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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 2d

Mayor Joe Hogsett, who has cultivated a reputation for public integrity, ignored conflicts of interest involving his former top aide Thomas Cook, a secret relationship, and millions of dollars in city incentives. New joint investigation from IndyStar and @mirrorindy.org indystar.com/story/news/i...

Hogsett ignored Thomas Cook's secret relationship as money flowed to developers

An IndyStar and Mirror Indy investigation has found that Hogsett ignored conflicts of interest involving millions of dollars in city incentives.

indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Aug 21

Amid push for nuclear, energy companies showered Indiana lawmakers with gifts, meals, and campaign contributions.
IndyStar's Marissa Meador has the receipts -- and a wild exchange between a state rep and a local mayor.
www.indystar.com/story/news/p...

Energy lobby ramped up spending on meals and gifts for lawmakers amid push for nuclear. It worked

Powerful utility committee chairmen Sen. Eric Koch and Rep. Ed Soliday heralded pro-nuclear bills while accepting paid meals from utilities.

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Aug 19

NEW: Despite denials, email shows ex-Henry County sheriff knew of sex abuse claim www.indystar.com/story/news/i...

Despite denials, email shows ex-Henry County sheriff knew of sex abuse claim

Ric McCorkle denied that he knew about an inmate's 2018 sex abuse allegation. A newly disclosed email suggests he did know about the allegation.

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Aug 7

Top Indiana Republicans met with VP on redistricting. Only Democrats are talking about it. www.indystar.com/story/news/p...

Top Indiana Republicans met with VP on redistricting. Only Democrats are talking about it

Gov. Mike Braun and GOP legislative leaders provided few details about redistricting after meeting with Vice President JD Vance. Why?

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Aug 7

I grew up on the Little Miami River. I did not know it was possible to request that the water level be raised. This would have been useful information for my (not smart) teenage bridge jumping exploits.

Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · Aug 6

Our latest: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

JD Vance’s team had water level of Ohio river raised for family’s boating trip

Exclusive: Incident raises questions of exploitation of public services, but Secret Service says it was requested for ‘safe navigation’

www.theguardian.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Jun 24

NEW: A Henry County official sexually abused clients for years. An ⁦IndyStar investigation found that multiple county leaders knew of allegations, but failed to stop him. www.indystar.com/story/news/i...

County official abused clients for years. Leaders knew of allegations, but failed to stop him

An IndyStar investigation has identified at least seven men who say they were sexually abused by a Henry County community corrections official.

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · May 27

NEW: A DCS worker tipped off a residential youth treatment center with a history of abuse allegations about 'surprise' inspection.
"I will tell you but you can't say I told you…”
www.indystar.com/story/news/i...

DCS worker tipped off youth center with history of abuse allegations about 'surprise' inspection

DCS received at least 27 reports alleging sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior by staff at Pierceton Woods Academy since 2017.

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Apr 15

NEW: 'Enormous harm to children': Caseload limits for DCS quietly chopped in state budget bill www.indystar.com/story/news/i...

'Enormous harm to children': Caseload limits for DCS quietly chopped in state budget bill

The move is raising concerns within the agency and among child welfare advocates.

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Mar 26

A decade ago... www.indystar.com/story/news/p...

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Reposted by Tony Cook

John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · Mar 18

"Shiny new hospitals should not be secretly financed with understaffed nursing homes and patient neglect," an attorney who represents nursing home residents and their families told IndyStar.

Tony Cook, @tonycook317.bsky.social, investigated this important issue. Here's what he found.

Residents suffer as county hospitals divert $2.6 billion from poorly staffed nursing homes

New data obtained by IndyStar through a public records lawsuit reveals the fullest picture yet of Indiana's secretive nursing home Medicaid scheme

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Mar 18

NEW: Data obtained by IndyStar through a public records lawsuit shows a massive diversion of Medicaid money intended to provide care for sick and elderly nursing home residents. www.indystar.com/story/news/i...

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Mar 10

Twitter crashed for me this morning on the mobile app and desktop. Both are still down. www.indystar.com/story/news/2...

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Mar 6

The Indiana National Guard is deleting posts celebrating Black history and women due to the Trump administration’s federal order. They include this one commemorating Juneteenth and the end of slavery.
www.indystar.com/story/news/p... via @hayleighcolombo.bsky.social

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Reposted by Tony Cook

Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · Feb 26

I've be struggling to comprehend how the sweeping disruptions to federal programs and mountain of executive orders is having a real-time effect on people here in Indianapolis.

So I'm starting this thread to keep track of stories documenting the impact.

Let's go.

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Reposted by Tony Cook

Ryan Martin @byryanmartin.bsky.social · Feb 25

New: Fundraising is ongoing for the Indianapolis mayor who said he wouldn't run again. A campaign flyer obtained by Mirror Indy suggests yearly donations of $2,500 or more for access to "Mayor Joe" next month. Here's the latest from @peterblanchard.bsky.social: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

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Reposted by Tony Cook

scottehorner.bsky.social @scottehorner.bsky.social · Feb 25

#MLS to Indianapolis talk heats up.

www.indystar.com/story/sports...

Gov. Braun says he met with MLS commissioner, signals early support for Indianapolis club

While Mayor Joe Hogsett's proposal for stadium funding mechanism awaits state lawmaker approval, Gov. Mike Braun says he met with top MLS executive.

www.indystar.com

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Reposted by Tony Cook

Jordan Smith @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social · Feb 25

WISH-TV meteorologist says she was fired after questioning how station treats Black women

www.indystar.com/story/news/l...

WISH-TV meteorologist says she was fired after questioning how station treats Black women

After more than six years as WISH-TV's chief meteorologist, Ashley Brown Elliott says she was fired after questioning how the station treats Black women.

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Feb 24

IndyStar scoop: Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber is heading to Indy to talk about the city's pursuit of a professional soccer club. www.indystar.com/story/sports...

Sources: MLS boss heads to Indy months after talking up city as future team site

Mayor Joe Hogsett is trying to bring a MLS to Indianapolis but he'll need the blessing of state government leaders to finance a stadium.

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Feb 24

Payday lenders and Rep. Jake Teshka, who introduced the bill, say it would provide access to credit for low-income Hoosiers, providing a "ladder toward bankability." Two lobbyists w/ close ties to Gov. Mike Braun are pushing the measure. Full story... www.indystar.com/story/news/i...

Payday lenders could charge 'loan shark' rates under Indiana bill

The Indiana House approved a measure that would allow payday lenders to loan up to $5,000 at rates as high as 149%.

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Feb 24

The Indiana House passed a bill to let payday lenders charge rates currently considered felony loan sharking.
▪️Loans up to $5K w/ rates of nearly 150%
▪️Targets borrowers w/ poor credit, high risk for default
▪️"Monthly service fees" that opponents worry could confuse borrowers

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Feb 12

NEW: Bert Whalen, one-time business partner of former Fox & Friends host Clayton Morris, was sentenced today in New Jersey for his role in a multi-million real estate Ponzi scheme involving hundreds of Indianapolis properties www.indystar.com/story/news/i...

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Feb 6

The legislation is a response, in part, to abuse scandals at USA Gymnastics that were uncovered by IndyStar. www.indystar.com/story/news/i...

Indiana lawmakers pushing for tougher penalties for failing to report child abuse

The measure is a response to failures at USA Gymnastics and other organizations.

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Jan 6

We're looking for an environment reporter to join our team
@indystar. jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/gannet...

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Dec 31

DCS won’t say if it had case with 7-year-old who was abused and starved www.indystar.com/story/news/c... via my colleague Jade Jackson

Criminal records. Police reports. DCS involvement? Other signs 7-year-old boy was in danger

Family of 7-year-old Kayden Gavarrete, who died Dec. 22 following abuse and starvation, says 'no stone should be left unturned' in investigation.

www.indystar.com

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Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · Dec 18

This comes one day after our @indystar story detailed three additional allegations against Taylor, bringing the total number of women who have accused him of misconduct to six. Taylor has denied the allegations. www.indystar.com/story/news/p...

3 more women accuse Indiana Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor of sexual misconduct

Taylor was recently reelected by a majority of his caucus as its leader, hours after IndyStar reported on initial allegations of sexual harassment.

www.indystar.com

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