In the absence of efforts by the states, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has stepped up to do the right thing for children.Winners
Fort Wayne Air Show: Though weather shortened the first day a bit, the show was popular, drawing more than 82,000 visitors over its two days.
IHSAA: The organization governing Indiana high school sports grants plane crash survivor Austin Hatch an additional year of eligibility to play basketball for Canterbury.
Bloomington: Home of Indiana University enjoyed the second-highest average increase in wages between 2010 and 2011. Residents there earned an average raise of $2,460, behind only Fairbanks, Alaska.
Tracy Reese: Detroit-born designer wins raves for stunning silk jacquard dress worn by first lady Michelle Obama for her Democratic National Convention address Tuesday.
Tossups
Vladimir Putin: The Russian leader is shown flying a hang glider to guide six Siberian cranes to their winter home. Putin has previously been shown swimming and horseback riding (shirtless!), using a crossbow, playing the piano and helping scientists with a tiger. A true Renaissance man? Or a publicity hound?
Chevy pickups: The Chevrolet Silverado, which the Allen County GM plant produces, was the No. 2 best-selling vehicle in August, ahead of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and crossover Ford Escape. The Ford F-series pickup got the top spot.
Losers
Richard Mourdock: The Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, who skipped the Republican National Convention, criticizes Democratic opponent Joe Donnelly – for missing the Democratic National Convention.
State senators: After defending Indiana’s immigration law, Attorney General Greg Zoeller appropriately said he could no longer defend a portion of the law because the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar provision in Arizona’s law. But GOP state Sens. Mike Delph, Brent Steele and Phil Boots asked a judge to allow them to defend the law. It doesn’t work that way.
Milestones
Hal David: The lyricist teamed with composer Burt Bacharach to write some of the most popular songs of the 1960s, several of them for the singer Dionne Warwick, including “Walk on By,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” and “I Say a Little Prayer.” Other hits included “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” “What the World Needs Now” and “This Guy’s in Love With You.” He died at 91. Another songwriter passed away. …
Joe South: Other artists made hits of his songs “Rose Garden” and “Down in the Boondocks,” while South himself scored with his compositions “Games People Play” and “Walk a Mile in My Shoes.” He was 72.
Patricia Miller: The co-founder of Vera Bradley announces her retirement, though she will remain on the company’s board.
Extreme drought: Rains from Hurricane Isaac move the last of the Indiana counties out of the extreme drought category. Fifty-four percent of the state remains in the severe drought category.
Art Modell: Baltimore Ravens owner helped popularize pro football, but he was hated in Cleveland for moving his franchise. He died Thursday at 87.
