I have had a fascination with the Electoral College.  When foreign countries that are also democracies try to figure out our system for electing a president, people in those nations scratch their heads trying to figure our how we elect our president.

if you study history, the reason the Electoral College exists is due to 2 major issues – states’ rights in the Constitutional Convention and slavery.

When the convention was held in Philadelphia to write the constitution, people related more to their state of residence and less to being a citizen of the United States.  The Electoral College preserves the rights of states and empowers smaller states, since every state has 2 senators.  The number of senators and members of the House determine the number of electoral votes given to that state.

Slavery was an issue at the convention because there was a major dispute about slaves – are they counted in determining the number of electoral votes for a state?  The convention compromised with the “three-fifths compromise” which treated each slave as three-fifths of a person, even though slaves could not vote and had few, if any, rights at that time.

Once the Civil War was over, the three-fifths compromise no longer existed and former slaves were given rights of citizenship under the Constitution.  The Black Codes and Jim Crow Laws of the south limited those rights until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed into law..

The Electoral College has come under attack in recent decades as an indirect way to elect a president and has created situations where the candidate with the most votes did not win a majority of the electoral votes.  Al Gore and Hillary Clinton are two examples in recent history of presidential candidates winning the popular vote and losing in the Electoral College,

The argument often heard for preserving the Electoral College is that the largest population centers would receive all the candidates’ attention and the rest of the country would be left out.  I always felt this was a persuasive argument.

However, I have changed my mind.  Just look at the current situation.  Both presidential campaigns are concentrating their efforts on 7 swing states.  That means 43 of our 50 states are virtually ignored by the candidates.

This is not a strategy to zero-in on the most populous states or areas. Instead, the campaigns are spending time and resources on the 7 states where the polls show the election outcome is close.

Is the Electoral College still the best way to elect a president?  That’s a questions each of us must answer to ourselves.

The Indy Fuel’s road trip hit a bump in Atlanta on Saturday night, as they fell 1-0 to the Gladiators in the first of a two-game set. The game turned into a goaltending masterclass, with Atlanta’s Drew DeRidder stealing the spotlight by earning a shutout in a tightly contested match.

1st Period
Both teams struggled to find any offensive rhythm in the opening 16 minutes, with only one penalty to break the stalemate—a slashing call against Indy’s Chris Cameron. Atlanta quickly capitalized on the power play, with Cody Sylvester scoring the game’s only goal just eight seconds into the man advantage. It was Sylvester’s first of the season, and it provided Atlanta with the lead they would not relinquish. Despite the low scoring, the period was evenly matched, with Atlanta outshooting Indy 8-7.

2nd Period
As the game wore on, tempers flared. The second period saw the physicality increase, with both teams trading blows and engaging in scrums after the whistle. However, the referees kept the penalties limited, only assessing coincidental roughing minors at 11:58. The Fuel had their chances to equalize, earning two power-play opportunities, but they couldn’t solve DeRidder, who faced a barrage of 15 shots in the period. Meanwhile, Indy goaltender Peyton Jones was less busy, only facing four shots as the Gladiators struggled to sustain pressure.

3rd Period
The final period saw more of the same: strong goaltending on both ends and an inability for either team to score at even strength. Desperate to tie the game, the Fuel pulled Jones with less than two minutes remaining for an extra attacker, but DeRidder remained a brick wall. His calm under pressure, especially against the aggressive Fuel attack, sealed the shutout victory.

Penalties continued to rack up in the third period, with both teams combining for 12 penalty minutes, matching the total from the first two periods combined. Despite outshooting Atlanta 25-20 over the course of the game, the Fuel left empty-handed, unable to break through DeRidder’s wall of defense.

The two teams will meet again in Atlanta as the Fuel look to rebound and find their scoring touch in the rematch.

It’s time for the weekly road construction update.  Here is the latest information, from the City of Fishers, for the work week beginning Monday, October 21st:

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Continue reading Road construction update for the work week starting Monday, October 21 →

(NOTE:  The Indy Fuel ECHL hockey team calls the new Fishers Event Center as its home for the 2014-2015 season.  The team will be on the road until the home opener December 6, once the Center construction is complete.  I will feature game summaries, based on information provided by the Fuel, here on this blog as the team starts its season.  The first Fuel game of the season was Friday night.  Here is the summary below.)

The Indy Fuel’s 2024-25 season got off to a rough start as they fell to the Savannah Ghost Pirates 4-1 in their season opener on the road. Savannah controlled the game from the start, holding the Fuel scoreless until the final minute of play.

1st Period: The Ghost Pirates set the tone early when Riese Gaber found the back of the net just 3:35 into the game. Savannah added to their lead in the final minute of the first period, scoring twice in just 25 seconds to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Indy struggled to generate offense against Savannah goaltender Evan Cormier, despite a few early chances. Penalties to Ty Farmer and Bryan Lemos for slashing also disrupted the Fuel’s momentum.

2nd Period: The second period saw no goals, but both teams continued to create opportunities. The Fuel outshot the Ghost Pirates 14-7 in the frame, but Cormier was a brick wall in net, turning away everything Indy threw at him. A heated moment at 10:14 brought the crowd to life when Darby Llewellyn of the Fuel and Savannah’s Liam Arnsby dropped the gloves near center ice, earning both players five-minute majors. Despite the physical play, neither team could capitalize on their chances.

3rd Period: Savannah’s Dennis Cesana extended the lead to 4-0 in the third, earning his second point of the night alongside Gaber. Indy goaltender Gaudreau, who finished with 25 saves on 29 shots, kept the game from getting further out of hand, but the Fuel offense couldn’t break through until the final moments. Rookie defenseman Adam McCormick spoiled Cormier’s shutout bid with just 33 seconds remaining, scoring his first professional goal.

Cormier finished the game with 28 saves, holding off Indy’s offensive surge in the later stages. The Fuel will now head to Atlanta for a two-game series as they look to regroup after a tough opener.

Final Score: Savannah 4, Indy 1

Patrick Alexander

Two men from Indianapolis are facing multiple charges, including auto theft and drug-related offenses, after a brief vehicle and foot pursuit in Fishers on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Fishers Police Department (FPD) officers spotted a black GMC Yukon, suspected to be stolen, and confirmed the vehicle’s status. When officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver refused to stop, leading to a brief vehicle pursuit. After a short chase, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Lee Flegal, one of the suspects, was apprehended following a brief foot chase. The second suspect, Patrick Alexander, was found hiding in a nearby dumpster and was also taken into custody without further incident.

Upon searching the stolen vehicle, police say they discovered drug paraphernalia, including syringes and glass pipes.

Patrick Alexander faces several serious charges, including:

• Auto Theft (Level 5 and Level 6 felonies)
• Conversion (Level 5 felony)
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 felony and Class A misdemeanor)
• Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 felony)
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Controlled Substances (Level 6 felony)
• Reckless Driving (Class C misdemeanor)

Lee Flegal was charged with:

• Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle (Level 6 felony)
• Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 felony)
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Class A misdemeanor)

Both men remain in custody as the investigation continues.

Fans of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are in for a treat as the band announces their latest headlining U.S. arena tour, including a performance at the new Fishers Event Center on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The tour will feature special guest The Teskey Brothers.

Tickets for the show go on sale Friday, October 25, at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.

The tour follows the release of the band’s fourth studio album, South of Here, which debuted under the iconic Stax Records label. This new album showcases a powerful evolution in Nathaniel Rateliff’s artistry, with the band embarking on its largest tour to date. The Fishers Event Center stop is offering fans in Indiana the opportunity to experience their live performance.

Known for their passionate and raw live shows, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats have continued to garner widespread acclaim. From their breakout in Denver’s D.I.Y. scene to sold-out arena performances, the band has become a must-see act. The Chicago Tribune hailed Rateliff as “one of the most powerful voices in folk music,” while Westword praised his ability to seamlessly transition between high-energy performances and deeply emotional solo work.

South of Here, produced by Brad Cook (known for work with Waxahatchee, Bon Iver, and Kevin Morby), explores themes of love, loss, and resilience. Recorded at Sonic Ranch in Texas, the album continues the band’s signature blend of soul, R&B revivalism, and vivid storytelling. It follows Rateliff’s critically acclaimed solo album And It’s Still Alright (2020) and The Night Sweats’ The Future (2021).

Since selling out Denver’s Ball Arena in December 2022 for their first-ever arena show, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are now reaching new heights, captivating audiences across the country with their performances.

With Halloween around the corner, the Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) is casting a spotlight on the real fear faced by shelter pets—being stuck in their cages for days on end without a home. In response, the organization has launched a spooktacular adoption event, “Hocus Pick-Us,” running through October 31st. As part of the special, cat and dog adoptions will cost just $31 (with some exclusions).

Lily Darling, HSHC’s Community Engagement Manager, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “It’s not just a bunch of hocus pocus, these animals need you to step up and save them,” Darling said. “If there was a spell to get these pets into loving forever homes, we would have cast it already. Please give them the chance to show you just how magical they truly are.”

In addition to discounted adoption fees, the Hocus Pick-Us special includes comprehensive care for each adopted pet, ensuring they are ready for their new homes. Every adoption comes with spay/neuter surgery, a microchip, vaccinations, deworming, a wellness exam, and a starter bag of food.

Adoption Requirements:

• Prospective adopters can fill out an adoption application ahead of time at hshcadoptions.com.
• Dog adopters are encouraged to bring their current dog(s) for a meet-and-greet.
• All household members must meet the animal before finalizing the adoption.
• Renters must bring a copy of their pet policy.
• A government-issued ID is required for all adoptions.

This Halloween, the Humane Society hopes to conjure up a wave of new pet parents, giving shelter pets a chance to escape the “haunting” experience of life behind shelter walls and into loving homes. For more information, visit the HSHC website or stop by during the adoption special.

When you are writing a local news blog all by yourself, you will miss a few things.  I missed the October 10th Hamilton Southeastern School Board candidate debate held at the Fishers City Hall.  The event was jointly sponsored by public radio station WFYI & Current Publishing.

First, kudos to those local institutions for putting this together.  I believe this was the only joint appearance by all the school board candidates.  You can watch the video at this link.

The entire debate is about an hour and a half long.  I will not comment on what the candidates had to say, you can watch the candidates yourself and reach your own conclusions.

Allow me to say a few words about the two journalists serving as moderators.  I have come to know Leila Kheiry, editor of Current in Fishers, and Rachel Fradette, education reporter for WFYI.  They are both outstanding journalists.  They know what they are doing.

It doesn’t matter how you end up doing the moderator job, you will be criticized.  There is no way you have time to ask every question that could be asked.  There will be a segment of the audience that will be unhappy you left out their issue(s).

I have been called on to moderate candidate debates a few times in my career.  The most recent was in 2014 when Fishers had its first city election.  There were 6 candidates in the Republican primary.  No one filed in the Democratic primary and it was unlikely any Democrat would choose to run.  Therefore, this Republican primary would likely elect Fishers’ first mayor.

I was asked to moderate a candidate debate sponsored by the Fishers Arts Council. I accepted.

I started researching the challenges of moderating a candidate debate at any level of government.  The best advice came from Jim Lehrer, former anchor the the PBS nightly newscast and the person that moderated the most number of presidential candidate debates in American history.

Mr. Lehrer does not paint a pretty picture of moderating a political debate.  You can do all the research you can, even with the help of staff.  You will always be attacked for not asking the question or raising the issue important to some group of voters.

I took on that challenge in 2014 and didn’t get as much criticism as expected, but Lehrer was right, this is one tough assignment, even if done as perfectly as possible.

Which brings me to the October 10th event.  After watching the video, it is my view that Leila Kheiry and Rachelle Fradette did an outstanding job of raising the most important issues before these candidates within the time frame provided in this debate.

Yes, I have read the social media criticism of what issues were not raised in this debate.  I understand.  But these two experienced journalists did the best job possible asking questions of these candidates.

It is clear there are many differences of opinion among those running for HSE School Board this time around.  Remember, all voters in the HSE District can vote in all three township races because this is an at-large round of balloting.

The school board is a very key part of local government.  I would urge all eligible voters to take time, understand the candidates’ views, and vote in this election, either on election day, early voting or absentee if you qualify under law.

I conducted podcast interviews with all 6 HSE School Board candidates, each about 30 minutes in length.  You can find links to all those podcasts at this link.

The intersection of 96th Street and Allisonville Road has been through a lot during my years living in Fishers.  The standard traffic signals were backed-up during busy traffic times.

The Town of Fishers thought they had a solution by installing what many describe as a “Michigan Left.”  Basically, it did not allow left turns, instead relying on right turns and legal u-turn lanes.  Let’s just say this was not a popular configuration for most motorists.

With private development and a city park coming along the White River north and west of this intersection, Fishers came up with the idea of converting the intersection from the Michigan Left to a large roundabout design.

That construction has limited traffic flow at 96th & Allisonville for a number of months.  The City of Fishers has announced, in a social media post, the following –  “Full access will open to this roundabout on or after Monday, October 28th.”

There is more work to be done, and some lane restrictions may be in place until all is completed, but for the most part, motorists will have access to the full roundabout “on or after October 28th.”

For the latest on this construction project from the City of Fishers, use this link.

I only rarely take time off from my local Fishers news blog.  But I did this the past few days to allow some time to visit family in South Dakota and spend time with my grandkids.  So, thank you, readers of this blog, for your patience.

Lots of news has been happening during my absence and I will start posting again soon.  But allow me this opportunity to show my appreciation to those reading this blog and listening to my podcasts.

When starting this blog in January of 2012, my goal was to gain a few hundred people reading my material.  Over the 13 years of writing, I measure my audience not in hundreds but in the tens of thousands of unique visitors to this site each year.  2024 is shaping up to be the biggest audience ever.

So, thanks for reading.  This is a volunteer activity for me.  You will see an advertising portal on my site, but I allow that as a favor to Tom Britt of Towne Post Network.  I receive no money specifically from those ads.

I have a lot of catching-up to do and will be writing over the next few days.  But, above all, thanks for reading.  You make all the volunteer work worth it to me.