AGP Executive Report

Housing & Megaprojects Stalls: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s spring wins hit limits as key BUILD and megaproject bills stalled, with knock-on effects for the Bears’ stadium path that could send development pressure toward Indiana’s Hammond area. Voting Rights & Travel Impacts: Indiana rejected or canceled voter registrations for more than half of challenged immigrant Hoosiers under the state’s proof-of-citizenship law, a reminder that policy shifts can ripple into everyday planning. Fair Season: The 170th Gibson County Fair returns July 6–12 in Princeton with motocross, rodeo, tractor pulls, demolition derby, and daily gate deals. Homelessness Rules Change: Monroe County rescinded its 30-day notice for removing encampments after a new state law made the notice “irrelevant,” effective July 1. Skilled-Trades Training: Meta and ABC launched a $115M workforce academy to train data center construction workers, starting in Indiana. Fuel Watch (Indiana): GasBuddy reports show diesel and premium prices varying by county in the week ending May 30, with Monroe County diesel lowest at $5.69/gal and Hancock County premium lowest at $4.44/gal.

Indiana Travel & Tourism: Fort Wayne Zoo is planning a July 4 opening for a new bald eagle exhibit, with an adult and juvenile eagle housed in a renovated aviary—great timing for families looking for a patriotic outing. Workforce & Local Economy: Meta announced a new America’s Workforce Academy pilot in Indianapolis, offering paid training for AI infrastructure construction jobs, with tuition and lodging covered—an unusual but potentially travel-relevant boost for the local labor pipeline. Summer Family Fun: McDonald’s “Happy McReaders” is back for 2026, letting kids earn a free Happy Meal by reading 10 books through participating Indiana-area libraries. Road Trip Costs: GasBuddy reports show fuel prices are still sensitive heading into summer travel, with Midwest refinery outages cited as a factor behind higher prices. Safety Watch: A Versailles-area crash report notes a fatal motorcycle collision at S High St and US 50 on June 5, a reminder to slow down near intersections during busy travel weeks.

Hotel Development: Madison City Council approved tax abatements for an 82-room Hampton Inn, with city support tied to water infrastructure improvements and new jobs. College Racing: Oakland University’s Electric Racing Association debuted at Purdue’s evGrandPrix, bringing home three trophies after a strong finish in the collegiate electric kart endurance event. Local Attractions: Skylake Adventures’ Indiana water park is opening in Sheridan, and Baker City’s splash pad is set to reopen June 10 with reduced hours due to limited water supply. Indiana Outdoors: The U.S. Interior Department designated new National Recreation Trails, including Indiana’s Monon South trail, adding more hiking and paddling options for summer. Fuel Watch (Indiana): GasBuddy reports show premium gas hit a low of $4.76 in Dearborn County for the week ending May 30.

Local Events: The Lake City Skiers brought a patriotic “America’s 250th Celebration on Water” show to Hidden Lake in Warsaw on June 7, with an hour-long performance featuring extreme jumps, barefoot and swivel skiing, an all-girl ballet line, doubles routines, and human pyramids—free for spectators with parking and concessions, and tied to Kosciusko County Freedom Fest. STEM & Youth Travel: An Indiana eighth grader from Huntington County will head to New York City (June 22–25) to compete in the NBA Math Hoops Global Championship, representing Indiana’s Pacers and Fever through the Pacers Foundation’s STEM-and-sport program. Gas Prices for Road Trips: Fuel costs are still a factor for summer travel, with national averages rising and refinery outages affecting the Midwest; GasBuddy reports also show spotty low-price deals in nearby regions, including E85 and diesel listings that can help drivers plan cheaper stops.

Indiana Travel Infrastructure: A long-awaited trail link is moving forward as crews broke ground on the Marquette Greenway Trail, a roughly two-mile section in the Indiana Dunes National Park area, with the ceremony held at the Little Calumet River trailhead. Gas Prices & Road-Trip Costs: Fuel prices remain a big travel factor, with GasBuddy reporting the lowest premium gas deals in the week ending May 30—like $4.25/gal in Okmulgee County and $4.47/gal in Jackson County—plus regular gas lows such as $3.76/gal in Hopkins County, while national averages keep reacting to spring supply tightness and refinery outages affecting the Midwest ahead of summer travel.

Road Work Update: INDOT says construction on a reduced conflict intersection at U.S. 31 and State Road 10 starts June 9, with north/southbound lane and median closures and detours for State Road 10 traffic through July. Veterans & Community: Kosciusko County’s Freedom Fest held a Veterans Ceremony at the fairgrounds, featuring Vietnam-era veteran Larry Burkhart and remarks from AG Todd Rokita. Safety on Indiana Roads: A teen died in an Adams County crash involving a horse-drawn buggy and a semi truck; the investigation is ongoing. Scholarships: Marysville Our Lady of Lourdes Church awarded $1,500 scholarships to two students, including plans for Bowling Green State University and Ball State. Travel Access from Indiana: Southwest launched nonstop Indianapolis–San Juan on June 6 and is adding more Puerto Rico routes, boosting Midwest-to-island travel for beaches and rainforest trips. Weekend Weather Watch: Central Indiana faces a stormy weekend, with Ben Davis graduation postponed to June 7 due to lightning risk. Local Events for Visitors: Star Wars Day returned to Joliet, drawing Indiana fans for parades, lightsaber lessons, and cosplay.

New Indiana Water Park Opens: Skylake Adventures Indiana water park has officially opened in Sheridan, giving families a new summer splash destination. Gas Prices & Travel Costs: GasBuddy’s weekly reports show premium prices in Kentucky and nearby areas hovering in the mid-$4 range, with national regular gas averaging above $4 in early April as refinery outages and Middle East tensions tighten supply ahead of summer road trips. Mystery “Hum” Update: The global “Hum” phenomenon—reported in places including Kokomo, Indiana—may finally be getting closer to an explanation, after decades of people hearing a low, persistent sound with no clear source. Local Community Spotlight: Jacksonville Rotary Club’s spring scholarship season highlighted student awards and community renewal through graduation-time celebrations. Safety Watch: A driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI after a man was hit by a car in Indiana County.

Bears Stadium Push (Hammond): The Chicago Bears voted to advance their stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, after Illinois incentives stalled, with an exact site still to be picked near Wolf Lake; the team says it could connect Northwest Indiana to Chicago and spur regional growth. Transit for Game Days: The South Shore Line says it’s encouraged by the Hammond talks and is ready to explore service options to help fans travel to and from big events. Road-Trip Planning (I-65): INDOT plans overnight single-lane closures on I-65 in Clinton and Tippecanoe counties (8 p.m.–10 a.m.) through September for pavement repairs and resurfacing. Rail Tourism (Big Boy 4014): Union Pacific’s Big Boy 4014 will stop in Continental, Ohio on Saturday as part of a coast-to-coast 250th anniversary tour, with safety rules urging spectators to stay 25 feet from tracks. Summer Outdoors (Northeast Indiana): A roundup highlights local summer recreation events like a Freedom Fest 5K, kids fishing derby, and free fishing weekend at Fox Island County Park. Privacy & Travel Tech: Indiana lawmakers propose guardrails limiting sharing of license plate camera data amid growing scrutiny of automated plate readers.

Indiana Travel Watch: Indiana’s summer road-trip planning gets a boost from a new “Source Guatemala” sponsored sourcing trip that includes factory tours at Indiana Knitwear and other Indiana-linked textile stops, plus hotel nights and a travel stipend for approved brand/retailer leaders (Aug. 19–20). Local Outdoors & Community Impact: Caltech Engineers Without Borders students helped install a replacement water supply system in Tandacato, Ecuador—building a protected catchment and replacing 2.5 km of pipeline after landslides buried a key water catchment, with clean drinking water expected to flow within weeks. Travel Costs Check: Fuel prices remain a big variable for travelers; AAA and Reuters point to spring 2026 price pressure tied to Middle East shipping tensions and refinery outages, including impacts from Illinois and Indiana capacity reductions. Indiana Sports Note: The Indiana Fever’s offseason chatter continues as the team weighs major decisions involving Caitlin Clark, keeping local sports fans tuned ahead of summer.

Big Boy Steam Locomotive: Union Pacific’s massive Big Boy No. 4014 is rolling through Indiana this weekend as part of the America’s 250th anniversary coast-to-coast tour, with a Fort Wayne-area pass and public viewing guidance for safe trackside spots. Independence Day Planning: Fort Wayne moved its July 4 fireworks launch to the Harrison Square parking garage near Parkview Field after peregrine falcon nesting concerns, with fireworks set for 10 p.m. New Adventure Park in Indiana: Skylake Adventures opened in Sheridan, turning a former cornfield into a tropical-themed adventure park with skydivers, inflatables, and big summer crowds. Summer Travel Safety & Blood Supply: Indiana is seeing a critical blood shortage heading into the “hundred dangerous days,” as more travel means more crashes and higher demand for trauma blood types. Local Crime Update: A Crystal Lake teen skateboarder faces serious charges after an alleged attack at the downtown train station that left a victim with a fractured skull and brain bleed. Family Vacation Spotlight: Westfield, Indiana friends Randy and Esther Fishman say Aruba’s weather and their long-running twice-a-year trips finally brought the whole family together.

Road Construction & Travel Disruptions: INDOT says alternating lane closures are coming to U.S. 30 in Columbia City for bridge work over the Blue River, with a reduced 45 mph speed limit between S.R. 9 and S.R. 205; the project is expected to last about two weeks, weather permitting. Indy 500 Buzz: F1 champ Lando Norris weighed in on whether he’d ever try the Indianapolis 500, noting it’s “a little bit crazy” to do it as a one-off compared with a full-season series. Gas Prices Watch: A Powerball winner in Terre Haute has until June 22 to claim a $50,000 ticket bought at Love’s Travel Shop; for road trips, fuel prices remain a moving target as refinery outages and global oil tensions continue to affect Midwest supply. Weekend Planning: Yard sale and events listings for 6/5–6/6 highlight the tri-state’s bargain-hunting scene, including the Big E Flea Market in Evansville (June 5–7).

Summer Fitness on the Move: Indy-area organizers are pushing easy ways to get active this June, from free bike tours along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail to walking the Monon and canal loops and hitting big parks like Eagle Creek. Local Tourism & Culture: Conner Prairie is opening a new traveling exhibit, “FOOD: Science, Culture, and Cuisine,” June 13, bringing an immersive, global look at how food connects art, health, and technology. Road-Trip Safety Watch: A semi crash into a Fort Wayne laundromat injured five patrons and the driver; investigators say the cause is still unknown. Family Travel Fundraiser: A Fort Wayne-area girls flag football team earned a nationals spot in Naples, Florida, and is asking for donations to cover travel, hotels, and tournament costs. Indiana Sports Spotlight: The Indiana Fever kick off the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse June 4, aiming to repeat as in-season champions. Nature News: Continental Divide Park and the Indiana Dinosaur Museum announced the birth of two bison calves, with a possible third arriving soon.

Northern Lights Alert: NOAA is forecasting possible G1 to G4 geomagnetic storms June 4-5, with auroras potentially visible across up to 23 states—good timing for Hoosiers planning a pre-dawn sky stop. Indiana Nature & Wildlife: Continental Divide Park and the Indiana Dinosaur Museum in South Bend are celebrating the birth of two bison calves, with a possible third arriving soon—an easy reason to get out on local trails. Drive-In Summer Plans: Indiana still has nearly 20 drive-in theaters, with tips on showtimes, snack rules, and how to listen to the movie—perfect for family road-trip nights. Road & Travel Updates: INDOT is scheduling overnight lane closures on State Road 46 in Columbus starting June 7 (spot paving, up to three nights). Big Boy Train: Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 is stopping in Argos June 5 at 2:30 p.m., with a Fort Wayne pass expected after. Safety on the Road: Multiple crashes on I-74 in Decatur County injured at least three people, including a camper-trailer rollover. Local Welcome Center Upgrade: Midwest Terrazzo’s work on the Kankakee Welcome Center earned a 2026 NTMA Honor Award—another Indiana stop worth adding to a travel route.

Big Boy steam locomotive tour: Union Pacific’s world-famous Big Boy No. 4014 is rolling through Indiana as part of America’s 250th anniversary coast-to-coast run, with a Fort Wayne stop this week plus Indiana whistle-stops at Argos (South Michigan Street crossing) Friday, and Knox (10 S. Heaton St.) July 16. Local travel planning: INDOT says new eastbound I-465 lanes from the White River to Fall Creek open this weekend, with ramp and lane closures around the I-69/I-465 interchange. Family-friendly summer fun: Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s Grasshopper food truck launches its summer season Tuesday at 3800 N. Anthony Blvd, and Howdy Homemade Ice Cream in downtown Indy hosts a June 6 community event with new flavors. Scam warning for travelers: Indiana officials and consumer experts flag a rise in travel-related fraud, including AI-made offers and fake flight “pending” texts. Nature + outdoors: Skylake Adventures opens June 4 in Sheridan, about 15 minutes north of Indy, built around a six-acre lake. Wildlife watch: Kentucky utilities and wildlife officials band three peregrine falcon chicks, with some birds tracked as far as Indiana.

Road & Traffic Alerts: INDOT is rolling out major Indiana detours and closures, including I-70 eastbound lane/ramp shutdowns in downtown Indianapolis (June 5-8), weeklong left-turn and through-movement restrictions at Burkhardt Road and Lloyd Expressway in Evansville (starting June 15), and State Road 62 closure in Warrick County near Degonia Springs (on/around June 8 through July). Local Travel Safety: Another INDOT closure hits State Road 66 in Spencer County (on/around June 8 for about a week). Outdoor Recreation: Otterbein celebrated completion of the Dirk Studebaker Trail, a 0.9-mile multi-use path built with a DNR grant. Camping Ideas for Hoosiers: A new guide rounds up summer campgrounds within a few hours of Indianapolis, with tips on site types and rules before you book. Indiana Nature Career Spotlight: An IU Southeast alumnus is now property manager at Mounds State Park, showing how geoscience can lead to a state parks career. Community Events: White County libraries and community groups list upcoming June events, from storytimes to concerts and ceremonies.

America250 Travel Spotlight: Four University of Evansville Silver Aces were selected to perform in Washington, D.C.’s National Independence Day Parade as part of America’s 250th celebration, with travel set for July 2–5. Indiana Outdoors & Walking: Otterbein completed the nearly mile-long Dirk Studebaker Trail, adding a safer pedestrian route with a new bridge and connections near U.S. 52. Hoosier Adventure Ideas: Worthington’s Evolution Glassworks is offering glassblowing workshops that blend hands-on art with a science-and-precision approach—plus the owner’s own love of biking, scuba, and camping. Local Travel Economy: A new Indiana University study puts the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s annual economic contribution at $1.058 billion statewide, with a net impact of $972 million. Family Fun (Nearby): If you’re planning a trip, Wisconsin Dells resorts are leaning into group experiences that mix meetings with waterparks, spas, and other on-site fun.