Best Constructed Criticism Network Podcasts (2025)

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Manhunt continues for Charlie Kirk's killer; 9/11 terror attack anniversary; Senate GOP changes rules to speed up nominee confirmation 55:46

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4h ago55:46

55:46

FBI releases photos of a person of interest in the shooting death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk and asks the public for help in identifying him. FBI also gives an update on the evidence recovered sofar, including the suspected firearm used; President Donald Trump announces he will award Charlie Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal…

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State Office Recommends AES Lower Rates, Indy Schools Have More Seats Than Students, Some IN Early Childcare Providers May Close, Interstate Study Shows Ways To Improve Infrastructure 6:39

3h ago6:39

6:39

After AES requested permission to charge customers more for electricity, one state office is recommending the exact opposite. Indianapolis schools have far more classroom seats than students to fill them. It’s a sign of declining and shifting enrollment and possible changes ahead. About 11 percent of Indiana’s early childcare providers say they may…

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Designing and Facilitating Workshops with Intentionality 47:49

1h ago47:49

47:49

Designing and Facilitating Workshops with Intentionality offers practical guidance, tools, and resources to assist practitioners in creating effective, engaging workshops for adult learners. Drawing from three key learning frameworks and the author’s considerable expertise in facilitating workshops across both educational and corporate settings, th…

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Conservative activist Charlie Kirk is shot & killed while speaking at university in Utah 53:41

11m ago53:41

53:41

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk is shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) forces a vote in the Senate on an amendment to release all the files related to the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein; NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says Russia flying drones over Poland "reckless…

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Opposition To Google’s Data Center, IN Students Miss Less School, Statehouse Gets Petitions Against Redistricting, Former Surgeon General Concerned With Federal COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance 8:51

1d ago8:51

8:51

Google’s proposed data center in South Indianapolis is facing another hurdle. At Monday night’s City-County Council meeting, Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, who represents the district, pulled the rezoning plan for more debate. Indiana students are missing less school, a sign that they are slowly recovering from a SURGE in absenteeism in the wake of t…

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MAHA Commission releases report on reducing chronic disease in children, with emphasize on nutrition & lifestyle changes over more gov't regulation 57:12

2d ago57:12

57:12

Trump Administration's Make America Health Again (MAHA) Commission releases a report with strategies to fight childhood chronic disease that focuses more on nutrition and lifestyle changes rather than government regulations; White House says President Donald Trump would be willing to bring in a handwriting expert to show that it is not his signatur…

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Indy Art Gallery Closes, IN Public Safety Secretary Resigns, Indiana AG Todd Rokita Investigates Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc., National Travelling Rally Highlighting Rural Hospitals 5:53

1d ago5:53

5:53

An art gallery in the heart of downtown Indianapolis will close its space at the end of this month. Indiana Public Safety Secretary Jennifer-Ruth Green has resigned, less than a year after taking the newly created position. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita says he is investigating Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc. for what he claims as potential …

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Supreme Court lifts restrictions on LA immigration stops set after agents swept up US citizens 36:32

8h ago36:32

36:32

News from the Supreme Court today….In a 6-3 decision, it blocked a federal judge’s ruling that restricted federal officers’ ability to conduct immigration stops in the Los Angeles area…. The Court also received… a formal request from the White House to let it hold back 4 billion dollars of congressionally approved foreign aid. The appeal comes afte…

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Some Indy City-County Councilors Now Opposed To Data Center, New Treatment Facility Opens, Indy High School Students Rally For Gun Reform, Jim Irsay Honored At Colts Home Opener 4:56

1d ago4:56

4:56

A controversial project to build a new Google data center on the city’s southeast side could face a final challenge tonight. A new treatment facility for people with substance use problems opened on Indianapolis’ west side. Hundreds of Indianapolis students gathered on Friday afternoon at the Indiana Statehouse as part of a nationwide rally for gun…

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Stephanie K. Kim, "Constructing Student Mobility: How Universities Recruit Students and Shape Pathways between Berkeley and Seoul" (MIT Press, 2023) 53:07

4d ago53:07

53:07

Constructing Student Mobility: How Universities Recruit Students and Shape Pathways between Berkeley and Seoul (MIT Press, 2023) challenges the popular image of the international student in the American imagination, an image of affluence, access, and privilege. In this provocative book, higher education scholar Stephanie Kim argues that universitie…

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Sarah McLaughlin, "Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech" (Johns Hopkins UP, 2025) 41:51

5d ago41:51

41:51

In an era of globalized education, where ideals of freedom and inquiry should thrive, an alarming trend has emerged: foreign authoritarian regimes infiltrating American academia. In Authoritarians in the Academy, Sarah McLaughlin exposes how higher education institutions, long considered bastions of free thought, are compromising their values for f…

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Christopher Willard et al., "College Mental Health 101: A Guide for Students, Parents, and Professionals" (Oxford UP, 2025) 45:11

2d ago45:11

45:11

With a growing number of students entering college with an existing mental health diagnosis, College Mental Health 101: A Guide for Students, Parents, and Professionals (Oxford UP, 2025) offers hope and clear direction to those struggling with mental illness. There is an undeniable mental health crisis on campuses these days. More students are anxi…

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Weekend Edition: Epstein Files and the 2026 Midterm Elections 19:21

5d ago19:21

19:21

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. Congress returned to Washington this week – and immediately was consumed by the Epstein files controversy and the looming government funding deadline at the end of the month. We talk with two lawmakers – on opposites sides of the aisle -- about potential Congression…

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Labor Dept says U.S. added 22K jobs in August, lower than expected; Pres. Trump renames Dept of Defense to Dept of War 49:15

3d ago49:15

49:15

Labor Department says the U.S. added just 22,000 jobs in August, lower than expectations, and the unemployment rate goes up to 4.3%. President Donald Trump says the real jobs numbers will be next year, after his policies have a chance to take effect; Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) talks about her vision of keeping the needs of the U.S. middle class fro…

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One Year Since Launch Of Indy Health District, Hoosiers Push Back on Requiring Vote Centers, FSSA Cuts Voucher Reimbursement Rates For Child Care Fund, Armadillos Come To The Midwest 5:23

4d ago5:23

5:23

It’s been nearly a year since the launch of the Indy Health District - an initiative that hopes to change those statistics. Indiana lawmakers this year tasked the Secretary of State’s office with studying whether to require all counties to use vote centers. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration is cutting voucher reimbursement rates…

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. at a Senate hearing defends vaccine policy changes and firing top CDC officials 58:57

4d ago58:57

58:57

Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. defends his vaccine policy changes and firing of top officials at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, before the Senate Finance Committee. Almost all the committee's Democrats are calling on him to resign. Secretary Kennedy is also asked about studies on the causes of autism, and ab…

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Public Art Project in Broad Ripple, Indiana School Safety Grant Program Receives Funding, Indianapolis International Airport Had A Busy Month, Push For Redistricting In Indiana 4:59

5d ago4:59

4:59

A high-profile, public art project planned for Broad Ripple received zoning approval this week. The state of Indiana will deliver more than 27 million dollars to nearly 500 schools this year through its school safety grant program. July saw the largest number of passengers flying out of Indy ever recorded at the airport. Hundreds rallied at the Ind…

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Who Needs College Anymore: Imagining A Future Where Degrees Don’t Matter 51:42

5d ago51:42

51:42

In this optimistic yet practical assessment of how postsecondary education can evolve to meet the needs of next-generation learners, Kathleen deLaski reimagines what higher education might offer and whom it should serve. In the wake of declining enrollment and declining confidence in the value of a college degree, she urges a mindset shift regardin…

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Survivors of sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein tell their emotional stories, call for release of more Justice Dept files; Pres. Trump again calls it a 'Democrat hoax' 58:08

8d ago58:08

58:08

Survivors of sexual abuse by the late Jeffrey Epstein tell their emotional, personal stories in a news conference on Capitol Hill with Members of Congress of both parties who have been calling for the release of all the Justice Department files in the investigation of Epstein; President Donald Trump again calling that effort on the Epstein files a …

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Google’s Plan For An Data Center Has Bipartisan Opposition, Durand Jones Talks About Inspiration, Local Nonprofit’s Grant Funding Mismanaged Through Community Center 9:32

6d ago9:32

9:32

Dozens of residents protested last week after city officials advanced Google’s plan for a massive data center in Franklin Township. One of the most successful music groups to emerge from Indiana in the last decade was inspired by a course at Indiana University. At a time when youth violence prevention is top of mind in Indianapolis, work for one lo…

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President Trump says about sending National Guard to Chicago 'we're going in' and 'I didn't say when' 57:32

6d ago57:32

57:32

President Donald Trump says, "we're going in" and "I didn't say when",when asked if he plans to send the National Guard to Chicago to combat crime. Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) responds; a federal judge rules President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated federal law by using the U.S. military to help carry out law enforcement activities in…

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Washington Street Closures For Blue Line Construction, Two Recycling Drop-Off Stations Close, Old IPS School Building Being Used as Charter School, Labor Day Protest Events In Indy 4:55

7d ago4:55

4:55

Two Washington Street closures are set to start as soon as today as part of the construction of the city’s newest bus line — the Blue Line. Two recycling drop-off stations close in Indianapolis. A long-shuttered Indianapolis school building is back in use. Andrew J. Brown Academy has moved into the former Forest Manor Middle School after major reno…

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Weekend Edition: Intel Corporation, Israel - Hamas Conflict, and the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina 31:11

13d ago31:11

31:11

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a discussion with Competitive Enterprise Institute's Ryan Young, about the Trump Administration's purchase of a 10% stake in the Intel corporation. Then, Nadia Bilbassy-Charters (bill-bey-zee) of Al Arabiya News Channel and Jacob Magid (MAG-id) of the Times o…

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20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina hitting Gulf Coast; President Trump cuts $4.9 billion in foreign aid through a 'pocket rescission', bypassing a Congressional vote 54:33

13d ago54:33

54:33

On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina devastating Louisiana,Mississippi and other parts of the Gulf Coast, tributes to those lost, pride in the rebuilding and recovery, and thoughts of preparing for future storms; President Donald Trump says he will cut $4.9 billion for foreign aid through a 'pocket rescission', which will not give Congress …

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Bridge Rehab Nearly Complete, New Commission Leader Criticized, Sheriff Deputy Handcuffs Minor, Infrastructure Funding Approved, Historically Black Neighborhood Presents Improvement Plan 5:46

11d ago5:46

5:46

Residents may soon travel over a historic Indianapolis bridge again. Indiana Democrats are criticizing Governor Mike Braun’s appointment of Philip Clay as the new executive director of the state's Civil Rights Commission. An Irvington mother is demanding answers after a Marion County Sheriff’s deputy briefly handcuffed her 13-year-old daughter Sund…

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. defends firing CDC Director Susan Monarez just a few weeks after she is sworn-in 56:51

14d ago56:51

56:51

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez was removed from her position because she did not align with President Donald Trump's “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda. She is challenging the dismissal and her lawyers say she chose "protecting the public over serving a poli…

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AES Indiana Could Raise Utility Prices, Mosaic Center Aims to Build Healthcare Workforce, Rally At the Statehouse Against Redistricting, Faith Leaders Hold Prayer Vigil For Immigrants 6:58

12d ago6:58

6:58

The utility company AES Indiana — formerly IPL — wants to raise prices. They're taking comments from the public before that might happen. Community leaders gathered this week for the launch of the Mosaic Center, an initiative backed by IU Health that aims to help people join the healthcare workforce. Hundreds rallied at the Indiana Statehouse Tuesd…

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Gunman shoots through church windows in Minneapolis, killing two children, injuring others, at mass celebrating new year of Catholic school; Gov. Walz says students were met with 'evil and horror and death ... 52:17

15d ago52:17

52:17

A gunman kills two children and injures 17 other children and adults at a Catholic school in Minneapolis during a mass celebrating the first day of school before killing himself. FBI Director Kash Patel says it is being investigated as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime against Catholics; Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser says the three w…

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Indiana Sells Old GM Stamping Plant, IPS Will Transfer Two Closed Schools To Charter Operators, Crime Prevention Program Could Lose Some Funding, Rural Pride Fest Held Despite Opposition

14d ago

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The sale of a key piece of Indianapolis real estate, owned by the State of Indiana, is now official. Indianapolis Public Schools will transfer two closed school buildings after a long legal fight over the state’s so-called dollar law. A crime prevention program that advocates say is helping Indianapolis curb violence could lose a large chunk of its…

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Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to sue after President Donald Trump says he is firing her for alleged mortgage fraud 47:58

13d ago47:58

47:58

Lawyers for Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook say she will sue after President Donald Trump said he is firing her after allegation of mortgage fraud. Cook says the president does not have that power; President Trump says he wants anyone who commits a murder in Washington, DC to be given the death penalty. DC Council repealed the death penalty in 1…

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Marion Co. Group Calls For More Resources For Recently Incarcerated, Rally Against ICE Use of Camp Atterbury, IN Sec. Of Ed. Oversees State’s Universities, BUTTER Art Fair Celebrates 5th Year

14d ago

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Indiana advocates say formerly incarcerated people need mental health and rehabilitation services to help them transition back into society. Rally against using a central Indiana military base to temporarily house Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees. Indiana’s current Secretary of Education Katie Jenner will take on a new responsibility t…

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President Trump welcomes South Korean President and signs Executive Orders; Judge orders ICE to keep Kilmar Abrego Garcia in the US; Democrats start their summer meeting 32:02

17d ago32:02

32:02

President Donald Trump welcomes the South Korean President and signs executive orders on the National Guard in DC, ending cash bail and prosecuting burning the American flag; judge orders ICE to keep Kilmar Abrego Garcia in the U.S.; Democratic National Committee starts it summer meeting in Minneapolis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap…

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IndyGo Approve Rate Hike, Two Arrests At Micah Beckwith Town Hall, IU Professors Try To Save Language Program, Indiana Fever Players Push For Reproductive Rights 5:20

15d ago5:20

5:20

The IndyGo Board of Directors voted last week to approve a rate hike - the first one in sixteen years. Two people were arrested following a town hall with Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith in Newburgh, last week. Indiana University language professors are petitioning Governor Mike Braun and university leadership to save the school’s language programs. Fe…

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Weekend Edition: Russia Ukraine, Trump Admin. Immigration & Deportation Policies, and Mail-In Ballots 28:22

17d ago28:22

28:22

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a conversation with Yevheniia Kravchuk -- a Member of Ukraine's Parliament about President Zelensky's White House meeting earlier this week - and a potential peace deal to end the fighting between her country and Russia. Then, Steven Camarota of the Center fo…

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DAY 2 - Ghislaine Maxwell Tapes - July 25th, 2025 1:40:28

17d ago1:40:28

1:40:28

The Justice Department released a transcript and audio recordings of the interview that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted with Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. From July 24th, 2025 here is the complete first day of the testimony. And a warning, there might be language that some find offensive. Learn more about your ad choi…

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DAY 1 - Ghislaine Maxwell Tapes - July 24th, 2025 5:04:27

17d ago5:04:27

5:04:27

The Justice Department released a transcript and audio recordings of the interview that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted with Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. From July 24th, 2025 here is the complete first day of testimony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Stocks rally after Federal Reserve Chair Powell signals possible interest rate cut; Justice Dept releases audio & transcripts of Ghislaine Maxwell interview 52:52

20d ago52:52

52:52

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signals a possible cut in interest rates in the near future and stocks rally on Wall Street; FBI agents raid former National Security Adviser John Bolton's home in Marylandhome and office in Washington. Sources tell media outlets it is part of anational security investigation involved classified material; Just…

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FIESTA Indianapolis Canceled, Data Center Coming To Franklin Township, Sophie Cunningham Out For The Season, Pacers resign Rick Carlisle, Indy Officials Reverse Course on Encampment 7:24

18d ago7:24

7:24

The 44th annual FIESTA Indianapolis is canceled after a decision organizers say is meant to keep people safe. A massive data center campus is coming to Franklin Township in south Marion County. Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham will not be returning to the court this season. The Indiana Pacers announced that head coach Rick Carlisle has signed…

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Vice President Vance in Georgia promotes GOP tax cuts; President Trump meets with DC & federal law enforcement, and National Guard, patrolling Washington 51:49

21d ago51:49

51:49

Vice President JD Vance travels to Georgia to promote the Republican tax cuts & spending cuts bill known as the 'one big, beautiful bill', but he does not use that phrase, instead calling it the “working families tax cut” bill, while Sen. Josh Ossoff (D-GA) criticizes the law for its health care spending cuts; White House announces details of a tra…

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Local Bridge Makes List Of Endangered Landmarks, Push For Changes In How IPS Is Governed, IDOH Reminds Parents About Infant Sleep Safety, Non-Profits Counter Causes Of Youth Violence 8:21

19d ago8:21

8:21

A piece of Marion County history has landed on an annual list of the state’s most endangered landmarks. Parents and educators are pushing for major changes in how Indianapolis schools are governed. The Indiana Department of Health is reminding parents about how to put infants to sleep safely following an increase in deaths. Youth violence in Indian…

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Texas House starts long debate on new Congressional redistricting map ahead of expected easy passage by Republican majority over Democratic objections 50:18

22d ago50:18

50:18

The Congressional redistricting battle in the two most populous states moves from debate to votes. In Texas, Republicans are seeking to gain five more U.S. House seats for their party, and California, the exact opposite, with Democrats drawing a new map favoring their party in five more seats. We will hear debate from the Texas House of Representat…

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Local Initiative Honors Black History, A Vote On Franklin Township Data Center, GOP House Members Back Redistricting, East Side Intersection Overhauled, Crisis Response Unit Expansion 6:21

20d ago6:21

6:21

A local cultural initiative weaves together the stories, artwork and artifacts of Black Indianapolis’ residents to honor their history and identity. The Indianapolis Rezoning Committee is expected to vote today on a proposed data center campus in Franklin Township. Indiana’s Republican U.S. House delegation is backing President Donald Trump’s push …

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Boston Mayor Wu says she will not comply with Attorney General Bondi's demand to give up 'sanctuary city' immigration policies 46:51

20d ago46:51

46:51

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu says Boston will not comply with the ultimatum from Attorney General Pam Bondi to give up sanctuary city policies, saying,, "This has always been a city of revolution, of innovation, of standing up for the public good and never bowing down to tyranny"; California Assembly & Senate committees begin work on a new congressiona…

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IMPD Chief Response To Hate Group March, Butler Launches Own Engineering Program, West Nile Virus In Ham Co, Drug Court Celebrates Graduates, Cuts to Therapy With Medicaid Changes 5:47

21d ago5:47

5:47

Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey released a statement in response to a hate group that marched in downtown Indianapolis over the weekend. Butler University will launch its own engineering program in 2026 — ending years of relying on a partner school. A Hamilton County resident tested positive for West Nile virus. A Hamilton County drug court …

1
Pres. Trump meets with Ukrainian Pres. & European delegation at White House, is open to U.S. troops as part of Ukrainian security guarantees, is hopeful of trilateral meeting with Russian Pres. 52:56

24d ago52:56

52:56

President Donald Trump holds high level meetings with the President of Ukraine and the leaders of major European nations, and the NATO Secretary General, on how to end the war in Ukraine. President Trump not ruling out sending U.S. troops as part of security guarantees, and sounding hopeful that a trilateral meeting with himself, Russian President …

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City Backtracks On Unhoused People Camp Closure, Lost Music from Indy Group Rapture, AES Customers Can Give Feedback On Rate Hike, Policymakers Keep Elementary Literacy Top Priority 6:48

22d ago6:48

6:48

The Office of Public Health and Safety appears to be reversing course on fully closing down a camp for unhoused people in Fountain Square. Long lost music from the Indianapolis group Rapture, which thrived in the local 1970’s funk scene, is available for the first as a limited edition vinyl LP. AES Indiana customers will soon be able to give feedba…

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Matthew Goodman, "The City Game: Triumph, Scandal, and a Legendary Basketball Team" (Ballantine Books, 2019) 50:28

26d ago50:28

50:28

The 1949-50 CCNY Beavers basketball team were one of the unlikeliest of champions in sports history. CCNY was a tuition-free in Harlem, New York, intended to give working class students the best education possible. The school was comprised of minorities, many of whom were the immigrants or children of immigrants. In 1949-50, the CCNY squad, led by …

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Weekend Edition: Federal Takeover of DC Police, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and 2026 Midterm Elections 27:46

24d ago27:46

27:46

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: With this week's federal takeover of the DC police, we speak with Jillian Snider – a senior fellow at the R Street Institute and former NYPD officer - about the opportunities – and challenges – of the crackdown. Then: Axios Senior Economics Reporter Courtenay…

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President Trump holds summit with Russian President Putin in Alaska, says he is 'not here to negotiate for Ukraine' and 'won't be happy' if does not get ceasefire 44:27

27d ago44:27

44:27

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands on the tarmac at U.S. military base in Anchorage, Alaska, the start of a historic summit on how to end the war between Russia and Ukraine; District of Columbia sues the Trump Administration after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announces that an expansion of federal control of …

1
New Republican Leadership on Indy Council, Partnership Gets More Girls Into Basketball, IN And TX Dems Gather In Chicago, Concern Between Telehealth Companies And Drug Manufacturers 9:27

25d ago9:27

9:27

Republicans on the Indianapolis City-County Council have chosen new leadership. A new partnership between Eli Lilly, the Indiana Fever and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis aims to get more girls into basketball. Indiana Democrats say pressure from the Trump administration to redraw districts is “congressional shoplifting.” A recent Senate report ra…