A debut evening at Loeb Stadium: America, in pictures
Discover more from Based in Lafayette, Indiana
A debut evening at Loeb Stadium: America, in pictures
Loeb Stadium’s debut as a concert venue. Plus, Tippecanoe County’s health officer offers a warning before a post-Roe special session at the Statehouse
Thanks to Wabash Riverfest for sponsoring today’s issue. Each summer, Wabash Riverfest brings Greater Lafayette together to celebrate the longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States. Learn about and enjoy Indiana’s Wabash River through conservation exhibits, river float trips, charcoal drawing classes, guided riverside hikes, a birds of prey presentation and a 5K. Learn more about the festival and sign up for activities on this link and scroll through today’s edition.
AN EVENING AT LOEB STADIUM: AMERICA, IN PICTURES
With America in town Thursday night, opening the live concert era at the new Loeb Stadium, I sent veteran Lafayette photographer Vincent Walter out to capture the show and the evening. This was part of the scene.
YOUR TURN: Did you go Thursday night. Hit the Comment button and give your review of the show and of Loeb Stadium’s debut as a concert venue.
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER’S WARNING ON POST-ROE SPECIAL SESSION
Gov. Eric Holcomb told reporters Thursday he’s open to any and all abortion restrictions the Indiana General Assembly comes up with when lawmakers come to the Statehouse July 25 for the start of a post-Roe special session.
Holcomb didn’t give specifics about what he’d like to see on the spectrum of where things stand now to a total ban on abortion, but as this report from Indiana Capital Chronicle reporter Casey Smith quotes the governor: “I don’t have any red lines right now.”
That sort of free hand on what’s next for abortion laws already had Dr. Greg Loomis, recently named Tippecanoe County health officer, sending warnings to the public health staff at the Tippecanoe County Health Department.
“I may take some flak for this, and that’s perfectly fine,” Loomis said. “But I’m also very concerned when public policies, or governmental policies and laws, are grounded in political ideology, rather than scientific evidence.
“Who's going to take care of these children after women are forced to carry?” Loomis asked. “What happens if you have a rape or incest? I mean, these are difficult questions. And I know they're hard questions for people to wrap their head around. But I feel that they should be questions that are answered by the woman, not by the government. If a woman wants to seek advice from her minister or rabbi or pastor, whatever, and come to a decision herself after that kind of a conversation – or not having a conversation at all – to me, that seems to be her right. And by taking those rights away, the implications can be devastating for the woman and the child.”
Of note, Loomis was taking stock in model legislation put together and offered to states by Jim Bopp, a Terre Haute attorney with National Right to Life, in the weeks ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and sent abortion questions back to the states.
In a June 15 memo, Bopp outlines a ban on abortions that stopped short of criminal penalties for the woman, but would target penalties for doctors, those who are “aiding and abetting in illegal abortion,” banning the sale of abortion drugs, prohibitions on telehealth advice for anyone seeking an abortion and more.
Bopp told CNN that what’s in the model legislation "reflects the thinking of the whole Right to Life movement on where we need to be post-Roe." He told the network that Right to Life would push it aggressively across the country.
Loomis said he was wary.
“This is like Roe v. Wade is overturned and then all of the cards are all in on their bet,” Loomis said. “It’s like everything goes in the pot, from IUDs, to contraception, to condoms to everything is going to be thrown in the pot here. I hope that's not the case. I hope that we can have a rational discussion about this.
“But at this point,” he said, “I’m going with the assumption that this is not going to be the final stop with this train.”
Loomis said he didn’t plan to lobby at the Statehouse but that he was open to talking to lawmakers.
Loomis said that at a time when the county’s Fetal and Infant Mortality Review is studying factors to lower rates he called too high, he shared Bopp’s vision with the health department staff – “just to be aware of the situation and what we could be up against.”
“My job as health officer of this county is to make sure that we pay attention and keep our finger on the pulse of all people and be aware of the consequences of what could happen,” Loomis said. “Fetal infant mortality rate – I do believe we’re going to have more problems with that. We have a vulnerable population that already is very susceptible to early pregnancy loss, very susceptible to preeclampsia, all sorts of other medical problems that go along with that – let alone having to carry a child to term.”
His upshot: “I hope everyone thinks about what they’re about to do here.”
FINALLY … AT MAIN AND 10TH: A pickup driver ran through the wall of Tonic, a barber shop at the corner of Main and 10th streets, Thursday morning. Here’s the J&C account of what happened and how people escape serious injury.
Thanks, again, to Wabash Riverfest for sponsoring today’s issue. For more about the July 9 event based at Tapawingo Park in West Lafayette, click here.
Do you have tips or story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com. Also on Twitter and Instagram.
A debut evening at Loeb Stadium: America, in pictures
Amazing experience last night. Very few, if any glitches which is uncommon when having a new type of event in a new venue, with a sold out crowd. Weather was perfect. LD Miller was a great opening act. America performed well and sounded so good. Seats on the field were great. Refreshment stations on the field were well planned out, minimizing foot traffic on the concourse. Of course not having to drive an hour to see a great concert is a bonus. 10 minute drive and free parking!! Overall rating 10!
My friends and I had a great experience at the concert. America’s set was a terrific combo of classic rock. The men had a very positive and even joyful rapport with each other and the audience. The sound on the field was not overwhelming though the seats were too close together.
Let’s have more events at Loeb!