Sign in

Tony Cook

@tonycook317.bsky.social
7K followers 111 following 60 posts

Investigations editor @IndyStar.

PostsRepliesMedia
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Indiana dropped prison staffing penalties before taking in hundreds of ICE detainees, two of whom have died amid allegations of inadequate staffing and massive backlogs for medical care. www.indystar.com/story/news/i... via @bykristinep.bsky.social
indystar.com
Indiana dropped prison staffing penalties before ICE detainee deaths
Indiana took on hundreds of new ICE detainees — 2 of whom died — after giving up an accountability tool intended to ensure proper medical staffing.
012
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Meet the man behind the layoffs at WRTV Channel 6. www.indystar.com/story/news/i... via @allymburris.bsky.social + Heather Bushman
010
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
NEW: A former Indianapolis Colts player is among those detained by ICE at the Indiana prison the Trump administration has dubbed the 'Speedway Slammer' indystar.com/story/news/i... via IndyStar's @bykristinep.bsky.social (photo: Matt Kryger)
indystar.com
From 'Kenyan Hercules' to detainee: Ex-Colts player is in ICE custody
Daniel Adongo, a former rugby star and the first Kenyan to play in the NFL, has been detained for months at Miami Correctional Facility.
032
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
John Scott Johnson, a wealthy Fishers software engineer, catapulted to leadership of Indiana's anti-Trump protest movement. Then came allegations of paranoia, 'cult-like' manipulation and planned drone attacks. New investigation from @catecharron.bsky.social www.indystar.com/story/news/i...
indystar.com
Drones and sex parties: Behind the rift in Indiana's protest movement
He catapulted to leadership of Indiana's protest movement. Then came allegations of paranoia, 'cult-like' manipulation and planned drone attacks.
142
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
I can't tell you how excited I am to announce that @hayleighcolombo.bsky.social is joining IndyStar's investigative team. She used to scoop me during her time at @IBJnews and I've been a fan of her work ever since. www.indystar.com/story/news/i...
indystar.com
Hayleigh Colombo joins IndyStar investigative team
Her addition means readers can expect more impactful, in-depth journalism that holds the powerful to account.
010
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Church leaders sent a pastor accused of sexual abuse to Indiana, where he continued to exploit women, a new report says. www.indystar.com/story/news/i... via @bykristinep.bsky.social
121
Reposted by Tony Cook
Ryan Martin @byryanmartin.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
"These people in Iran are so desperate ... My family is so desperate." www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
indystar.com
Glued to their phones, Iranian Hoosiers track war back home
Hoosiers from Iran are glued to their phones as war escalates with U.S., Israel.
011
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
IMPD officer arrested for battery after off-duty fight at Crunch Fitness indystar.com/story/news/c...
indystar.com
IMPD officer arrested for battery after off-duty fight at Crunch Fitness
IMPD Officer Taylor Jones, 32, was arrested and charged with battery following an investigation into a fight that happened at the end of February.
000
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
New details on the ICE detainee who died at the Indiana prison the Trump administration has dubbed the 'Speedway Slammer.' indystar.com/story/news/i... via @bykristinep.bsky.social
indystar.com
ICE detainee at Miami prison died of natural causes, coroner says
Lorth Sim, a 59-year-old Cambodian, was prescribed diabetes medication at the time of his death, Miami County Coroner John Boyer said.
011
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
The former employer of Ivy Tech's president says he left them with a surprise $188 million deficit. Marty Pollio has denied misleading the school district. indystar.com/story/news/i... via @allymburris.bsky.social
indystar.com
Ivy Tech's president left Kentucky schools with big budget hole
Ivy Tech President Marty Pollio's former school district faces a $188 million deficit. Audits and school officials blame him.
011
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
He was falsely convicted of murder. It took 27 years to clear his name indystar.com/story/news/i... via ⁦@bykristinep.bsky.social
indystar.com
He was falsely convicted of murder. It took 27 years to clear his name
"I'm just trying to be a better man and a better father now ... Too much has been taken away from me," Reginald Dillard said.
021
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
This Indiana prison had a suicide crisis. Then its mental health staff left. Strong work here from @bykristinep.bsky.social ✏️ and @mykalmceldowney.bsky.social 📷🎥 indystar.com/story/news/i...
indystar.com
This prison had a suicide crisis. Then its mental health staff left.
Conditions inside Indiana State Prison are fueling a suicide crisis, according to former mental health employees.
000
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
DOJ probes Indiana University's scholarship programs www.indystar.com/story/news/e... via @catecharron.bsky.social
indystar.com
DOJ probes Indiana University's scholarship programs
The Justice Department's review comes as the Trump administration targets DEI programs.
013
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
DHS: "It should not come as news that ICE will be making arrests in states across the U.S. and is actively working to expand detention space." indystar.com/story/news/i... via @allymburris.bsky.social
indystar.com
Report: Indianapolis considered for 8,500-bed ICE detention facility
The Trump administration is quietly acquiring warehouses as part of new model to streamline detention and deportation efforts.
022
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
New: Lawmakers could scrap child labor reporting in Indiana under changes made to legislation in the state Senate. It's the latest effort to roll back child labor laws. indystar.com/story/news/i... via @allymburris.bsky.social
indystar.com
Lawmakers could scrap child labor reporting in Indiana
Indiana employers would no longer be required to report the use of child labor to the state.
020
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
An armed anti-ICE protest is planned for tomorrow in downtown Indianapolis. Here's what police had to say... www.indystar.com/story/news/l... via @catecharron
002
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
NEW: Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem are facing a lawsuit from an Indiana man who says they coerced Apple to remove his ICE monitoring app www.indystar.com/story/news/p... via @catecharron
indystar.com
Lawsuit: Bondi, Noem coerced Apple to remove Indiana man's ICE monitoring app
Federal officials have repeatedly expressed a desire to shutter channels that post about ICE operations and locations.
022
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
We've reported on how state law allows bars with lengthy histories of violence to continue operating. Now, lawmakers are advancing a bill that would allow state regulators to more quickly shut down bars where felonies occur. indystar.com/story/news/p... via Marissa Meador
indystar.com
After years of violence at Indianapolis bars, Indiana Statehouse advances an effort to crack down
The bill comes after two multi-person shootings at downtown Indianapolis bars late last year and a shooting death at a Fishers bar.
100
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Federal judge denies ex-state Sen. Brent Waltz's effort challenge his sentence for illegally funneling tens of thousands of dollars in casino cash to his congressional campaign indystar.com/story/news/i... via @allymburris.bsky.social
indystar.com
Ex-state Sen. Brent Waltz loses challenge to overturn federal sentence
Waltz pleaded guilty to illegally accepting casino cash for his U.S. House race. He claimed he got bad legal advice.
041
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Gov. Mike Braun didn't reply to @catecharron.bsky.social's inquiries, but people with ties to Turning Point USA, the organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, say a partnership with the state is in the works The goal: a chapter of the conservative advocacy group to every Indiana school
indystar.com
Indiana to partner with Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA to expand presence in schools
The partnership would strive to start chapters in every school and punish schools that prevent students from creating or joining the club.
110
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
I spoke with Rep. Ed Clere about his decision to leave the legislature -- and the Republican Party. He had a lot to say…
indystar.com
'The party left me': Longtime Indiana lawmaker is leaving the GOP
Rep. Ed Clere said he won't run for re-election and will campaign for New Albany mayor as an independent.
1176
Reposted by Tony Cook
Emily Hopkins reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
We made a one-stop shop for city transparency after the Hogsett administration failed to. While reporting, we noticed years worth of missing reports. Since we contacted the city, they've updated their website. Updates to ours coming shortly. mirrorindy.org/disclose-ind...
mirrorindy.org
Hogsett hasn’t delivered a ‘Disclose Indy’ ethics portal. So we built one.
We also obtained records not previously made public as promised.
0147
Reposted by Tony Cook
John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
This is beautiful journalism. The mayor of Indianapolis failed on his promise to deliver a "one-stop shop" for public records such as ethics filings, campaign finance reports and city contracts. So journalists with IndyStar and @mirrorindy.org built their own. A link is in comments. Just wow.
A screenshot of a story you can find on IndyStar.com with the headline, "Hogsett hasn't delivered a 'Disclose Indy' ethics portal. So we built one."
1146
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Hogsett promised a 'one-stop shop' ethics portal. Ten years later, it doesn't exist www.indystar.com/story/news/i... w/ @mirrorindy.org
indystar.com
Hogsett promised a 'one-stop shop' ethics portal. Ten years later, it doesn't exist
The mayor told residents he wanted to make it easier for the public and media to find crucial information.
110
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
NEW: Despite Mayor Joe Hogsett's pledge to curb the practice, his administration routinely awards no-bid contracts — including to his former staffers and top campaign donors. w/ @mirrorindy.org www.indystar.com/story/news/i...
093
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Indianapolis woman charged with threatening to kill a member of Congress. indystar.com/story/news/i...
indystar.com
Indianapolis woman charged with threatening to kill member of Congress
The threats included text messages with statements such as "Come outside b**** we'll kill you" and "Tread lightly," according to court filings.
011
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
NEW: A Marion County grand jury is investigating development deals involving Mayor Joe Hogsett’s former chief of staff Thomas Cook www.indystar.com/story/news/p...
indystar.com
Grand jury investigating development deals involving former Hogsett deputy Thomas Cook
Mayor Joe Hogsett's former chief of staff Thomas Cook was forced to resign from the city in 2020. In 2024, three women accused him of sexual harassment.
011
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
For the second year in a row, the number of DCS caseworkers fell while the number of child welfare cases grew, according to the child welfare agency's annual staffing and caseload report indystar.com/story/news/2...
indystar.com
Fewer workers, more cases: Report shows DCS struggles to meet caseload requirements
A new report from the Indiana Department of Child Services shows a 40% of counties don't have enough workers to meet caseload standards.
012
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Mayor Joe Hogsett, who has cultivated a reputation for public integrity, ignored conflicts of interest involving his former top aide Thomas Cook, a secret relationship, and millions of dollars in city incentives. New joint investigation from IndyStar and @mirrorindy.org indystar.com/story/news/i...
indystar.com
Hogsett ignored Thomas Cook's secret relationship as money flowed to developers
An IndyStar and Mirror Indy investigation has found that Hogsett ignored conflicts of interest involving millions of dollars in city incentives.
0188
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Amid push for nuclear, energy companies showered Indiana lawmakers with gifts, meals, and campaign contributions. IndyStar's Marissa Meador has the receipts -- and a wild exchange between a state rep and a local mayor. www.indystar.com/story/news/p...
indystar.com
Energy lobby ramped up spending on meals and gifts for lawmakers amid push for nuclear. It worked
Powerful utility committee chairmen Sen. Eric Koch and Rep. Ed Soliday heralded pro-nuclear bills while accepting paid meals from utilities.
032
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
NEW: Despite denials, email shows ex-Henry County sheriff knew of sex abuse claim www.indystar.com/story/news/i...
indystar.com
Despite denials, email shows ex-Henry County sheriff knew of sex abuse claim
Ric McCorkle denied that he knew about an inmate's 2018 sex abuse allegation. A newly disclosed email suggests he did know about the allegation.
001
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Top Indiana Republicans met with VP on redistricting. Only Democrats are talking about it. www.indystar.com/story/news/p...
indystar.com
Top Indiana Republicans met with VP on redistricting. Only Democrats are talking about it
Gov. Mike Braun and GOP legislative leaders provided few details about redistricting after meeting with Vice President JD Vance. Why?
011
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
I grew up on the Little Miami River. I did not know it was possible to request that the water level be raised. This would have been useful information for my (not smart) teenage bridge jumping exploits.
060
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
NEW: A Henry County official sexually abused clients for years. An ⁦IndyStar investigation found that multiple county leaders knew of allegations, but failed to stop him. www.indystar.com/story/news/i...
indystar.com
County official abused clients for years. Leaders knew of allegations, but failed to stop him
An IndyStar investigation has identified at least seven men who say they were sexually abused by a Henry County community corrections official.
034
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
NEW: A DCS worker tipped off a residential youth treatment center with a history of abuse allegations about 'surprise' inspection. "I will tell you but you can't say I told you…” www.indystar.com/story/news/i...
indystar.com
DCS worker tipped off youth center with history of abuse allegations about 'surprise' inspection
DCS received at least 27 reports alleging sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior by staff at Pierceton Woods Academy since 2017.
030
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
NEW: 'Enormous harm to children': Caseload limits for DCS quietly chopped in state budget bill www.indystar.com/story/news/i...
indystar.com
'Enormous harm to children': Caseload limits for DCS quietly chopped in state budget bill
The move is raising concerns within the agency and among child welfare advocates.
030
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
A decade ago... www.indystar.com/story/news/p...
040
Reposted by Tony Cook
John Writes Stuff @johnwritesstuff.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
"Shiny new hospitals should not be secretly financed with understaffed nursing homes and patient neglect," an attorney who represents nursing home residents and their families told IndyStar. Tony Cook, @tonycook317.bsky.social, investigated this important issue. Here's what he found.
indystar.com
Residents suffer as county hospitals divert $2.6 billion from poorly staffed nursing homes
New data obtained by IndyStar through a public records lawsuit reveals the fullest picture yet of Indiana's secretive nursing home Medicaid scheme
043
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
NEW: Data obtained by IndyStar through a public records lawsuit shows a massive diversion of Medicaid money intended to provide care for sick and elderly nursing home residents. www.indystar.com/story/news/i...
152
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Twitter crashed for me this morning on the mobile app and desktop. Both are still down. www.indystar.com/story/news/2...
090
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
The Indiana National Guard is deleting posts celebrating Black history and women due to the Trump administration’s federal order. They include this one commemorating Juneteenth and the end of slavery. www.indystar.com/story/news/p... via @hayleighcolombo.bsky.social
154
Reposted by Tony Cook
Emily Hopkins reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
I've be struggling to comprehend how the sweeping disruptions to federal programs and mountain of executive orders is having a real-time effect on people here in Indianapolis. So I'm starting this thread to keep track of stories documenting the impact. Let's go.
1420873
Reposted by Tony Cook
Ryan Martin @byryanmartin.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
New: Fundraising is ongoing for the Indianapolis mayor who said he wouldn't run again. A campaign flyer obtained by Mirror Indy suggests yearly donations of $2,500 or more for access to "Mayor Joe" next month. Here's the latest from @peterblanchard.bsky.social: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
074
Reposted by Tony Cook
scottehorner.bsky.social @scottehorner.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
#MLS to Indianapolis talk heats up. www.indystar.com/story/sports...
indystar.com
Gov. Braun says he met with MLS commissioner, signals early support for Indianapolis club
While Mayor Joe Hogsett's proposal for stadium funding mechanism awaits state lawmaker approval, Gov. Mike Braun says he met with top MLS executive.
031
Reposted by Tony Cook
Jordan Smith @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
WISH-TV meteorologist says she was fired after questioning how station treats Black women www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
indystar.com
WISH-TV meteorologist says she was fired after questioning how station treats Black women
After more than six years as WISH-TV's chief meteorologist, Ashley Brown Elliott says she was fired after questioning how the station treats Black women.
183
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
IndyStar scoop: Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber is heading to Indy to talk about the city's pursuit of a professional soccer club. www.indystar.com/story/sports...
indystar.com
Sources: MLS boss heads to Indy months after talking up city as future team site
Mayor Joe Hogsett is trying to bring a MLS to Indianapolis but he'll need the blessing of state government leaders to finance a stadium.
011
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
The Indiana House passed a bill to let payday lenders charge rates currently considered felony loan sharking. ▪️Loans up to $5K w/ rates of nearly 150% ▪️Targets borrowers w/ poor credit, high risk for default ▪️"Monthly service fees" that opponents worry could confuse borrowers
285
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
NEW: Bert Whalen, one-time business partner of former Fox & Friends host Clayton Morris, was sentenced today in New Jersey for his role in a multi-million real estate Ponzi scheme involving hundreds of Indianapolis properties www.indystar.com/story/news/i...
093
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
The legislation is a response, in part, to abuse scandals at USA Gymnastics that were uncovered by IndyStar. www.indystar.com/story/news/i...
indystar.com
Indiana lawmakers pushing for tougher penalties for failing to report child abuse
The measure is a response to failures at USA Gymnastics and other organizations.
030
Tony Cook @tonycook317.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
We're looking for an environment reporter to join our team @indystar. jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/gannet...
054