Gov. Mike Braun confirmed Tuesday that Indiana spent more than $1 million in taxpayer funds to purchase four doses of execution drugs, some of which were used, and several others that expired.

He also clarified that the drugs were purchased in two transactions — one under former Gov. Eric Holcomb and one by him.

In total, $1.175 million was spent, Braun said. But two of those — worth $600,000 — expired with no use because “they had been on the shelf too long.”

Braun emphasized Tuesday, however, that neither of the doses used by the Indiana Department of Correction in December and May were expired when administered to inmates.

Reporting by the Indiana Capitol Chronicle previously revealed that at least $900,000 was spent by Holcomb’s administration to purchase pentobarbital. The execution drug was used in December to carry out the death penalty for convicted killer Joseph Corcoran, and again in May for the execution of Benjamin Ritchie.

“It was tricky, because if you acquired it, and there was some type of glitch, then you go into the same thing that happened with the Holcomb administration, which bought three (doses) — anticipating more (executions). But in the course, two expired, so we were careful to make sure it looked like all the administrative parts (of the judicial process) were done,” Braun said, adding that his administration waited until “right before” Ritchie’s execution before buying any new doses of the drug.

“We knew that was going to be a fait accompli,” he continued. “I was careful, so that it looked like (the execution) was going to take place, and not have something occur. And that was a little tricky. But at that point, the Indiana Supreme Court and the parole board would have been all that was left to get through. Administratively, that looked like it had a pretty defined time frame. … It was a question of when you were going to actually get it and not be stranded with it.”

Braun denied Ritchie clemency less than a week before the execution.

Braun’s office confirmed Tuesday that his predecessor paid $900,000 for three doses of the drug. Only one of those doses was used; however, the other two doses expired. Braun said earlier this month that the drug has a 90-shelf life.

After taking office, Braun authorized an additional purchase of the drug earlier this year for $275,000. That covered one dose of pentobarbital, used for Ritchie’s May 20 execution.

It’s not clear when exactly the state acquired the doses or where they were purchased from. State law protects the identity of the seller from public scrutiny. State officials had previously declined to provide details about how much pentobarbital was purchased, and refused to provide information on expiration dates, storage or other details.

“You’re dealing with a source of (the execution drugs) that’s very hard to pin down,” Braun said. “If it’s going to be available, it’s not like you can get it from several places.”

The governor additionally reiterated his desire for state lawmakers to weigh in.

“I’m going to encourage the state legislature to look at it — in terms of, is that what we’re going to use, and then on the issue itself,” he said, referring to capital punishment and lethal injections. “I’m very agnostic on that. I want them to weigh in.”

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WARSAW — Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County has seen more growth and support in the past year than ever before and will soon expand in new ways.

The chapter, led by Executive Director Ben Logan, expects to increase the number of homes it constructs in 2025 from two to three and has seen the level of volunteerism and financial support grow in recent years.

Habitat recently learned it had recently received $1 million in a grant from the Lilly Endowment that will be used for new initiatives.

Logan said the Kosciusko County Community Foundation served as a conduit in helping to line up the money from Lilly.

He said the money would be dedicated toward special projects and not for building houses.

Some of that money will be used to improve the already successful Restore outlet located on Corridor Drive.

The store sells used household items and has become the largest source of revenue for the chapter. The store won’t be physically expanding, but changes will be made to make it more profitable, Logan said.

The grant money will also be used to establish a housing coalition — much like LaunchPad, Kosciusko Chamber’s childcare coalition.

The housing coalition will work closely with the community foundation and Habitat hopes to involve other local partners. Right now, organizers are focusing on developing a strategic plan and had 36 people attend an initial meeting, Logan said.

Such an effort comes at a time when housing has become a top issue for many communities.

Logan calls it a "big hairy deal" for many and that it will take coordination and planning to improve the housing crunch.

“I always say it's a game of long timelines and really big numbers and what we do now is going to be really important for what we see in five to ten years from now,” Logan said during an interview for News Now Warsaw's public affairs show, In The Know.

He was joined in the interview by Habitat Board Member Stacy Price who is closely involved with Habitat's Women Build initiatives.  

Habitat is also working to launch a home repair program in 2026.

The goal is to provide home improvement assistance for low-income homeowners who would otherwise qualify for Habitat's traditional housing program but have homes in need of critical repairs.

The program is not ready and emphasized that they are not ready to take calls on the matter.

In another big initiative (not related to the grant money), Habitat is expanding its Women Build tradition in which an entire house will be constructed and financed by women.

The chapter has hosted three Women Build events in past years in which women have led construction efforts over the course of several days.

Now they plan to construct an entire house with all-female teams.

No date or location has been announced yet but enthusiasm is building.

"We're looking at around 250 women collectively," Price said. "We started putting the word out and the last I heard was that we were at 23 team leaders so we're almost at capacity, which is so exciting."

Logan said he's impressed to see people "come out of the woodwork" to support the future build.

"People we did not know in this community that were passionate about what we're doing — this is just one opportunity that they did not want to sit on the sidelines for," Logan said.

Price, who has participated in previous women-build projects, said the concept creates a certain synergy. Part of that is because many of the Habitat recipients are single moms.

"I feel like there is something so powerful about other women coming to support a single mom and help her build a house that will impact her and her family in their future," Price said.

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