The Statehouse File

05/28/2026

The decision on where the Chicago Bears’ new stadium will be still looms.

05/27/2026

For the fourth year in a row, a Statehouse File reporter has taken a national Society of Professional Journalists award!

Olivia O'Neal won the in-depth reporting category in SPJ's 2025 Mark of Excellence awards for her story on the Afghan refugees living in Indiana since the fall of Kabul. It was an exhaustive and empathetic look at what they're facing as their immigration status remains uncertain, and the finished product represents months of reporting.

https://www.thestatehousefile.com/politics/four-years-after-the-fall-of-kabul-afghan-evacuees-in-indiana-fear-going-back/article_4a84c6f2-2968-4b6e-bfac-7aeb8475de3b.html

This award is huge for us, the smallest school by far on a list that includes Vanderbilt, Northwestern and Harvard.

And it's huge for Olivia, even though this journalism wunderkind—she reported and wrote that story while still only a sophomore—is bound to win a million more such prizes.

Many congrats to Olivia and thanks to everyone who helps make the TSF program possible for like her.

Franklin College Franklin College Pulliam School of Journalism

https://www.spj.org/spj-announces-2025-mark-of-excellence-national-winners/

05/26/2026

Beth Crain was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease over 30 years ago. Shortly after, she became a wheelchair user, making daily tasks around the house difficult and causing her to need an in-home health aid.

Beth Crain was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease over 30 years ago. Shortly after, she became a wheelchair user, making daily tasks around the house difficult and causing her to

05/23/2026

Justin Patten is more than just a race fan who owns a business, he started painting 16 years ago, with the love for sports on his mind.

05/23/2026

“We are always here, we basically just stay here the entire month of May. Sometimes when he gets off work we come down here and stay all afternoon, we just love it here."

Born for traditions

05/23/2026

At the Indy 500 you can experience more than just racing. There are several fun events, and one of those is a live drumline there to ensure racing fans are having a good time.

At the Indy 500 you can experience more than just racing. There are several fun events, and one of those is a live drumline there to ensure racing fans are

05/23/2026

TSF journalism power couple Jonah Decker and Anna Cecil (pictured here at their last FC homecoming) graduate today, and is competition at the heart of their romantic and professional success?

For example, Jonah won the award for best senior project in the Franklin College Pulliam School of Journalism sports sequence. Then Anna Cecil won the award for best senior project in the news sequence. Jonah managed to surprise Anna with a gigantic engagement ring. Then Anna got a job in the State Affairs Statehouse bureau. ... Your move, Jonah!

In the meantime, Anna left this advice for our Shack Rolodex:

"1. Ask questions! It's OK to be dumb. I am too.

"2. Be yourself! We all know you're like 19.

"3. Have fun! My fave memories were made right here."

Ours too--because of students like Anna and Jonah. We sure hate to see them go, but we can't wait to see what they do.

Franklin College Pulliam School of Journalism

05/23/2026

Caleb Crockett appears in maybe our favorite-ever TSF photo, meeting Peyton Hendershot at our very first Super Bowl outing—but it's the look on Caleb's face, not the football star, that we love. It says, I can't believe I made it this far. I wonder how much further I can go. So, so many Shack residents have that experience, and it's the reason TSF exists.

Caleb's heading to a job at Dittoe PR, but not before leaving this advice: "Never turn down an opportunity to advance your career or gain more experience. You belong with every other journalist you rub shoulders with, and never forget the Grizzly family (current or alumni) always has your back!"

Yep, we definitely do. Franklin College Pulliam School of Journalism

05/23/2026

Off she goes! Our Hope Moring. 😭 She writes with such ease and so much personality and never knows a stranger--so many journalistic gifts! But she doesn't leave us empty handed. "My advice is to those who are afraid of the Statehouse and of politics—just do it," she said. "Come into the Shack with an open mind about this field and you'll leave with real-world experience and pieces you never thought you were capable of writing." We're positive many, many wonderful pieces lie ahead of her. Franklin College Pulliam School of Journalism

05/23/2026

Indiana conservatives are raising questions about whether the state’s current religious liberty protections go far enough as President Donald Trump’s Justice Department seeks to combat what it calls “anti-Christian bias” in government.

Indiana conservatives are raising questions about whether the state’s current religious liberty protections go far enough as President Donald Trump’s Justice Department seeks to combat what it calls “anti-Christian bias”

05/22/2026

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a place of history and traditions. This year Katherine Legge will make history by being the first woman to attempt the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600. This will be a total of 1,100 miles in one day.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a place of history and traditions. This year Katherine Legge will make history by being the first woman to attempt the Indy 500 and the NASCAR