New York City Comptroller Brad Lander sent letters demanding the CEOs of Walmart, Costco, Kroger and other large retailers immediately start dispensing the abortion drug, Mifepristone, in every state where the drug is legal in order to maximize sales and long-term shareholder value.

Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla sees this as a faulty fiduciary duty argument.

“If we take this reasoning of the NYC Comptroller to its natural conclusion, there may be short-term gain from drug sales, but there would be lifetimes of loss in the decreased sales of diapers, formula, food, clothing, school supplies and on and on,” said Comptroller Nieshalla.

NYC Comptroller Lander, who serves as the custodian and trustee of $1.32 billion in total pension assets invested in these retail corporations, threatened divestment if the drug was not made available for sale.  

“This pressure campaign by the NYC Comptroller disregards all the factors companies consider when deciding whether to sell a particular product,” states Comptroller Nieshalla. “The leaders of Albertsons, Kroger, McKesson, Costco and Walmart should determine what goods best serve their customer base and shareholders (free markets) without coercion from an elected official.”

Costco recently conveyed they had no material demand for the abortion drug.

Comptroller Nieshalla, along with 15 other state financial officers, sent a letter to each of the pharmaceutical leaders urging support to disregard the NYC Comptroller’s recent demands, which prioritize political advocacy over fiduciary duty. 

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission (MLKIHC), and Indiana Black Expo, Inc., will host their Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Days of Service on Tuesday, September 17, and Wednesday, September 18. The two days will honor Dr. King’s legacy through collective impact and community service in the Northwest Landing Neighborhood of Indianapolis, IN.

“Service helps us to grow as people, strengthens our communities, and continues the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is essential that we join together as One Indiana to build up our community and work together for a better quality of life for all Hoosiers,” said Governor Eric Holcomb.

To increase the impact in the community, ICRC has partnered with the Northwest Landing Neighborhood Association, the City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works and the Indy Parks Department to identify a variety of community-beautification projects. Volunteers will be working on projects around Watkins Park, along Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, near Frank Young Park, and within Charlie Wiggins Park. These projects will include mulching, weeding, litter pick up, restoring benches and planting fresh flowers.

“Martin Luther King, Jr. once said ‘Make a career of humanity.’ ICRC is inspired by this quote and has chosen to put humanity at the forefront of our work. As we host our annual days of service, we hope others will be inspired to work in our communities, uplift our neighbors, and create a positive quality of life for all of humanity,” said Gregory Wilson, ICRC’s Executive Director.

The day of service would not be possible without the help of generous sponsors including the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, Indiana State Personnel Department, the Department of Child Services, the Office of the Attorney General, Citizens Energy Group, the Office of Administration Law Proceedings, and Indiana Black Expo, Inc. Registration will begin at 8:30am at the Watkins Park Family Center, 2360 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., Indianapolis, IN. The event will conclude at 4:00pm each day.

This community service event is open to the public. 

• Elections

Washington County Clerk Stephanie K. Rockey, along with the Washington County Election Board gives notice that the 2024 Presidential General Election Public Test will be held on September 19th at 10 a.m. in the Election & Voters Services Office, 801 S. Jackson Street, Suite 102 in Salem.

The Public Test is to test and certify the voting system that will be used to conduct the 2024 Presidential General Election (IC 3-11-13-22; IC3-11-14.5-1.) All media and public are invited to attend.

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 4, 2024) – The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) is promoting awareness, resources and support during Kinship Care Awareness Month – a time to celebrate family members who help maintain familial connections, provide stability, reinforce cultural identity and support the well-being of children who can no longer live with their birth parents.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb has proclaimed Kinship Care Awareness Month to promote and preserve kinship, sibling and other familial connections for Indiana’s children. Read his proclamation here.

“Family is the backbone needed to help keep kids safe and loved,” said DCS Director Eric Miller, MPA, MBA. “It’s a selfless act to step forward and care for the child of a relative or a close family friend, often with little notice or training, to help that child maintain close connections and stability when they are needed most.”

According to The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Indiana has about 60,000 children in kinship care. About 3,500 of those children have DCS involvement.

Kinship placements among children in DCS care have risen by 20 percent since 2019 and now represent more than half of DCS out-of-home placements. DCS has been working to increase the number of kinship placements because researchshows children removed from their parents generally experience better outcomes when placed with kin, including reduced trauma, better mental health, improved behavioral, social and educational outcomes, increased stability and stronger connections to the child’s biological family.

Most kinship caregivers in Indiana are grandparents between the ages of 55 and 64, with more than 20 percent being age 65 or older. Grandparents and other adults who agree to be kinship caregivers are often faced with unexpected challenges and barriers, such as shifting family dynamics, struggles with bonding or financial issues.

DCS recognizes the importance of ensuring that both the caregivers and the children receive the appropriate assistance to ensure success and offers a Kinship Navigator program to help identify kinship placements and support relatives as they care for children.

Additionally, DCS offers a monthly stipend of $300 per child to unlicensed kinship caregivers who are caring for a child in DCS custody. Since stipends were launched in July 2023, over $14 million has been distributed to more than 3,000 families. Other resources, including financial, health, legal, educational/developmental and adult support, can be found here or by calling Indiana 2-1-1 (866) 211-9966). DCS encourages all members of the community to help connect kinship families with these much-needed resources.

Anyone interested in becoming a kinship caregiver for youth in DCS care can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information, resources and trainings.

Visit Instagram, X, and LinkedIn for more resources about kinship care throughout the month.

For more information about Indiana kinship care, visit indianafostercare.org.