The Hoosier congressional delegation — in a push led by U.S. Senator Todd Young — is urging the Federal Aviation Administration to name Indiana as one of two new national drone test sites.

In a Monday letter to the federal agency, all nine of Indiana’s representatives and both senators expressed support for a bid from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the Applied Research Institute as the FAA expands its Unmanned Aircraft System Test Site program.

If selected, Indiana supporters say the designation would open opportunities for universities and manufacturers in the state to develop cutting-edge drone technologies.

“Indiana is uniquely situated to best assist the FAA in integrating UAS into the national airspace system as well as advance the United States’ capacities for manufacturing and deploying drone technologies,” the delegation told FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, who previously served as the chief executive of Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings until he was tapped by President Donald Trump earlier this year to serve as FAA administrator.

Lawmakers added that, “between the geographical location in the heart of the Midwest, the already numerous testing assets for a variety of missions, and state and federal representatives who are committed to supporting advancement of these critical technologies, our state is poised to provide the best outcomes for American leadership in drone manufacturing and deployment.”

The FAA is adding two sites to its national network, which supports research, safety evaluation and integration of unmanned aircraft, according to the federal agency.

Young’s office said Indiana stakeholders submitted their application to the agency Monday, and the delegation letter was sent the same day.

Indiana’s manufacturing strength is a central part of the pitch.

Lawmakers wrote that while developing advanced drone technologies is vital, “it will be even more critical that we can take these newly developed technologies and scale them at a level in which we can deploy them to industries across the country.”

“From applications in defense, agriculture, public safety, and beyond, there is a demand and need for U.S.-developed and produced technologies that address the national security and privacy concerns posed by their foreign-made counterparts,” they said. “Indiana is also well-positioned to meet the influx of workforce needs that will accompany this growing ecosystem.”

Universities and military assets were also highlighted.

The letter pointed to Purdue University, which lawmakers noted has “the first university-owned airport in the country, the largest indoor motion capture facility in the world, and a faculty dedicated to addressing the challenges of safely integrating UAS into the national airspace.”

Highlighted, too, was Indiana’s Technology Readiness and Experimentation initiative at Camp Atterbury, which in August “demonstrated the ability to neutralize a 49-drone swarm with a single electromagnetic pulse,” as well as testing space at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center and counter-UAS work at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane.

The delegation also underscored ARI’s role as a coordinator of state and federal research efforts, saying its experience “managing the Silicon Crossroads Hub, Heartland Bioworks tech hub, and the Defense Innovation Unit OnRamp Program” positions the institute well to support the test-site designation.

State-level coordination is additionally part of the argument.

The letter referenced Gov. Mike Braun’s Oct. 29 executive order establishing a statewide drone task force.

The new “Indiana Initiative for Drone Dominance Task Force” will coordinate work across government, universities and private industry to support federal efforts to strengthen U.S. leadership in drone technology and airspace security.

The task force must deliver its strategic plan and recommendations to the governor by July 31, 2026.

Young, who serves on the Senate Commerce Committee and has worked on drone policy at the federal level, helped Braun craft the executive order.

The FAA has not announced a timeline for selecting the new testing sites.

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WARSAW — Indiana politics is moving into the national spotlight as President Trump urges Hoosier Republicans to follow suit with Texas and redistrict congressional lines in hopes of picking up more congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Traditionally, redistricting coincides with the once-every-ten-year census count, but Trump has been urging Texas leaders to take up the unprecedented action.

At the same time, California Democrats are attempting to counter the efforts in Texas by attempting a similar redistricting.

Just a few weeks ago, Trump began openly urging Indiana Republicans to do the same in hopes of possibly picking up an additional Republican seat or two in Indiana, where seven of nine congressional seats are already held by Republicans.

The Indiana Republican congressional delegation voiced unanimous support for redistricting, but Gov. Mike Braun has been slow to take a stand in part because it would require calling a special legislative session to do so.

Pressure in Indiana could grow in the coming weeks if redistricting in Texas and California negates any change in the balance of power.

Brian Smith, the Democratic chair of the Second District, was blunt in his assessment when asked about the circumstances.

Trump has pushed an aggressive agenda on various policy fronts in his first eight months in office, but his approval rating in numerous national polls shows he hovers slightly above 40 percent

“Donald Trump is underwater in just about every issue, every demographic group, and they know they’re going to get wiped out next year unless they cheat,” Smith said.

News Now Warsaw reached out to State Sen. Ryan Mishler and State Rep. andCraig Snow, both of whom represent parts of Kosciusko County, to see where they stand on redistricting.

Attempts for comment from either were made on Wednesday, but neither replied in any way as of Friday morning.

Smith pointed to an unscientific online poll in Kosciusko County that showed most people do not support redistricting beyond the census schedule.

“There’s no groundswell, there’s no popular movement for this,” Smith added.

Smith was also asked about Tump's recent threats to eliminate mail-in voting, possibly by issuing an executive order.

Smith said he thinks such a move would be illegal and unpopular.

The move by Trump comes despite a lack of any allegations concerning irregularities with mail-in voting.

In Indiana, about 6.1 percent of voters used mail-in voting, which does not include early voting done in person.

“Do we really want eighty- and ninety-year-olds to have to stand in line for hours?” Smith asked. “It defies logic to me and it’s just cruel.”

Trump’s talk of eliminating absentee voting in the miderm.

Audio

News Now Warsaw reached out to State Sen.Ryan Mishler and Statre Rep Crais Sow on the isse on Wednesday, but never heard back.

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WARSAW — Monday’s meeting in which about 25 people showed up in Waraw to voice concerns about federal spending cuts to a congressional staffer led to a statement being issued by Congressman Rudy Yakym’s office.

The meeting at Warsaw City Hall was intended to offer constituency services to residents, but those who showed up wanted to talk policy and demanded Yakym hold a town hall so residents could convey their concerns. 

[caption id="attachment_105711" align="alignright" width="370"] About 25-30 people attended the meeting at Warsaw City Hall Monday afternoon. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The situation became heated for a short while with both sides saying they felt disrespected.

Brain Smith, a former chair of the Kosciusko County Democratic Party, said he didn't like how Yakym's district director talked to the group.

"I thought it was incredibly disrespectful to the veterans in the room, the way they were talked to — the way I was talked to at the beginning by the district representative — just a very unprofessional way and unbecoming for somebody who works for me," Smith said.

Yakym’s office issued a statement reiterating his "dedication to transparency" in serving all constituents.

“Congressman Yakym and our team are committed to accessibility and transparency, hosting monthly mobile office hours across the district so every constituent can connect and be heard,” said District Director Griffin Nate.

The statement was issued without directly mentioning Monday's meeting.

“We’re here to serve and represent all Hoosiers in the Second District — but we won’t stand for leftist lies meant to disrupt, disrespect, and intimidate,” he added.

Much of the concern voiced at Monday's meeting focused on Elon Musk who is serving as a key figure in the new Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.

News Now Warsaw asked Nate Monday if Yakym is bothered by the approach used by Musk.

"The Congressman supports President Trump and his initiatives to bring efficiency to our government," Nate said.

"The American people made it clear in November that we are sick and tired of waste, fraud and abuse within our federal government. That's why they gave President Trump and the House Republicans a mandate to eliminate that waste, fraud and abuse."

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INDIANAPOLIS — A handful of Republican candidates for Indiana’s Third Congressional District are setting themselves apart financially from the rest ahead of the party’s primary in May.

Over a dozen candidates have indicated their interest in Rep. Jim Banks’ Third District seat following his decision to pursue the Senate post.

Four GOP candidates have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the third district, with one breaking the $1 million mark, by dipping into their own wallets to fund their campaigns. 

Nonprofit executive Tim Smith reported over $1 million in contributions, but the vast majority of that funding comes from a $900,000 loan from himself. He has spent over $227,000 on the race and ends the year with the most cash on hand: $832,380.

Other big spenders included former Allen County Circuit Court Judge Wendy Davis, former U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman and State Sen. Andy Zay. 

Davis raised $676,000 — including $83,200 from herself — and spent $338,885, leaving her with $337,885 at the end of the year. 

A $100,000 loan from himself made up roughly one-sixth of Zay’s contributions, which totaled less than $547,000. He spent $318,000 in 2023 and still has more than $228,000 in the bank.

Over half of former congressman Marlin Stutzman’s $482,000 raised comes from a $250,000 loan to himself. After spending just under $308,000 — which included a $100,000 loan repayment to himself — he is left with $174,367 cash on hand.

Four other Republican candidates reported raising less than $50,000 and another two have no reports filed with the FEC. 

On the Democrat side, Phil Goss outraised his primary opponent Kiley Adolph by giving his campaign a $154,000 boost, totaling nearly $162,000 in contributions. However, Adolph’s $17,000 in outside contributions is more than double Goss’ $8,000. 

Goss spent $127,000 and has less than $35,000 on hand, though he still owes money to himself. Adolph has just under $4,000 left after spending nearly $13,000.

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Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s Secretary of State Diego, Morales, is alerting new businesses about a new federal regulation that requires them to report beneficial ownership information to the Federal government within 90 days of formation. 

Businesses registered in Indiana prior to January 2024 will be required to report beneficial ownership to the Federal Government starting in 2025.  

Small businesses will need to register with an agency called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), in 2024, as part of an act passed in 2021 called the Corporate Transparency Act.

[caption id="attachment_87668" align="alignright" width="215"] Diego Morales[/caption]

The Secretary of State’s Office has established a webpage with resources to guide businesses on how to comply.

The act was intended to get a look inside shell companies and crack down on attempts by “criminals, organized crime rings, and other illicit actors to hide their identities and launder their money through the financial system,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in 2022.

Businesses with more than 20 employees and more than $5 million in sales can qualify for exemptions. But that leaves an estimated 32 million small businesses that aren’t exempt. The owners and part-owners of those businesses must register reports with FinCEN.

Enacted by Congress in 2021 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, the CTA includes reforms to anti-money laundering laws and is intended to help prevent and combat money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, and tax fraud. The CTA establishes a beneficial ownership reporting requirement for corporations, limited liability companies, and other similar entities formed or registered to do business in the United States. 

FinCEN has a comprehensive website, tools, and a call center to help businesses determine their filing requirements. Businesses registered in Indiana are advised to check with a corporation service company, accountant, CPA, or Attorney for individual guidance on the reporting requirements.

The implementation date and deadlines are currently being discussed by federal lawmakers.  The Indiana Secretary of State’s office will keep Hoosier businesses informed with updates.

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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym and Congresswoman Julia Brownley, of California, introduced the Jackie Walorski Enhancing Necessary Data on (END) Illegal School Bus Passing Act.

According to a news release from Yakym's Congressional office, the bipartisan legislation builds on the Stop for School Buses Act of 2021.

"Our community in northern Indiana knows all too well the tragic consequences when drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus,” said Yakym, who represents Indiana's Second District.

“My predecessor and dear friend, Jackie Walorski, sprung into action to pass the Stop for School Buses Act of 2021. Congresswoman Brownley and I are proud to carry on her legacy by ensuring more robust data on the frequency and circumstances surrounding illegal school bus passings. Through this legislation we can put taxpayer dollars to better use as we educate the public about the dangers of passing stopped school buses, prevent further tragedies, and save lives.”

“As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I worked with the late Congresswoman Jackie Walorski to include life-saving legislation to address the significant risks posed to children when vehicles violate school bus stop signs in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Brownley.

“I am proud to join Congressman Yakym to build on the progress we've made and help protect children from injury and death from illegal passing,” she said.

“Jackie always cared about helping children, whether it was her missionary service helping impoverished children in Romania to her work in Congress fighting childhood hunger,” said Dean Swihart and Martha Walorski, Jackie Walorski’s husband and mother.

“This legislation is a fitting testament to Jackie’s legacy and one more important layer of protection for children riding a school bus.”

The bill:

• Requires the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish a demonstration project with 12 school districts, in collaboration with local law enforcement, to gather data on illegal school bus passings throughout the school year, including frequency, circumstances, and demographics of and consequences for the driver. NHTSA must report the results to Congress.
• Requires NHTSA to use the information gathered in the demonstration project to conduct a national public safety messaging campaign that increases awareness and education about the dangers of illegal school bus passing, create training and informational materials for state highway safety agencies and law enforcement, and develop model legislation for states to address illegal school bus passing.

“The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) commends Representatives Rudy Yakym and Julia Brownley for introducing the Jackie Walorski Enhancing Necessary Data on (END) Illegal Passing Act, which will further advance federal efforts to eradicate the completely preventable phenomenon of drivers illegally passing stopped school buses,” said Curt Macysyn, Executive Director of NSTA.

“NSTA also wants to take this opportunity to remember and honor the late Representative Jackie Walorski of Indiana, for whom the bill is named, for her dedicated leadership to advance this issue in Congress by pushing for enactment of the Stop for School Buses Act as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Additionally, we applaud Representative Yakym for continuing her legacy by championing this important legislation, and NSTA looks forward to working with Congress to enact it.”

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Indiana's former Fifth District Congressman, Steve Buyer, was convicted Friday of insider trading charges after a two-week jury trial.

The verdict against Steve Buyer, a Republican lawyer who served in Congress from 1993 to 2011, was returned after a jury heard evidence about stock purchases he made after he became a consultant and lobbyist.

Buyer is a Persian Gulf War veteran who once chaired the House Veterans Affairs committee and served for a time as a House prosecutor during former President Bill Clinton’s 1998 impeachment trial.

The jury returned guilty verdicts on four securities fraud charges. Judge Richard M. Berman set sentencing for July 11.

Prosecutors said at trial that Buyer took information from clients and used it to make illegal stock trades.

His lawyers, though, argued that he was a stock market buff who did research that led to legal profitable trades. They said it was a coincidence that his clients purchased two companies that he had invested in.

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana's 3rd District Congressman, Jim Banks, jumped into the 2024 race for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday — becoming the first candidate in what is expected to be a crowded Republican field.

The conservative rabble-rouser is known for his fiery tweets and has served the Third District in the U.S. House since 2017. He just began his fourth term in office.

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun is giving up his seat to run for governor in 2024.

“One thing is clear to me and that’s that Hoosiers deserve a conservative fighter in the Senate. And Mike Braun has been a consistent conservative and we should have a conservative replace Mike Braun and I want to be that conservative leader, that conservative fighter,” Banks said.

He used the word conservative 20 times in a 10-minute interview with Indiana Capital Chronicle. He dropped a video about his run Tuesday morning and plans to file today. In the video he says “only in America could a small-town kid from a working-class family do what I’ve been blessed to do.”

Banks grew up in Columbia City, the son of a factory worker and a nursing home cook. He was the first in his family to go to college and met his wife while at Indiana University.

In Congress, he has focused on veterans issues — he served in Afghanistan for parts of 2014 and 2015 while in the state Senate — and holding China accountable. Just last week he launched an “anti-woke” caucus and has been on Fox News in recent days highlighting it.

Banks said the Senate would provide an opportunity to do even more on national security and defense issues he cares so much about.

“I think it was obvious to me after being in the House for a few terms that there aren’t enough conservatives in the Senate. We saw the massive omnibus spending bill get passed in the Senate here recently with Republican support and that’s only paved the way for our $32 trillion national debt to grow even more. So, we need conservatives in the Senate who are going to fight back against the Democrats and the Biden agenda, not to go along with it,” he said.

Banks also ran the largest conservative caucus — the Republican Study Committee — for two years. He recently came up short in a vote to become the House Republican whip and staunchly supported U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy in the recent speakership fight.

“I’ve led the fight in Congress to hold China accountable for stealing our jobs and for giving us COVID,” he said in his video. He also invokes transgender girls athletics, abortion and critical race theory.

A Senate term is six years, rather than two, giving more breathing room between campaigns. But a Senate campaign will likely take millions to win.

In 2018, Braun spent $4.5 million in the GOP primary. According to Vox, altogether, the three candidates spent more than $9 million in one of the most expensive and negative primaries that year.

Club for Growth connection

Open Secrets, which researches and tracks money in politics and its effect on elections and policy, found Banks’ top contributor from 2015 to 2022 was Club for Growth — $104,066.

Club for Growth’s independent expenditure super PAC went on the offensive Sunday – running an attack ad against two term-governor and former Purdue University president Mitch Daniels, who is also considering a run for Senate.

Mark Lubbers, a personal adviser to Daniels and longtime friend, didn’t mince words about the ad and Banks.

“A majority of Americans are ready to embrace conservative policy … but loser grifters like Club for Growth keep making conservatism ugly and unlikable.  At some point genuine conservatives will have to go to war with these bully goons to save us from baby-Trumps like Jim Banks,” Lubbers said.

He said he heard Club for Growth plans to continue its investment in Banks, possibly reaching into the millions.

“For the sake of my friend Mitch Daniels, I hope he opts out of what these grifters have made of politics,” Lubbers said. “For the sake of my country, I hope Mitch runs and beats Banks to a pulp.”

Lining up support

Banks sidestepped a question on Daniels but said he had called Donald Trump to tell him of his decision and he “would be very glad to have his support.” Banks has visited with Trump numerous times and his video includes two pictures with the former president.

Others who are endorsing Banks are Indiana Congressman Larry Bucshon, R-8th, and Arkansas U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton.

“Hoosiers deserve to have another tried and true conservative in the Senate, and Jim Banks is by far the best person for the job. Jim and I are both veterans of the U.S. Navy Reserve, and we need Jim in the Senate to build a strong military that will defend the homeland and stand up to our adversaries like Communist China. Jim isn’t afraid of the radical left and will fight to remove ‘woke’ training from the military that harms our readiness. Jim’s an unapologetic champion for conservative values, with a strong record of defending the unborn and protecting parents’ rights in education. I’m confident Jim will continue the fight for Hoosiers’ conservative values in the Senate, and he has my full support.”

Cotton said “we need more leaders like Jim Banks in the U.S. Senate — leaders with military experience who will defend our rights and our national security. For six years he’s been an indispensable partner in the House and I know he will be an even stronger partner in the Senate. Jim is a proven conservative fighter who puts Hoosiers first and I’m proud to endorse him.”

Banks previously served six years in the state Senate and hails from Columbia City. He and wife Amanda have three daughters.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

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