Gov. Eric Holcomb wants to spend more than $5 billion in new and increased spending in Indiana's next budget on everything from education to public health and economic development initiatives.

More than 44 percent of Hoosiers find it extremely or somewhat important to live in a place where others share their political views. This could be contributing to political polarization

Republican candidates are already lining up to run for governor in 2024. And Democrats are close to their first official candidate in former state school Superintendent Jennifer McCormick.

Six months ago, Indiana lowered the threshold for when children with lead in their blood can start to receive services -- cutting it in half from 10 micrograms per deciliter to 5. That means local health departments are doing more home visits, educating more parents and informing more doctors when a child has elevated lead levels.

Key leaders in education have several legislative priorities for the upcoming session -- including a focus on mental health, making high school more relevant and pushing early literacy and early learning in schools.

Indiana lawmakers are expected to seriously debate legalizing online gambling in the 2023 session. And online lottery will likely be part of that discussion.

The report said Indiana lawmakers haven't passed any meaningful environmental justice legislation including refusing to hear a bill this past legislative session that would have created a climate and environmental justice task force.

New state science standards that require more climate education will go into full effect by next school year.

Organized labor has a big wishlist for Indiana's legislative session. With Republicans in control of the Statehouse, unions say they have to put aside some loftier goals and play "defense."

Predictions of a mild recession in 2023 create a lot of uncertainty for workers and companies. But many Indiana small business owners are optimistic. Some are even still willing to borrow money despite rising loan interest rates.