RED, WHITE & YOU #6 (May 4, 2026)

Everybody tells me they've heard all they want to hear — and then some about the race for the 38th District Republican race for the Indiana Senate. If we just had the out-of-state money that was spent on commercials disparaging SENATOR GREG GOODE, we could have bought gasoline for everybody in the 38th District for the rest of the year!

There is some really big news out of Indy this week. BLAKE SHELTON announced his plans to build an 'OLE RED' — Live Country Music , Restaurant & Bar in downtown Indy. Shelton's 'glam-meets-grit honky tonk will feature live acoustic performances, DJ sets, full-menu dining, drinks, and even Blake Shelton-led live music from time to time.

The venue will be in the vicinity of the Indy sports venues and is expected to open in early 2027. Better head on down to Boot City and git to refreshin' your western wear closet.

Speaking of Indy, I-70 is just getting worse by the day. A few days back just before noon, as a work assignment, CHRISTOPHER ELLIS was driving on I-70 when a semi-truck passed him. As I heard the story, he hit a pothole in the highway and a tire on his vehicle blew out. That caused his vehicle to careen into the semi and the grille of his vehicle got entangled in the semi. He and a passenger in his vehicle were injured and taken to the hospital. Thankfully, neither Christopher nor his passenger required hospitalization — but they were injured.

This incident points out once again, the dire condition of I-70. More frequently, accidents occur on I-70 — particularly between Terre Haute and Indianapolis -- and it is a clarion call to state leaders to address this problem pronto.

Former Terre Haute Mayor JUDY ANDERSON has been hospitalized for a spell fighting a kidney stone and is expected to be home right away. She is a real trooper and a lovely lady, and we're sending her lots of hugs!

If you haven't seen it yet, take a spin up to 19th & Locust and get a look at the totally awesome HERZ-ROSE PARK!

MAYOR SAKBUN pulled another miracle and got the INDIANA PACERS to ante up some grant moolah to help pay for an absolute fantasyland for the kids and their families in a neighborhood that's long overdue for a great place to be — and believe your eyes — this is it!!!!!

KING CHARLES & QUEEN CAMILLA of England were a classy pair at the White House last week. The King was gracious in reminding the Prez that England — and the NATO nations did indeed step up to aid The United States of America after 9-11.

And thanks, King, we really won't forget it! Sometimes the Prez just gets carried away.

We are looking forward to the new downtown RAIL & RYE restaurant just west of 7th & Wabash. Downtown is where things are happening. We'll be checking it out.

We bumped into TRAVIS NORRIS, who's doing a fantastic job. He totally loves the job and sends more time doing the job than anybody can believe. DR. DELE ADEAGBO, the Union-Regional forensic pathologist who does the county's autopsies, says he believes Travis should have been a medical doctor. He says he may have never seen anyone who has shown an affinity for the profession so quickly as Travis.

We encountered a local higher-education mathematician the other evening who pointed out in conversation the $600-BILLION the administration is requesting for the military budget amounts to $4,000 in taxes ANNUALLY for every American family. Don't know about you, but a heavy lift for this chickadee.

And your vote will affect your life and the lives of those you love. Make sure you are informed when you make your mark. And thank the Man upstairs we still live in the land where we all can make our voice heard.