It was a tumultuous year in the United States, with a lot of surprises, especially on the political front.
President Joe Biden stepped away from his re-election campaign a month before the Democratic National Convention. Weeks after a poor showing at a debate with Trump, Biden was besieged with allies asking him to step aside. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, and delegates quickly got behind her. In August, Harris announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her VP pick. Trump announced his pick for vice president, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio. On November 5, Donald Trump reclaimed the White House. On his inauguration on January 20, he will be the oldest president inaugurated in the country’s history. He is also the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms (the other was Grover Cleveland, who served from 1885-1889 and 1893-1897). In addition, Republicans in the House and Senate will both have slight majorities in 2025, as well as the White House.
The U.S. made a great showing in the Paris Olympics in July and August. The U.S. teams won 126 medals overall, with 40 gold. The U.S. won gold in men’s and women’s basketball, many track and field events, and the women’s gymnastics team won all-around. Simone Biles was the darling of the Olympics, winning three gold medals.
United Healthcare President Brian Thompson was killed on his way to a board meeting in New York City. After an extensive search, the shooter was identified as Luigi Mangione, who was captured in a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania. He awaits trial.
There was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. While he suffered a small injury on his ear, one person in the crowd was killed (Corey Comperatore), and two others were seriously injured.
The Supreme Court decided in favor of Donald Trump in an immunity case, noting that crimes committed while discharging his official duties as President were immune from prosecution. Three justices dissented. In the “hush money” case against Trump, where he was accused of covering up hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels about an alleged affair, a New York court judge determined that the immunity didn’t cover crimes committed before he took office. He was found guilty of 34 counts in that case in front of a New York jury, and sentencing has been delayed.
Several natural disasters plagued the country, including the devastating Hurricane Helene that ripped through northern Florida and ended up causing massive flooding and mudslides in North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Over 230 people died, and 26 are still missing. Shortly thereafter, Hurricane Milton stormed across Florida, becoming a Cat. 5 on Oct. 7. 35 people died and 6 are still missing. Wildfires in California throughout the year were some of the worst ever seen, and killed one person. There were also wildfires in Florida, Mississippi, throughout the western states, and the largest ever in Texas in Feb.-March. There were 1, 650 tornadoes in 2024, including an EF3 that hit Winchester, Indiana, in March, killing one person. Parts of Indiana, including Indianapolis, also suffered high winds and lashing rains as a remnant of Hurricane Helene passed through, toppling trees and causing damage to homes and cars. Climate experts noted that 2024 was the hottest year on record.
In Indiana, the Republicans maintained power and the supermajority. Mike Braun was elected Governor, and Micah Beckwith the Lieutenant Governor. Todd Rokita remained as Attorney General, and Jim Banks was elected Senator. State Senate Democrats elected new minority leadership after Sen. Greg Taylor was accused of sexual harassment, which he denied. Sen. Shelli Yoder of Bloomington was elected to the leadership role, and Sen. Andrea Hunley of Indianapolis as assistant minority leader.
Residents were blessed by two rare celestial events — the total solar eclipse of April 9 and the northern lights from May 10-12. The solar eclipse brought many to the city as large parties gathered to watch the rare event.
The biggest name in pop music came to town, and brought thousands of her friends for a three night event in Indianapolis. Taylor Swift took over downtown, and everyone had a great time — especially the hotels, motels, and B&Bs that were completely full in the county.
Center Township Constable Denise Hatch was arrested twice in the year, the last for unlawfully carrying a firearm after being arrested on a felony charge. Kenneth Allen is the new Center Township Constable.
Richard Allen was convicted in November of killing Abby Williams (13) and Libby German (14) in 2017 near Delphi. He was sentenced to 130 years in jail. Indiana executed Joseph Corcoran, who was found guilty of killing 4 men, including his brother, in 1997. He had been on death row since 1999.
Two large fires in Indianapolis destroyed important landmarks. In late October, the Veterans Community Center, Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF) shelter at 946 Pennsylvania burned, leaving 15 veterans without shelter. They are working on rebuilding. On Christmas Eve day, the Sanctuary on Penn, a historic church turned event center at 701 N. Pennsylvania, burned to the ground. The church was built in 1875, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Caitlin Clark joined the WNBA Indiana Fever and ignited a media frenzy for the team, and for women’s professional basketball across the country. Record numbers showed up for WNBA games, particularly when she was playing. She was named Rookie of the Year, and Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year, among other accolades. The “Caitlin Clark Effect” is real!
Locally, notable deaths included Gene Deer, Indianapolis blues musician; Jerry Wade, Indianapolis DJ on WTLC; Dan Wakefield, Indianapolis writer; Kay Grimm, Indianapolis urban garden warrior; Bill Tobin, former Colts general manager; Parnelli Jones, IndyCar legend, winner of 1963 500; Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry; former Colts player Vontae Davis; Morris Mills, Indiana legislator; and Morrie Maurer, entrepreneur.
We also lost many international legends in 2024, including Dabney Coleman, Chita Rivera, Toby Keith, Carl Erskine, Bernard Hill, Roger Corman, Alice Monro, Martin Mull, Morgan Spurlock, Richard Simmons, Shelley Duvall, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Shannon Doherty, Bob Newhart, Lou Dobbs, Louis Gossett Jr., John Mayer, Edna O’Brien, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Willy Amos, Gena Rowlands, Willy Mays, Peter Marshall, Phil Donahue, Sergio Mendes, James Earl Jones, Dame Maggie Smith, Kris Kristofferson, John Amos, Pete Rose, Ethel Kennedy, Mitzi Gaynor, Ron Ely, Terri Garr, Quincy Jones, Timothy West, Arthur Frommer, Chuck Woolery, Nikki Giovanni, and the Amazing Kreskin. We also lost former President Jimmy Carter at the age of 100.
