the Middle East.
The FBI recorded nearly 2,000 hate crimes against Jewish people in the U.S. in 2023, a jump from the about 1,300 hate crimes recorded in 2022. Anti-Jewish hate crimes made up two-thirds of all religiously motivated hate crimes last year.
As antisemitism has risen during the last year in the United States, Rosenfeld said there have been no violent incidents reported in Bloomington. But he said reports of harassment and targeted violence nationwide, especially at other college campuses, make many Jewish students wonder if violence could happen at IU next.
There have been at least six reported assaults on Jewish students on or around college campuses nationwide since June of this year. Two students at the University of Pittsburgh were assaulted earlier this month.
The concern about violence is nothing new. Fear of violence toward Jewish people jumped after a white supremacist killed 11 and wounded six at the Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018.
“That’s something that just comes with being Jewish,” IU Hillel Social Chair Shayna Grossman said. “And it might not be this campus in particular, but I could be walking on the streets at home, and something could happen.”
“We’re kind of raised to always be aware,” she added.
Several IU Jewish student leaders told the IDS they’ve heard about instances of dorm vandalism, mezuzahs — small scrolls with Torah verses attached to doorposts of some Jewish homes — being torn off door frames and other incidents students have reported to Jewish community leadership. Incidents of mezuzahs being torn off doors is nothing new to IU — another instance happened two years ago.
The IDS has not been able to independently verify these events with police reports and additional interviews.
Jewish student leaders told the IDS that many Jewish students would feel uncomfortable speaking to the media if they hadn’t been quoted in stories before.
Grossman said she experienced antisemitism several times in the past year. After Oct. 7, her grandmother sent her temporary tattoos of the Israeli flag via Amazon. When she opened the mail, the package had X’s drawn on it, the Israeli flag tattoos had writing on them and the package included tattoos of skulls.
She said that if people wore clothes with Israeli flags on them, they would be harassed, especially during the encampment. Other Jewish students reported verbal harassment by pro-Palestinian protesters to student leaders, especially while the encampment was up.
An unknown man followed three other men from the Chabad House to their home April 27, during the beginning week of the encampment, according to IU Police Department Public Information Officer Hannah Skibba. A video posted on Instagram that same day showed the man banging on the windows of a house, throwing porch furniture and shouting a homophobic slur. The IU Divestment Coalition, which organized the encampment, said in a statement it rejected claims that the encampment or its organizing was antisemitic. The group said reports of students who followed home
and harassed have “zero association” with it, and that they wouldn’t condone the behavior.
“IUDC’s movement for justice in Palestine is against all forms of discrimination and racism, including antisemitism,” the IUDC said in the statement. “The false conflation of antisemitism with antizionism is a dangerous practice that disregards statements previously put out by Jewish faculty, staff, students and community members at the encampment as well as the presence of Jewish faculty, staff, students and community members in our organizing.”
Lilia Wolf, a Jewish student and organizer with the IUDC, said she’s felt separated from much of IU’s Jewish community because of her anti-Zionist beliefs and proPalestinian organizing.
Wolf came to IU looking for a Jewish community after being one of the only Jewish students at her high school. But she said she’s been called “not a real Jew,” a “traitor” and been harassed for her organizing.
That even spread to physical threats. At the clash between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protesters at Sample Gates on Oct. 9, 2023, she said pro-Israeli protesters threatened to beat her up.
Since then, Wolf said she’s been able to carve out an anti-Zionist Jewish community — last year she went to an anti-Zionist Jewish professor’s home for Hannukah.
“There’s a community in that sense, and that will continue to grow throughout undergraduates, graduates and faculty,” she said.
***
Jewish students and faculty also said they felt threatened by social media posts from pro-Palestinian campus organizers.
Aidan Khamis, an encampment leader, reshared a post on X reading, “Fuck Israel. Fuck the US. Fuck your presidential elections. Fuck capitalism. Glory to Hamas. Glory to the Palestinian resistance. Glory to harbingers of the death of global capital. Glory to communism.”
Khamis told the IDS in May that he mistakenly reshared the post. However, he called discussions over the post “a distraction from the genocide.”
“The only people that should be condemned are the people committing genocide,” he added in a followup. “Those who are resisting the genocide cannot be condemned in how they are resisting the genocide.”
Another, posted on X by encampment organizer Bryce Greene in January, reads: “For those who need to hear it, Hamas is morally superior to Israel in every way that matters.”
Greene stood by his tweet when asked by the IDS in May.
“It can make a lot of people uncomfortable to realize the state that they’re supporting is worse than the enemy that they claim to be fighting,” Greene said at the time.
The 1988 founding charter of Hamas — a group the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization — is explicitly antisemitic. The charter defines a struggle for liberation specifically against “Jews”
and calls for a Muslim-ruled state in the region through the destruction of Israel. In 2017, Hamas outlined a new charter, redefining the struggle against “Zionists,” though it did not explicitly revoke the 1988 charter.
IU Hillel President Leah Sterbcow said many of the Jewish population at IU had seen the tweets, which she called radical and dangerous for the community. Other antisemitic incidents have rocked Bloomington in the past year. On Jan. 8, Chabad at IU received an email from someone claiming they planted a bomb at the Chabad House. No explosives were found in or around the house, but the email was found to be part of a series of false bomb threats sent to Jewish cultural centers across Indiana.
Last month, a board with a swastika drawn on was found outside Congregation Beth Shalom on Third Street. Back in the 1980s, a neo-Nazi group set fire to the same synagogue.
***
Sydney Zulich is a person of many firsts and many onlys on the Bloomington City Council. She’s the only renter, the only queer member. She’s the youngest at 21. She said she’ll always be in an “other” category, as the only Jewish person on the council.
Zulich sat in shock as a public commenter on Zoom cheered Adolf Hitler at a meeting in April. She was there when a speaker said “Every aspect of the media is Jewish. Every aspect of the government is Jewish. Our wars are fought for Jewish interest. Our whole existence is on Jewish supremacy.” Other speakers that night also made antisemitic, Islamaphobic and racist remarks.
She wanted to curl up into a ball. But 200 people were looking up at her. She thought about her colleagues who are minorities, to whom the hate was spewed as well.
“There’s nothing you can say in the moment that makes it better,” Zulich said.
As one of Bloomington’s preeminent Jewish leaders, she said, her words have power. She wanted to emphasize that she doesn’t speak for all Jewish people. But she said if anyone wanted to talk to her, because of her position of power and influence in Bloomington, because of her voice, they can reach out to her directly.
Over the past year, Zulich has felt people minimize her experiences as a Jewish person. Much of the antisemitism she remembers stemmed from her childhood in Ohio. In a school activity, a classmate drew a swastika.
To the classmate, Zulich said, the drawing likely meant nothing. But to her, she said it represented “the eradication of the Jewish people and a lot of other groups of people too.”
Sophie Shafran, president of Hoosiers for Israel, said a pro-Palestinian protester called her a Nazi at Sample Gates on Oct. 9, 2023. Originally at a vigil in Dunn Meadow that night, a pro-Israeli group later went to the PSC’s counterprotest at the gates, where a clash ensued.
“As the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, that one was probably one of the hardest comments to get,” Shafran
said. “I don’t feel welcome.”
***
One day at the encampment, Rosenfeld said he spoke to a protester chanting “intifada, intifada!” He asked what the protester knew about the historical intifadas: armed uprisings of Palestinians against Israeli occupation of the West Bank, which ultimately resulted in the death of 1,500 Israelis. Israel’s military response to both uprisings killed more than 5,000 Palestinians.
The word “intifada” means “rebellion” or “uprising” in Arabic, and many pro-Palestinian protesters at IU and across the U.S. have said they use the word with that meaning. But Rosenfeld said the word is inextricably linked to the violent attacks on Israel for many Jewish people.
After Rosenfeld asked the protester what he knew about the historical events, he said they walked away without saying anything. That unwillingness to engage in dialogue, he said, is making issues worse and people feel more divided.
Symbols have provoked similar debates, such as graffiti last month at Ballantine Hall and at the bridge on Eagleson Avenue on Oct. 7 which included inverted red triangles. Those triangles are often used by pro-Palestinian activists as symbols of their support.
Red triangles as symbols of Palestinian resistance have existed long before the current war but were popularized in the last year by Hamas videos identifying Israeli soldiers. Its meaning is still debated and unclear. But Sterbcow said the symbol itself is threatening and dangerous.
***
Rosenfeld said antisemitic incidents were already on the rise starting around the turn of the millennia. But he said Oct. 7 escalated things significantly and made many Jewish people feel “vulnerable.”
That vulnerability, too, stems from an incredibly painful history. Golden eras of Judaism like under the Emirate of Cordoba, or in medieval Cairo, ended in violence, discrimination and exile. Rosenfeld said Jewish people in the post-World War II U.S. have been able to integrate into society readily, but that lingering fear reemerged after Oct. 7.
“I’d still like to believe that America’s best traditions will hold up and continue to be hospitable to Jews and everybody else,” Rosenfeld said.
To understand why chants like “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “we don’t want no twostate, we want ‘48” can be so offensive to Jewish identity, Rosenfeld said one must understand the connection between many Jewish people and the state of Israel.
Sterbcow described Israel as omnipresent in the Jewish tradition, from school teachings to history to religious texts to many Jewish peoples’ identities.
The connection also extends to the Oct. 7 attacks.
Several students outside the Chabad House during the encampment told the IDS they had friends or relatives still held hostage in Gaza.
A lot of that feeling stems
from the horrors of the Holocaust and millennia of antisemitism before that. The existence of a Jewish state represents security for many Jewish people. Zulich said many Jewish people in the U.S. are raised to believe that if antisemitism would envelop America, they would be able to move to Israel.
Sterbcow said the tension and hostility since Oct. 7 have deepened her connection with Israel. But her connection isn’t with the government, she said, nor the government’s actions. And because she feels the state is under attack, that connection has only grown stronger. As Jewish students have turned more to their communities due to feeling othered on campus, student leaders said they have felt their community becoming stronger together. Israel, to many Jewish students, including Grossman, is that community extended to the form of a nation. So when many Jewish students hear calls for its dissolution, they feel their extended community is threatened.
After the Oct. 7 attack, Grossman said she had an awakening to become more involved in Jewish life on campus. She came to IU from Colorado — which made being hundreds of miles away from her family during the flaring tension at school surrounding the encampment more difficult.
Grossman said what makes the conflict on campus so hard is it’s directly between students. She said some Jewish students don’t know how classmates feel about their stances or whether people will be prejudiced against them for wearing Stars of David on necklaces or Israeli flags on their shirts. But around Hanukkah in 2023, as Jewish people began to come together after Oct. 7, she said she realized she shouldn’t be hiding her Jewish identity.
“Coming here and seeing that the world isn’t as pure as I thought it was and seeing the hatred that can stem just from being Jewish was something I didn’t think I would go through,” Grossman said.
“But I think going through it made me stronger, and it’s made me love Israel more. It’s made me love being Jewish more.”
IU Hillel put the finishing touches on Oct. 13 on a paper tree of life whose saplings were sown more than a month ago. During a Sept. 3 vigil, participants were asked to fill out small green leaflets of paper with the names of hostages held in Gaza, including those confirmed dead. During the following weeks, Hillel leadership worked to piece each of the 251 leaves together – one for each hostage taken in the Oct. 7 attack.
Read the rest at idsnews.com
ILLUSTRATION BY JULIETTE ALBERT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
As a mother and a nurse, Danielle determined what was in the best interest of her daughter’s life and chose to terminate the pregnancy.
“I felt like this was the kindest and most compassionate way to love her,” Danielle said.
With Indiana’s 22-week abortion ban in place at the time, Danielle found a medical facility to perform an abortion in Indianapolis within a week. She said one hospital told her she would be better off going to Chicago.
That same week, she went through a multi-step process which included taking Mifepristone and inserting laminaria, a type of seaweed that can be sterilized and rolled into a stick, to dilate the cervix.
She also picked out an urn for Charlotte. It now sits on her bedroom dresser next to a picture of Charlotte in
her arms. The dilation and evacuation procedure was performed at 21 weeks and 6 days of the pregnancy.
“Please tell me I’m not a monster,” Danielle asked the nurse on the labor and delivery floor. “No,” the nurse told her.
Danielle changed her specialty from cardiac catheterization to labor and delivery after Charlotte’s death. She wanted to be there for mothers in good times and bad, just as her nurse was for her.
She spent two and half years as a labor and delivery nurse. Now she has three boys: a six-year-old and one-year-old twins. She now works as a public health employee for the government.
She believes if an individual is not a stakeholder in the decision to have an abortion, then the person should not have a say in the decision.
Each of Charlotte’s 10 toes is etched forever on Danielle’s body, a footprint
tattoo on her right wrist.
*** Taylor, a 31-year-old preschool teacher with two children already, got pregnant despite a hormonal intrauterine device.
An IUD is a form of birth control placed in the uterus by a healthcare provider. According to Planned Parenthood, IUDs are more than 99% effective. When one gets pregnant with a hormonal IUD, the hormone it releases can cause complications like an ectopic pregnancy.
Indiana state lawmakers and other states have falsely claimed IUDs and emergency contraceptives are ways to induce an abortion, but they’re not — they’re a form of prevention.
Pregnancy does not occur until the fertilized egg implants itself into the wall of the uterus, Bernard said. Contraceptives don't interfere with a fertilized egg that has already implanted.
It wasn’t the right time for
Taylor to have a third child.
Being a mom to a newborn comes with hormonal shifts, sleepless nights, work schedule changes and finding and daycare costs. She was just a year into working at her current preschool job. She didn’t have the resources to be the mother she wanted, she said.
It was difficult to find a healthcare provider in Indiana to perform the abortion. She considered going to Illinois. One Indianapolis hospital eventually admitted her due to the risks posed to her pregnancy by pre-existing conditions — she had previously undergone brain surgery that left her prone to seizures.
Three months before Indiana’s abortion ban took effect, Taylor received an abortion six weeks into her pregnancy in May 2023. She still remembers the pain of what felt like flesh ripped from the back of her abdominal wall.
After the abortion, Tay-
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lor was reminded of it almost daily — every time she taught her class filled with young children and helped take care of the babies.
She was punishing herself, she said — forcing herself to feel the guilt and pain she thought she should be feeling. She didn’t think she deserved mercy.
“I would remind myself, ‘Hey. You didn’t do that. You didn’t bring a kid into the world,’” Taylor said. “'Do you want to do it again? Can you do it again?'”
Whenever she would see children while out with her husband, they would talk about trying again.
One day at work Taylor covered lunch for a teacher in the infant room. She rocked a baby boy in her arms who was no more than six months old. He drank from a bottle, unable even to sit up on his own. Taylor realized she was relieved the baby wasn’t hers. It was cathartic.
“I wasn’t sitting there
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holding a baby or pregnant with a baby that I didn’t want and bringing it into the world feeling stressed,” she said. “And the guilt of trying to be a mom when I wasn’t ready to be a new mom again.” She keeps an ultrasound picture and the hospital wristband she wore the day of the abortion in a wooden box her grandfather made her. It rests on her dresser in her bedroom.
In states like Indiana, where traveling out of state to receive an abortion may be necessary, there are still barriers such as funding and transportation. There are factors such as time off work, childcare and financial burdens, too, Bernard said. Some people also may not have the resources to ease such barriers.
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Leila Faraday (she/her)
is a junior studying policy analysis with minors in geography and urban planning.
Here’s a sentence that could make you instantly viral on TikTok right now: I would like to thank Beyonce for her support in writing this article to expose Joe Biden’s deliberate manipulation of the clouds to create Hurricane Milton and wipe out the state of Florida, thus stealing the election for Democrats.
Confused? Good. Hopefully you haven’t been on TikTok as much as I have in the last month. Unfortunately, some Americans would likely nod their heads in agreement and understanding of my opening paragraph.
Even more unfortunately, that can be attributed to the sinister power of social media algorithms to spread misinformation and allow public officials to endorse misinformation and conspiracy theories.
In times of pending natural disasters and political instability, it makes sense that people become far more vulnerable to misinformation. It is obviously nothing new; however, social media and the internet simply allows it to harmfully permeate ordinary American society at every level. No longer do conspiracy theories or misinformation feel like something just your crazy uncle may fall victim too, but also something the person sitting next to you in class, your little brother or your grandparents might believe. It is easy for some people to explain current events because they saw something on TikTok, Facebook or perhaps even heard from their local elected representative.
On Oct. 3, between the hit of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican representative of Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, wrote on X, “Yes they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.” While the “they” she refers to is ambiguous, it seems to refer to a sort of allpowerful elite entity, perhaps the government.
The post got nearly 44 million views, with 41,000 likes and 20,000 reposts.
LEILA’S LENS
On the Clock: A hurricane of misinformation
Her post and its timing were a deliberate attempt to erode the already compromised trust the public has in government and public officials. To be clear, humans cannot directly create nor control the path of hurricanes, not to mention that the most recent ones were likely only worse and closer together due to the effects of climate change.
Beyond claims of the government creating or controlling hurricanes, there are also theories being spread that accuse the Federal Emergency Management Agency of stealing people’s belongings or attempting to seize their damaged property and land. Though some of the absurd theories being spread are fun to laugh at and may
appear obviously ridiculous, misinformation is deeply harmful to communities through undermining the local, state, and federal governments, and creating misunderstandings of important information and science. In a disaster situation such as a hurricane or earthquake, these conspiracy theories may cause people to ignore evacuation orders or decline federal aid and assistance — basically anything the government is doing for the genuine good and safety of the public.
In everyday life, misinformation and conspiracy theories can lead people to be less likely to vote, less likely to mitigate environmentally harmful behaviors and less likely to engage in healthy practices
due to the underestimation of risk.
They essentially destroy our ability to productively participate in social and political change processes by creating a foundation of distrust and paranoia concerning any information produced by established government and media organizations.
This is not to say the government or media have never acted in manners deserving of criticism; however, we should be focused on instances in which there are trustworthy sources of information to back this up and criticize them in a meaningful way.
Many of the conspiracy theories spreading on TikTok, such as the idea that the
ARYAA’S ANECDOTES
government creates storms to weaken the Republican voter base or make Democratic candidates appear better, have absolutely no logical evidence to support them, and would likely only make a person who believes them feel fully disillusioned and powerless concerning civic engagement.
The government exists to serve the public, and we can and should hold them accountable, but in order for communities to stay calm, organized and prepared, it is necessary for them to have trust in local and federal levels of government. These entities, many of which are nonpartisan, help deliver essential and free scientific analysis and expert recommendations to the entire
public, with no perverted motivations of profit. When communities are distracted by believing the government is evil and intentionally misleading them, it prevents them from focusing on the real dangers of a natural disaster, which one does not have long to react to or prepare for.
In the new normal of TikTok and Facebook conspiracy doom scrolling, as well as politicians who make frequent inflammatory and false statements simply to rally constituents or stir chaos, we must actively fight the spread of misinformation that undermines the principles of democracy, civic education and community care.
lfaraday@iu.edu
Feminism in action: bridging the gap between empowerment and emptiness
Aryaa Mishra (she/her)
is a sophomore studying marketing and business analytics with a double major in economic quant methods.
Feminism isn’t just a hashtag or slogan — it’s about taking real action to make meaningful change.
As a society, we talk about equal opportunity, but reality often falls short. As long as gender disparities persist, we must bridge the gap between empowerment and empty words by focusing on the tangible impacts of feminism that can transform lives.
Despite centuries of progress, gender inequality remains stark in the United States. In 2020, a Pew Research Center survey revealed that 61% of U.S. women consider themselves feminists. Yet many women still experience systemic barriers to equal treatment. While feminism is empowering for many, the gap between rhetoric and reality continues to affect women’s access to education, economic opportunities and healthcare.
Empowering women starts with education. Quality education equips women with the knowledge and skills to challenge stereotypes, engage critically with societal norms and shape their futures. In 2019, I taught personal safety to underprivileged girls. It was a pivotal moment when I realized how unaware many of these girls were about their own bodies — a foundational aspect of understanding oneself. For them, concepts like mental health seemed distant, reserved for those with fewer immediate struggles. This experience highlighted how many girls grow up internalizing discomfort and societal expectations, often feeling that their needs are secondary. Education, in this sense, is crucial. By giving women and
girls the tools to understand their rights and what they’re entitled to for their wellbeing, we empower them to prioritize their needs and health. We empower them to advocate for themselves and others. According to a 2017 Global Education Monitoring Report, educating girls can reduce child marriage rates by 64% and increase their ability to participate in political and economic spheres. Education is the key to unlocking women’s potential and bridging the gap between talk and action. Economic empowerment is another vital part of this journey. Equal pay, access to career advancement and opportunities for entrepreneurship are essential to bridging the gender gap. According to the World Economic Forum, it will take another 267 years to close the economic gender gap if current trends continue. The impact of this inequality is widespread, affecting women’s ability to support families, build wealth and contribute to economies.
My experience teaching personal safety to underprivileged girls in 2019 made me realize that true empowerment goes beyond just breaking stereotypes; it’s about breaking cycles of poverty and inequality by providing real opportunities. Seeing how many of these girls lacked basic knowledge about their bodies and their rights, I understood that empowerment must address the roots of economic and social barriers they face. For example, initiatives like microloans enable women to start businesses and achieve financial independence, which can break the cycle of poverty in their families. Similarly, leadership development programs in the workplace help women advance into executive roles, ensuring that they’re represented in key de-
cision-making positions. Empowerment isn’t just about changing mindsets, it’s about creating pathways for women to reshape their futures
What can you do? Simple actions can make a big difference. Start by learning more about feminism — read books, attend workshops or join local feminist groups. Have open conversations with friends, family and colleagues about gender equality. Support women-led businesses, advocate for equal pay in your workplace and mentor young women in your field. By taking these steps, you can contribute to a more inclusive world. Gender equality isn’t solely a women’s issue: it requires the active participation of men as allies. Men can advocate for equal pay in their workplaces, ensuring women have a seat in important discussions. Even as college
students, men have many opportunities to be allies in advancing gender equality. They can start by calling out sexist jokes or language in social settings, which helps create a more respectful environment. In the classroom, men can support their female peers by encouraging them to voice their ideas and by ensuring they aren’t talked over during discussions. Joining or supporting campus organizations focused on gender equality — like Women in Business or similar initiatives — demonstrates commitment to allyship. Men can also be mindful of sharing resources and opportunities, such as inviting women to networking events or study groups, ensuring equal access to professional development. By taking these small but impactful steps, male college students can contribute to a culture of inclusivity and set
a foundation for advocating gender equality in their future careers. Men have a critical role in advocating for gender equality and challenging discriminatory behaviors. The feminist movement will succeed when men and women stand together as equals in the fight for a more inclusive future.
Feminism is about more than words—it’s about action. As people, we must work collectively to bridge the gap and empower women in every sphere of life. According to the World Economic Forum, at the current pace, it will take more than 130 years to close the overall global gender gap . This statistic alone should ignite a sense of urgency for real change.
As I reflect on my journey, from teaching young girls about personal safety to organizing feminist initiatives like
IU’s Women’s Wellness Fair, I realize how each experience has shaped my dedication to gender equality. Starting with grassroots efforts in education, I moved into broader initiatives aimed at breaking stigmas and building supportive communities. These experiences, from the early days of hands-on teaching to today’s advocacy and leadership roles, have deepened my belief in empowering others to advocate for themselves. My work now focuses on inspiring others to take the lead in fostering inclusivity, resilience, and real change. The journey to gender equality requires dedication, but the rewards are immeasurable. Together, we can bridge the gap and create a future where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.
5 Bloomington must-try restaurants
By Marnie Sara mbsara@iu.edu
Unlike Coach Cignetti’s winning record, these five restaurants are hard to find in a Google search. Before the fall semester ends, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try these underrated restaurants in Bloomington.
Little Italy Market
The Little Italy Market at 421 E. Third St. has a small kitchen in the back of its storefront and serves phenomenal sandwiches. These giant Italian sandwiches are served with fresh in-
gredients and stuffed with flavor. If you are looking for a cold sandwich with fresh deli meat, you can order the $15 Many Meats Sandwich, which includes a variety of Italian deli slices, or the $20 Prosciutto Cotto sandwich, which contains prosciutto, pesto, balsamic glaze and fresh mozzarella. The market also offers two hot chicken cutlet sandwiches, including a classic Chicken Parm sandwich and a Chicken Cutlet sandwich with pesto, balsamic glaze and fresh mozzarella.
Da Vinci Pizza and Pasta Despite its popularity in
Bloomington, Da Vinci Pizza and Pasta is on this list to ensure everyone has the pleasure of trying this restaurant. The restaurant is located at 250 S. Washington St. and serves delicious homemade woodfire pizzas alongside a variety of pasta dishes. You can’t go wrong with sharing an order of bruschetta, Caesar salad and margherita pizza with your table. Adventurous eaters will also enjoy splitting its $18 specialty options, such as pistachio pizza or truffle funghi pizza.
Feta Kitchen & Cafe
At 600 E. Hillside Drive, you will find a modern take
on Mediterranean cuisine. Feta Kitchen offers nonconventional appetizers, such as feta nachos, Mediterranean layer dip, sweet potato chili fries and Santorini tomato fritters. For the main meal, the restaurant specializes in custom salads or build your own grain bowls. For $13, my favorite order is a basmati rice bowl with arugula, chopped gyro meat, tomato, cucumber, feta cheese and a scoop of hummus and whipped feta.
Hoosier Seoulmate Hidden at 1614 W. Third St., this affordable dining option serves authentic Korean
meals originating from the owner’s family recipes. Hoosier Seoulmate has the familiar Korean meal Bibimbap, a rice bowl with meat, vegetables, fried egg and spicy sauce served in stone bowls. The restaurant is also known for its creation of a Bul-Dog, a fusion of a hot dog and bulgogi. The $4 Bul-Dogs contain marinated meats, pickled radish and cheese served in a toasted hot dog bun.
The Elm The Elm is an upscale restaurant with a rotating seasonal menu located at 614 E. Second St.. The current autumn menu has intriguing items, such as the $35 Maple Leaf Farm Duck and $45 Steelhead Trout. While the high-end restaurant may not be budget friendly for college students, it’s a great option for special occasions such as graduation or birthdays. If you do stop by for a celebration, you can honor the night with its almond poached pear cake or apple compote ice cream. Take advantage of Bloomington’s rich food scene and make sure to stop by one of these local spots. You will never regret experimenting with new exciting types of food!
ANNABEL PROKOPY
The
COLUMN: ‘It’s What’s Inside’
By Ursula Stickelmaier ustickel@iu.edu
There may be body switching, but don’t be mistaken, Netflix’s latest horror movie is no “Freaky Friday.”
“It’s What’s Inside” released on Netflix on Oct. 4, 2024, is about a group of old friends coming together for a reunion on the eve of one member’s wedding. What ensues next is a series of mind-bending body switching after a surprise guest joins the party.
In almost any circumstance, secrets tend to do more harm than good. This is incredibly true in relationships, especially when these secrets involve friends. This movie is the perfect example of this as secrets and their effects on the characters’ romantic relationships are a key driving factor in the constant drama throughout the film.
Shelby (Brittany O’Grady) and Cyrus (James Morosini) are introduced as the main serious relationship in the film. Despite Cyrus’s attraction to their influencer friend Nikki (Alycia Debnam-Carey), which causes serious issues within their relationship, Shelby and Cyrus act as if everything is okay when they are with their friends. Brooke (Reina Hardesty) is secretly in love with Reuben (Devon Terrell), who is set to get married the next day but is still clearly in love with his ex-girlfriend, Maya (Nina Bloomgarden), who is also at the reunion. Even the flashbacks that take place during parts of the movie reveal a relationship between Nikki and Dennis (Gavin Leatherwood), another main character, and the obsessive feelings Beatrice (Madison Davenport),
Horoscope
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 9 — Keep cash flowing in a positive direction. Adapt to changes. Avoid expensive options. Put fun and creativity into your work. Come up with clever ideas.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 7 — Choose the easy option. You can find what’s needed. Who do you want to be? Make a statement. Stand for something close to your heart.
the sister of main character Forbes (David W. Thompson), who is allegedly not at the party, has for Dennis. These convoluted feelings and relationships also help magnify the confusion viewers might feel when trying to get all the characters straight. And trust me, this confusion only gets worse when Forbes, the estranged friend of the group, comes to the party with a mysterious machine, and they all begin to play a guessing game where they switch bodies. Whereas I feel the viewer is very aware of every moving piece and detail in most films, “It’s What’s Inside” keeps you guessing until the very end. While you may know a little bit more about what is occurring in the film than the characters do themselves, for the most part you are following the story with them and learning new things as they do.
Director Greg Jardin definitely likes to trick you into thinking you know more than you do though. Within the first 20 minutes of the movie, I thought I had everything figured out. I was calling this movie predictable and was ready to add “It’s What’s Inside” to my list of boring horror movies. But this film is a great example of why you shouldn’t get too ahead of yourself. It was as if Jardin knew what I was going to think and did everything in his directorial power to lure me into a false sense of security before delivering one of the biggest twists I have seen all year. Despite all the praise I believe should be given to the film, there was one glaring issue I had. This just wasn’t a horror movie. When
may be suspenseful, but it isn’t scary
I think about horror movies, I think about something so frightening I need to watch funny cat TikToks in order to get that fear from my mind before I go to sleep. “It’s What’s Inside” may have left me shocked, but its many attempts of trying to fit the thriller movie genre just never succeeded in actually scaring me.
A much more fitting description of the film would
Get together with friends. Things may not go as planned. Choose simple options. Invent creative plans. Find a new purpose for mundane objects. Have fun together.
be more on the end of a scifi, mystery movie. Forbes’ machine, which the plot centers around, offers some great commentary on the complications technology can cause and helps lend a hand to a larger theme of the dangers of trying to become someone you’re not. Each character thinks they can fulfill their goals by using this machine. In Nikki’s body, Shelby can get
Aries (March
the attention from others she so desperately craves. Cyrus can finally hook up with the girl he is actually attracted to, Nikki, even if someone else is in her body. Brooke in Maya’s body can finally get a moment with Reuben, who she loves no matter what he looks like, and Reuben gets the chance to be with Maya one more time, despite it not actually being her. Everybody wants something else or wants to be someone else so badly that they don’t see the dangers in the machine right in front of them. It’s the characters and their personal motives that make this movie so compelling, not its tiring attempts to frighten you. And while this may never be my first choice of film on those nights when I am actively looking to get scared, it is one that interests me enough to watch again.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 7 — Take extra care with your health, fitness and work. Talk your way through an unexpected situation. Get expert support as needed. Don’t push. Recharge.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is an
MOVIE STILLS DATABASE
Gavin Leatherwood is pictured in the film “It’s What’s
BLISS
HAR RY BLISS
MEN’S BASKETBALL
COLUMN: Indiana men’s basketball needed strong guard play
By Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer
matfuent@iu.edu | @mateo_frohwer
No. 17 Indiana men’s basketball needed someone to turn to. The Hoosiers led by only a point with under two minutes remaining, and No. 12 University of Tennessee held all the momentum Oct. 27.
But Indiana didn’t have to worry — it had Myles Rice on the court.
The redshirt sophomore guard received a pass from sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako in front of the Hoosier bench. After dribbling around a screen, Rice rose above Tennessee junior forward Felix Okpara for a mid-range jumper, boosting Indiana’s lead to 3.
On the next possession, Rice delivered an impressive
wrap around pass to junior forward Malik Reneau for a thunderous slam. A clutch rebound and free throw with under a minute left in the game finished off his performance and the 66-62 victory for Indiana at ThompsonBoling Arena at the Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The contest failed to impact either team’s record as it was a charity exhibition benefiting the John McClendon Foundation, but neither team played as if that was the case. The first half featured three technical fouls, and the competitive nature of the match never seemed to vanish.
With a top 20 matchup in a hostile environment, head coach Mike Woodson saw first-hand how his team would respond to adversity
away from Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. With his play in the closing minutes, Rice provided early reassurance in his capabilities this season.
“I mean I trust him a lot. He makes basketball plays, winning plays.”
IU Head Coach Mike Woodson
Hoosier fans remember point guard Yogi Ferrell, who started all four years from 2012-16 and led Indiana to two Big Ten regular season titles and its last NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance in 2016. Since Ferrell’s departure, Indiana has failed to come close to replicating his production.
It’s too early to confidently
declare Rice will be the guy, but the Oct. 27 game was a glimpse of who he can be for this Indiana squad. Rice finished with 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting, four assists, two steals and two rebounds. His dogged defense held Tennessee senior guard Zakai Zegler to 2-for-10 shooting and five turnovers.
However, Rice’s failure to register a 3-point field goal on three attempts proved to be one of the only missteps from his performance. Given the struggles Indiana had from behind the line last season, that could be a worrying sign for fans simply checking the box score.
And yet, it’s not.
Rice’s performance Oct. 27 was so multi-faceted that his 3-point was not a concern
at all. Above all else, his ability to take over in crunch time facing the reigning Southeastern Conference champions showcases exactly the type of player he is — clutch.
“It’s hard to keep up with him. He’s just running and pushing the pace and pressuring the ball. I give all the props to Miles for this game.”
Junior forward Malik Renuau
As much of the plaudits will rightfully go Rice’s way, he didn’t achieve the victory alone. Reneau produced 21 points, shooting 75% from the field alongside a crucial steal. He also nailed a 3-pointer
Bloomington Friends Meeting
3820 E. Moores Pike 812-336-4581 bloomingtonfriendsmeeting.org
Facebook: Bloomington Friends Meeting
Sunday (in person & Zoom) : 9:45 a.m., Hymn singing
10:30 a.m., Meeting for Worship
10:45 a.m., Sunday School
(Children join worship 10:30-10:45)
11:30 a.m., Refreshments and Fellowship
12:30 p.m., Events (see website)
Wednesday (Zoom Only) : 7 p.m., Meeting for worship for Peace
Friday (Zoom Only) : 9 a.m., Meeting for worship
We practice traditional Quaker worship, gathering in silence with occasional Spirit-led vocal ministry by fellow worshipers. We are an inclusive community with a rich variety of belief and no prescribed creed. We are actively involved in peace action, social justice causes, and environmental concerns.
Peter Burkholder - Clerk burkhold@indiana.edu
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Bloomington Young Single Adult Branch
2411 E. Second St.
To Contact: Send message from website maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/ wards/237973
Sunday: 12:30 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has four congregations in Bloomington—Three family wards and our young single adult branch for college students. This info is for the YSA Branch. Weekday religious classes at 333 S. Highland Ave, Bloomington IN 47401, next to campus. More info at churchofjesuschrist.org.
Lutheran - Missouri Synod
University Lutheran Church and LCMS U Student Center
607 E. Seventh St. 812-336-5387 indianalutheran.com facebook.com/ULutheranIU instagram.com/uluindiana
Sunday: 9:15 a.m.: Sunday Bible Class
10:30 a.m.: Sunday Divine Service
Wednesday: 7 p.m.: Wednesday Evening Service
Student Center open daily: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
The LCMS home of campus ministry at IU, our mission is to serve all college students with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, located across from Dunn Meadow and the IMU. The Student Center is open daily for study, recreation, and prayer. For full schedule, visit our website.
Rev. Timothy Winterstein - Campus Pastor
United Methodist
Jubilee
219 E. Fourth St. 812-332-6396 jubileebloomington.org
Facebook: First United Methodist Church of Bloomington, IN Instagram: @jubileebloomington
Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Classic Worship 11:45 a.m., Contemporary Worship Wednesday: 7:30 p.m., College & Young Adult Dinner
Jubilee is a Christ-centered community open and affirming to all. We gather on Wednesdays at First United Methodist (219 E. 4th St.) for free food, honest discussion, worship, and hanging out. Small groups, service projects, social events (bonfires, game nights, book clubs, etc.), outreach retreats, and leadership opportunities all play a significant role in our rhythm of doing life together.
Markus Dickinson - jubilee@fumcb.org
Inter-Denominational
Redeemer Community Church
111 S. Kimble Dr. 812-269-8975 redeemerbloomington.org facebook.com/RedeemerBtown
Instagram & Twitter: @RedeemerBtown
Sunday: 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
Redeemer is a gospel-centered community on mission. Our vision is to see the gospel of Jesus Christ transform everything: our lives, our church, our city, and our world. We want to be instruments of gospel change in Bloomington and beyond.
Chris Jones - Lead Pastor
with just under six and a half minutes remaining, granting Indiana its first lead of the half — one it never relinquished. For Reneau, playing with Rice and his explosiveness makes the game “so easy.”
Other contributors included Mgbako with 12 points and sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo, who brought in 11 rebounds to go with his six points. But when the game was on the line, and the Tennessee bench and fans rose to their feet in excitement, Indiana turned to Rice. The Hoosiers didn’t have a player like that last year. They do now. And if one game is any indication of where a season is headed, Indiana has a lot to look forward to.
American Restoration Movement
North Central Church of Christ
2121 N. Dunn St. 812-332-2248 nc3family.org Facebook.com/nc3family
Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship 11 a.m., College Class
Come learn about historic Christian teaching on theology, ethics, and culture. We offer an alternative to the post-modern ideologies and teachings you often see in your lives today.
Shane Himes, PHD - Senior Minister
Science
Christian Science Church
2425 E. Third St. 812-332-0536 bloomingtonchristianscience.com facebook.com/e3rdStreet Sunday Church Service: 10 - 11 a.m. Wednesday Testimony Meeting: 7 - 8 p.m. Mon. - Fri. Reading Room: Noon - 2
(Christian Science Monitor) csmonitor.com
Orthodox All Saints Orthodox Christian Church
6004 S. Fairfax Rd. 812-824-3600 allsaintsbloomington.org webbrk1@gmail.com Youtube video of services on website
and Principles of the Founder, Bahá'u'lláh, that promote the "Oneness of Mankind" and the Peace and Harmony of the Planet through advancing the "security, prosperity, wealth and tranquility of all peoples."
Karen Pollock Dan Enslow
Indiana will take on Kansas in 2027 Hall of Fame Series
By Quinn Richards qmrichar@iu.edu | @Quinn_richa
Indiana men’s basketball is set to square off against fellow blue blood University of Kansas as part of the 2027 Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Oct. 27.
The Hoosiers will face the Jayhawks on Nov. 17, 2027, at a neutral site, Allegiant Stadium, as part of a doubleheader that features a matchup between Duke University and the University of Arizona.
“We are excited to play in such a prestigious event,” head coach Mike Woodson said in a press release. “Our staff has always prioritized playing the best competition out there, and getting this opportunity in Allegiant Stadium should be a lot of fun for both the program and the fan base.”
Indiana has played Kansas 16 times dating back to
1940, with both storied programs claiming eight wins in the series. However, the Jayhawks bested the Hoosiers in their most recent bout, earning a 75-71 victory last season on the road at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. With five banners hanging inside Assembly Hall and Kansas staking claim to four national titles of its own, the two hardwood powerhouses have consistently played one another closely. Evidence of this is the total point tally between the schools in the program series, which Indiana leads 1,160 to 1,147 — just 13 points apart over eight decades of competition. The 2027 Hall of Fame Series will be broadcast on TNT Sports’ networks and platforms, with additional programming information set to be announced at a later date. Allegiant Stadium will be home to the 2028 NCAA Men’s Final Four later that season.
Society of Friends (Quaker)
Bloomington Friends Meeting
3820 E. Moores Pike 812-336-4581
bloomingtonfriendsmeeting.org
Facebook: Bloomington Friends Meeting
Sunday (in person & Zoom) :
9:45 a.m., Hymn singing
10:30 a.m., Meeting for Worship
10:45 a.m., Sunday School
(Children join worship 10:30-10:45)
11:30 a.m., Refreshments and Fellowship
12:30 p.m., Events (see website)
Wednesday (Zoom Only) :
7 p.m., Meeting for worship for Peace
Friday (Zoom Only) :
9 a.m., Meeting for worship
We practice traditional Quaker worship, gathering in silence with occasional Spirit-led vocal ministry by fellow worshipers. We are an inclusive community with a rich variety of belief and no prescribed creed. We are actively involved in peace action, social justice causes, and environmental concerns.
Peter Burkholder - Clerk burkhold@indiana.edu
Non-Denominational
Christ Community Church
503 S. High St. 812-332-0502 cccbloomington.org
facebook.com/christcommunitybtown
Instagram: @christcommunitybtown
Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Educational Hour
10:30 a.m., Worship Service
We are a diverse community of Christ-followers, including many IU students, faculty and staff. Together we are committed to sharing the redeeming grace and transforming truth of Jesus Christ in this college town.
Bob Whitaker - Senior Pastor Adam deWeber - Worship Pastor Dan Waugh - Adult Ministry Pastor
Christian Student Fellowship
1968 N. David Baker Ave. 812-332-8972 csfindiana.org
Instagram: @csfindiana
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) exists as a Christ-centered community focused on helping students truly know Jesus Christ. Our ministry operates from an on-campus house where students can live. Reach out to schedule a tour of the house or a visit to our Thursday night worship service!
Ben Geiger - Lead Campus Minister
Stephanie Michael - Campus Minister
Joe Durnil - Associate Campus Minister
Hailee Lutz - Office Manager
City Church
1200 N. Russell Rd.
812-336-5958
citychurchbloomington.org
tiktok: @citychurchbtown
Instagram: @citychurchbtown
Sunday Service: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:45 a.m.
City Church is a multicultural church on the east side of Bloomington. We provide transportation from campus. Our college and young adult ministry meets on Tuesday nights.
David Norris - Pastor
Sacred Heart Church
615 N. Fairview St. 812-345-5239 sacredheartbloomington.org facebook.com/sacredheartbloomington
Sunday: 10:30 a.m.: Refreshments and Fellowship 10:45 a.m.: Worship Service Tue., Wed., Thu.: Midweek Meals (Check Facebook)
Sacred Heart is a nondenominational church that seeks to follow Jesus by acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God. We strive to be a safe, inclusive community where you can bring your doubts, questions, struggles, and joys before a loving God and find true belonging. All are welcome!
Dan Caldwell
Episcopal (Anglican)
Canterbury Mission
719 E. Seventh St. 812-822-1335 IUCanterbury.org facebook.com/ECMatIU
Canterbury: Assertively open & affirming; unapologetically Christian, we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by promoting justice, equality, peace, love and striving to be the change God wants to see in our world.
Ed Bird - Chaplain/Priest
Independent Baptist
Lifeway Baptist Church
7821 W. State Road 46 812-876-6072 lifewaybaptistchurch.org facebook.com/lifewayellettsville
Sunday: 9 a.m., Bible Study Classes 10 a.m., Morning Service 5 p.m., Evening Service
*Free transportation provided. Please call if you need a ride to church.
Student Ministry: Meeting for Bible study throughout the month. Contact Rosh Dhanawade at bluhenrosh@gmail.com for more information.
Steven VonBokern - Senior Pastor Rosh Dhanawade - IU Coordinator 302-561-0108 bluhenrosh@gmail.com
United Church of Christ and American Baptist Churches-USA First United Church 2420 E. Third St. 812-332-4439 firstuc.org facebook.com/firstuc
Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Worship
Monday: 10 a.m. via Zoom, Bible Study
We are an Open, Welcoming, and Affirming community of love and acceptance dedicated to welcoming the diversity of God’s beloved. We exist to empower, challenge, and encourage one another to live out Jesus’ ways (compassion, truth, and justice) authentically as human beings in community to create a better world.
Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai Senior Minister
Baptist
Emmanuel Church
1503 W. That Rd. 812-824-2768 Emmanuelbloom.com Instagram & Facebook: @EmmanuelBloomington
Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Fellowship
Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship Groups: Various times
Emmanuel is a multigenerational church of all types of people. Whether you are questioning faith or have followed Jesus for years, we exist to help fuel a passion for following Jesus as we gather together, grow in community, and go make disciples.
John Winders - Lead Pastor
Second Baptist Church
321 N. Rogers St. 812-327-1467 sbcbloomington.org facebook.com/2ndbaptistbloomington youtube.com/@secondbaptist churchbloomington
Sunday Service: 10 a.m., In house and on Facebook/YouTube Sunday School: 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. Bible Study: Available In House and on Zoom Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Thursdays, Noon
Please come and worship with us. We are in training for reigning with Christ! Need a ride? Call our Church bus at 812-3271467 before 8 a.m. on Sunday
Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Rose - Pastor Tallie Schroeder - Secretary
Unitarian Universalist
Sunday: 10:15 a.m., via in person or livestream We’re a multi dynamic congregation actively working towards a more just and loving world. We draw inspiration from world religions and diverse spiritual traditions. Our vision is “Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World.” A LGBTQA+, Dementia Friendly, Welcoming Congregation to all ages and groups and a Certified Green Sanctuary. Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rose House LuMin & St. Thomas Lutheran Church
3800 E. Third St. 812-332-5252 Stlconline.org lcmiu.net
with us. We are an inclusive Christian community who values the faith, gifts, and ministry of all God’s people. We seek justice, serve our neighbors, and love boldly. Rev. Adrianne Meier Rev. Lecia Beck Rev. Amanda Ghaffarian - Campus Pastor
Unity Worldwide
Unity of Bloomington A Center for Spiritual Growth
4001 S. Rogers St. text/call: 812-333-2484 unityofbloomington.org
Discover a vibrant, welcoming community at Unity of Bloomington – “a positive path for spiritual living”. Our center offers a space for spiritual growth; embracing all with open arms. We proudly affirm and welcome the LGBTQ+ community, fostering love, acceptance, and inclusion. Join our loving congregation, where everyone is valued and encouraged to explore their spiritual journey. At Unity of Bloomington, all are welcome and together we thrive!
Minnassa Gabon - Spiritual Leader
Phyllis Wickliff - Music Director Reformed Protestant
Trinity Reformed Church 2401 S. Endwright Rd. 812-825-2684 trinityreformed.org lucas@trinityreformed.org facebook.com/trinitychurchbloom
Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Sunday Morning Services 7 p.m., Bible Study at the IMU
We are a Reformed Protestant church on the west side of Bloomington with lively worship on Sunday mornings and regular lunches for students after church. We love God and His Word. Please get in touch if you’d like a ride!
Jody Killingsworth - Senior Pastor Lucas Weeks - College Pastor
TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
A basketball is pictured with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame logo during the announcement of the 2027 Hall of Fame Series college basketball games Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Hoosiers last played Kansas on
Indiana wins like ‘championship team’
By Daniel Flick danflick@iu.edu | @ByDanielFlick
Smoke slowly rose from cannons. A sea of red in Memorial Stadium waved white towels with Marlborobranded “Cignetti” embedded in red ink, a nod to head coach Curt Cignetti. “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC blared over the speakers.
Indiana football emerged from its north endzone tunnel a few minutes before noon Oct. 26, Cignetti leading his undefeated troops into battle.
Less than three hours later, as the clock approached the two-minute timeout and Indiana held a comfortable 31-17 lead over Washington, chants of “Hoosier Daddy” rained down from the student section, still covered in red with minimal open seats. With a minute and a half remaining, chants shifted as fans sang goodbye to the Huskies. With one minute left, students returned to “Hoosier Daddy.”
And when the clock hit zero, chants exploded into cheers. Players darted to the student section, high fiving those in the front row as “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled played throughout the stadium.
The culture, perhaps more than ever before, has changed.
Indiana (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) overcame the injury-related absence of sixth-year senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke and the pressure that accompanies an excess of national attention to nab a 3117 victory over Washington (4-4, 2-3 Big Ten) on Oct. 26.
Cignetti acknowledged postgame the Hoosiers didn’t play their best, nor did they execute at the highest level. They not only survived but won a Big Ten game by two scores — which Cignetti dubbed a gutsy performance emblematic of his team’s makeup.
“I told the team after the game, ‘Really good teams, championship teams, they
find ways to win games, and that’s what we did today,’” Cignetti said. “We found ways to win a game.”
Cignetti isn’t the first Hoosier to mention championships. Redshirt junior defensive lineman Mikail Kamara said the word after Indiana’s 41-24 win over Northwestern on Oct. 5 to move to 6-0.
Still undefeated after two more Big Ten tests, Kamara isn’t backing down from his stance — which he feels is only stronger after Nebraska, which lost 56-7 to Indiana on Oct. 19, nearly upset No. 4 Ohio State on the road Oct. 26.
“It didn’t slip out — I’m still about it,” Kamara said postgame. “You see what we saw with Nebraska (on Oct. 26). I think we can go out there and win. We’ve just got to keep staying focused — we can’t let the clutter get in the way of anything. We’ve just got to keep on going every single day.”
It’s a task made significantly easier by having a veteran roster, something Cignetti has noted many times this season. Yet it’s possible nothing has tested Indiana’s poise more than the past week.
After Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff visited Bloomington for the Nebraska game, ESPN’s College GameDay made its first traditional trip to Bloomington on Oct. 26. Memorial Stadium was sold out for the second consecutive game, part of a fourgame stretch of sellouts to close the regular season.
National attention is swarming Indiana. Cignetti briefly spoke to the team about GameDay’s presence Oct. 21, but they didn’t dwell on it. The Hoosiers discussed GameDay again for 15 seconds after a walkthrough Oct. 25, Cignetti said, noting it’s great for exposure but can result in players losing focus.
Fifth-year senior running back Justice Ellison, who
turned a career-high 29 carries into 123 yards and one touchdown, recalled postgame his first experience playing after College GameDay hosted a show.
It came in 2020 against Clemson University during Ellison’s freshman season at Wake Forest University. He said he ran around like a jackrabbit, incognizant of anything happening around him. Now, four years removed and carrying 51 appearances under his belt, Ellison dominated in the aftermath of college football’s top pregame show.
Ellison is one instance of a Hoosier who’s played at a winning program and dealt with success previously. The roster is littered with several others, Kamara said, a sentiment echoed by Ellison.
“We’ve got a veteran team,” Ellison said. “A lot of us played in big games before. The crowd, the media, GameDay — that’s for the fans. We’re going to get a part of that too, but it’s about winning. We had our mindset like, ‘Trust your roles, trust your technique, just play football.’ That’s all it is at the end of the day.”
Throughout his productive game, Ellison said he talked to himself, urging the need to get a first down or pick up four-to-five yards. He asked the offensive line for more of a push to help his cause.
Why?
“Because those type of things really help this team elevate the jersey,” Ellison said.
So does Cignetti. Sixthyear senior center Mike Katic said Indiana has adopted the moxie, swagger and mindset of its coach, which includes entering each week with no doubt about securing a victory.
Cignetti’s confidence started long before the Hoosiers won their first game Aug. 31. Sophomore cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, who had two interceptions Oct. 26, said postgame Cignetti
told him in a recruiting pitch last winter Indiana would go undefeated.
Such belief translates to the practice field and is illuminated during games, Ponds added. It’s also shown on campus. Kamara wears an Indiana football backpack around campus, and he said people approach him and ask who he is. The same student body packed Memorial Stadium on Oct. 26, an indication of the passion and optimism brewing around the program.
“Winning in general is just something I love, and I think everyone loves,” Kamara said. “You can see everyone’s faces changing, the smile on everyone’s faces. The amount of people talking about Indiana football — this is so different. Like, it’s just a different vibe.”
But the Hoosiers have more motivation than just winning. When Cignetti rebuilt the team’s roster over the offseason, he brought 12 players with him from James Madison University, including Kamara, Ponds and several other starters. A handful of others transferred from Group of Five or Football Championship Subdivision schools where the lights aren’t as bright.
The result, Kamara said, is a hungry team with a chip on its shoulder. Players are trying to prove what they’ve long known: they not only belong, but they can dominate in the Big Ten, one of college football’s powerhouse conferences.
Ponds said he committed to Indiana to face receivers like Washington sixth-year senior Giles Jackson and redshirt sophomore Denzel Boston, each of whom entered Oct. 26 ranked top five in the conference in receiving yards. Ponds rose to the occasion, intercepting his first two passes at Indiana while returning one for a touchdown — the first picksix of his career.
But Ponds said after the
game the Hoosiers can’t dwell on the game’s result, for better or worse. Their goal is to go 1-0 each week, which they’ve done in eight consecutive opportunities.
The result is an 8-0 record, and while Cignetti said the Oct. 26 game film won’t often be pretty, he also said Indiana is what its record says it is — and the Hoosiers’ intangibles support their unblemished start.
“I think this is a close team with a lot of competitive character,” Cignetti said. “Guys that really want to be good, have the right stuff ,and they found a way to win.”
Katic returned to Indiana because he wanted exactly that: to be good. He initially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft but reversed course after talking with Cignetti.
In 2023, Katic watched as Indiana trudged to a 3-9
record before firing head coach Tom Allen. Reflecting on the campaign, Katic said Aug. 27 he saw some of his teammates check out when the season slipped away. Now, his teammates — many of whom are new — have bought in. Ellison had blood on his thumbnail after the game. Cignetti mentioned the guts of his team three times in his opening statement.
And the Hoosiers’ fairytale season now enters November with dreams of a College Football Playoff appearance growing more realistic — one snap, chant and nationally televised pre-game show at a time.
“I love this place with all my heart,” Katic said. “And I’m so, so proud of this team and these coaches for breaking through and getting Indiana football back on top.”
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LAUREN MCKINNEY | IDS Indiana head football coach Curt Cignetti is pictured on the sideline during Indiana’s game against Washington Oct. 26, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Cignetti guided the Hoosiers to their first 8-0 start since 1967.
THIS IS INDIANA.
A trip through IU basketball history
Rice earns spot on Bob Cousy Award watchlist
By Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer
matfuent@iu.edu | @mateo_frohwer
Indiana men’s basketball redshirt sophomore guard Myles Rice was named to the preseason watchlist for the 2025 Bob Cousy Award on Oct. 28. The award honors the top point guard in Division I men’s basketball, determined by a committee of college basketball personnel. Rice was named alongside 19 other top performers. Rice transferred to Indiana over the offseason from Washington State University, where he averaged 14.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists. The Columbia, South Carolina, native earned Pac12 Freshman of the Year honors as well as All-Pac-12
First Team and Pac-12 AllFreshman team honors. In the Hoosiers’ charity exhibition against No. 12 University of Tennessee on Oct. 27, Rice finished with 20 points, two rebounds and four assists. Rice and Indiana return to action in an exhibition against Marian University at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
By Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer matfuent@iu.edu | @mateo_frohwer
Indiana men’s basketball sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo and sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako earned recognition on awards watchlists Oct. 30.
Ballo, a transfer from University of Arizona over the offseason, was named to watchlists for the 2025 National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I Player of the Year and Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year presented by AXIA Time.
The NABC Player of the Year watchlist features 20 players, while the Naismith Trophy consists of 50 athletes. Ballo is one of three Big Ten players on the NABC list and one of 10 for the Naismith Trophy.
The Koulikoro, Mali, na-
tive averaged 11.2 points and 7.7 rebounds across three seasons at Arizona. In the 2023-24 season, he earned All-Pac-12 First Team and Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors.
Ballo’s career stats at Arizona totaled over 1,000 points and 800 career rebounds, joining only nine other players in program history to reach those numbers.
In Indiana’s charity exhibition against No. 12 University of Tennessee on Oct. 27, Ballo scored 6 points and secured 11 rebounds.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame recognized Mgbako and 19 others on the Julius Erving Award watchlist. The honor goes to the top small forward in Division I men’s college basketball, as determined by a national committee of top college basketball personnel.
Mgbako returned to Indiana following a freshman campaign that included co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. He totaled 12.2 points and 4.1 rebounds through 33 starts in 2023-24. The Gladstone, New Jersey, native led the Hoosiers in 3-pointers last season with 50. Mgbako was one of only two freshmen in the NCAA in 2023-24 to record at least 400 points, 50 3-pointers, 90 free throws and 125 rebounds. Against the Volunteers, Mgbako scored 12 points on 6-for-11 shooting. He scored double digit points 25 times last year. Indiana faces Marian University at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 in an exhibition match at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers will begin their regular season against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at 8 p.m. Nov. 6 in Bloomington.
JACOB SPUDICH
1 2 3
IDS predicts the Hoosier men’s season
By Daniel Flick, Quinn Richards
and Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer sports@idsnews.com
Indiana men’s basketball enters the 2024-25 season ranked No. 17 nationally despite missing the NCAA Tournament with a 19-14 record last year.
The Hoosiers’ roster is much different. Indiana added six transfers and freshman forward Bryson Tucker to its roster and lost three players to the transfer portal, two to graduation and one — center Kel’el Ware — to the NBA.
Expectations are high for Indiana head coach Mike Woodson’s fourth season.
But how will it play out?
The Indiana Daily Student’s men’s basketball beat writers — reporters Daniel Flick and Quinn Richards and columnist Mateo FuentesRohwer — make their best guess.
Most valuable player
DANIEL FLICK: Indiana big men have starred under Woodson, headlined by now-NBA players Ware and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo figures to be the next one. Ballo, who transferred to Indiana after spending three years at the University of Arizona, earned All-Pac-12 firstteam honors each of the past two seasons and left the Wildcats as their alltime leader in field goal percentage at 64.6%. The 7-foot, 260-pound Ballo is proficient at blocking shots, rebounding and impacting games in underrated ways — while averaging at least 13 points per game the past two years.
QUINN RICHARDS: I agree that Indiana’s strongest piece this season will be in the frontcourt; however, my pick is junior forward Malik Reneau. As one of two Hoosiers to start all 33 games last season, Reneau is poised to be the flash to Ballo’s smash in the post. Don’t get it twisted, the Montverde Academy product can pose a dangerous force down low in his own right, but his footwork
and floor awareness elevate his impact for the Indiana offense. Last season, Reneau averaged 2.7 assists and 15.4 points per game, all while playing alongside the aforementioned Ware.
MATEO FUENTES-
ROHWER:
To rebound from a disappointing 2023-24 season, Indiana needed to gain more production from the portal.
Many eyes are on Oumar Ballo, but I believe redshirt sophomore guard Myles Rice will be the most valuable player on the squad. Woodson spoke at Indiana’s institutional media day Sept. 18 about the speed Rice brings to the lineup, one which lost Xavier Johnson to graduation last year. But Rice also provides scoring and playmaking, as he averaged 14.8 points per game on 43.9% shooting and dished out 3.8 assists per game last season for Washington State University.
Breakout player of the year
FLICK: This is a difficult question because much of Indiana’s roster is comprised of proven commodities, whether it be in Bloomington or somewhere else. So, I’ll take the road less traveled: A true freshman who hasn’t yet had the chance to break out but is certainly expected to this season. Freshman forward Bryson Tucker was a 4-star recruit in the 2024 class, and Woodson spoke highly of him during Hoosier Hysteria on Oct. 18. Tucker responded by nailing a pair of contested midrange jumpers while looking confident and assertive offensively. Yes, there will be growing pains, but Tucker is uber talented and could prove to be an integral part of the Hoosiers’ bench in his first collegiate season.
RICHARDS: It may be an odd choice on paper, but I’ll be taking the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako. Sure, his counting stats may decrease with more capable scorers in the Hoosiers’ of-
fense, but it’s efficiency that will take the former 5-star recruit’s game to the next level. While Mgbako put up 12.2 points per game in an impressive freshman campaign, he shot the ball at a subpar 39.5% clip. The boost in scoring output from transfers like Rice and Ballo should allow the game to slow down for the 6’9 slasher, who will — bold prediction — rise to a lottery pick in the NBA draft.
FUENTES-ROHWER: It’s no surprise Indiana needed to improve its 3-point shooting from a season ago. Most of its transfers didn’t directly address that deficiency, but senior forward Luke Goode certainly did. His efficient 3-point shooting is a threat, whether he makes the shots or simply forces the defense to be aware of him. On top of that, his Big Ten experience from three years at Illinois will easily transfer over into whatever role he takes as a Hoosier.
Newcomer of the year
FLICK: Ballo is a smart answer here, as is Rice, but I’ll say senior forward Luke Goode. The Hoosiers’ lone Big Ten transfer, Goode arrived in Bloomington this summer after spending the last three seasons at Illinois. The Hoosiers were, to be kind, deficient from 3-point range in 2023-24. They ranked No. 353 out of 362 teams in Division I with 15.5 long-range attempts per game, and their 32.4% 3-point shooting rate placed No. 12 out of 14 Big Ten teams. Goode has never shot worse than 37% from distance, and he connected on 39.7% of his 3-pointers last season while averaging more than four attempts per game.
“His [Luke Goode] value from beyond the arc could be crucial for opening Indiana’s offense and providing better floor spacing.”
Daniel Flick
RICHARDS: Indiana’s primary ball handlers last season were true freshman guard Gabe Cupps and senior guard Trey Galloway. Cupps averaged 2.6 points per game and Galloway is recovering from an offseason knee surgery. Therefore, my pick is the reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Myles Rice. Rice’s blinding speed off the dribble and explosive first step provides Indiana with a threat on the perimeter Hoosier fans haven’t seen since Jalen Hood-Schifino declared for the NBA Draft in April 2023. Combine those abilities with a screener like Ballo and you have a dream pick-androll pairing for the former Washington State guard. Additionally, Rice ranked fourth in the Pac-12 with 1.6 steals per game last season, proving his quickness can be impactful on both sides of the floor.
FUENTES-ROHWER: Speed, speed, speed. Similar to Myles Rice, sophomore guard Kanaan Carlyle brings a new level of quickness to the Indiana backcourt. His numbers from a season ago weren’t outstanding, but a 32% 3-point percentage and 77% shooting from the line are both solid numbers that could see serious growth with a second year of experience. More important than stats, however, is Caryle’s ability to provide more depth in a guard spot that felt thin last year, especially following the injury to Xavier Johnson.
Game of the year
FLICK: The cop out of all cop outs — I’ll be going with Indiana’s home game against Purdue on Feb. 23. It’s the second meeting between the two sides this season, and the Hoosiers will have only four more regular season games remaining thereafter. Rivalry aside, if Purdue lives up to its preseason top 15 ranking, the matchup presents an opportunity for Indiana to build its resume for March Madness. But, of course, it’s Indiana and Purdue. It’s the state’s big-
gest rivalry, and one of the best in all of college basketball. Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall will be loud, and stakes will be high. This game should be circled on every Cream and Crimsoncolored calendar.
RICHARDS: With Daniel taking the easy way out with the Boilermakers, I’ll opt to highlight an early-season home matchup with the University of South Carolina on Nov. 16. Although the Gamecocks aren’t ranked in The Associated Press preseason poll and lost key pieces, they posted a 26-8 record last season and ended as No. 6 seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament. Reigning SEC Coach of the Year Lamont Paris is entering his third season at the helm and has quickly turned the program around in his tenure. With a pair of mid-majors on the Hoosiers’ schedule to start the year, South Carolina should be the first benchmark for an Indiana team looking to prove itself as a national contender.
FUENTES-ROHWER:
Over the offseason, Michigan hired Dusty May to fill its head coaching vacancy after firing Juwan Howard. A native of Terre Haute, Indiana, May was a student manager under head coach Bob Knight at Indiana from 1996-2000. Now as head coach of the Wolverines, he’ll have the opportunity to return to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Feb. 8 with a new look lineup built through the transfer portal, similar to Indiana this season.
Postseason predictions
FLICK: The Hoosiers haven’t made it past Round of 32 under Woodson’s guidance, but I think they have a real chance to change this year. Indiana has lots going for it on paper, from size and guard play to shooting and depth. The challenge stems from putting all the pieces together, a task I think Woodson and his staff are capable of handling. And ultimately, I think Indiana will reach the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. The
Sweet 16 is a strong possibility, but Indiana has Elite Eight potential. The deciding factor will be how well Myles Rice, Kanaan Carlyle and Trey Galloway shoot the ball from a distance. If at least two are proficient, Indiana can make a deep run.
RICHARDS: With an experienced roster and balanced scoring attack, Indiana has all the makings of a team that could make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The question remains how well an entourage of key transfers can synchronize with a supporting cast of returning Hoosiers.
Fortunately, March Madness isn’t until (you guessed it) March, which should give a new-look roster time to conquer early-season growing pains. I fully expect Indiana to be rolling once the NCAA Tournament field is set and reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in Woodson’s tenure. While a run to the Final Four is possible with proven talent across a deep roster, I’m not comfortable projecting that level of success until I’ve seen the Hoosiers play in clutch time games throughout conference play.
FUENTES-ROHWER: It’s impossible to tell where a team will end up at the beginning of a season, especially in college basketball where March Madness is famous for its unpredictability.
“However, I feel it’s worth arguing that this Indiana squad, on paper, is a team that could reach the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.”
Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer
With more experience all around, especially at the critical point guard position, I believe Indiana will at least make a Sweet 16 appearance.
MICHAEL CLAYCAMP | IDS
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1. Then-graduate senior forward Mackenzie Holmes, then-senior guard Sydney Parrish and then-senior guard Sara Scalia celebrate after winning against Oklahoma on March 25, 2024, in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers advanced to their third Sweet Sixteen appearance in five years.
OLIVIA BIANCO | IDS 2. Then-senior guard Chloe Moore-McNeil looks to pass the ball March 3, 2024, against the University of Maryland in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Moore-McNeil had 10 points in the 71-54 win against the Terrapins.
OLIVIA BIANCO | IDS 3. Then-sophomore guard Lexus Bargesser passes the ball to senior guard Chloe Moore-McNeil on March 23, 2024, against Fairfield University in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Bargesser had six assists against the Stags.
IDS analyzes the Indiana women’s season
By Dalton James, Savannah Slone and Ryan Canfield sports@idsnews.com
No. 25 Indiana women’s basketball enters the 202425 season looking to replace Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia’s production from last season — the two accounted for 45.3% of the Hoosiers’ scoring.
In response, Indiana head coach Teri Moren and her staff brought in junior guard Shay Ciezki from Penn State and senior forward Karoline Striplin from the University of Tennessee over the offseason.
The Hoosiers begin their regular season against Brown University at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Before then, the Indiana Daily Student’s women’s basketball beat reporters shared their analysis and predictions for the season.
Most valuable player
DALTON JAMES: When a game starts to slip and the opposing team goes on a run, each squad needs a player who remains poised and calm. Chloe MooreMcNeil does just that. The graduate student guard earned All-Big Ten Defensive Team and All-Big Ten Second Team honors last season, averaging 10.2 points, nearly four rebounds and five assists per game. While she may not blow opponents away with lights-out 3-point shooting, she’s surely capable. Take the two-game stretch against Purdue and Wisconsin in mid-February 2024 as an example — she went 9 for 9 from beyond the arc. Although she isn’t the flashiest player, Moore-McNeil plays smart on both ends. She’ll be the Hoosiers’ rock as they navigate the postMackenzie Holmes era.
SAVANNAH SLONE: As a graduate student, the Hoosiers will rely on Sydney Parrish as one of their most experienced players on the roster. The guard is entering her third season as a Hoosier after she transferred from the University of Oregon in 2022. Parrish was sidelined for seven games in 2024 with a broken foot, but she provided valuable
production during the 25 games she played in. Parrish shot 40% from 3-point range in 2023-24 and was second on the team in total rebounds with 149, averaging six per game. Parrish’s versatility from underneath the basket to behind the arc will help the Hoosiers be more successful throughout the season.
RYAN CANFIELD: While it may be unfortunate for the Hoosiers that there is no clear-cut answer for a most valuable player as there was last year and the year before, I am interested in who will shine the brightest. I could go the route of an unproven player stepping into some huge shoes, like senior forward Karoline Striplin. I will select a player who will be a constant plus for this squad regardless of the unproven. That player is Sydney Parrish. Parrish really hit her stride last season before her injury, from all aspects of the floor offensively. I expect her to be not only the MVP, but the most vocal and confident leader. Hoping for an injury-free season, Parrish will look to surpass her 10.8 points per game she accrued last season as one of the most dependable scorers this team has.
Breakout player of the year
JAMES: Ahead of last season, Indiana head coach Teri Moren said then-freshman guard Lenee Beaumont and her counterpart Julianna LaMendola would be needed come January. They didn’t produce much as Beaumont averaged just 3 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. During Indiana basketball’s institutional media day Sept. 18, Parrish said Beaumont has made the “biggest jump from last year to this year” that she’s ever seen. And while Beaumont’s teammates notice her improvements on the court, she’s also made internal strides as well. Beaumont said it’s a testament to the power of positive self-talk and telling herself that she believes in herself. Not only will Beaumont likely play more than the 9.6 minutes per game she did last season, but she’ll make a real impact on
both ends of the floor for Indiana this season.
SLONE: While Lexus Bargesser’s strengths lie in her defense and ability to drive to the hoop, an improved shot could be the aspect of her game that puts Bargesser on the next level. Last season, Bargesser was 3-for-10 from the 3-point line and shot 55.6% from the free-throw line. The junior guard put in work this offseason with the coaching staff to improve her outside shot and her free-throw shot. They started with the basic fundamentals and worked their way up. The reconstruction process left Bargesser with cleaner mechanics, boosting her confidence going into the season. But her new shot doesn’t only impact her abilities and confidence, it also frees up her teammates if she is gaining more attention from defenses compared to a season ago.
CANFIELD: I’m going to take Lexus Bargesser. I am confident she will be a much better offensive threat than she was during her first two seasons. Outside of the returns of graduate student guards Chloe Moore-McNeil and Sydney Parrish, plus the transfer additions, Bargesser’s new shot has been an interesting talking point. I’m going to trust Bargesser and the Hoosiers’ coaching staff with this one. Do I think Bargesser will be the best shooter on the squad like Sara Scalia or Grace Berger? Absolutely not. But with her aggressiveness that carries over from her defense, she will continue to drive to the basket and pop out from 15 feet beyond to knock down jumpers.
Newcomer of the year
JAMES: With Sara Scalia graduating, Indiana needed to find a player who could potentially replicate her production. The Hoosiers opted to look toward the transfer portal, luring in junior guard Shay Ciezki in April. Moren said Ciezki fits with her squad seamlessly, describing the Buffalo, New York, native as a “bulldog,” explaining she’s always in the gym doing more than what’s required of her. Like
Scalia, Ciezki is a knockdown 3-point shooter with a career 38.9% clip from distance. Come Big Ten play, Ciezki will assert herself as a top guard in the conference.
SLONE: Penn State transfer Shay Ciezki led her team in 3-pointers (74) and 3-point percentage (36.8) during the 2023-24 season season through all 35 games for the Lady Lions. If the junior guard keeps up her shooting skills for Indiana, it will be a key to success for the Hoosiers this season after the departure of Sara Scalia, who finished her career at Indiana as the Hoosier’s leader in 3-point percentage and free-throw percentage. The junior guard’s hard-working mentality also blends in seamlessly with the culture created by head coach Teri Moren and her players. Those are two factors that could lead to Ciezki flourishing in her first year as a Hoosier.
CANFIELD: Losing Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia stinks for Indiana, plain and simple. But Indiana’s coaching staff hit the portal in the offseason. You just read about Shay Ciezki and how she will fit in great with this team. But the next question is what about Tennessee transfer Karoline Striplin? The senior from Hartford, Alabama, will make a big jump. She will not be Holmes, and anybody hoping she will be is lying to themselves. But assistant coach Rhet Wierzba knows how to make this work. Plus, at 6-foot3, her size is going to be a huge difference. If she can average double figures, rebound and provide spacing, this team is going to win a lot. She will have to adjust to an increase in minutes from the 11 she averaged per game last season, but I don’t foresee that being a problem. It’s going to be Striplin and junior forward Lilly Meister competing for the starting role.
Game of the year
JAMES: Last season, Iowa guard Caitlin Clark was the talk of the nation, selling out arenas wherever the Hawkeyes played. Now, with Clark on the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, USC sopho-
more guard JuJu Watkins is now at the helm of women’s basketball stardom. The Trojans come to Bloomington on Jan. 19 for either a noon or 2 p.m. matchup inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall that’ll be nationally televised on NBC. The Trojans are No. 3 in The Associated Press preseason poll as they are coming off a trip to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight last season. USC added graduate student forward Kiki Iriafen from the transfer portal out of Stanford University. Iriafen torched the Hoosiers in their matchup with the Cardinal last season, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The contest is an opportunity for the Hoosiers to show the nation they are legit.
SLONE: The Hoosiers are set to face UCLA at noon Jan. 4 in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The matchup will serve as a mid-season test for the Hoosiers as the Bruins enter the season at No. 5 in the AP preseason poll after their 2024 season ended with a loss to Louisiana State University in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. This will be just the fourth meeting between Indiana and UCLA dating back to 1975, the most recent being in 2019 when the Bruins beat the Hoosiers 6858. The game will also mark the first contest between the two teams as conference opponents, with UCLA joining the Big Ten this season.
CANFIELD: The good news for Indiana is that it gets the three toughest conference matchups at home. UCLA, USC and Ohio State will all come to Bloomington. Another game that Indiana will play against a team that isn’t anywhere near the best in the Big Ten, but gave the Hoosiers trouble a season ago, is Illinois. The Fighting Illini gave the Hoosiers the most trouble last season in a home and home, ending in a series split. Illinois returns its three biggest threats against Indiana last season — all fifth-year players in guards Genesis Bryant, Makira Cook and forward Kendal Bostic. The three combined for 54 points in the Illini’s 77-71 losing effort on Dec.
31, 2023, against Indiana and 49 points in its 86-66 winning effort against the Hoosiers on Feb. 19.
Postseason predictions
JAMES: I think there’s too much uncertainty around Indiana to confidently place predictions on the postseason as I did last season. Will junior forward Lilly Meister or senior forward Karoline Striplin emerge in the post? That’s a question I want to see answered, but I do see the Hoosiers at least making it to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Even if Meister or Striplin don’t produce at an All-Big Ten-type level, I think Indiana can still go on a run come tournament time. With the four West Coast schools in USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon now in the Big Ten, winning the conference is a tall task. But the Hoosiers do host USC, UCLA, Ohio State, Maryland and Nebraska — all ranked in the preseason AP Poll. Indiana went undefeated last season inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, and if it can manage to do so again this season, then it can surely be in the race for the regular season title.
SLONE: I think this Indiana team can match its 2024 NCAA Tournament run and finish the postseason with a trip to the Sweet 16. The Hoosiers have high potential if they can figure out how to effectively fill the holes left with Mackenzie Holmes’ and Sara Scalia’s departures. They brought in good pieces through the transfer portal and the freshman class and have the winningest head coach in program history. I do not doubt head coach Teri Moren’s ability to coach this team to the Sweet 16.
CANFIELD: This is interesting because Indiana could take a step back, but it could also do the same thing it did last season. I’m going to take the latter. The Hoosiers will be a good team — a top four seed in Big Ten Tournament, a host for the NCAA Tournaments’ Round of 64 and 32— but will eventually get beaten by a better team in the Sweet 16. OLIVIA BIANCO |
COLUMN: Who stands in Indiana basketball’s
By Ryan Canfield
rcanfie@iu.edu | @ryancanfieldonx
The 2024-25 season is a new era of Big Ten basketball.
Four new squads enter the fold: UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington. The schools bring so much to the table, along with the other 14 teams. Whether it’s travel, time zones or media coverage, it certainly will take some getting used to for everyone.
Along with those four schools, the 14 others still have seasons ahead of them and games to play. The rest of the Big Ten is getting a breath of fresh air as the statistically best women’s college basketball player of all time, former Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, departed for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever.
So, where does Indiana fit into all of this?
Well, Iowa wasn’t the only school to lose a vast majority of its scoring. Indiana is not that far away from the Hawkeyes. How Indiana head coach Teri Moren and company fill in the absences
of Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia is something the Hoosiers will have to figure out quickly. Here’s who the Hoosiers will have to compete against for the Big Ten regular season title.
USC Sophomore guard JuJu Watkins, the next big star in the game, headlines USC’s roster. With Clark gone, Watkins is the hot commodity for women’s basketball, signing top tier name, image and likeness deals, specifically with Nike and Gatorade.
But it’s not only Watkins’ 27 points per game that USC has, it’s also Stanford University transfer Kiki Iriafen. Iriafen averaged a doubledouble for Stanford last year with 19 points and 11 rebounds per game before transferring to USC in April.
UCLA The Bruins rank fifth in the country in The Associated Press preseason poll and look to build on an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance last season. UCLA returns four of its top five scorers from last season.
Most importantly, Lauren Betts, who was one of two unanimous All-Big Ten preseason selections, is back for the Bruins. Another notable returning name is Gabriela Jaquez. The junior guard, sister of former UCLA men’s basketball forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., averaged 10 points and five assists per game last season.
Ohio State
Don’t let these two West Coast powerhouses take away from the talent Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff’s squad returned, headlined by junior forward Cotie McMahon. McMahon, a preseason All-Big Ten selection, averaged 14.4 points
The transfer class does not end there, however. The Trojans also brought in former Oregon State University guard Talia von Oelhoffen. Von Oelhoffen recorded 12.3 points per game last season and will provide floor spacing and be a great catalyst for Watkins and Iriafen.
and 6.3 rebounds per game last season.
Plus, to add to the dominant front court, McGuff added University of Kentucky transfer Ajae Petty, who averaged 14.4 points per game last season. Senior forward Taylor Thierry, who averaged 11 points per game last season, also returned. The one qualm for Ohio State: how does it mitigate the loss of its leader in former All-Big Ten guard and now Dallas Wings guard Jacy Sheldon?
Maryland
Senior guard Shayanne Sellers, a 2024 All-Big Ten first team selection, averaged 15.6 points per game last season. Junior guard Kaylene Smikle also returned after averaging 16.1 points per game last season. One thing to note for Maryland: the Terrapins were 1-8 in the regular season against ranked opponents last season — its only victory was at home against Ohio State on March 8. Much like UCLA, Maryland will be without a couple
of its top scorers from a season ago: Jakia Brown-Turner, Brinae Alexander and Lavender Briggs. If there is one team in the upper echelon of the Big Ten to drop out, or even miss the NCAA Tournament, it could be Maryland if it cannot replace its scoring.
Nebraska Nebraska returns one of the best players in the country in senior forward Alexis Markowski — a pure threelevel scorer. It will lose 13 points per game in the form of Jaz Shelley, who moved on to the Australian women’s basketball league, the NBL1. But three of its next five leading scorers returned. Nebraska came in at No. 23 in the preseason AP Poll.
Illinois Illinois returns a lot in Shawna Green’s third season as head coach in Champaign. Fifth-year senior guards Makia Cook and Genesis Bryant and fifthyear senior forward Kendall Bostic will return to the State Farm Center for the Illinois’
2024-25 campaign. Senior guard Adalia McKenzie, who averaged 11 points per game last season, returns this season, along with sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan, who brings 4.8 points per game.
Iowa In Jan Jensen’s first season at the helm, she has a veteran lineup in terms of age but little to no starts. The one proven commodity is junior forward Hannah Stuelke. Stuelke notched 14 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season. Seniors Sydney Affolter, Addison O’Grady and Lucy Olsen all returned to the Hawkeyes for this season.
While the race for the conference title has yet to begin, the four new West Coast schools provide just another challenge for Indiana. If the Hoosiers want to win their second Big Ten title in the past three years, they will have to go through some of the best teams in the country.
Garzon earns Cheryl Miller Award preseason watchlist
This is the second consectuve season Yarden Garzon has been on the preseason watchlist.
By Dalton James jamesdm@iu.edu | @daltonmjames
Indiana women’s basketball junior guard Yarden Garzon was named on the Cheryl Miller Award preseason watchlist for the second consecutive season, according to an Indiana Athletics release
Oct. 30. The award, named after three-time Naismith Player of the Year Cheryl Miller, honors the top small forward in NCAA Division I women’s college basketball. Garzon’s appearance on the list marks the fifth consecutive season a Hoosier has made the top 20 after former guard Grace Berger did so from 2020-22 in her final three seasons at Indiana.
Garzon finished her sophomore campaign averaging 11.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. She also shot 44.9% from the field alongside 42.2% from beyond the arc.
Fan voting for the award begins Nov. 1 until late Janu-
ary when the list will be reduced to 10 players. In late February it will be trimmed to just five before the winner will be selected by Miller and the Hall of Fame’s selection committees in March. Fans can vote for the award on hoophallawards. com.
University of Colorado graduate student forward Lior Garzon, Yarden’s older sister, also made the watchlist.
Lior transferred from Oklahoma State University in the offseason. She started all 30 games for the Cowgirls last season, averaging 9 points and 1.8 assists per game. On Oct. 27, Lior and the Buffaloes won their only exhibition game this season 9146 over the Colorado School of Mines. They begin their regular season Nov. 4 against the University of Wyoming.
Indiana begins its regular season at 7 p.m. Nov. 4, against Brown University in Bloomington.
FILE PHOTO | IDS
Then-sophomore guard Yarden Garzon is confused aon a foul call against Maryland on March 3, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Garzon was named to the Cheryl Miller Award preseason watchlist Oct. 30.
OLIVIA BIANCO | IDS
Indiana women’s basketball players celebrate on the bench during a game against Michigan on Jan. 4, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers will face Michigan on Feb. 12, 2025.
OLIVIA BIANCO | IDS
Then-sophomore forward Lily Meister waits for a free throw Feb. 4, 2024, against Ohio State University in Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The Hoosiers will play Ohio State again in the upcoming season.
OLIVIA BIANCO | IDS
Then-senior guard Sydney Parrish fights for a jump ball Feb. 22, 2024, against Iowa in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers will face Iowa again this year.
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Hoosier Hysteria showcases teams for the season
1. Sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako dunks the ball during Hoosier Hysteria on Oct. 18, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Last year, Mgbako made the Big Ten All-Freshman team.
2. IU men’s basketball head coach Mike Woodson speaks at Hoosier Hysteria on Oct. 18, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers went 19-14 in the 2023-24 season.
3. Senior forward Luke Goode prepares for a free throw during Hoosier Hysteria on Oct. 18, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Goode transferred from Illinois for this season.
4. IU women’s basketball coach Teri Moren smiles during her speech at Hoosier Hysteria on Oct. 18, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Moren spoke about the importance of IU fans showing up for games.
5. Marching Hundred members play their intstruments during Hoosier Hysteria on Oct. 18, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The band, cheerleaders and RedSteppers were all on the court performing at the same time.
6. Hoosier fans cheer during Hoosier Hysteria on Oct. 18, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Student Athletic Board threw T-shirts to the crowd.
7. Redshirt freshman guard Jakai Newton looks at the big screen during Hoosier Hysteria on Oct. 18, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Newton grew up in Covington, Georgia.
8. Junior guard Shay Ciezki focuses to shoot a 3-pointer during Hoosier Hysteria on Oct. 18, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Ciezki transferred from Penn State in the offseason.
9. IU cheerleaders get the crowd excited for Hoosier Hysteria on Oct. 18, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The cheerleaders and Redsteppers performed on the court before the basktball teams’ players were introduced.
Photos by Briana Pace and Trinity Mackenzie
By Daniel Flick danflick@iu.edu | @ByDanielFlick
Trey Galloway sat in a black folding chair in front of his blue metal locker, moments removed from Indiana men’s basketball’s seasonending 93-66 loss to Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament on March 15 inside the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Indiana, at 19-14, was effectively eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
Galloway said he didn’t want to experience that feeling again — and he was committed to helping Indiana head coach Mike Woodson build a roster capable of avoiding the lows the 2023-24 team experienced. The moment the Hoosiers’ season ended, the focus shifted to recruiting, Galloway said.
“Once we came back after the Big Ten Tournament, (I) just got with the coaching staff and really got to talking about what kind of pieces we need and who we need to be successful next year,” Galloway said in an interview with the Indiana Daily Student on Oct. 3 at Big Ten Men’s Basketball Media Day.
At the time, Indiana didn’t have any high school commitments in its 2024 recruiting class and had plenty of roster holes to fill. The Hoosiers lost six players from their roster: three to the transfer portal, two to graduation and one to the NBA Draft.
Guard depth became problematic, as did 3-point shooting. Indiana finished No. 353 out of 362 teams in attempts from distance last year, averaging just 15.5 per game. The Hoosiers made only 32.4% of their 3-pointers, third worst in the Big Ten.
Toss in the draft departure of All-Big Ten center Kel’el Ware, who led the team in scoring with 15.9 points per game, and Indiana’s roster needed reinforcements. The Hoosiers received six of them through the portal. And Galloway was at the forefront of their efforts.
Trey Galloway wanted better
Instead he became Indiana men’s basketball’s ‘salesman’ in the transfer portal
When the transfer portal opened March 18, Galloway opened Instagram and fired direct message after direct message at the portal’s top entrants.
“Just to let them know you’ve got to come visit,” Galloway said, “and you’ve got to take a chance on us.”
But Galloway wasn’t just throwing shots in the dark. Woodson gave Galloway a list of players who stood out to the coaching staff, and Galloway followed by reaching out and talking with every player provided.
He said social media is a strong tactic because players are searching for new homes — and he proverbially started selling real estate in Bloomington.
“Basically, just being a salesman for Indiana,” Galloway said. “Being an advocate, getting guys to try to come here.”
Galloway took the initiative to get involved in recruiting — something he didn’t do the offseason prior. Woodson said Galloway, who played his freshman season in 202021 under former head coach Archie Miller, has earned the latitude to carry such a role.
Along with fifth-year senior guard Anthony Leal, Galloway is one of two holdovers from the 2021-22 season, Woodson’s first as head coach. It’s an ironic twist, because Woodson said Galloway and Leal were also the only two players who didn’t raise their hand when Woodson first asked who’d be staying with him upon taking the job in March of 2021.
But much has changed. Galloway and Leal were the first two players to publicly announce their return to the program this spring, doing so during senior day speeches inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Woodson, who has nine years of NBA head coaching experience and 13 as an assistant, wanted to treat the
transfer portal like NBA free agency. He cited the 2012 offseason when he was the head coach of the New York Knicks.
New York made eight personnel moves that offseason, with Woodson trying to build a team around forwards Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler and center Amar’e Stoudemire. The Knicks finished the 2012-13 season with a 54-28 record and as winners of the Atlantic Division.
Incorporating input from Anthony, Chandler and Stoudemire, the Knicks added several key complementary pieces, including a pair of guards in Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd who led the team in assists and steals per game.
Woodson took a similar approach to the Hoosiers’ roster this offseason. He not only gave a list to Galloway, but let Galloway provide a list in return.
“You have to sit (the players) down and include them,” Woodson said. “They like to know who you’re going to bring in. We put a group of guys that we think can help us, and you go out and you try to recruit them. That doesn’t mean you’re going to get them.”
But it didn’t stop Galloway from trying.
Woodson said Indiana didn’t get all the players on Galloway’s list, but the Hoosiers landed some.
One of the top names Galloway gave to Woodson was Illinois transfer Luke Goode, a Fort Wayne, Indiana, native. Galloway said the two were already friends, making the initial contact straightforward.
Goode entered the transfer portal April 22 and visited Indiana April 25-26. Goode committed to Indiana on the last day of his visit.
Goode is one of Galloway’s recruiting success stories. So is redshirt sophomore guard Myles Rice, one of the most pursued players in the transfer portal after winning Pac12 Freshman of the Year at Washington State University last season.
Unlike with Goode, Galloway had no prior connection to Rice. It didn’t prevent Galloway from reaching out over direct messages early in the Hoosiers’ pursuit of Rice.
“When you coming to visit?” Galloway texted Rice. “I think you’re a big piece that we need. If we get you, we’ll be really good.” Galloway’s pitch changed depending on the player. He tried to make them more personalized and tell each player how he felt.
An in-state player who often draws some of the loudest cheers at home games, Galloway said Indiana is unlike other basketball programs — not just on the court but off it. And in each conversation, no
matter how tailored his message became, he emphasized the uniqueness of Hoosier basketball.
“Trust what we’re trying to do,” Galloway said about his pitch. “Because if we get the right pieces, we’re going to win, and I truly believe that. The fans, the culture and the history of this place — if you win here, it’s not like any other place.”
Leal, who had similar involvement to Galloway with recruiting, said they’d reach out to players in the portal to see where their minds were.
The conversation ended if the players’ priorities didn’t align with Indiana’s.
Galloway and Leal weren’t only recruiting talent. They were searching for a mindset.
“We’re here to win games,” Leal said. “And when you win as a team, individual success will come. So, being here in a place that will repay you for the rest of your life if you’re able to have success is good.”
Galloway wasn’t directly involved with each of Indiana’s six transfers, who comprised the No. 2 portal class in college basketball, according to 247Sports. When sophomore guard Kanaan Carlyle entered the transfer portal from Stanford University, he heard from nearly a dozen schools. Carlyle said Indiana’s pursuit was a group effort.
Sophomore guard Gabe Cupps concurred, saying he thinks everyone on the Hoosiers’ roster played a part, be it telling players what they loved about Indiana or why they should be a part of it. Cupps said the Hoosiers’ recruiting effort showed who they are and how they operate, which fostered belief in the program.
But when players visited campus, Galloway’s involvement escalated.
“I was definitely chosen a lot for the visits,” Galloway said. “It was fun just to meet with families and go out to dinner. I was like a salesman for sure.”
Galloway reached out to sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo, a two-time First-
Team All-Pac-12 selection at the University of Arizona, and Galloway was an active participant in Ballo’s visit. Be it dinners at locations the coaches chose or merely hanging out in their free time, Galloway emphasized spending time with the players off-court — an invaluable learning opportunity for both parties.
“Getting to know the guys, getting a feel, having that camaraderie with the guys and getting everybody together was good,” Galloway said. “That’s one thing you need to know, because if you hang out at the facilities and don’t hang out off the court, they don’t really get a chance to know you, so it was good to have that.”
And in each interaction, Galloway spoke from his heart — not a script — rooted in four years of experience with Hoosier basketball.
“I think we got the pieces we wanted,” Galloway said. “And I’m just glad that all happened and it’s over with, and now we’re here.”
Galloway stood on the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center’s hallway carpet, sporting a cream-colored Louis Vuitton suit, black tie and light blue handkerchief. Rice stood a few feet to his right, handling his own oneon-one interview. In the span of six months, Galloway and Rice went from Instagram direct messages to serving as Indiana’s player representatives at Big Ten Basketball Media Days in Rosemont, Illinois. Now, Galloway’s bracing for his final year of college basketball. He said this year’s Hoosier squad is the most talented he’s been on. External expectations are high, as Indiana enters the season ranked No. 17 nationally.
No matter what happens for the Hoosiers this season, Galloway’s stamp will be all over it — and he thinks fruitful results will follow.
JACOB SPUDICH |
2024 VOTER GUIDE
GET TO KNOW YOUR BALLOT
Harris served as California’s attorney general and U.S. Senator before becoming vice president under Joe Biden. She received the Democratic nomination in August after Biden dropped out of the race.
Trump was elected president in 2016 against Democrat Hillary Clinton, working in business and TV beforehand. He lost his bid for reelection in 2020 to Joe Biden.
JENNIFER MCCORMICK Democrat
McCormick is running for governor as a Democrat, hoping to flip the office from Republican control. Once Indiana’s Republican superintendent of public instruction, winning would make her Indiana’s first Democratic governor in nearly two decades.
MIKE BRAUN Republican
Braun is now one of Indiana’s U.S. senators and is running for governor as a Republican. He’s from Jasper, where he was a small business owner. He later worked in the state house until he ran for Senate in 2018, beating incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly.
DONALD RAINWATER Libertarian
Rainwater is running for governor as a Libertarian. His bid in 2020 was unusually successful, in which he got 11% of the vote. Rainwater is from Indianapolis and spent eight years in the U.S. Navy. He spent much of his time afterward in management positions and in software engineering.
SHELLI YODER Democrat
Shelli Yoder is running for Indiana’s 40th State Senate District, where she’s been since 2020. She lives in Bloomington and earned two master’s degrees in counseling and human services and divinity from IU South Bend and Vanderbilt University respectively. She’s a senior lecturer at the Kelley School of Business.
MATT PIERCE Democrat
Matt Pierce is seeking reelection for Indiana’s 61st State House District, a position he’s held for more than two decades. He previously served on Bloomington City Council and teaches at IU’s Media School.
VALERIE MCCRAY Democrat
McCray is looking to become Indiana’s first Democratic Senator since Joe Donnelly left office in 2019. She is from Indianapolis and earned a doctorate from the University of Michigan in psychology. She’s held a variety of positions in clinical psychology, including working with military, prison and youth programs.
JIM BANKS Republican
Banks is looking to take over Mike Braun’s senate seat, after serving as a representative for seven years. He’s from Columbia City and graduated from IU with a degree in political science. After that, he worked in the state senate from 2010-16.
ANDY HORNING Libertarian
Horning is running for senator as a Libertarian. In 2004, he unsuccessfully ran to represent Indiana’s 7th congressional district as a Republican. Before entering politics, he worked in a mostly clinical background.
DESTINY WELLS Democrat
Wells is running for Attorney General in hopes to become the first Democrat serving in the position since 2001. Wells enlisted in the Army National Guard at 19, after which she served in the military for two decades. She worked as Indiana deputy attorney general from 2018-19. She ran unsuccessfully for Indiana secretary of state in 2022.
TODD ROKITA Republican
Editor’s note: This section references instances of sexual
Rokita is seeking reelection as attorney general, a position he’s held since 2021. Rokita is from Munster and graduated from Wabash College. He’s seen a fairly controversial term. At one point, he was reprimanded by The Disciplinary Commission of the Indiana Supreme Court for comments he made about Caitlin Bernard, a gynecologist who went public about her experience performing an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim.
THOMAS HORROCKS Democrat
Horrocks is running as a Democrat in what’s expected to be one of the Indiana legislature’s most contested seats. He’s worked as a pastor for nearly eight years and previously served in the Indiana Army National Guard.
DAVE HALL Republican
Hall, a Republican, is looking to retain his seat in what is expected to be one of Indiana’s closest races — he won in 2022 by less than 100 votes. He owns a crop insurance company and previously served in several government positions in Jackson County.
Braun, McCormick, Rainwater square off
By Adelyn Rabbitt adrabb@iu.edu
The final Indiana gubernatorial debate of 2024 between candidates Republican Mike Braun, Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater took place Thursday, highlighting three different plans for Indiana’s economy and other state issues.
The debate was presented by the Indiana Debate Commission in Indianapolis and moderated by Laura Merrifield Wilson, an associate professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis.
On the economy, McCormick said she aims to step up human capital and ensure that the workforce is “healthy and educated.” Braun emphasized the need to spread economic development throughout the state and foster growth for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Rainwater argued that there is a worker shortage, rather than job shortage, and creating more jobs is hurting small businesses.
Braun pinned the job of creating affordable housing on businesses, not the government. Rainwater said he supports the rehabilitation of vacant houses to create affordable housing for families.
McCormick negated Braun’s tax plan and said it did not return money to Hoosiers as it should have.
McCormick also brought up Braun’s previous votes against child tax credit and highlighted her focus on fair lending and renter protec-
Indiana’s gubernatorial candidates held a final debate Oct. 24 in Indianapolis.
MIKEBRAUN
tion.
Braun agreed with McCormick on her position of supporting parent and student choice over school’s choice so that all kids have access to “world class education.”
Rainwater said he is in favor of universal school choice and the public school system has brought down its quality while driving up its cost.
“We have a lot of work to do to rethink education completely from the ground up,” Rainwater said during the debate Oct. 24.
On reducing property taxes, McCormick described her plan as well-received, saying it will give relief to every Hoosier.
Braun undercut McCormick, calling her plan “unchecked” while saying his plan will put a lid on property tax so it cannot go up more than 2% for vulnerable taxpayers or 3% for average
taxpayers. Rainwater called his opponent’s comments “word salad” and said his plan will keep property taxes static until they are ended.
Braun sparred with McCormick on her public service record. She condemned Braun for omitting her 25 years of teaching in his definition of public service.
On the topic of gun laws, McCormick critiqued Braun’s lieutenant governor nominee Micah Beckwith’s views, saying he would aim to repeal red flag laws. Red flag laws allow firearms to be temporarily taken from individuals who pose a risk to themselves or to others.
Braun said he hopes to improve red flag laws to keep criminals and people with mental illnesses from possessing guns. McCormick said officials must listen to state police and maintain red flag laws. Rainwater stood in direct opposition
JENNIFERMCCORMICK DONALDRAINWATER
of red flag laws, claiming that “criminals don’t follow laws.”
Braun stood in defense of Indiana’s current near-total abortion ban, saying it was vetted, passed with a large majority and has reasonable exceptions. Abortion is currently illegal in Indiana with the exception of providing abortion care if the mother’s health or life is at risk. Additionally, if a lethal fetal anomaly is detected, abortion is allowed before 20 weeks and up to 10 weeks in cases of rape or incest.
Rainwater said voters need to contact legislators if they want to make a change in abortion laws. McCormick, known for her pro-choice values, criticized Braun for calling Indiana’s abortion laws a “good product,” saying that women’s health is being put at risk with the current state of abortion rights in Indiana. She also said the ban is
not vetted, but she will fight for a citizen’s initiative ballot because “Hoosiers deserve to have a voice.”
All candidates voiced support for some form of legalized cannabis. Rainwater expressed his belief that all forms of cannabis should be legalized, McCormick said she will help legalize medical cannabis use followed by adult recreational use and Braun stuck to only legalizing medical use of cannabis, saying that recreational use laws can be decided later.
McCormick brought up Beckwith again in her response to a question about downsizing state agencies. She mentioned his comments about firing employees who include pronouns in their signatures.
She highlighted her plan to not cut salaries and not spend more but prioritize healthcare, education and a strong economy. Braun focused his response on
Meet the 3 circuit court judges running unopposed for re-election
his experience as a business owner and plan to not increase spending. Rainwater attacked both Democrats and Republicans, saying both parties take and spend, highlighting his goal of holding bureaucracy accountable.
The final question sent in by voters was about the current political landscape and how Hoosier’s political views will affect the candidates’ treatment of them. Rainwater called Braun the “ultimate insider” and claimed the government wants citizens to depend on them and the government “is the enemy.”
McCormick said she opposes extreme policies, calling Beckwith divisive, and said she is focused on restoring balance. Braun suggested being entrepreneurial, balancing budget and getting things done, undercutting McCormick’s policies.
in Monroe County this year
The court has nine divisions and jurisdiction over cases filed in Monroe County, with judges serving six-year terms.
By Adelyn Rabbitt adrabb@iu.edu
Three candidates are running for re-election in the Monroe County Circuit Court this November. Each incumbent candidate is uncontested. The court has nine divisions and jurisdiction over cases filed in Monroe County. The judges serve six-year terms. Each candidate began their term Jan. 1, 2019, and will conclude their term Dec. 31, 2024. If re-elected, each candidate will maintain their current case docket. The following are the three candidates running for re-election:
Catherine Stafford
Catherine Stafford began her undergraduate studies at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota but transferred to IU Bloomington partway through her sophomore year. She graduated from IU with a bachelor’s in English and a certificate in medieval studies.
As the judge of Monroe County Circuit Court Division IV, Stafford has a civil law docket which includes family law, small claims, evictions, name and gender marker changes, order of protection for domestic violence and stalking, among other miscellaneous cases.
Stafford said one of her priorities as a circuit court judge is to ensure the court processes are straightforward for people who come into court without an attorney, since in civil cases, there is not a legally required right to an attorney.
She is a member of the Indiana Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, the Indiana Domestic Relations Benchbook Committee and the Indiana Family Law Taskforce. Stafford also edited the custody chapter for the Domestic Relations Benchbook, which allowed her to develop guides for judges without a background in family law to use as an aid in conducting trials.
During her first term, Stafford helped to create the Eviction Prevention Program, which is a local group of non-profits who provide free mediation and legal advice to people going through eviction court.
Stafford has taught as an adjunct professor at the IU Maurer School of Law since 2002, teaching one class each semester. Every couple of years she teaches a Family Trial Practice course. She currently teaches a course called “Mediation.”
“In every case you should try these things: negotiate, mediate, then litigate,” Stafford said.
Stafford said it is important for people who are interested in law to know courts are open to the public.
“I’d like to end with an invitation to any readers to come in and watch court,” Stafford said.
After taking a year off, Stafford said she attended the University of Minnesota Law School and graduated in 1997 with a law degree. She worked as the program director for the Minnesota Justice Foundation for two years before moving back to her hometown of Bloomington, where she worked at Indiana Legal Services. In 2004, she opened her law firm, Stafford Law Office, LLC, where she worked until she was elected a circuit court judge in 2019. At her law firm, Stafford practiced family law. Stafford has also served as a guardian ad litem: investigating child abuse and neglect cases and giving recommendations to the court based on the child’s best interests.
Christine Talley Haseman
Christine Talley Haseman attended Purdue University for one year of her undergraduate studies but transferred to IU Bloomington for her remaining three years of studies. She graduated from IU with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Kelley School of Business and worked at General Electric in Bloomington for two years before completing a master’s in marketing.
Haseman then worked with students with developmental disabilities at Bloomington High School North for a year before beginning law school. She graduated from Maurer with a law degree in 1995.
Haseman said her path to becoming a circuit court judge was not straightforward. She entered law school intending to become a prosecutor. When she graduated, she took an estate planning role at a large law firm in Louisville, Kentucky. Haseman then returned to her hometown of Bloomington to work for Ferguson and Ferguson, where she continued to do estate planning as an associate attorney.
Around the same time, Haseman became a guardian ad litem, meaning she represented children in child abuse and neglect cases. The court is not bound to a guardian ad litem’s opinions but often gives its opinions a significant amount of weight, according to Haseman.
In 2000, she opened her private practice, Haseman Law Office, in Bloomington, where she continued estate planning and being a guard-
ian ad litem.
From 2004-06, Haseman served as a juvenile court referee in the Lawrence County Circuit Court.
In 2008, Haseman became the judge of Monroe County Circuit Court Division VIII, hearing family law, protective order and small claims cases. She served in that position for a year before returning to Lawrence County to fill a deputy prosecutor position for two years. In 2011, Haseman returned to her private practice as an attorney at law.
She has also served as an Indiana Supreme Court Hearing Officer and a Judge Pro Tempore multiple times.
Haseman eventually ran for Monroe County Circuit Court in 2018, when she was elected to her current position. She serves as the Judge of Monroe County Circuit Court Division III.
As a circuit court judge, Haseman presides over criminal cases, including topics anywhere from traffic infractions to murder.
In addition to hearing cases, Haseman is a member of the Indiana Child Welfare Improvement Committee and on the board of directors for Stone Belt, a local chapter of a nonprofit organization serving people with developmental disabilities. She also is an adjunct instructor at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, where she teaches the Law and Public Affairs course.
Throughout her first term, Haseman worked closely with Monroe County Jail’s mental health care providers and staff to understand the needs of incarcerated individuals with mental illnesses.
“I try to make sure that people feel like they’ve been heard,” Haseman said. She also prioritizes treating everyone in her court with dignity, respect and fairness.
A primary concern of Haseman’s when it comes to criminal court is the significant mental health and substance abuse issues that many defendants face.
“Unfortunately, the treatment is either unavailable or inaccessible to people that need it,” Haseman said.
She said she aims to maintain a delicate balance between keeping the community safe and getting people in the criminal justice system the treatment they need. She hopes to create a program in Monroe County with services in which a case manager, mental health provider and psychiatric medication provider would be provided for people in the criminal justice system struggling with mental health issues.
Darcie Fawcett
Darcie Fawcett completed her undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology and education and a certificate in women’s studies. She earned her law degree from the Maurer School in 2001.
“Raising awareness of these challenges within the criminal justice system, both to individuals working in the system as well as the general public, is a critical step in continuing to improve our ability to meet the needs of individuals suffering from mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system,” Haseman said. Haseman’s judicial philosophy involves allowing both parties enough time to present their entire case rather than cutting them off prematurely.
“I work from the assumption that whatever need a particular defendant has, say it is substance abuse or a mental health issue, is the underlying reason for their criminal behavior,” Fawcett said. “And if you can address that underlying need, there is the assumption that once that gets stabilized or under control, then the criminal behavior will stop.” Fawcett is focused on ensuring caseworkers are assigned to defendants so the defendants can be put into supportive programs based on their needs. She prioritizes helping people receive rehabilitation to keep them out of the criminal justice system for good.
Since taking the bench, Fawcett notably began a brown bag quarterly lunch meeting that promotes communication between the criminal judges and the criminal bar of Monroe County. Additionally, Fawcett is on the Monroe County Community Corrections advisory board, the Justice Reinvestment advisory council, the Indiana Supreme Court Commission on Race and Gender Fairness committee, the Judicial Readiness Program Subcommittee, the Monroe County Forms Committee and the Equity and Justice Best Practices Subcommittee.
Following her graduation, Fawcett briefly worked at a firm in Bloomington called Mallor, Clendening, Grodner and Bohrer. She then worked at the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and later worked at the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office until she ran for Monroe County Circuit Court judge in 2018. Fawcett, like Haseman, covers criminal cases. She puts emphasis on mental health in her position as the judge of Monroe County Circuit Court Division IX. She prioritizes referring defendants to the appropriate problem-solving courts in Monroe County, including the mental health court and the drug court, according to the defendant’s needs.
Meet the IU professors in state legislature
Both IU professors represent Bloomington in the State Senate and State House, respectively.
Matt Pierce has represented Indiana’s 61st State House District for more than two decades now, and is running for another term. He was first elected to the state house in 2002, and joined the IU Media School the year after, now teaching telecommunications law, policy and management.
Since the legislature is in session in the spring semester, that makes the first part of the year quite busy for Pierce.
“You really don’t have any days off,” Pierce said. “You do legislative stuff Monday afternoon through Thursday evening, and then you’ve got
classes that teach on Friday, then use the weekend for grading and preparing for Monday classes.”
He started politics in IU’s student government, becoming vice president of what was then-called the IU Student Association while an undergraduate. He later served on Bloomington’s city council from 1996 to 1998 and was Democratic congressman Baron Hill’s chief of staff from 1999 to 2002.
In Pierce’s time, he’s seen the legislature flip from Democrat to Republican control, and ultimately to the Republican supermajority. Within those constraints, he said his most important work in recent years has been to fight for his priorities in state budgets.
Usually, that’s meant funding for schools, childcare, public health and other social programs. He said he’s been working on fighting the rise of school voucher programs, which has exploded in recent years in Indiana. He’s also fought in culture war issues, including opposition to the state budget’s ban on funds to IU’s Kinsey Institute in 2022. That’s led to today, where
he said he sees culture war issues becoming more tumultuous. Here also lies the priority of breaking the Republican supermajority for Pierce.
“I think that’s when you have an opportunity, particularly on the culture war issues, to get them (Republicans) to stay more focused on the issues that actually relate to people’s everyday lives, and not these kind of issues designed to fire up their base,” he said.
Shelli Yoder has been Bloomington and much of Monroe County’s state senator since 2020, and is look-
ing for another four years, running uncontested in this year’s election.
Yoder is also a senior lecturer at the Kelley School of Business, where she’s taught since 2011. There, she’s part of the communication, professional and computer skills department, teaching during the fall semester. She spends the spring semester on unpaid leave, at the legislature while it’s in session.
She started out in politics in 2012, when she ran against Republican Todd Young in Indiana’s 9th Congressional District. She lost by just over 10%; the district voted Republican by a 30% margin in 2022. She ran again and lost in 2016, by 14%.
Yoder said a lack of action on climate change inspired her first run.
“We were still talking about it being a lie,” she said. “And as we have seen, there are more and more wildfires, stronger tornadoes and storm systems, hurricanes that are demolishing communities more and more.”
Her experiences with the response to climate taught Yoder that to change policy; she had to “fly under the radar.” She’s more focused on
the small steps she can take to improve Hoosiers’ lives. She only gets to put in a few bills per session, so she has to pick carefully. Yoder’s had two laws she brought up from her term. One targeted food insecurity by extending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program reapplication period to three years (up from one) for seniors and people with disabilities. She said another increases efficiency and access in long-acting reversible contraceptives.
“The issues are just right in your face, every day.”
Shelli Yoder
Those pieces of legislation had to go through many approval processes, all the while she was walking a tightrope in trying to balance relationships with Republicans and bringing legislation to the floor.
In between her runs for house, she served on the Monroe County Council from 2013 to 2020. She touted her work in combat-
ing substance use disorders while on the council, helping to implement more widespread harm reduction strategies countywide. In 2017, she co-founded the South Central Indiana Opioid Summit.
“The issues are just right in your face every day,” she said. Afterward, she ran for state senator unopposed. During her term, the Indiana legislature responded to the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade with a neartotal abortion ban.
“It was heartbreaking and gut wrenching,” she said.
“We heard so many stories. And Hoosiers had exceptional courage to come and share those stories of how access to reproductive Health care, access to abortion care, saved their lives.”
Her priorities for her next term include fighting to restore reproductive rights, transparency within schools under the voucher system, increasing access to affordable housing and implementing renter protections. Yoder, like many state Democrats, said she’ll also focus on improving Indiana’s childcare and access to pre-K.
Meet the Indiana House District 62 candidates
Republican Dave Hall won the district by less than 100 votes in 2022.
Horrocks wasn’t always a Democrat, and he wasn’t always interested in running. That shift in attitude expanded as he sought education to become a pastor — which he’s been for nearly eight years now — at a seminary.
“When I got to seminary, we wanted to study them (the Old Testament prophets) in their own context, and they had these powerful messages of social justice for standing up for the oppressed and the marginalized,” he said. “I’m seeing that in my religious studies at the same time that I’ve seen injustice manifesting in the world around me. And so, I just started talking online, on Facebook and Twitter. For the first time in my life, people start calling me a liberal.” Horrocks was raised in a conservative family and considered himself as such until the early 2010s, when he became disillusioned with the Republican party. Indiana voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. Horrocks voted for
Indiana State House of Representatives
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Indiana State Senate
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Obama in 2012 but kept it a secret.
In that time, he also served in the Indiana Army National Guard for around a decade. He went on deployment once to Kuwait from 2019-20, and bounced around U.S. bases in other surrounding countries in the Persian Gulf.
In an interview with the Indiana Daily Student, he repeatedly quoted and referenced Desmond Tutu — “eventually we’ve got to stop pulling people on the river and go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” He was in the Gulf when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which threw a wrench in quality-of-life issues in Indiana he was already seeing develop upstream. In particular, Horrocks
was concerned with quality of life and education. To address these issues, he wants to universalize pre-K, increase teacher salaries and wages for everyone in Indiana and implement incentives for affordable housing.
If elected, there are two scenarios he’d have to deal with — a state house with a Republican supermajority, or a state house still dominated by Republicans without one. In both cases, Horrocks feels he would be able to fill in the gaps and work across the aisle.
Still, breaking the Republicans’ four-seat supermajority is a major priority of him and other Democratic state house candidates. With that gone, inter-party collaboration would become more commonplace, he said.
Hall, the district’s incumbent, did not respond to a request for an interview. Living on his wife’s family farm in northwest Jackson County, Hall owns a crop insurance company and farms corn and soybeans with his father. Before running for state representative, he served in numerous positions in Jackson County,
including as president of its county council. He’s staked out a more moderate path — including a vote against SEA 202, legislation that changed tenure requirements and pushed colleges toward “intellectual diversity.” He was one of just two Republicans in the state house to vote against it. One of his top priorities is combating drug addiction, according to his campaign website, an effort he led in Jackson County by helping start the Jackson-Jennings Work Release Center, which helped rehabilitate those dealing with addiction. Other priorities include improving infrastructure and expanding high-speed internet. He opposed Bloomington’s proposed annexation of unincorporated communities.
Who is running to represent Bloomington in Congress?
Three candidates are running for Indiana’s 9th Congressional District
By Andrew Miller ami3@iu.edu | @andrew_mmiller
The district’s Republican incumbent, Houchin has been in Congress since 2023. She won by a margin of 30% in the 2022 midterms.
Houchin’s press secretary did not respond to a request for an interview.
She’s from Salem, Indiana, and studied psychology at IU, later earning a
master’s degree in political management from George Washington University. Before running for the House, she represented Indiana Senate District 47 from 2014 to 2022.
During her time in office, she’s staked out with the right wing of the party on many votes — including voting for a moratorium on aid to Ukraine. She voted against a federal funding bill, which if not passed, would have caused a government shutdown. She also voted for eliminating assistance for refugees and immigrants.
Houchin serves on three committees, including the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Rules.
Her political positions lean right, opposing abortion unless the life of the mother is threatened. In 2019, she voted for a bill in the Indiana Senate that allowed schools to teach courses on creation science.
In a July interview with the News and Tribune, Houchin said her top priorities if elected will be border security and combating inflation.
As Hurricane Helene’s remnants hit Indiana, Tim Peck hurried to cover his goat’s pen with his own campaign sign at his farm in New Washington. He’s been all over the district campaigning, trying to reach constituents in a district the Democrats haven’t won in more than a decade. Peck is running, in his own words, as a “Blue Dog Democrat,” leaning more moderate on some issues. Originally an independent, he switched to the Democratic party around the same time he decided to run for office — when Erin Houchin voted against a resolution last November that ultimately prevented a government shutdown.
In an interview with the Indiana Daily Student, Peck said this sort of partisan
Brooksbank is running as a Libertarian for the district, his first national campaign. He’s originally from Cincinnati and moved to Indiana in 1996. He now lives in Clarkesville and works as a concrete truck driver.
Brooksbank did not respond to re-
politicking is what he would combat if elected.
Peck worked with Congress before in the private sector, testifying to change Medicare law to work with telemedicine. He worked as an emergency physician until 2015 when he transitioned to telemedicine. He wants to reduce government spending, which he said is causing unnecessary burdens on the middle and lower class in taxes. He wants to increase taxes on the wealthy, lowering them otherwise.
He’s pro-choice, and views abortion as a women’s health issue more than anything else, reckoning back to his time in healthcare.
“As a doctor, when treating someone in the exam room, when I make a decision, I’m making a decision in conjunction with the person,” he said. “And sometimes their faith becomes involved, and you have a deep conversation that is so nuanced that no law can ever get involved.” He supports strong border protections and wants to work with both parties to come up with a solution that will increase funding for border patrol, immigration judges and other officials.
quests for an interview. He told the News and Tribune in July he would vote down legislation often, “since he believes people would be better off if the government did almost nothing.” In 2022, Libertarian Tonya Millis got just under 3% of the vote.
Shelli Yoder State Senator Kelley School of Business lecturer
Matt Pierce State Representative Media School lecturer
Thomas Horrocks Democrat
Dave Hall Republican
Erin Houchin Republican
Tim Peck Democrat
Russell Brooksbank Libertarian
By Andrew Miller ami3@iu.edu | @andrew_mmiller
By Andrew Miller ami3@iu.edu | @andrew_mmiller
Free Uber rides and bus travel for voters
By Chloe Oden chloden@iu.edu | @chloeoden0
Election Day is less than a week away with only a few days left to vote early. If you find yourself voting on Election Day, here’s everything you need to know about how to get to the polls.
Hoosiers’ last chance to vote for offices ranging from county council to U.S. president will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 5. To find out what is on your ballot, visit vote.org/ ballot-information/.
If you are registered to vote in Indiana, you can find your polling location by visiting indianavoters.in.gov
and find the icon that says, “Find Your Polling Place.” Then, enter your name, date of birth and county of current registration. The results will give you the name of your polling place, the address and hours of the location and offer an option for directions using Google Maps. Polling locations are determined by the precinct that you live in. In Monroe County, there are 30 poll sites. If you are registered in a state other than Indiana and will be traveling there to vote, you can visit vote.org/ polling-place-locator/ to find the polling place locator for your state.
There are several options for transportation to the polls. For IU students, faculty, staff and visitors, riding a campus bus is a free and easy way to travel. IU students, faculty and staff may also ride any Bloomington Transit bus for free by showing their IU ID when boarding.
Through TurboVote, IU Student Government is offering all Monroe County residents two free Uber rides to reach the polls. The voucher covers two rides and requires an Uber account. Visit iu.turbovote.org to claim.
The voucher is currently active until 9 p.m. Nov. 5. It
is valid from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The voucher must be used within Monroe County.
Along with this, Lyft is offering discounted rides on Election Day. Using the code VOTE24 between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Election Day, riders can receive a 50% discount up to $10 on a ride. On Uber, riders can use the “Go Vote” tile on the app and receive 50% off a single ride, up to $10. The offer begins at midnight and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Election Day. Also, Uber is offering 25% off UberEats orders, a discount
of up to $15 on orders of at least $25. This offer begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 5 and ends at 7 a.m. Nov. 6.
Access to transportation is a significant obstacle to voting. A study conducted in Michigan by assistant professor Justin de BenedictisKessner at Harvard University and associate professor Maxwell Palmer at Boston University suggests that policymakers try to lessen the disparity in voting between those with and without cars by placing polling places in walkable locations. Also, the study proposes that policymakers broaden access to early and absentee voting. The study concluded that
66% of residents with a car voted in the 2018 midterm election, while only 36% of residents without a car voted in the same election. The study stated that differing access to cars in different race and age groups can explain many of the race- and age-based variances in participation. If you are unable to make it to your designated poll on Election Day, early voting is available until noon Nov. 4 at Election Operations at 302 S. Walnut St. When voting absentee-by-mail, county election officials must have received the absentee-by-mail ballot no later than 6 p.m. on Election Day.
How to get to your polling location
Source: Monroe County, IU
The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship
444 S. Patterson Dr., Bloomington, IN 47403
Precincts: P1, 29, 30
Binford Elementary School
2300 E. Second St., Bloomington, IN 47401
Precincts: B8, P17, 20
Bloomington High School North 3901 N. Kinser Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404 Precincts: B4, 13, 17
Bloomington High School South 1965 S. Walnut St., Bloomington, IN 47401 Precincts: P9, 10, 12, 13, 32
Burgoon Baptist Church
8598 E. Burgoon Church Road, Bloomington, IN 47401
Precints: POLK
Christ Community Church
503 S. High St., Bloomington, IN 47401 Precincts: B21, P7,16
Eastview Church of the Nazarene
4545 E. Lampkins Ridge Road, Bloomington, IN 47401
Precincts: P21, 22, 26, SC
Election Operations
302 S. Walnut St., Bloomington, IN 47401
Precincts: B3, 7, P6, 8, 15, 31
Ellettsville Christian Church
731 Independence St., Ellettsville, IN 47429
Precincts: R1, 2, 5, 6
Emmanuel Church
1503 W. That Road, Bloomington, IN 47403
Precincts: P4, 25, 27
Fairview Elementary School 500 W. Seventh St., Bloomington, IN 47404
Precincts: B1, 6, 20
Faith Lutheran Church 2200 S. High St, Bloomington, IN 47401.
Precincts: P14
Family Life Church (Family Worship Center) 8449 N. Fox Hollow Road, Bloomington, IN 47408
Precincts: B12, WASH
Grandview Elementary School 2300 S. Endwright Road, Bloomington, IN 47403
Precincts: VB4, 5, 6
Harrodsburg Community Center 1002 W. Popcorn Road, Bloomington, IN 47403
Precincts: CC3
Highland Park Elementary School
900 S. Park Square Dr., Bloomington, IN 47403
Precincts: VB1, 2, 3
Indiana Memorial Union (IMU)
900 E Seventh St., Bloomington, IN 47405
Precincts: B5, 18, 19, 23
Indian Creek Lions Club
8120 S. Rockport Road, Bloomington, IN 47403
Precincts: IC
Jackson Creek Middle School 3980 S. Sare Road, Bloomington, IN 47401
Precincts: P11, 23, 28
Meadowood 2455 E. Tamarack Trail, Bloomington, IN 47408
Precincts: B22
Sherwood Oaks Christian Church
2700 E. Rogers Road, Bloomington, IN 47401
Precincts: P18, 19
Smithville Christian Church
7280 S. Fairfax Road, Bloomington, IN 47401
Precincts: CC2
Souls Harbor Apostolic Church
7510 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47403
Precincts: CC1 P24
St. John the Apostle Catholic Church 4607 W. State Road 46, Bloomington, IN 47404
Precincts: R3, 4, 7, 8, 9
Stinesville Lions Club
8060 N. Stinesville Road, Stinesville, IN 47464
Precincts: BB1, 2, 3
Summit Elementary School 1450 W. Countryside Lane, Bloomington, IN 47403
Precincts: P2, 3, 5
Tri-North Middle School 1000 W. 15th St., Bloomington, IN 47404
Precincts: B2, 14, 15, 24
Unionville Elementary School
8144 E. State Road 45, Unionville, IN 47468
Precincts: BENT1, 2
University Elementary School 1111 N. Russell Road, Bloomington, IN 47408
Precincts: B9, 10, 11, 16
To vote on election day in Indiana, you’ll need to bring a photo ID in all instances, and must already be registered to vote. Valid ID can be an Indiana driver’s license or state-issued ID card, military ID, a U.S. passport or a student ID from a state school. The ID will need to include your name (which must conform to your voter registration), an expiration date (it can be expired past Nov. 8, 2022) and be issued by the state or federal government.
If you’re voting for the first time, you might need to show proof of residency. You’ll also be required to show proof of residency if you didn’t mark your driver’s license number, state ID or the last four digits of your Social Security ID while registering to vote. Proof of residency needs to have your name and the address where you registered to vote. Examples include your Indiana driver’s license or state-issued ID, a utility bill, a bank statement, a government check or paycheck, IDs issued by the U.S. government and recognized Native American Indian tribes or bands.
In case you’re not able to meet these requirements, you will be able to cast a provisional ballot. If you cast one of these, you have until noon on Nov. 15 to provide the necessary documents to the county election board. You can check the status of your ballot and get further information at https://indianavoters.in.gov/.
