Indiana's Flood Recovery + The 92-Year-Old World Record Gravedigger | Lindsey Erdody, Free Press Indiana News

On today's show I sat down for another edition of Hoosier Headlines with Lindsey Erdody of Free Press Indiana News, who provides an update on flood aid, Indiana's longest gravedigger, rural accountability, Trump accounts, and ArcFest.

Our conversation begins with flood recovery, with Erdody noting that as of Sept. 11 FEMA had allocated $64.3 million to more than 15,000 applicants, with thousands still waiting, alongside 40,000 applications for up to $5,000 in state aid. She discusses documentation needs and impacts like prolonged power outages, mold, and food loss.

We then shift to a highlight of Allen McCloskey of Galveston, Indiana, a 92-year-old Guinness World Record holder for the longest gravedigging career (73 years, 75 days), and broader issues of maintaining Indiana's 20,000+ cemeteries, many of which are abandoned.

The episode continues with coverage about a Grant County commissioner facing an internal investigation, a Benton County CAFO dispute, and an explanation of "Trump accounts," including Brad Gerstner's $250 pledge for Indiana children under 5.

Erdody closes with a preview of ArcFest on Oct. 3 at IU Indianapolis, and mentions Zimmer Biomet donating its current global headquarters building in Warsaw to Grace College, which will transform the building into an Orthopedic Innovation Research Center to advance STEM education and orthopedic workforce development.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about:
- FEMA Relief and Documentation Needs for Hoosiers Impacted by the Flood
- Allen McCloskey and His World's Longest Gravedigger Career
- Grant County Commissioner Under Investigation + Hog Farm Disputes in Benton County
- Trump Accounts
- ArcFest
- Zimmer Biomet's Building Donation to Grace College

Check out these great clips from the show:
00:41 Flood Aid Update
02:12 FEMA Relief Process
05:25 Power Outage Fallout
07:31 Recovery And Housing
08:50 Riverfront Plan Speculation
10:58 Record Gravedigger Story
13:26 Cemetery Care Crisis
17:04 Grant County Probe
21:12 Benton County Hog Farm
27:13 Brad Gerstner Backstory
29:17 How Trump Accounts Work
31:54 Investment Growth Debate
33:04 Imagine Early Scholarships
35:07 ArcFest Event Preview
36:58 Secretary of State Race
43:00 ArcFest Candidate Forum
43:53 Free Press Indiana Mission
45:38 Zimmer Biomet Donation
48:56 Final Wrap and Plugs

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