On today's Midday Matters, we're talking with Ball State economist Michael Hicks and USF economist Doug Meader about how the sequestration order, signed by President Obama Friday, could affect Indiana. How do you see your life being affected by federal spending cuts? Or do you think the impact will be smaller than we've heard so far?

MASHED MAPLE SWEET POTATOES

5 to 6 large sweet potatoes

1/2 cup softened butter

1 cup cream or half and half

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 1/4 cup chopped pecans

2 eggs, beaten

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 cup chopped pecans

On today's Friday Artcentric edition, it's the 1st Friday 'Penhollow Path' we follow--ArtSmart Steve Penhollow is inspecting the Danee Pye/Alex Brown 'Bomb Shelter' comedy project, and talking 'all things music scene' w/ local music man, Mike Conly.

It's time to explore your Outer Spaces!

State lawmakers say discussion over how best to implement the Affordable Care Act will continue in the second half of this year’s legislative session.  But Republican leaders say uncertainty about the financial burden placed on the state by Medicaid expansion likely eliminates that option.

Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly said it appears sequestration cuts will go into effect before a deal is reached in Congress, but negotiations won’t stop with the Friday deadline.  Governor Mike Pence said the state is planning for the cuts.

The automatic federal spending cuts known as sequestration could include $32 million in education cuts in Indiana, 11,000 furloughed civilian workers from the state’s defense sector and cuts to money for child immunizations and domestic violence prevention.