6/11/26 - Statehouse Happenings: Bayh Seeks to Unite Democrats as Republicans Gear Up for Wild Convention

6/11/26 - Trump loves inflation, Ryan White gets a Statue, John Rust talks GOP convention drama

Today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show opens with suburban leaders increasingly speaking out about violence from Marion County spilling into surrounding communities. Rob says Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam helped start the public pushback after a violent carjacking, and now Hendricks County Prosecutor Loren Delp is adding data showing a sharp increase in murder defendants coming from Marion County into Hendricks County. Rob argues this proves the issue is no longer contained to Indianapolis. Rob says the problem is bigger than Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears alone. He argues the judges, Mayor Joe Hogsett, and the broader Marion County justice system have all contributed to an environment where repeat offenders do not fear consequences. Rob says local control matters, but when Marion County’s failures begin draining law enforcement, court, and taxpayer resources in other counties, surrounding communities have a legitimate right to demand state action. The show also looks at how downtown Indianapolis has changed under years of violence, disorder, and weak leadership. Rob reflects on how safe and active downtown once felt compared to what he sees now, with businesses gone, commercial real estate cheaper, and people more cautious about where and when they go. He says if Marion County leaders will not fix the problem themselves, the General Assembly may finally have enough reason to step in. Another major topic is inflation, after new Labor Department numbers showed consumer prices rising 4.2% in May, the first time inflation topped 4% since 2023. Rob says Trump will be judged by whether he can make life more affordable, and so far he has not done enough to address the price of everyday goods. He criticizes Trump’s response to the inflation numbers, especially saying he “loves inflation,” arguing that the comment will likely be used against Republicans in swing races. The episode closes with Rob criticizing Trump’s handling of Iran and oil prices. He says Trump campaigned as the no-more-wars candidate, but now sounds more like George W. Bush by claiming Iran was close to a nuclear weapon without showing proof. Rob argues Americans are still paying more for oil and gas, and they do not want to hear political spin when prices remain high. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

6/11/26 - Statehouse Happenings: Bayh Seeks to Unite Democrats as Republicans Gear Up for Wild Convention

Beau Bayh was victorious at the Democrat Convention, securing his nomination to run for Secretary of State. Bayh's next challenge becomes to unite his moderate wing of the party with the hard left that voted for his opponent Blythe Potter. Meanwhile, the Republicans face chaos at their convention, as the Secretary of State race threatens to fracture the party. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss all this and more on Statehouse Happenings. You can find more information at RobKendallShow.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

6/10/26 - Shelbyville Data Center spotlight, Supreme Court to decide mail-in balloting

Today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show focuses on Indiana’s data center boom and the lack of a statewide framework for how these projects should work. Rob points to new reporting that the IEDC has provided roughly $655 million in incentives and tax breaks for data centers, while communities are left to figure out the consequences on their own. He argues data centers have value, but taxpayers deserve transparency, clear protections, and a defined local benefit before massive projects reshape their communities. Shelbyville remains a major example of that fight, where residents are pushing back against a proposed data center development and feel ignored by local leaders. Rob says the mayor’s caught-on-tape comments insulting opponents of the project only deepened the anger, especially after the city overrode its own planning commission. The broader concern is that without state-level rules, every community will be forced to battle these projects one at a time while the state continues subsidizing them. The show also turns to the Supreme Court and a pending case over whether mail-in ballots can be counted after Election Day in federal elections. Rob says the ruling could have major national consequences, especially after repeated controversies in California and other states where ballots are still being processed days after polls close. He argues ballots should be received by Election Day, not merely postmarked by then, because extended counting creates distrust and gives people reason to suspect shenanigans. Rob also criticizes California’s universal mail-in voting system, where millions of ballots are sent automatically and large numbers remain unprocessed nearly a week after Election Day. He says he is not against modern voting machines or reasonable absentee voting, but believes mass mail-in voting without strong verification is an obvious problem. Rob argues voter ID and clear Election Day deadlines are basic safeguards that should not be controversial. The episode closes with more fallout over Indiana sheriffs, after Rob realizes he left Scott County’s former sheriff Kenneth Hughbanks off his recent list of troubled sheriffs. Rob details Hughbanks’ guilty plea related to tax evasion and his connection to Jamey Noel, then notes that Hughbanks, Diego Morales, and Jennifer-Ruth Green were still listed on Jim Banks’ endorsement page. Rob says the repeated sheriff scandals show Indiana has a serious accountability problem, especially when politically connected figures remain tied into the Republican power structure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

6/9/26 - Max Engling supports Special Investigator into Morales? Plus Property tax appeals disaster

Today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show opens with Rob’s frustration over Indiana’s property tax assessment system after trying to understand his own assessment. He explains that his home was assessed higher than nearby comparable homes, including one with a larger house and lot, but the assessor’s office could not clearly explain why. Rob argues the problem is not only that property taxes are unfair, but that the government cannot even explain how it decides what people owe. Rob says the assessment system is broken because the burden falls on homeowners to prove the government made a mistake, even when the assessor’s office appears unable to justify the numbers. He walks through the appeal process and says it can take months or even years before a taxpayer gets an answer. Rob argues lawmakers know assessments are the core issue, but continue avoiding meaningful reform while homeowners are left fighting a confusing system on their own. The show also criticizes Indiana Republicans for focusing on major spending projects while failing to fix basic taxpayer problems. Rob points to politicians celebrating the possibility of bringing the Chicago Bears to Indiana while ordinary homeowners cannot get clear answers about why their tax bills are going up. He says the same Republican officials who argue with him online should be spending that time fixing the property tax system they helped create. Another segment covers the arrest of Jennings County Sheriff Kenny Freeman Jr., who was indicted after an investigation into stolen campaign signs. Rob explains that a sheriff candidate used a GPS tracker on one of his signs, which allegedly led investigators to Freeman’s property. Rob says stealing campaign signs is one of the dumbest and lowest forms of political behavior because signs cost money, represent free speech, and matter especially in local races. The episode closes with Rob arguing Indiana needs serious reform around sheriffs and law enforcement accountability. He notes that this is the fourth Indiana sheriff by his count to face arrest or charges in recent years, which he says points to a larger problem with sheriffs acting as though they are above the law. Rob says the state should hold sheriffs to a higher standard because they are the chief law enforcement officers in their counties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

6/8/26 - Bears move forward with Hammond? Beau Bayh wins convention and Trump quits Interview

Today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show focuses on the Chicago Bears’ announcement that their board voted to advance a stadium project in Hammond, Indiana. Rob breaks down the carefully worded statement, pointing out that the Bears did not say the move is final or that a deal has been signed. He says Indiana politicians are acting like it is done, but the Bears’ language suggests they may still be using Indiana as leverage against Illinois. Rob compares the reactions from Indiana leaders, noting that House Speaker Todd Huston sounded certain the Bears are coming, while Governor Braun was more cautious and said major real estate deals are not final until they are truly completed. Rob argues Braun’s more measured tone reflects the reality that Chicago and Arlington Heights may still be in play, especially since Illinois officials continue saying they remain open to keeping the Bears. The show also digs into the political and financial stakes of the Bears proposal. Rob says Indiana’s offer is extremely generous to the team, with taxpayers potentially helping subsidize a multibillion-dollar franchise through toll road money, tax breaks, and other public support. He argues that while landing an NFL team would be a major spectacle, it could come at a serious cost to regular Hoosiers. Another major topic is Trump’s interview on Meet the Press, where he clashed with Kristen Welker over California’s election system. Rob says California’s slow vote count, mail-in ballot rules, and jungle primary process create exactly the kind of distrust that fuels claims of rigged elections. He argues that even if no fraud is proven, taking a week or more to count ballots is unacceptable and makes the system look broken. The episode closes with Rob saying California’s election process needs serious reform, especially when late-counted ballots repeatedly change the direction of races. He argues voters should have confidence in results quickly after Election Day, and that states should not be counting large numbers of ballots days later. Rob says systems like Indiana’s, with voter ID and faster reporting, do far more to protect public trust. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]