U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined U.S. Representative Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02) and a majority of the Indiana delegation in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz urging HHS to allocate the highest possible level of funding from the newly established Rural Health Transformation Program to Indiana.

Congress recently appropriated $50 billion to strengthen healthcare in rural communities nationwide. The letter emphasizes that this investment is vital to supporting Indiana’s rural hospitals, community health centers, and healthcare providers, which serve more than 1.49 million Hoosiers living in rural communities across the state.

“Indiana is home to 42 rural counties, and our rural communities play a vital role in feeding the nation and supporting our economy,” the members wrote. “Yet, they face some of the most significant healthcare challenges in the country. Allocating the highest possible funding to Indiana will help us protect access to care, keep hospital doors open, and ensure healthier futures for Hoosiers.”

The letter outlines the pressing challenges Indiana’s rural healthcare facilities have faced over the past few decades, including:

• Hospital closures and service reductions: Five of Indiana’s 52 rural hospitals are at risk of closing, and 13 have already cut back services.
• Provider shortages: 71 of Indiana’s 92 counties are designated health professional shortage areas.
• Limited maternal care: More than 20 rural counties lack a labor and delivery provider, placing expectant mothers and babies at serious risk.
• Emergency response gaps: Half of Indiana’s counties are considered ambulance deserts, with average trauma response times of 17–30 minutes compared to just 3 minutes in urban areas.

The letter also highlights that these shortages and access barriers threaten long-term health outcomes for rural Hoosiers, making federal support through the Rural Health Transformation Program critical.

“Indiana’s rural healthcare providers work tirelessly with limited resources to serve their communities,” the members continued. “Federal investment is essential to strengthening these systems, expanding preventative care, and ensuring every Hoosier has access to the services they need.”

The lawmakers conclude the letter by affirming their commitment to working with federal leaders to secure maximum funding for Indiana under this program.

Senator Young and Representative Yakym were joined by U.S. Senator Jim Banks and U.S. Representatives Frank Mrvan (D-IN-01), Marlin Stutzman (R-IN-03), Victoria Spartz (R-IN-05), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN-06), Andre Carson (D-IN-07), Mark Messmer (R-IN-08), and Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) in sending the letter.

Saturday, Sept. 27

Illinois at Purdue – TBD – WSLM 1220 AM 

IU at Iowa – 3:30p kickoff – 2:30p pregame – WSLM 97.9 FM 

Reds at Brewers – 7:10p first pitch – 6:40p pregame

Indiana Sports Talk – 9:30p  WSLM 97.9 FM 

Sunday, Sept. 28

Reds at Brewers – 3:10p first pitch – 2:40p pregame WSLM 1220 AM 

Colts at Rams – 4:05p kickoff – 3p pregame – WSLM 97.9 FM 

The Indiana Department of Transportation has several road projects coming up in Southern Indiana. 

Closure planned on State Road 60 in Washington County

INDOT contractor E&B Paving, Inc. is scheduled to close State Road 60 over Middle Fork Blue River on or after Monday, September 29, to complete a bridge deck overlay project in Washington County.

The closure will take place on S.R. 60 between Old State Road 60 East and Farabee Road located approximately two miles southeast of Salem. S.R. 60 is expected to reopen in mid-October, weather permitting.

During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 160 to I-65 to S.R. 60.

This project is part of a $3 million contract awarded to E&B in September 2024. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Lane closures planned for State Road 37 in Lawrence County

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures for State Road 37 in Lawrence County.

Beginning on or around Monday, September 29, crews will begin lane closures on State Road 37 between Oolitic and Judah. The lane closures will occur near the intersection of Washboard Road.

Lane closures will allow for the beginning of phase 1 of an intersection improvement project at State Road 37 and Washboard Road. Work on phase 1 of this project is expected to take three weeks to complete, depending on the weather.

A reduced conflict intersection is being installed at the intersection of State Road 37 and Washboard Road. This type of intersection increase safety by reducing the amount of left turns at the main intersection. 

INDOT encourages drivers to consider safety for all by slowing down, using extra caution, and driving distraction-free when traveling in and around work zones.

Closure planned on State Road 135 in Freetown

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Geostabilization International (GSI) is scheduled to close State Road 135 just south of State Road 58 on or after Wednesday, October 1, to perform slide correction work in Freetown.

The closure will take place on S.R. 135 between S.R. 58 and Kiper Creek. State Road 135 is expected to reopen in early November, weather permitting. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 58 to S.R. 258 to S.R. 11 to U.S. 50 to S.R. 135.

The temporary traffic signals currently located on S.R. 135 just south of S.R. 58 will be deactivated during the closure. Initial information regarding the planned slide correction project can be found here.

This work is part of a contract awarded to GSI in February 2025. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Road closure planned for State Road 337 in Orange County

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 337 in Orange County.

Beginning on or around Monday, September 29, crews will begin daily road closures for State Road 337 near Orleans. These road closures will occur between North County Road 200 E and North County Road 500 East.

Daily road closures will allow for culvert replacement projects. Work is expected to take a week to complete, depending on the weather.

The official detour for this project is State Road 37 to State Road 56. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure. Road closures will occur between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert in work zones.

Overnight temporary ramp, lane closures planned on I-65 in Columbus

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving, Inc. is scheduled to perform additional bridge joint replacement work on I-65 on or after the evening of Saturday, September 20, in Columbus.

Work will take place on I-65 over Driftwood River located just north of Exit 68. Joint replacement work will begin at approximately 9 p.m. and is expected to take up to one night, weather permitting. Overnight single ramp and lane closures will be used while work is in progress and are currently planned as follows:

• The I-65 northbound on-ramp will be closed from westbound S.R. 46.
• The right lane of northbound I-65 will be closed over Driftwood River.

This work is part of a contract awarded to E&B in June 2022. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Washington County schools recently received more than $162,000 for safety upgrades through the state’s Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by area lawmakers.

State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) said the funding is part of the state legislature’s investment in school safety this year, which totaled $27 million in state matching grants across 494 schools statewide.

Lawmakers also advanced legislation this year to move the Office of School Safety to the Department of Homeland Security, centralizing safety efforts and providing additional support and resources to schools.

“Safe schools foster a strong education and promote the wellbeing of our school communities,” Engleman said. “This funding will go toward creating environments where students can focus on learning and thrive academically.”

Washington County schools receiving grants include:

• East Washington School Corp., $64,750;
• Salem Community Schools, $51,892; and
• West Washington School Corp., $46,250.

Other area schools who will receive grants include:

• Lawrence County Independent School, $32,374;
• Mitchell Community Schools, $46,250;
• North Lawrence Community Schools, $92,500;
• Orleans Community Schools, $64,750;
• Paoli Community School Corp., $38,889;
• Springs Valley Community School Corp., $37,000; and
• Springville Community Academy, $32,375.

State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) said awarded funds can be used for a wide range of safety needs like support for resource officers, equipment and technology, active event warning systems, threat assessments and student-parent support service programs.

“It is great to see many local schools take advantage of this grant program,” May said. “This money is meant to improve school security and safety across the board so we can continue making Indiana schools among the best in the nation.”

State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) said since the program began in 2013, Indiana has invested more than $214 million in school safety through state matching grants.

“This funding is part of a larger legislative effort in our state to continually improve the quality of Indiana’s schools,” Lucas said. “This program is a benefit to our local communities, identifying what each school’s needs are and providing resources to address them.”

To learn more about the Secured School Safety Grant Program and what Indiana’s doing to keep schools safe, visit the state’s school safety hub at in.gov/schoolsafety.