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pgo777 INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov.-elect Mike Braun on Tuesday pitched his first policy agenda since his November electoral victory — largely reemphasizing his commitment to campaign promises. Braun’s “Freedom and Opportunity Agenda” focuses on tax relief, government efficiency, economic development, public health and quality of life factors like public safety, energy affordability and water cleanliness. A news release indicated Braun wants to bring “historic” tax relief to Indiana families. “As Hoosiers contend with inflation, the State should provide comprehensive tax relief that protects taxpayers from runaway property taxes, supports retirees and families with targeted relief, and reduces the burden on Main Street businesses,” it read. The agenda includes limiting property tax increases 2%-3% annually and “resetting homeowner bills” to pre-pandemic levels. But the state can’t get too heavy-handed. It must abide by a decades-old ruling declaring Indiana’s previous tax system, which wasn’t based on the market, unconstitutional. Braun also wants to ditch state taxes on retirement income, establish farm savings accounts, change the formula used to assess farmland for property taxes, and introduce new sales tax holidays on things like back-to-school supplies. Braun leaned into his business roots in the agenda’s second priority: efficiency. “Unlike the private sector, where real economics incentivizes effectiveness and lower overhead, government at every level has grown unchecked,” the agenda reads. It goes on to suggest new performance metrics and trims of “unnecessary or underperforming” positions and programs. Indiana should also review its regulations to cut outdated requirements and lighten the load for agencies, it says. Braun also hopes to get agencies digital: automate eligibility verification procedures for veteran health care, streamline document processing at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and create a one-stop portal for farmer services. He’s already gotten started on another bullet point in the list — last month, Braun unveiled plans for a reorganized cabinet focusing on eight policy areas. He also hopes to present a balanced budget that “addresses the state’s deficit while reforming Medicaid spending,” per the release. Braun’s agenda views Indiana’s future prosperity as dependent on educating and developing a skilled workforce. He proposed implementing universal school choice, although Indiana is almost there. A recent hike in the income requirement means all but the state’s wealthiest families qualify for vouchers to private schools. The release also includes increases in teacher base pay, new performance-based pay, a focus on better literacy and math skills, and a dedicated school safety office. Braun also wants to push workforce development, with: a new workforce investment tax credit, a “restructured” Indiana Economic Development Corp, and more regional cooperation for creating jobs. Braun, who was active in the health care arena in the U.S. Senate, hopes to take aim at high prices and increase accessibility — while promoting industry innovation. Indiana faces expanding Medicaid costs and lower-than-expected revenues, however. Braun’s team said there weren’t plans to cut services. Instead, the gov.-elect hopes to find efficiencies to save money. Though states have little control over private employer-employee insurance deals, Braun’s team said he could still impact costs with more aggressive price transparency requirements, prior authorization reforms and pharmacy benefit manager regulations. The agenda also highlights rural health, calling for new incentives to draw health care facilities to rural areas — including obstetrics access— and better telehealth coverage. And it emphasizes continued coverage of pre-existing conditions, proposed a new primary care access revolving loan funding to support new facilities, and mental health treatment reforms intended to lift weight from the criminal justice system. Braun continued his focus on public safety in Tuesday’s agenda. “Hoosier families and communities deserve to know that their safety and security are the top priority of the state government,” it reads. “In today’s interconnected world, national issues like illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine have a real impact on communities across the state and country. Because of the complexity of modern public safety, it is imperative that the State supports our law enforcement officers in the line of duty.” Law enforcement offices could win higher salaries and better benefits packages, more training opportunities and non-discretionary minimum bail requirements for violent crimes. Braun also promised to protect qualified immunity. He also hit at drug trafficking and unauthorized immigration, with proposals for stronger drug distribution penalties, more interdiction powers for state police, sanctuary city ban enforcement and more. The agenda concludes with a push for lower energy costs. “Over the last decade, Hoosiers’ electricity bills have increased dramatically, outpacing the national average,” it says. “Indiana needs strong leadership to navigate these challenges and improve energy accessibility. The Braun administration will ensure that the State has enough affordable and reliable electricity to meet the needs of residents and attract new economic development.” Braun reemphasized commitment to an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, deregulation and still-development small modular nuclear reactor technology. His team expects combine executive actions, agency-level reforms and legislation to accomplish his priorities, according to the release.If you’re tuning into the radio in Boulder County, chances are the dial lands on 88.5 FM, the home of KGNU. Known for its eclectic mix of music, independent news and being listener-and-volunteer-supported, KGNU has been a beloved Front Range audible staple for 46 years. Now, the station is turning the volume up on its future with plans for a new downtown headquarters. So why the big move? KGNU’s current home at 4700 Walnut Street, where the station has operated for more than 25 years, is — according to Station Manager Tim Russo — looking a little worse for wear. The facility has older technology and limited community space for the plethora of activities that KGNU hosts — including over 200 live in-studio, on-air musical performances to date in 2024. After Boulder County’s devastating floods of 2013 underscored the need for more resilient infrastructure, KGNU began exploring possibilities for a new home base. By 2017, with the support of Boulder’s Community, Culture and Safety ballot measure, the dream of a new headquarters started to take shape. Last year, the station finally closed on the 14th Street property, a former office building that Russo calls “the perfect spot.” “The new facility is in an incredible location for us — right downtown and next to Boulder High School, which opens up so many opportunities,” said Russo. “We’re excited to have a permanent media training space where we can partner with programs like AVID for bilingual, first-generation students, providing a safe space to explore media, storytelling and literacy. Being a bookend to the Civic Center redevelopment and near the bus station also makes us more accessible to the entire community.” Russo said the new headquarters will help strengthen its partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder’s College of Media, Communication and Information. “Starting in the spring of 2025, we’ll be an official off-campus work-study partner, allowing students on financial aid to work at KGNU with partial stipends from the university,” Russo said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to mentor younger and more diverse media makers, giving them hands-on experience and exposure to community-centered media. We hope this space becomes a magnet for young people, offering them a safe and welcoming environment where they can not only learn, but also help shape the future of media.” The new headquarters isn’t just in a prime location; it’s brimming with some pretty snazzy features designed to inspire collaboration and creativity. A spacious, two-story community café will serve as the building’s social heart and caffeine center, with co-working spaces overlooking the buzz below. High-tech studios will host live broadcasts, podcasts and media-training programs, while a rooftop event space will provide stunning views and opportunities for everything from outdoor concerts to casual gatherings. Perhaps the crown jewel of the design is the black-box performance space, a flexible venue with retractable seating for up to 75 people. Equipped with top-notch audio and video capabilities, the space will be ideal for everything from live music and theater rehearsals to book readings and political debates. “We’re designing this as a flexible space to accommodate a wide variety of events, and we’re committed to offering below-market rental rates for nonprofits and cultural organizations so they have an affordable place downtown to host their activities,” Russo said. To keep the space accessible, KGNU plans to offer below-market rental rates for community groups and nonprofits, ensuring that cost isn’t a barrier to creativity. “So many organizations have been priced out of downtown,” Russo said. “We want to change that.” But the headquarters won’t just be a pretty new building. Sustainability is at the core of KGNU’s design philosophy, and the facility will feature a solar rooftop with innovative energy storage solutions to ensure the station stays operational during emergencies — an increasingly vital need in a region prone to wildfires and floods. “This is more than a building — it’s a resiliency hub,” Russo said. “We’ve designed it to serve as a lifeline during times of crisis, providing emergency alerts and critical information when the community needs it most.” Russo hopes the project will inspire other community media organizations to think big. “This is a complex, collaborative effort,” he said. “We’re learning a lot about public-private partnerships, sustainable design and how to create a space that truly reflects the needs of the community. Once this is done, we’re excited to share those lessons with others.” Construction is expected to continue into 2025, with a ribbon-cutting celebration planned for next fall. Hard-hat tours of the facility are set to begin later this year, offering a peek inside of what’s to come. Want to get involved or learn more? Visit kgnu.org/amplifying-community to find out how you can support KGNU’s big new chapter.None

Tractor Supply Co. stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms marketWisconsin faces its first losing season in 23 years and the end of a bowl streak when the Badgers host arch-rival Minnesota on Friday in the annual Big Ten battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Minnesota (6-5, 4-4) lost to No. 4 Penn State 26-25. Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) lost its fourth straight, 44-25, at Nebraska in a game that was not as close as the score. "Well 1890 is the first time we played this football team coming up and this is what it's all about," Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said of the rivalry. "And you wouldn't want to have it any other way, being able to end the season with one of your biggest rivals. I know our guys will be ready to go, ready to play." Wisconsin has 22 consecutive winning seasons since going 5-7 under Barry Alvarez in 2001, the longest active streak among Power 4 teams. The Badgers also have played in a bowl game in each of the last 22 seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest in FBS. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is more concerned with the rivalry game than the winning season and bowl streaks. "I'm not downplaying it, I'm not saying it's not important, I'm not saying it's another thing that's on our plate," Fickell said Monday. "But when it gets down to this last week, it's about one thing, it's about the rivalry. It's about preparing to play in the most important game of the year." The Gophers have dropped their last two games after winning four in a row. Minnesota averages 26.6 points per game, while allowing 18.5, 15th-best in the country. Max Brosmer has completed 67 percent of his passes for 221 per game with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniel Jackson is the top target with 69 catches for 802 yards and three scores, and Darius Taylor is the top rusher with 730 yards at 4.8 per carry with nine touchdowns. One week after leading Oregon after three quarters, the Wisconsin defense was shredded for 473 yards and five touchdowns by Nebraska. Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered an early season-ending knee injury, has thrown at least one interception in eight consecutive games. Locke has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 180.6 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns and 10 picks. Tawee Walker is the leading rusher with 828 yards at 4.7 per carry with 10 touchdowns. He has failed to reach 60 yards in three of the last four games. Former Wisconsin and NFL standout JJ Watt posted on social media his assessment - and frustration - with the Badgers after the Nebraska game. "Losing happens, it's part of the game. Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out ... that's the issue," Watt wrote on X. "We are Wisconsin. Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense. That is our identity." Wisconsin defeated the Gophers 28-14 last after Minnesota had won the previous two meetings. The Badgers have won 7 of the last 10 and lead the storied series 63-62-8. --Field Level MediaNo. 25 Illinois rebounds in big way, blasts UMES 87-40

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