A federal jury trial has cleared the state of Indiana of racial discrimination charges brought by a state employee who claimed he was not promoted because of his race. The attorney general praised the decision, stating that Indiana hires and promotes based on merit.

The case centered around allegations from a state employee who believed his race was the reason he was not promoted within the Indiana state government.

The verdict supports Indiana’s stance on merit-based hiring, which aligns with Governor Mike Braun’s executive order on skills-based hiring.

Emil Ekiyor, CEO of InnoPower and WISH-TV contributor, discussed the implications of the case, emphasizing the importance of skills-based hiring.

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A new health care facility on the southeast side of Indianapolis says it’s working to break down language barriers and deliver care with compassion.

Inside the Chin Family Clinic, patients can find more than just medical care, they can also finding a place that understands them. The clinic, located on Emerson Avenue north of East Stop 11 Road, offers multilingual staff and follow-up care in patients’ native languages, which is considered to be an important step for a community where many still struggle to communicate in English.

But, the clinic also tackles a silent issue: weight gain after immigration.

Chin says many immigrants adapting to American life face drastic dietary changes, such as eating more fast-food, that can lead to higher risks of obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

Other services at the clinic include pediatric and women’s care, urgent care, labs, routine physicals, and IV infusions, which have been highly requested by patients.

Beyond breaking down barriers, the clinic hopes to inspire more culturally specific care across Indiana, including for the growing Chin community. The Chin people are from a group of related tribes that make up one of the major ethnic groups in Myanmar, formerly Burma. Indianapolis is known for having a Chin population of about 30,000.

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An assistant field hockey coach at Indiana University is shaping more than athletes: She’s helping redefine what leadership looks like in sports.

Dani Castro, a Pacific Islander and assistant coach at IU, is breaking barriers in her field, and also paving the way for future leaders.

Castro has spent years building up IU’s field hockey program, first as a player, and now as an assistant coach.

Since returning to her alma mater in 2019, the 2009 graduate helped lead IU to record-setting success. That includes seven shutout victories in one season (a program best) and back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in nearly a decade.

But the journey hasn’t always been smooth. Early in her coaching career, Castro was often mistaken for head coach Kayla Bashore, who is also of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage.

Despite being overlooked, Castro has become a visible and vocal leader. She recently shared her story on a university panel called Redefining the Game, focusing on representation, microaggressions, and the importance of inclusion in sports leadership.

She hopes her presence sends a clear message to the next generation.

Through her role, Castro is paving the way for others, on and off the field

Castro’s message is clear: Representation isn’t just important, it’s necessary, and it starts with being seen and having a sense of belonging.

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