The Hoosier State found itself in the middle of the abortion debate in 2022, when a 10 year old rape victim from Ohio was brought to Indiana for an abortion that was illegal in her home state. The case made national headlines. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita brought charges against the physician who provided the legal procedure in Indiana, and began an investigation into her practice. The doctor brought charges against Rokita in defense of her practice, stating every law was followed. In addition, Indiana hastily passed an anti-abortion law that banned most of them in the state in a special session in August. Considered one of the most restrictive laws passed in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the bill was condemned by several major employers in the state, including Eli Lilly, Cummins, Indiana University, and many political leaders. A stay was filed in September, and several lawsuits are now working their way through the courts attempting to keep the law from going into effect.
The 2017 murders of two girls, Abby Williams and Libby German, in Delphi has been under investigation for years. Finally, in October 2022, a suspect was arrested for their murders, Richard Allen. He will face trial soon.
The historic Riley Park shelter house in Greenfield was badly damaged in a fire in December. The Walmart distribution center in Plainfield caught fire in March, sending up debris that was found as far away as Clermont, and a smoke plume that could easily be seen in Indianapolis. The facility burned to the ground and the company has no plans to rebuild.
Frank Reich was fired as Indianapolis Colts’ head coach and replaced with Jeff Saturday. The Colts continues to struggle in the league.
A big snowstorm that engulfed much of the United States hit Indianapolis just before Christmas, bringing record-breaking cold temperatures to the city. Indy lucked out, though — the city of Buffalo New York got over six feet of snow and brutal temperatures. The storm has killed over 50 people.
Crime in Indianapolis continued to be a big story in 2022, with 212 homicides and a large number of non-fatal shootings. While not a record, residents have been putting increasing pressure on officials to curb the violence. Three people died and two were wounded during a shooting in the Greenwood Park Mall in July. The shooter was killed by an armed civilian. After an extensive investigation, no motive was found.
Mayor Joe Hogsett announced he was running for another term in the 2023 elections. However, this year, he will have competition from fellow Democrats as Robin Shackleford and Gregory Meriweather have thrown their hats into the ring as well. The election will be held in November 2023. Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley announced he will not seek a fourth term. Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier also announced he will not run for re-election.
Prominent Indiana individuals we lost in 2022 include former Indianapolis prosecutor Carl Brizzi, Indy advocate for the homeless Maurice Young, former Star reporter George Stuteville, former Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson, the Broom Guy Jim Richter, actor William Gould, U.S. Rep. for Indiana Jackie Walorski, former U.S. Rep. from Indiana Mark Souder, Indy GOP leader Rex Early, and former Indy Police chief Joseph McAtee.
On the world stage, Queen Elizabeth II passed away, as did retired Pope Benedict XVI. Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe was assassinated. Former leader of China Jiang Zemin, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and the last Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev died. International soccer star Pele left us, as did a number of athletes and former athletes, including Guy Lafleur, Bill Russell, Len Dawson, Franco Harris, and Gaylord Perry. Sports broadcasters and journalists Grant Wahl, Vin Scully, and Bob Halloran called their last games.
It was a terrible year for actors who played wiseguys in film and television, with the loss of Paul Herman, Ray Liotta, James Caan, Tony Sirico, and Paul Sorvino. Other actors we lost this year include Sidney Poitier, Dwayne Hickman, Yvette Mimieux, Howard Hesseman, Sally Kellerman, Johnny Brown, Estelle Harris, Robert Morse, Fred Ward, Philip Baker Hall, Larry Storch, Taurean Blacque, Tony Dow, Pat Carroll, Nichelle Nichols, William Hurt, Anne Heche, Vincent Gil, Louise Fletcher, Angela Landsbury, Leslie Jordan, Robbie Coltrane, Robert Clary, Brad William Henke, Kirstie Alley, and Stuart Margolin.
Two Sesame Street performers, Emilio Delgado and Bob McGrath, left us. Comedians Bob Saget, Judy Tenuta, Louie Anderson, Gallagher, and Gilbert Gottfied passed away. Directors Peter Bogdanovich, Ivan Reitman, Wolfgang Peterson, and Jean-Luc Godard, were lost this year.
Designers Andre Leon Talley, Thierry Mugler, and Vivienne Westwood died this year.
Many singers and songwriters passed this year, including Loretta Lynn, Christine McVie, Olivia Newton-John, and Jerry Lee Lewis. We also lost Meat Loaf, composer George Crumb, Bobby Rydell, Naomi Judd, Mickey Gilley, composer Vangelis, Jim Seals, Brett Tuggle, Ramsey Lewis, Coolio, and Irene Cara, Stephen ‘tWitch” Boss, dancer and DJ, passed away.
Ground-breaking reporter Barbara Walters died this year. Other journalists we lost include Drew Griffin, Bernard Shaw, and Marc Shields. Authors Hilary Mantel, Thic Nhat Hanh, Peter Straub, P.J. O’Rourke, David McCullough, and Julie Powell wrote their final chapters. Scientists Richard Leakey and James Lovelock passed away.
Robert Durst, notorious real estate heir and convicted murderer, left us. Ken Starr, lawyer in the Whitewater scandal, also died.
