Indiana State Parks will receive $50 million from the Lilly Endowment to improve and enhance facilities statewide.

An important aspect of lowering infant and maternal mortality rates is connecting pregnant people to prenatal care earlier. But that can be difficult in rural areas that are considered maternal care deserts. A hospital on the edge of Indiana’s largest obstetric care desert created a clinic to remove at least one barrier to that care.

An influential figure who led with integrity and civility — that’s how the late Richard Lugar, Indiana’s former U.S. senator, was described Tuesday at a ceremony dedicating a statue to him in downtown Indianapolis.

A federal judge ruled the Family and Social Services Administration is required to provide necessary services for two medically complex children who were affected by changes to the attendant care program. The injunction was modified because of concerns that it could endanger Indiana’s Medicaid program as the lawsuit moves forward.

During the 2022 election, more than 13,900 Hoosiers worked the polls. Which, according to the federal Election Administration and Voting Survey, was down from the 2018 election when nearly 16,800 Hoosiers volunteered.

The state is working to expand youth and adult apprenticeship programs to meet high employer demand for workers. But researchers say more work needs to be done to make sure the programs meet specific needs.

International Recycling Group Erie’s recycling facility in Pennsylvania would make plastic pellets to replace coke in steel blast furnaces — which generate a lot of greenhouse gas emissions. But activists worry using the plastic would release hazardous chemicals into the air and storing it would be a fire hazard.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick shared her education plan for the state on Thursday. The plan emphasizes five pillars including early child care and universal pre-K, school accountability, transferable skills, teacher pay and local autonomy.

A group of Indiana lawmakers is investigating whether to eliminate more than five dozen committees, boards and commissions that the state helps fund and staff.

Indiana launched a new long-term care program in July for Medicaid members 60 years or older. Medicaid officials say they plan to monitor the Pathways for Aging program closely for a full year to catch any potential issues.