Latest news with #Midwestern


Indianapolis Star
11 hours ago
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana's 201% cigarette tax hike will fuel smuggling, not just revenue
Indiana's 201% hike in its cigarette excise tax, which takes effect July 1, will reshape consumer behavior, and not necessarily in the way lawmakers expect. While the intent is to boost revenue, the dramatic tax increase from 99.5 cents per pack to nearly $3 will light up at least one major unintended consequence: cigarette smuggling. Some smokers will quit, but many others will engage in tax avoidance and evasion — and possibly other illegal behavior. We are from Indiana and Michigan, respectively, and have long shared a scholarly interest in smuggling. Since 2008, we have published estimates of cigarette smuggling by comparing legal-paid sales in each state to that state's smoking rates. We and other scholars attribute the difference between what is bought legally and what is being smoked to smuggling. We found that, through 2023, Indiana was one of America's top export states for smuggled cigarettes, serving as a source for casual shoppers from neighboring states and large-scale, organized crime alike. We also found that for every 100 cigarettes smoked in Indiana during 2023, an additional 23 were smuggled out, and very likely to higher-taxed neighbors such as Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. Thanks to smuggling, the Indiana treasury generated an extra $61 million in cigarette taxes on sales for out-of-state consumption. This bounty will change when Indiana's own cigarette excise tax rate leaps to nearly $3 per pack. Research shows that yawning tax disparities are a prime driver of cross-border cigarette shopping. On the state's southern border is Kentucky, a tobacco state with an excise tax of just $1.10 per pack. To the east, Ohio's tax is set at $1.60 per pack. The northern border touches Michigan, which charges $2 per pack. Hoosiers are likely to cross all three borders in search of cheaper cigarettes. Indeed, our statistical model indicates that nearly 15% of cigarette consumption—more than 39 million packs—will be smuggled into the state as a result of this tax hike. Briggs: Mike Braun's tuition freeze for Indiana colleges is a marketing gimmick Indiana last raised its cigarette tax in July 2007, from 55 cents to 99.5 cents per pack. For our 2008 study, we obtained the sales data of a large Midwestern cigarette distributor. These data, which let us track activity by ZIP code, allowed us to measure sales from wholesalers to retailers in counties that touched each other along the Indiana-Michigan border. We found that in the three months leading up to and the three months following Indiana's last tax hike, sales to Michigan retailers in border counties rose more than 50% as buyers stocked up on cigarettes in preparation of changes that will give Michiganders less incentive to cross the state line into Indiana to save on their smokes. Now at $3 per pack, it's a near certainty that Indiana consumers will travel to Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan to buy cheaper cigarettes. This type of smuggling is what we call 'casual,' and it typically involves people crossing borders to save money on personal consumption. A far more organized form of illicit trade, 'commercial' smuggling, also thrives on large tax differentials, often involving long-haul shipments by organized crime. Nearby Missouri charges just 17 cents per pack, so it doesn't strain credulity to suggest that smuggling from that state to Indiana may soon commence. Many may hope that the police will be an effective deterrent against such smuggling. It is unlikely. Indiana struggles to keep tobacco and drugs out of its own correctional facilities. In April a man was arrested for attempting to fly tobacco, marijuana and vape pens into the Westville Correctional Facility via drone. In November 2024, a corrections officer was charged with smuggling tobacco, marijuana and methamphetamine to an inmate at the Pendleton Correctional Facility. In March 2024, a federal corrections officer at Terre Haute was busted for delivering cigarettes to an inmate and reportedly received $400 per carton. Opinion: Indiana's 'free market' rental laws are rigged in favor of landlords Public corruption is just one additional, corrosive effect of high cigarette taxes. There are others. Over the years we have catalogued cases of smuggling-related violence against civilians, police, a cash-and-carry retailer, retail store attendants and property. These instances highlight the overwhelming challenge to public safety and law enforcement. Lawmakers in Indiana and elsewhere should recognize the costly ill effects of sin taxes, as well as their purported benefits, such as the additional revenue these taxes typically generate.

USA Today
a day ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Suspect of Minnesota lawmaker shooting to appear in federal court
Vance Boelter, who is accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers, faces six federal charges, including multiple counts of murder and stalking. If convicted, he will be eligible for the death penalty. The man accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses is expected to appear in federal court June 27, where he will face a half dozen criminal charges and possibly the death penalty. After what police have called the largest manhunt in state history, Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested and accused of killing state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Both lawmakers are members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and officials have called the killings a targeted "political assassination." According to a 20-page affidavit filed in federal court, Boelter planned extensively for the June 14 attack and wanted to 'kill, injure, harass and intimidate'' more than 45 Minnesota state and federal officials. Prosecutors say he also intended to target several other Midwestern lawmakers. "It is not an exaggeration to say that his crimes are the stuff of nightmares,'' Joseph Thompson, the acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, said. "Boelter stalked his victims like prey.'' Boelter faces six federal charges, including multiple counts of murder and stalking, making him eligible for the death penalty if convicted. His appearance in court in St. Paul for a combined detention and preliminary hearing comes as Hortman, her husband and their dog are set to lie in state at the Minnesota State Capitol. What happened in Minnesota shootings? Before the attacks, Boelter compiled a list of mostly Democratic state lawmakers and their addresses, disguised his SUV to look like a police squad car, and purchased a silicone mask and a cache of weapons, according to the affidavit. Boelter disguised himself as a law enforcement officer and went to the Hoffmans' home in Champlin, about 20 miles northwest of Minneapolis, around 2 a.m. on June 14, prosecutors say. Boelter opened fire on the couple in what Thompson called a "chilling'' attack captured on video. 'Stuff of nightmares': How investigators say attacks on Minn. lawmakers unfolded Boelter then traveled to two other unnamed lawmakers' homes before going to the Hortmans' house and killing them, according to the affidavit. He allegedly exchanged gunfire with police outside the Hortmans' home before escaping into a wooded area. Authorities eventually tracked Boelter to an area near his family home in Green Isle, Minnesota, about an hour southwest of the Twin Cities. The next day, at 9:10 p.m., Boelter crawled out of a wooded area and surrendered to law enforcement. Who is Vance Boelter? Suspect in Minnesota shootings Boelter's wife told investigators he was a doomsday "prepper" who set aside passports, guns and hordes of cash in the event of a catastrophe, according to a recently unsealed complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Minnesota. At various times, Boelter has claimed to work in the food service industry. In other moments, he's claimed he runs large firms involved with 'security situations' overseas, including Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Who is Vance Luther Boelter? What to know about the man wanted in the 'assassination' of a Minnesota lawmaker Court documents say Boelter worked at Red Lion, a 'security company and fishing outfit in Congo, Africa.' David Carlson, 59, told Reuters that Boelter worked for an eye donation center near the house they have been sharing in Minneapolis for more than a year. Suspect will also face state charges Boelter is also facing two counts of second-degree intentional murder and two counts of second-degree attempted intentional murder in Minnesota state court. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said she plans to obtain a grand jury indictment and upgrade the charges to first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Contributing: Michael Loria, Eduardo Cuevas and Jonathan Limehouse, Christopher Cann, Terry Collins and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY


Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Elmhurst Art Museum highlights permanent collection in new exhibit
It started in 1981 with a group of teachers, artists and other art lovers who wanted to share that love with a wider audience. And the Elmhurst Art Museum has been gathering an impressive collection of artwork ever since. 'In the beginning, a lot of the local artists and people in the Elmhurst Artists' Guild and local collectors donated their collections to start the collection,' said Allison Peters Quinn, the museum's executive director and chief curator. A little over 10 years later, they had enough clout and resources to acquire the Mies van der Rohe-designed McCormick House, built in 1952. It was purchased in 1992 by a group led by artist and educator Eleanor King Hookham and moved to the Elmhurst Art Museum Campus. 'That set us on the path of art, architecture and education,' Quinn explained. Through Aug. 17, the museum is staging an exhibition of items from its permanent collection called, 'Legacies: Selections from the Elmhurst Art Museum Permanent Collection.' The focus of the show is on collecting and collections. 'We wanted to show how collections work,' Quinn said. 'Who gives and how.' Initially, the plan for the museum was to exhibit and collect works of local artists, but that focus soon expanded. The museum now has a permanent collection of around 1,000 works by a diverse assortment of creators. 'It's a collection that is focused on 20th century art and design by Midwestern artists,' Quinn said. She noted that pieces have been donated to the museum in a variety of ways. 'It could be a family member, it could be the artists themselves, it could be their friends who pulled together their resources to make sure that story is told by a museum,' Quinn explained. One interesting item in the collection, Quinn indicated, is the Barcelona Chair, attributed to Mies van der Rohe. 'It was designed actually by a designer, Lily Wright, that he worked with but it was always attributed to Mies van der Rohe, as happened with women artists in the '50s,' Quinn said. Although the primary focus era of the museum's collection is midcentury modern, Quinn reported, because of the way the museum was started, they do have pieces as old as the 1800s. 'We're telling the story of midcentury modern and contemporary because that's what the charter of the institution is now,' Quinn explained. 'When it started, it was a little bit more nebulous.' One valuable item in the collection is a large painting by Michelle Grabner, who taught at the School of the Art Institute for a long time and had solo shows in important institutions. Another interesting work that Quinn cited is 'Circus Wagon' by Joseph Burlini. 'It's this magical metal sculpture, about six feet tall, three by three feet square, but it's circular,' Quinn said. 'It has all these metal parts. When you look at it, it feels like it's moving.' The work was a gift from the Elmhurst Fine Arts and Civic Center Foundation. The museum's current exhibition draws from donations from over 200 collections and donors. It features micro installations of paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures from over a dozen collections. Works by local, regional, national, and international artists are included. The Elmhurst Art Museum is at 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave. More information is at

Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana's 201% cigarette tax hike will fuel smuggling, not just revenue
Indiana's 201% hike in its cigarette excise tax, which takes effect July 1, will reshape consumer behavior, and not necessarily in the way lawmakers expect. While the intent is to boost revenue, the dramatic tax increase from 99.5 cents per pack to nearly $3 will light up at least one major unintended consequence: cigarette smuggling. Some smokers will quit, but many others will engage in tax avoidance and evasion — and possibly other illegal behavior. We are from Indiana and Michigan, respectively, and have long shared a scholarly interest in smuggling. Since 2008, we have published estimates of cigarette smuggling by comparing legal-paid sales in each state to that state's smoking rates. We and other scholars attribute the difference between what is bought legally and what is being smoked to smuggling. We found that, through 2023, Indiana was one of America's top export states for smuggled cigarettes, serving as a source for casual shoppers from neighboring states and large-scale, organized crime alike. We also found that for every 100 cigarettes smoked in Indiana during 2023, an additional 23 were smuggled out, and very likely to higher-taxed neighbors such as Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. Thanks to smuggling, the Indiana treasury generated an extra $61 million in cigarette taxes on sales for out-of-state consumption. This bounty will change when Indiana's own cigarette excise tax rate leaps to nearly $3 per pack. Research shows that yawning tax disparities are a prime driver of cross-border cigarette shopping. On the state's southern border is Kentucky, a tobacco state with an excise tax of just $1.10 per pack. To the east, Ohio's tax is set at $1.60 per pack. The northern border touches Michigan, which charges $2 per pack. Hoosiers are likely to cross all three borders in search of cheaper cigarettes. Indeed, our statistical model indicates that nearly 15% of cigarette consumption—more than 39 million packs—will be smuggled into the state as a result of this tax hike. Briggs: Mike Braun's tuition freeze for Indiana colleges is a marketing gimmick Indiana last raised its cigarette tax in July 2007, from 55 cents to 99.5 cents per pack. For our 2008 study, we obtained the sales data of a large Midwestern cigarette distributor. These data, which let us track activity by ZIP code, allowed us to measure sales from wholesalers to retailers in counties that touched each other along the Indiana-Michigan border. We found that in the three months leading up to and the three months following Indiana's last tax hike, sales to Michigan retailers in border counties rose more than 50% as buyers stocked up on cigarettes in preparation of changes that will give Michiganders less incentive to cross the state line into Indiana to save on their smokes. Now at $3 per pack, it's a near certainty that Indiana consumers will travel to Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan to buy cheaper cigarettes. This type of smuggling is what we call 'casual,' and it typically involves people crossing borders to save money on personal consumption. A far more organized form of illicit trade, 'commercial' smuggling, also thrives on large tax differentials, often involving long-haul shipments by organized crime. Nearby Missouri charges just 17 cents per pack, so it doesn't strain credulity to suggest that smuggling from that state to Indiana may soon commence. Many may hope that the police will be an effective deterrent against such smuggling. It is unlikely. Indiana struggles to keep tobacco and drugs out of its own correctional facilities. In April a man was arrested for attempting to fly tobacco, marijuana and vape pens into the Westville Correctional Facility via drone. In November 2024, a corrections officer was charged with smuggling tobacco, marijuana and methamphetamine to an inmate at the Pendleton Correctional Facility. In March 2024, a federal corrections officer at Terre Haute was busted for delivering cigarettes to an inmate and reportedly received $400 per carton. Opinion: Indiana's 'free market' rental laws are rigged in favor of landlords Public corruption is just one additional, corrosive effect of high cigarette taxes. There are others. Over the years we have catalogued cases of smuggling-related violence against civilians, police, a cash-and-carry retailer, retail store attendants and property. These instances highlight the overwhelming challenge to public safety and law enforcement. Lawmakers in Indiana and elsewhere should recognize the costly ill effects of sin taxes, as well as their purported benefits, such as the additional revenue these taxes typically generate.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes' luxury steakhouse hits construction snag ahead of NFL season
Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes' restaurant, 1587 Prime, faces delays (Getty Images) Kansas City Chiefs icons Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes may dominate on the football field, but their latest off-field venture—a high-end steakhouse called 1587 Prime—is facing some serious delays just months before its planned grand opening. Located in downtown Kansas City's upscale Loews Hotel, the much-hyped restaurant is being marketed as a luxury hotspot blending fine dining with a football stadium vibe. But while Chiefs fans were expecting to enjoy ribeyes and red-zone replays under the same roof by late summer, insiders say construction problems could put those plans on ice. Construction delays raise questions about opening timeline Recent footage from inside 1587 Prime has cast doubt on whether the space will be ready in time. The footage shows exposed framing, unfinished kitchen installations, and an overall construction zone far from completion. With NFL training camp around the corner, both Mahomes and Kelce have shifted their focus to football, leaving their hospitality partners at Noble 33 to carry the weight. The global restaurant group—known for trendy destinations like Meduza Mediterrania in New York—is tasked with turning the unfinished space into a two-story steakhouse experience unlike any other in Kansas City. Steakhouse meets stadium: What fans can expect The vision for 1587 Prime is ambitious. Guests will enter through a 'stadium tunnel' leading to a host stand and a premium meat display modeled after an Arrowhead Stadium walkout. The first floor will feature sleek kitchens and a central wine wall, while the second story boasts an open-air kitchen and bar area showing exclusively Chiefs games. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Never turn off your computer again, if you own a mouse Panzer Rush Play Now Undo Private dining rooms and a VIP suite are also part of the plan. One unique touch? A celebrity viewing area with a two-way mirror, offering high-profile guests—like Taylor Swift—privacy while soaking in the ambiance. While the menu has yet to be revealed, it's expected to center around American steakhouse classics—porterhouse, filet, strip cuts—with a focus on luxury that's 'still accessible,' a nod to Kelce and Mahomes' blue-collar Midwestern roots. Also Read: 'The damage…is permanent': Taylor Swift furious over Blake Lively as Travis Kelce gets caught in between the legal storm With the NFL season approaching fast, all eyes are now on Noble 33. Will they finish in time for the fall rush and capitalize on game-day crowds? Or will the Chiefs' off-field playbook need a last-minute adjustment? One thing's certain: 1587 Prime may be about football and fine dining—but right now, the clock is ticking. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.