Indiana‘s senior U-S Senator says the Affordable Care Act — also referred to as “Obamacare” — needs to be delayed and replaced with what he called a “workable” plan.

Senator Dan Coats asked his colleagues, Republican and Democrat, to support his bill to postpone all mandates of the A-C-A until January 2015.

He made the comments on the Senate floor this morning (Thurs) Coats said there‘ve already been thousands of waivers put in place ahead of the healthcare reform law‘s taking effect.  He also said that President Obama already determined that he will delay the employer mandate.

Coats says he currently has more than 30 Senators‘ support for his measure.  A companion bill authored by Indiana GOP Congressman Todd Young already passed the House with what Coats said was bipartisan support.

The Colts had Monday off and Tuesday off as well coming off a 21-17 win on Sunday against the Raiders.

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano met with the media on Monday and said the team is getting ready for the Dolphins game on Sunday.

Pagano said Tight End Dwayne Allen will be in for treatment on his hip on Tuesday and should be back at practice on Wednesday after an MRI on his hip came back negative.

Also, linebacker Pat Angerer is still being tested and going through NFL’s protocol policy on concussions, no time table has been set on his return.

The Colts will play the Miami Dolphins in week 2 of the NFL season, that comes up Sunday from Lucas Oil Stadium.

Listen to the game on WSLM RADIO 97.9 FM beginning with the pre-game.

Come out and enjoy an Afternoon of Indiana Fiddle Tunes On Saturday, October 5th, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, at the Salem-Washington Township Public Library.

This program is free and open to the public, and offers a wonderful chance to listen to the tunes and stories of Southern Indiana’s rich fiddling tradition from musicians with deep roots in Southern Indiana’s old-time music community.

Sponsored by Indiana University’s Traditional Arts Indiana and funded through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the concert will feature the talents of area musicians Paul Goodpasture and Larry Hopkins.

Paul Goodpasture is a longtime bluegrass fiddler from the region. In addition to being a popular player, he’s also written many tunes and songs that are played throughout Southern Indiana in jam sessions and performances.

Larry Hopkins has been a driving force for fiddling in the Washington County area, supporting community music jams. He began playing the fiddle at the encouragement of his uncle, and later took up building instruments to become a master fiddle and mandolin maker.

Through songs, tunes, and the life histories of these two players, learn how this music was passed down, how it bridges genres and generations, and how it remains a vibrant part of community life today.

For more information, please contact the Salem-Washington Township Public Library at (812) 883-5600, or find them online at http://www.salemlib.lib.in.us.

A new survey shows that most students at colleges in the Midwest don‘t want concealed handguns on their campuses.

The study from Ball State University found that 78-percent of students at 15 Midwestern campuses oppose allowing anyone to carry concealed guns while on school property.

“Firearm morbidity and mortality are major public health problems that significantly impact our society,” said Jagdish Khubchandani (JAGH-deesh koob-CHAHN-dah-nee), the study‘s co-author and a member of Ball State‘s Global Health Institute.  More than 1,600 students were interviewed as part of the study, which was published in the Journal of American College Health.

Khubchandani says it was conducted because some lawmakers continue to call for loosening gun restrictions on campuses as a way to curb mass shootings.  “The issue of allowing people to carry concealed weapons at universities and colleges around the U.S. has been raised several times in recent years,” he said. “This is in spite of the fact that almost four of every five students are not in favor of allowing guns on campus.”

Among the survey‘s findings:
·      About 16 percent of undergraduate students own a firearm and 20 percent witnessed a crime on their campus that involved firearms.
·      About 79 percent of students would not feel safe if faculty, students, and visitors carried concealed handguns on campus.
·      About 66 percent did not feel that carrying a gun would make them less likely to be troubled by others.
·      Half  did not know whether their university had a policy regarding firearms on campus.
·      Most students also believed that allowing concealed carry guns would increase the rate of fatal suicides and homicides on campus.

“The study also found that students who perceived there to be advantages to carrying concealed handguns on campus were significantly more likely to be males, firearm owners, victims of crime on- or off-campus and binge drinkers,” Khubchandani said. “However, the majority of woman said there were more disadvantages to carrying handguns on campus. These were women who did not own firearms and  did not have a firearm in the home growing up.”

The Indiana Department of Insurance is warning consumers about scam artists who are taking advantage of the confusion over the Affordable Care Act.

Dennis Rosebrough (ROSE-bro) with the Indiana Department of Insurance says health insurance customers across the country are being targeted by these scam artists.

He says the federal government will not be soliciting insurance plans by phone.  He says if someone calls you and says they represent the federal government or is offering to sell a policy listed on the federal government web site, it‘s probably not true.  Rosebrough says the scammers are also telling customers they could face jail time if they don‘t have insurance when the Affordable Care Act goes into effect, which he says is also not true.  He says there will be penalties for not having insurance but they will only be financial penalties.

Rosebrough says individuals known as Navigators are currently going through a training and licensing program to assist consumers with finding a health care policy.  He says within the next few weeks, a web site with a navigator locator will be available for consumers to find licensed insurance professionals.

Rosebrough reminds everyone to never give personal information to unknown and non-certified insurance professionals, especially over the phone.

He says consumers can report any issues about an insurance agent or broker by calling the Indiana Department of Insurance at 1-800-622-4461.

One person is dead after a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon in Boone County.

The Boone County Sheriff‘s Department says shortly after 3:00, a blue semi tractor-trailer was traveling westbound on State Road 32 when it jackknifed after attempting to stop to avoid a slowing vehicle.  A passenger car traveling eastbound on 32 then collided with the rear of the semi‘s cab, killing the driver instantly.

A white semi approaching the scene tried to stop but hit the blue semi.  Then, another passenger car hit the rear of the white semi.  Three passengers inside that car were taken to Witham Hospital.

The drivers of both semis were not injured.  Police do not believe alcohol was involved.  Just east of the original crash, two other semis collided due to not being able to stop in time.  No injuries were reported in that crash.

An Indianapolis-based international terrorism and security expert says despite addressing the nation Tuesday night, President Obama continues to walk a tightrope on Syria.

He says when Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on his own people despite President Obama‘s warning, it created a “Pandora‘s Box” for the President.

Beering says he believes the President is a reluctant leader as the “world‘s policeman” although the President said the U.S. isn‘t playing that role.

Beering also says it‘s unlikely that Syria has the military ability to attack the United States. However, he says Syria sympathizers could try some sort of third party effort more akin to terrorism.

Beering says global economic stress plays a role in whether various cultures launch attacks out of desperation.  He adds that the situation in Syria is also about money and trade and involves Russia, China and other players.

A report surfaced last week that Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan could be considering a move to Nascar, but will he?

Kanaan was testing for Firestone at IMS Tuesday and says he‘s a “free agent.” The popular Brazilian says the discussion is not new, he‘s been talking with other racing circuits since he won the 500. Kanaan says he‘s looking everywhere, including Nascar and Grand Am.

However, Kanaan says he will explore every option available, since he doesn‘t want to be in the position he was three years ago when he was without a ride in February.

Kanaan friend, and 3-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, feels Kanaan will stay in Indy Car, and hopes that he does.

Kanaan did say “”my heart is in Indy Car, and if there is a place for me here, Tony Kanaan will be here, but if it‘s not, I‘m going to make a decision where I‘m going to go.”

The idea has been floated to add a road course race at IMS during the Indy Car season, but there are differing opinions.

3-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti says he‘s a traditionalist and feels only one race should be held at IMS.

Franchitti says he‘s had discussions with Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles about the road race and says Miles assured him a road race would not take away from the heritage of the 500, and Franchitti says he‘ll take Miles‘ word for it.

2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan says the IMS road course is a “fun track” and feels there are two spots to pass, as opposed to other tracks that have only one.

Kanaan says when the race would possibly he held doesn‘t matter to him, but he adds that the road race would not attract the business the 500 does.

The Salem City Council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, regarding a request to annex approximately 27 acres on the east side of the city across from WSLM.

The petition requesting annexation is signed by Ken Temple, representing Temple & Temple Excavating and Paving; Larry Cottongim and Sandra Cottongim.

The petition included the word “walmart” in a filename printed on the document and city officials say a major retail outlet might locate there.

The purpose is to allow any interested parties the opportunity to make comments.

According to Salem Mayor David Bower, a development group called Cedarwood Development is interested in the property.

Annexation means the property would become part of the city and city services would be available, such as water, sewer and police and fire protection.

After the public hearing, the city council may adopt an ordinance annexing the property. The council must take action no earlier than Sept. 27 of this year and no later than Oct. 15.

The Salem City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday of the month.