AGP Executive Report

Indy Pride Festival: Thousands gathered at Military Park for the 2026 Indy Pride Festival and parade, with road closures and parking limits downtown and a big lineup including Todrick Hall and Crystal Waters. Severe Weather: The National Weather Service confirmed multiple tornadoes in northeast Indiana, including three EF-1 twisters in Huntington County plus additional reports near Wabash and Jay County. Travel Safety (Indiana to Tennessee): Indiana man Trevor Lines, missing after a Bonnaroo trip, was later found safe at RiverGate Skate Center in Goodlettsville. Gas Watch: AAA reports pump prices are easing for the third straight week, with the national average down to about $4.12 a gallon—good news for summer road-trippers. Indiana Business & Jobs: Newsweek’s employer rankings highlighted several Hoosier companies, including Steel Dynamics (five-star) and others like Lippert, Cummins, and Eli Lilly. Outdoor Health: Monroe County is urging tick precautions after tracking high tick counts at local parks and preserves.

Outdoor Safety: Indiana tick season is here. Monroe County reported the most human ehrlichiosis cases in the state in recent years, and local health officials say lone star ticks are especially common in parks and preserves—so check for ticks after hikes and outdoor time. Downtown Events: Indy Pride returns Saturday with a parade starting at Massachusetts Ave. & College Ave., then a festival at Military Park and White River State Park featuring major live acts plus downtown road closures and parking limits. Road Travel Alert: A deadly head-on crash on State Road 350 in Dearborn County killed a couple and sent their two children to hospitals; the crash is still under investigation. Local Travel Mystery: An Indiana man attending Bonnaroo is missing after disappearing from an East Nashville Airbnb—his phone and belongings were left behind, and his vehicle was last seen via a license plate reader. Weather & Planning: Tornado damage has been confirmed in parts of northern Indiana, including the Bristol area, with officials urging residents to document damage and report it. Family Fun: Indiana’s summer fireworks season ramps up with Lafayette’s Stars and Stripes celebration for the 250th anniversary, featuring a bigger show and food trucks.

Road-Trip Expansion: Wally’s Travel Center is coming to Indiana with its biggest location yet—opening June 30 in Whitestown (I-65, Exit 79 area), featuring truck parking, EV charging space, and food options. Rail Fun for Families: The Indiana Rail Experience says its 2026 season is its largest yet, with new excursions and a redeveloped Pleasant Lake rail campus—tickets at indianarailexperience.org. Local Construction Updates: Fort Wayne residents and visitors should plan for short-term traffic impacts as City Utilities replaces a water valve on St. Marys Avenue (starting June 15) and repairs a water main on Lima Road (lane restrictions for about two days). Zoo/Park Access: Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation also plans resurfacing work at Franke Park Drive near the Fort Wayne Zoo, with temporary traffic and parking changes beginning June 15. Community Sports: A new youth volleyball club, Midwest Premier Juniors, launches in Warsaw as a collaboration of three northern Indiana programs. Weather Watch: Indiana saw multiple tornadoes during nighttime storms, with at least four injuries reported.

Severe Weather & Travel Disruption: Tornadoes and strong storms hit the Chicago area and parts of Indiana and Illinois, knocking out power for about 380,000 customers and damaging homes and schools in places like Merrillville and Streator. Rail & Day Trips: Indiana Rail Experience is kicking off its biggest season yet with new excursions and expanded events, starting Father’s Day weekend at the Pleasant Lake depot. Local Tourism & Events: Indiana Rail Experience says it’s operating across a 100-mile route in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, with more accessible boarding at the restored depot. Gas Prices for Road Trips: AAA reports national regular gas prices falling for a third straight week, with the average down to about $4.13—good news for summer travelers. Sports Tourism: The Indiana Rail Experience and regional attractions may get a boost as major events draw visitors, while local sports headlines keep attention on the Midwest. Community Spotlight: Parkview Physicians Group added certified nurse midwives to its OB/GYN team in Bryan, supporting women’s health access for nearby travelers.

Severe Weather Disruption: Tornadoes and damaging storms hit the Chicago area and parts of Indiana, knocking out power, damaging homes, and disrupting travel with flight delays/cancellations. Indiana Travel Safety: With warnings in effect across the region, travelers heading in and out of the Midwest should expect road closures and power-related delays. Gas Watch: The national average for regular gas fell for a third straight week to about $4.12, easing summer road-trip costs a bit. Indiana Community & Courts: Indiana’s “Appeals on Wheels” brought the Indiana Court of Appeals to Allen County, giving residents a firsthand look at how appellate court proceedings work. Hoosier Events: Indiana FFA’s 97th State Convention is moving to Noblesville’s new Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile (June 15–18), a big draw for families planning trips. Outdoor Travel: The North Country National Scenic Trail got a boost in Wisconsin with new land that helps move parts of the route off roads and onto protected trail. Travel Heads-Up: TSA stopped a replica anti-tank mine found in a carry-on at Dayton International Airport—another reminder to double-check what’s allowed before you pack.

Underground Railroad in Westfield: The City of Westfield has selected Indiana artist Aaron S. Coleman for an Underground Railroad public art installation, “Hold the Stars,” planned for The Grand on Main at SR 32 and Poplar Blvd in 2027. Trail expansion in Owen County: MYPath added about 2,000 feet of new riverfront property along the White River, improving a hiking trail and bringing the route within 1.5 miles of McCormick’s Creek State Park’s gatehouse. Tourism funding in DeKalb County: DeKalb County Council voted 6-1 to raise the county innkeeper’s tax from 5% to 8%, with proceeds going to the visitors bureau. Family fun weekend planning: Evansville-area yard sales and events guides are out for June 12–13, with multiple community listings to help you map a low-cost weekend. Outdoor summer health: Indiana experts share tips for avoiding summer germs while hiking and spending time outdoors. Nature night sky: A strong northern lights chance is forecast for June 13–14, with visibility possible across up to 25 states. Roadside travel note: Applegreen plans to invest about €6M in Ireland to open new Popeyes locations at roadside sites, adding jobs and more food stops for travelers.

Roadside & Community: Camping World in Petersburg hosted a community block party with free food and drinks, giveaways, games, and music, and says it’s adding 34 new brands to its Indiana lot. Safe Disposal for Travelers & Locals: Indiana State Chemist’s Clean Sweep Pesticide Disposal Day offers free drop-off for unwanted pesticides (up to 300 pounds) so homeowners and farms don’t have to haul hazardous materials long distances. Family-Friendly Indiana Events: Lyles Station Juneteenth Celebration is Saturday, June 13 (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) at the Lyles Station School and Museum, with speakers, reenactors, live music, concessions, and a preview of Indiana’s America 250 traveling lantern. Education & Youth: Cloverdale Community School Corporation approved the NeuroBalance Project for Cloverdale Elementary this summer, aiming to improve student behavior and learning readiness through brain and nervous system development. Travel Disruption Watch: A derecho slammed the Midwest, knocking out power for hundreds of thousands, including major outages in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Indiana Tourism Pick: Chesterton is highlighted as a walkable Indiana beach town with quick access to Indiana Dunes.

Severe Weather Watch: A major storm system is targeting the Midwest with a Level 3 risk for large hail, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes, including areas around Indianapolis and Fort Wayne—plan for travel delays and keep an eye on forecasts. Indy Tourism & Racing: INDYCAR is back at Road America June 18-21, with the XPEL Grand Prix Sunday June 21 (1 p.m. CT) and support races like INDY NXT, USF2000, and Vintage Indy throughout the weekend. Local Culture on the Road: Spirit of Atlanta’s 50th anniversary drum corps is in Jacksonville for spring training before heading out on tour, with rehearsals happening on campus and performances across multiple states. Indiana Workforce Boost: Meta is launching its $115M America’s Workforce Academy with Indianapolis named as one of four pilot cities, offering free training, lodging, stipends, and job placement support for skilled trades tied to data center construction. Opportunity Zone Update (Bloomington): Bloomington is preparing to recommend eligible areas for the federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 program, with new rules affecting which census tracts can qualify starting Jan. 1, 2027. Road Trip Fuel Reality Check: GasBuddy reports show Indiana-area drivers are still seeing volatile prices as refinery outages and global oil tensions ripple into summer travel costs.

Road & Travel Updates: INDOT plans intermittent lane closures on U.S. 52/231 and Sagamore Parkway in West Lafayette for traffic camera installation, with work starting on/after June 15 and continuing into August. Animal Health & Travel Safety: Indiana has new movement restrictions for animals entering the state to help prevent New World screwworm, requiring certificates and veterinary inspections for animals from affected zones. Local Honors: Lowell recognized citizens John Shuppe and Thomas Suroweic for valor during an April armed assault, and promoted two officers at the June 8 town council meeting. Nature & Wildlife: The Chicago Architecture Center debuts “Living Habitat” and “Flyway City,” spotlighting ecosystems tied to northwestern Indiana and bird-friendly building design. Public Health: IU researchers say hydroxyurea has strong support as standard care for children with sickle cell anemia, based on a long-running study in sub-Saharan Africa. Indiana News to Watch: A Lowell woman died in a four-car crash on SR 10 near DeMotte on June 8. Travel-Adjacent Tragedy: An Indiana mother reported missing in Mexico has been found dead, while her seven children were reported safe.

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.