This edition of the Sun-Commercial is printed on recy- cled paper. Ask Inside www.suncommercial.com Vol. 92, No. 106 2 sections, 16 pages Weather Sunny with a high of 90 and a low of Sports 2 Trailblazers take national Bible Verse And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, is My beloved Son, in whom I am well MATTHEW 3:17 NKJV Sun-Commercial First Newspaper-Since 1804 Vincennes the Spirit of the Lord is, there is II Cor. 3:17 $2 Tuesday, May 21, 2024 BY ANDREA HOWE EDITOR, THE SUN-COMMERCIAL VINCENNES Knox Coun- unemployment rate dropped from 3.7% in March to 3.2% last month, but remains slightly higher than the 2.4% jobless rate posted in April 2023, according to the latest report from Indiana Workforce Development.
unemployment report shows the county labor force of 17,513 in April was smaller than the 17,656 in March, or the 17,706 mark in April 2023. Last month, 552 unemployed residents were looking for a job, compared to 662 in March and 418 in April 2023. Statewide, unemployment averaged 3.4% in April, with Howard 6.1% jobless rate the highest and Gibson 2.5% rate the lowest in Indiana In the area, Sullivan County was ranked 10th at 4.1%; Craw- ford County 11th at Vigo County 15th at 3.9%; Orange County 23rd at 3.7%; Knox County 46th at 3.2%; Pike Coun- ty 48th at 3.2%; Spencer Coun- ty 49th at 3.2%; Vanderburgh County 50th at 3.2%; Warrick County 62nd at Perry Coun- ty 80th at 2.8%; Posey County 85th at 2.7%; Daviess County 90th at 2.5%, Dubois County 91st at 2.5% and Gibson County 92nd at 2.5%. BY CASEY SMITH INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE INDIANAPOLIS In response to widespread pushback from Hoosier educators, state officials have issued new guidance with more on a new literacy licensure requirement that was adopted by the General Assembly earlier this year. But questions persist for many teachers, and some remain opposed to the new professional development mandate altogether.
Indiana Secretar of Educa- tion Katie Jenner said in a let- ter to teachers Friday that their input has prompted the education department to adjust and add training options. Some educators have additionally been exempted from the licensure requirements, as long as they teaching literacy to stu- dents past fifth grade. grateful for the collective effort to balance the urgent need to overcome literacy crisis with our shared desire to increase flexibility for educa- Jenner said in her weekly education newsletter. The Indiana State Teachers Association applauded Jenner for the exten- sive requirements of the new literacy and said the updated guidance a testa- ment to the importance of edu- cator The largest teachers union along with dozens of its members spent more than four hours before the State Board of Education earlier this month, criticizing the and 80-hour training. Many pleaded for more options to be made available for teachers to complete the profes- sional development course or that it be removed as a require- ment altogether.
Jenner and other state edu- cation officials have repeatedly maintained that the require- ment cannot be nixed altogeth- er, given that a statutor requirement from lawmakers. adjustments to these requirements reflect the voic- es and concerns of educators across ISTA president Keith Gambill said in a state- ment, adding that the union continue to advocate for further changes and increased flexibil- REQUIRED OF TEACHERS The training requirement requires all Pre-K to Grade 6 and special education teachers to complete 80 hours of profes- sional development on science of reading concepts and pass a Guidance updated on new literacy training mandate following criticism Educators still unclear on whether they must complete the 80-hour training, or whether receive a stipend for doing so County jobless rate drops to 3.2% in April BY THE SUN-COMMERCIAL Readers are reminded that beginning today, the print edition of The Vincennes Sun-Commercial moves from a five day a week publica- tion schedule to three days a week, on Tuesdays, Thurs- days and Saturdays, with a bonus Vincennes Extra e-edi- tion featured online Wednes- days and Fridays. On non-print days, break- ing news will be published online at suncommercial.com in addition to the Vincennes Extra e-edition content. Sub- scribers who have registered at our website can view them for free first. Non-subscribers can subscribe online Content published online will be included in the next print edition in addition to new stories specifically for that day of publication, plus all the print edition staples, ranging from local news and features to comics, classified ads, TV listings and columnists.
A note to our readers Tom Bartholomew photo Samuel Morrison, 5, left, along with Jonah Wells, 5, and brother James, 4, look at books at the Knox County Public Library Saturday. The three were visiting the library to sign up for the summer reading pro- gram, Adventure Begins At Your Library, with their parents Maria Morrison and Jesse and Jessica Wells, all of Vincennes. The summer reading program offers a wide range of activities throughout the summer and a related app awards prizes based on time spent reading logged into the app. Visitors were also able to sign up for Dolly Imagination Library, a program that gives children books at no cost. For more informa- tion about either of the programs visit the Knox County Public Library or call the library at 812 886-4380.
Adventure BY WHITNEY DOWNARD INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE INDIANAPOLIS The next round of opioid settlement funding distributed by the Office of the Attorney Gener- al will total $8.8 million, a por- tion of the roughly $925 million secured so far across various lawsuits. Over the next two decades, tens of billions of dollars will flow into state coffers across the country. all from the National Opioid Settlement, a court agreement between com- panies deemed responsible for the deadly, life-disrupting impact of the addictive drug and the localities bearing the brunt of the devastation. have seen far too many of our loved ones suf- fer and even die from opioid addiction and Attor- ney General Todd Rokita said in a release. by drug companies helped start this epidemic in the first place, and it has played a large role in perpetuating the crisis.
We bring back lost lives, but we can hold these companies accountable and enable com- munities to use settlement funds on prevention, treatment and enforcement Payments started going out in December of 2022, with more than $107 million in the first wave to the state and 648 local units of government. But municipalities have so far been slow to spend the funds, weigh- ing the most effective way to deploy the monies. In the release, office said a portion of this round of settlement funding came from a one-time payment from Publi- cis Health resolve investiga- tions into the global marketing and communication role in the prescription opioid crisis. Publicis helped Purdue Phar- ma and other opioid manufac- turers market and sell Other settlements include AmerisourceBergen (now Cen- cora), Cardinal Health McK- esson, Teva, Janssen, CVS and Allergan though this round only included payments from AmerisourceBergen (Cencora) and Cardinal Health. The Office of the Attorney General has more guidance on spending opioid settlement funds and localities can also find their expected payments over the next two decades.
To see how communities have spent funds so far, Hoosiers can download the Fall 2023 report from Next Level Recov- ery. Hoosier communities to receive in next round of opioid settlement funds SEE LITERACY PAGE A2 Strawberries, produce, crafts, jewelry, doll clothes, baked goods, homemade soaps, honey, glass ware, plants flowers, coffee teas, collectible comic books! OVER 40 VENDORS! OPENs May 25th Sat. 9am-1pm 812-882-5162 Riverfront Pavillion Second Busseron Meet Me At The Farmers Market Join us in the new food court: Senor Tequila, Asian Market, Sweet Treats American Hot Dogs Visit on Sat. listen to live music on Blazer 91.1 Music State featuring the Wood Wire Band.
