Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has appointed an interim director of the Hoosier Lottery until a permanent replacement is found for Kathryn Densborn. She resigned last week following a flap over her lavish spending on a new headquarters. The Daniels' administration announced the appointment of Megan Ornellas today. She’s the chief of staff for the Family and Social Services Administration, the state's largest agency. Densborn came under fire earlier this month following reports of lavish spending on the move to a 35,000-square-foot office that included a $25,000 workout gym. Daniels Chief of Staff Earl Goode says the governor has set high standards for economy and appearances at the lottery and insists on ``rigorous enforcement.'' (Information for this story came from the Associated Press)
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.