AGP Executive Report

Airport Anxiety Marketing: A new “Did you leave your oven on? Sorry, have a nice trip!” ad at South Bend International Airport is going viral for turning pre-flight jitters into a punchline. Indiana Statehouse Display: Indiana is moving official gubernatorial portraits into public Statehouse hallways, adding 50 paintings (plus T.C. Steele works) so visitors can see more former leaders without hunting them down. Transit Watch: A new study ranks Indianapolis among the worst U.S. cities for public transportation, with commuters citing reliability and safety concerns around IndyGo. Holiday Shipping Costs: USPS will raise some package prices starting Oct. 4 through mid-January, with heavier, longer-distance Priority Mail Express shipments seeing the biggest jumps. Road & Bike Safety: A resurfacing project on SR 776 in Englewood includes raised bike-lane separators, but drivers report curb hits and flat tires. Indiana Football: Indiana dropped to No. 6 in the AP Top 25 after a 29-23 win over Northwestern, with a key road test at Rutgers next. Local Travel Notes: Road construction on SR-23 is slowing travel between North Liberty and South Bend.

WNBA Playoffs (Indiana): The Indiana Fever were crushed 102-85 by the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1, with Caitlin Clark facing a hostile crowd that even booed her. Now Indiana must win Game 2 to avoid a deciding Game 3 back in Vegas. Outdoor Travel Tips: The U.S. Forest Service shared guidance for hiking and camping without restroom access, including getting at least 200 feet from water and trails, digging a small hole, and packing out toilet paper and wipes. Gas Prices (Indiana drivers): GasBuddy’s week ending Sept. 19 data shows regular gas as low as $3.39 in Hamilton County and $3.29 in Johnson County, while E85 hit $2.49 in Elkhart County. Diesel deals included $5.82 in Johnson County and $5.79 in nearby counties, with prices varying widely by fuel type and location. Local Hospitality (nearby): A new dual-branded AC Hotel/Residence Inn opened in Lenexa City Center, adding 261 rooms for longer-stay and business travelers.

Indiana Travel & Tourism: Indiana’s “Voices and Votes” traveling Smithsonian exhibit is drawing crowds in Upland, with the voting-history display open through Oct. 4 (weekdays 4-8 p.m., weekends noon-5). Roads & Getting Around: INDOT is continuing major work on U.S. 30, including a new diverging diamond interchange at Flaugh Road; construction runs through winter with lane closures and delays expected, and O’Day Road work is set to begin next week. Outdoor & Nature: A new report says the herbicide atrazine is contaminating nearly 25% of continental U.S. rivers at levels that can harm wildlife and may threaten human health—an issue for anyone planning water-based trips. Sports Travel Buzz: The NFL’s International Series returns to London with Colts-Commanders on Oct. 4, plus Jaguars-Eagles at Tottenham and Texans-Jaguars at Wembley—another reminder that Indiana fans may be traveling for games. Community Events: Pike County was added to Indiana’s FEMA disaster declaration for last month’s storms, making residents eligible for help with temporary lodging, repairs, and other costs.

Gas Prices Watch: Indiana drivers saw E85 prices average about $2.87 per gallon in the week ending Sept. 19, with Vanderburgh County hitting a low of $2.59; regular gas lows included Sullivan County at $3.49 and Madison County at $4.14, while diesel lows included Harrison County at $6.29 and Lyon County at $5.99. Colts on the Road to Recovery: Spencer Shrader kicked four field goals, including a 53-yarder with 16 seconds left, as the Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans 19-17 at Lucas Oil Stadium, snapping a nine-game winless skid. Weekend Indiana Plans: Greater Lafayette’s “13 things to do” list highlights local events, including Star City Nights with free music and indie performances in downtown Lafayette and family-friendly fall activities like apple orchard events at Prophetstown. Community & Wellness: Franciscan Health and Cedar Lake Parks are teaming up for a Monday morning Wellness Walking Club running Oct. 12 through Nov. 16.

NFL Sunday in Indiana: The Houston Texans visit the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 27 (1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+), with Indy 0-2 and leaning on Jonathan Taylor’s early production while Houston’s defense has held up better against the run. College football in the Hoosier spotlight: Notre Dame rolled past Purdue 49-10 as CJ Carr threw three TDs and ran for another, keeping the Irish rolling into October undefeated. Hoosier sports travel vibe: The Circle City Classic Parade returns downtown Indianapolis (Sept. 26), celebrating Black culture and HBCU legacy with bands, dancers, and community groups. Local rail history: Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society held an open house in New Haven to relocate steam locomotive No. 3001, with plans to restore it for future operation. Outdoor/road-trip angle: US Route 50 turns 100 next month, a classic cross-country drive from the East Coast to the West.

College Sports & Travel Buzz: No. 3 Notre Dame rolled past Purdue 49-10 in West Lafayette, with CJ Carr throwing three TDs and running for another as the Irish extended their win streak to 14. Local Sports Spotlight: Indiana women’s soccer heads to Northwestern on a three-game slide, hoping to fix scoring and defense issues ahead of Big Ten play. Historic Indiana Stop: A Quaker meeting house in southern Madison County uncovered a hidden Underground Railroad stop—an 1857 site now preparing for restoration after an architect found concealed crawl spaces. Community & Culture: Indianapolis’ 42nd annual Circle City Classic Parade filled downtown with music, dancing, and Black college pride, with planning already underway for 2027. Railroad Tourism: The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society celebrated the arrival of historic steam locomotive No. 3001 in New Haven, with an open house and next-phase restoration plans. NIL Watch: A new look at how NIL is reshaping college sports—changing recruiting, competition, and the fan experience.

Indiana Travel & Tourism: Downtown Indianapolis events: Downtown Indy Inc. says tens of thousands are expected this weekend, with Zoo Boo at the Indianapolis Zoo, an international violin competition at Hilbert Circle Theatre, Colts and Indy Eleven games, WWE, and Swing at Victory Field. Outdoor wildlife: Sodalis Nature Preserve bat viewing: Hannibal’s Sodalis Nature Preserve hosts a Night Hike and Bat Walk Saturday (6–8 p.m.) for a rare look at endangered Indiana bats returning to hibernate in an abandoned limestone mine. Road safety for travelers: Harvest-season driving tips: Indiana agencies warn motorists to slow down and stay alert for farm equipment on roads as harvest ramps up, citing past crashes involving tractors and other vehicles. Music stop in Southern Indiana: Aaron Lewis at Castle Knoll: Country star Aaron Lewis headlines a July 10 show at Castle Knoll Amphitheater in Paoli with The Stateliners. Regional fishing idea: Pere Marquette steelhead trip: A Great Lakes travel guide highlights Michigan’s Pere Marquette River as a top steelhead destination for late-fall anglers. Local culture: Circle City Classic returns: Indianapolis’ 42nd annual Circle City Classic brings a Saturday parade and HBCU Battle of the Bands plus high school showcases at Lucas Oil Stadium. Business/logistics note: Maersk expands PUMA distribution: Maersk now manages PUMA’s North American distribution across three automated warehouses, including a Whitestown (Indianapolis area) facility.

Buc-ee’s Expansion: Greenwood is set to get Indiana’s first Buc-ee’s travel center after the Common Council approved plans for an I-65/Worthsville Road site, a roughly $85 million project with 120 pumps and a 74,000-square-foot store. Nature & Wildlife: Hannibal’s Sodalis Nature Preserve is hosting a Night Hike and Bat Walk this weekend, offering a rare look at hundreds of thousands of endangered Indiana bats returning to hibernate in an abandoned limestone mine. Local Tourism Economy: Fort Wayne residents and leaders are leaning on remote-worker incentives (via MakeMyMove and Indiana’s READI/Regional Cities efforts) to attract newcomers and boost spending. Travel Disruption Watch: Wakarusa Street closure fallout continues, with business owners saying they’re getting no answers and no accountability. Indiana Outdoors & Family Fun: Triton School’s “Gives Back” event sent about 1,000 volunteers across four counties, including park cleanups and food pantry work. Disaster Recovery: FEMA has added Grant County to Public Assistance eligibility for August storm recovery, with Individual Assistance applications open in nearby counties.

WNBA Playoff Picture: The Indiana Fever’s regular-season finale ended in an 86-66 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, dropping Indiana to the No. 6 seed and setting a first-round road matchup with the No. 3 Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. Road Travel Update: INDOT says a daytime flagging operation on U.S. 136 over Sugar Creek will begin on or after Oct. 1 for waterproofing work, expected to run into April 2027. Local Safety: An 18-year-old from Gallatin County, Illinois, died after a pickup collided with a semi on Illinois Route 141 near County Road 6; the highway reopened around 1 a.m. Big Travel Disruption: Severe winter storms led to 5,700 U.S. flight cancellations, with Amtrak also canceling dozens of trains over the holiday period. Indiana Pet Reunion: A Hendricks County shelter reunited a dog named Chong with his Nebraska owner after five years apart. Road-Trip Stops: Buc-ee’s announced six new locations planned for 2027, expanding the chain’s massive travel-center footprint. Indiana Gas Prices: GasBuddy reports Steuben County’s lowest regular price at $3.49/gal for the week ending Sept. 19.

Indiana Travel Watch: With fall trips ramping up, GasBuddy’s latest fuel-price reports show how quickly costs can swing for drivers heading in and out of Indiana—Clark County regular hit a low of $3.34/gal (week ending Sept. 19), while diesel lows included $6.14/gal in Wayne County and $6.48/gal statewide average for diesel. Local Tourism & Elections: Northeast Indiana’s casino debate is getting more public-facing: Steuben County is planning a public Q&A Oct. 8 on the Nov. 3 referendum that would allow inland casino gambling in Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties. Big Picture Fuel Context: Multiple reports tie higher regional prices to refinery outages and global oil disruptions earlier in 2026, with Midwest supply pressures still affecting what travelers pay at the pump.

Indiana Outdoor Plans: The Indiana DNR is hosting state forest open houses Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 1, with guided hikes at 5 p.m. at each location and time to ask foresters questions (Clark, Greene-Sullivan, Harrison-Crawford, Martin, plus Jackson-Washington and Selmier). Tourism Spotlight: French Lick Resort CEO Chuck Franz will receive the Historic Hotels of America 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award for historic preservation and resort leadership. Local Travel & Events: The Circle City Classic Parade is set for Sept. 26 (10 a.m.), with Central Library temporarily affected by the route; Buc-ee’s is also moving forward in Greenwood after council approval. Family History Travel: Ellis Island’s immigration museum highlights how visitors can trace passenger records today, with ferry access from Battery Park or Liberty State Park. Wildlife Watch: More than 250,000 endangered Indiana bats are returning to Hannibal’s Sodalis Nature Preserve. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest E15 price in Crawford County at $3.84/gal for the week ending Sept. 12.

Tourism & Events: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun highlighted Kokomo’s new $32.8 million Kokomo Conference Center and adjoining Hilton Garden Inn, funded through READI, as a fresh draw for conventions and visitors. Fall Fun: A new Tri-State pumpkin patch bucket list points Hoosiers toward nearby farms for picking, corn mazes, hayrides, and seasonal activities. Road & Travel Updates: INDOT says traffic shifts and ramp changes are underway around the U.S. 35 and I-70 area near Richmond, plus a U.S. 35 bridge reopening after a deck replacement. Sports (Hoosier angle): Indiana volleyball begins Big Ten play at home against UCLA and Maryland, while the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and the team keep rolling into the playoffs. Gas Prices: GasBuddy reports show weekly lows across Indiana counties, including Kosciusko County E85 at $2.48/gal and several diesel and regular lows for the week ending Sept. 12.

Holiday Travel Watch: Airlines warn Christmas flights could get pricier as jet fuel costs rise, with some routes (including Indiana) potentially seeing big fare jumps and fewer options through 2027. Family Fun in Indiana: Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus just won top honors in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards, including Best Water Park and major coaster awards. Outdoor Volunteer Weekend: Indiana DNR is inviting Hoosiers to National Public Lands Day and National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 26, with free fishing and statewide events. Local Travel Planning: INDOT announced short-term S.R. 59 closures in Clay County for culvert replacements, with a detour via S.R. 246, S.R. 159 and S.R. 48. Safety & Health Alerts: Indiana reports 15 measles cases, including six in Switzerland County, and officials urge MMR vaccination; meanwhile, an Amish buggy crash on S.R. 56 sent a driver to a Louisville hospital. Road Trip Reality Check: GasBuddy data shows diesel prices vary across Indiana counties, with Owen County’s lowest reported diesel at $5.84/gal (week ending Sept. 12).

Road & Travel Disruption: INDOT says I-65 just south of Henryville will close temporarily starting 9 p.m. Tuesday for overhead utility repairs, with multiple closures about 30 minutes apart and work expected to wrap by midnight. Local Events & Tourism: Noblesville’s TradeUp Fest turns Riverview Health Arena into a trades-focused day and ticketed concert night, pitching skilled jobs to Hoosiers amid a growing labor shortage. Arts & Culture: Historic Hotels of America names Chuck Franz (French Lick Resort) for a 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. Family-Friendly Fun: “American Pickers” plans October filming in Indiana and is asking collectors to submit unique items and stories. Sports in Indiana: The Indiana Fever hosts the Minnesota Lynx at Gainbridge Fieldhouse tonight with playoff positioning on the line. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports midgrade and E15 deals in Indiana counties, including Wells County midgrade at $3.85 and Fountain County E15 at $3.53 for the week ending Sept. 12.

State Park Upgrade: McCormick’s Creek State Park is set for a major campground expansion and $25M upgrade after recent storm damage, with plans pointing to a bigger, improved visitor setup by 2028. Travel Safety: Orkin’s 2026 “worst cities for bed bugs” list puts Indianapolis on the national radar, and the EPA recommends a quick check right after check-in—inspect mattress seams, headboards, and furniture crevices with a flashlight. Disaster Recovery: The Louisville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is supporting FEMA debris recovery in 11 Indiana counties, monitoring contracted cleanup work to help track progress and eligibility for federal aid. Local Tech Backlash: More Indiana cities and counties are ending or not renewing license plate reader camera contracts after resident pushback, including Fort Wayne, Chesterton, and several counties. Road Trip Planning: If you’re driving through Indiana this fall, keep an eye on ongoing road closures and lane changes—especially around major corridors and bridges.

Campground Comeback: Indiana’s McCormick’s Creek State Park is getting a $25M campground rebuild after the 2023 tornado, with plans for 224 sites (192 full-hookup, 32 primitive), plus a new gatehouse, camp store, comfort stations, playgrounds, and landscaping—camping is expected to return once construction is complete. Road Work Alert: INDOT plans a State Road 164 closure in Dubois County starting around Sept. 28 near Celestine, running between County Road 900 East and County Road 1000 East through early November; detour routes are State Road 145 to State Road 56 to State Road 545. Gas Prices Watch (Indiana): For the week ending Sept. 12, Marion County reported the lowest diesel at $5.39/gallon (two stations), while Indiana’s E85 averaged $2.62/gallon and Benton County’s E85 hit $3.29/gallon. Travel Safety/Access: A Greenwood Buc-ee’s proposal is drawing pushback over light pollution and traffic impacts, with residents and school officials questioning the traffic study. Heritage Rail Fundraiser: The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway hosted an event to help the Whitewater Valley Railroad in Alpine, Indiana, recover from major flash-flood damage that forced cancellations for the rest of the year.