Back to: WFYI News Now

Student Tobacco Use Continues to Decline, Two-Year Freeze on College Tuition Rates, Indiana Economy Holds Steady, Some Indiana Children May No Longer Qualify for Medicaid Services

Student Tobacco Use Continues to Decline, Two-Year Freeze on College Tuition Rates, Indiana Economy Holds Steady, Some Indiana Children May No Longer Qualify for Medicaid Services

June 25, 2025

Tobacco use among middle and high school students in Indiana continues to decline. College tuition rates for Indiana’s undergraduate students will be paused for two years. One measure of the strength of Indiana’s economy held steady for a third month according to new preliminary data. Indiana is introducing new tools on July 1st to evaluate if children and infants qualify for home and community-based services through Medicaid – some children may no longer qualify because of it.

Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts.

WFYI News Now is produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Listen

Tippecanoe Judge shot at home, Trump vs. Bray, MLK sit-in, Medicaid bill, Blossom House Emergency Transitional Shelter, Hoosiers win
Listen
Tippecanoe Judge shot at home, Trump vs. Bray, MLK sit-in, Medicaid bill, Blossom House Emergency Transitional Shelter, Hoosiers win
January 20, 2026

Indianapolis News: A manhunt is underway after a Tippecanoe County judge and his wife were…...

Martindale-Brightwood Data Center Hearing, IHA Sells Properties, Baird Running for Re-Election, Kids' Social Media Ban, Homeless Criminalization, Nuclear Permits Deregulation Bill, IU Football
Listen
Martindale-Brightwood Data Center Hearing, IHA Sells Properties, Baird Running for Re-Election, Kids' Social Media Ban, Homeless Criminalization, Nuclear Permits Deregulation Bill, IU Football
January 16, 2026

Indianapolis News: A decision on the rezoning request to build a controversial data center...

Vop Osili Announces Run For Mayor, Gov. Mike Braun’s State Of The State, Marion County Jail At Capacity, State Senator JD Ford Announces Run for U.S. House, Changes To Bail Bill
Listen
Vop Osili Announces Run For Mayor, Gov. Mike Braun’s State Of The State, Marion County Jail At Capacity, State Senator JD Ford Announces Run for U.S. House, Changes To Bail Bill
January 15, 2026

Indianapolis News: Vop Osili announced today that he is running for Mayor of Indianapolis…...

Bill to Reduce Cost Of New Homes, “Let-Kids-Be-Kids” Bill, Legislation To Reshape Education In Indy, Lois Eskenazi Passes away, Parents Want 5th Graders Out Of Intermediate Schools
Listen
Bill to Reduce Cost Of New Homes, “Let-Kids-Be-Kids” Bill, Legislation To Reshape Education In Indy, Lois Eskenazi Passes away, Parents Want 5th Graders Out Of Intermediate Schools
January 14, 2026

Indianapolis News: A bill to deregulate zoning in an effort to reduce the cost of building...

U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz Files For Reelection, New Bill Filed For Psychiatric Hospital Oversight, IU Indy Cancels MLK Day Dinner, IN Lawmakers Move To Ban Rank Choice Voting
Listen
U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz Files For Reelection, New Bill Filed For Psychiatric Hospital Oversight, IU Indy Cancels MLK Day Dinner, IN Lawmakers Move To Ban Rank Choice Voting
January 13, 2026

Indianapolis News: U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz files paperwork for reelection…

Anti-ICE Protests In Indiana, Rare Earth Elements In Indiana Coal Ash, IN Named New National Drone Test Site, State Sandwich Bill Passes Out Of Committee, Respiratory Viruses On The Rise
Listen
Anti-ICE Protests In Indiana, Rare Earth Elements In Indiana Coal Ash, IN Named New National Drone Test Site, State Sandwich Bill Passes Out Of Committee, Respiratory Viruses On The Rise
January 12, 2026

Indianapolis News: Nationwide and in Indiana anti-ICE protests continued this weekend, a call… ...

Young Votes For War Powers Resolution, Hundreds Gather In Indy To Protest ICE Shooting, Bailey Named Top Aide In Hogsett Admin, Martindale-Brightwood Data Center, GOP State Legislative Priorities
Listen
Young Votes For War Powers Resolution, Hundreds Gather In Indy To Protest ICE Shooting, Bailey Named Top Aide In Hogsett Admin, Martindale-Brightwood Data Center, GOP State Legislative Priorities
January 9, 2026

Indianapolis News: Indiana’s senior U.S. Senator is one of just five Republicans to vote...

Greg Walker Reverses Decision to Retire, Swatting Bill, Firing Squad Bill, Early Child Care Funding Cut Impact, IndyGo’s Food in Transit will Be All Year, Oregon Football Player Has IN connection
Listen
Greg Walker Reverses Decision to Retire, Swatting Bill, Firing Squad Bill, Early Child Care Funding Cut Impact, IndyGo’s Food in Transit will Be All Year, Oregon Football Player Has IN connection
January 8, 2026

Indianapolis News: Republican Sen. Greg Walker is reversing his decision to retire from the…...

IN U.S. Rep Involved In Car Crash, 2025 Saw Highest Graduation Rate, IBLC Releases 2026 Priorities, Indy Officer Involved Shootings Down In 2025, CDC Cuts Number Of Recommended Vaccines For Children
Listen
IN U.S. Rep Involved In Car Crash, 2025 Saw Highest Graduation Rate, IBLC Releases 2026 Priorities, Indy Officer Involved Shootings Down In 2025, CDC Cuts Number Of Recommended Vaccines For Children
January 7, 2026

Indianapolis News: Indiana U.S. House Representative Jim Baird and his wife are in the hospital…...

First Day Of Session For Indiana Legislature, Martin University Closes, Rokita Sues Eli Lilly Over Insulin Prices, IN Will Not Participate In SUN Bucks, Colt’s Owner & CEO Talks About The Season
Listen
First Day Of Session For Indiana Legislature, Martin University Closes, Rokita Sues Eli Lilly Over Insulin Prices, IN Will Not Participate In SUN Bucks, Colt’s Owner & CEO Talks About The Season
January 6, 2026

Indianapolis News: Indiana lawmakers gathered at the statehouse today for the second part…...

Indiana’s 2026 Legislative Session, Braun And Rokita Want Ten Commandments At Statehouse, New Program Addresses Student Mental Instability, Indy City-County Council New Leadership
Listen
Indiana’s 2026 Legislative Session, Braun And Rokita Want Ten Commandments At Statehouse, New Program Addresses Student Mental Instability, Indy City-County Council New Leadership
January 5, 2026

Indianapolis News: Indiana’s 2026 legislative session is set to resume on Monday…...

IU Wins Rose Bowl, Violent Crime Down In Indy, Fletcher Place Restaurant Changing, Self-Service Kiosks More Popular at BMV, INDOT Prepares For Winter Weather
Listen
IU Wins Rose Bowl, Violent Crime Down In Indy, Fletcher Place Restaurant Changing, Self-Service Kiosks More Popular at BMV, INDOT Prepares For Winter Weather
January 2, 2026

Indianapolis News: The Indiana University football team has done the unthinkable, winning…...

Purdue Opens Library In Indy, Road Salt Runoff Can Harm Environment, IU Celebrates Historic Season, Floyd County Judge Retires
Listen
Purdue Opens Library In Indy, Road Salt Runoff Can Harm Environment, IU Celebrates Historic Season, Floyd County Judge Retires
December 30, 2025

Indianapolis News: A year and a half after splitting from IU, Purdue University is opening…...

Christmas Tree Disposal In Marion County, State Senate Candidate For IN District 31, Indiana’s Data Center Boom, Holidays Are Hard For Families Separated By Incarceration
Listen
Christmas Tree Disposal In Marion County, State Senate Candidate For IN District 31, Indiana’s Data Center Boom, Holidays Are Hard For Families Separated By Incarceration
December 29, 2025

Indianapolis News: Marion County residents can drop off Christmas trees for disposal at…...

IU Researcher Arrested, Hospitals Limit Visitors Due To Flu Season, SNAP Ban On Sugary Drinks, AI Toys, Mendoza Racehorse, Holiday Travel
Listen
IU Researcher Arrested, Hospitals Limit Visitors Due To Flu Season, SNAP Ban On Sugary Drinks, AI Toys, Mendoza Racehorse, Holiday Travel
December 23, 2025

Indianapolis News: An IU researcher from China is in jail after being charged last week with…...

Hoosiers Face Increased Foreclosure Rates, IN Youth Advocacy Group Calls For More Affordable Housing, IPS Superintendent Responds To ILEA, Winters Are Getting Warmer
Listen
Hoosiers Face Increased Foreclosure Rates, IN Youth Advocacy Group Calls For More Affordable Housing, IPS Superintendent Responds To ILEA, Winters Are Getting Warmer
December 22, 2025

Indianapolis News: A state-mandated taskforce led by Mayor Joe Hogsett voted this week to…...

Decatur Township Newest Fight Over Data Center, Former Basketball Players Sue IU, IN Group Wants Closer Look At Preemptive Laws, IN Home Energy Rebate Program, NW IN Courts Chicago Bears
Listen
Decatur Township Newest Fight Over Data Center, Former Basketball Players Sue IU, IN Group Wants Closer Look At Preemptive Laws, IN Home Energy Rebate Program, NW IN Courts Chicago Bears
December 19, 2025

Indianapolis News: Decatur Township on the southwest side of Marion County has become the…...

ILEA Recommends Major Shakeup For Indy Schools, Woman Seeks Damages From City, Communities Look For Ways To Fill Child Care Funding Gaps, IU Expands Opioid Response
Listen
ILEA Recommends Major Shakeup For Indy Schools, Woman Seeks Damages From City, Communities Look For Ways To Fill Child Care Funding Gaps, IU Expands Opioid Response
December 18, 2025

Indianapolis News: A state-mandated task force led by Mayor Joe Hogsett has recommended a…...

> View All Audio