Winners

Tom Henry

: Officials break ground on Courtyard by Marriott, a key component of Harrison Square, largely because of mayor’s successful efforts to secure final piece of financing from local banks.

Foster Park

: John Oldenkamp and his late wife, Julia, donate $250,000 for improvements to the south side park, including repairs to a pavilion, new limestone signs and new path along the main park drive separating pedestrians and bike riders from vehicular traffic.

Al Franken

: Former “Saturday Night Live” writer and cast member finally wins disputed Senate race after incumbent Republican Norm Coleman concedes following a pro-Franklin ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court. His election gives Democrats a filibuster-proof 60 seats in the U.S. Senate.

Tossups

Hoosiers

: With residents long criticized for being fat, state’s obesity rate of 27.4 percent remains steady while rates rose in 23 other states and fell in none.

Milestones

Supreme Court

: Associate Justice David Souter serves his last day. Confirmation hearings for his replacement begin this month.

Iraq: American troops withdraw from cities ahead of June 30 deadline, prompting parades, fireworks and a national holiday to mark sovereignty.

Ambulance service

: For first time since Three Rivers Ambulance authority was created more than 25 years ago, contract or providing service changes. Paramedics Plus replaced American Medical Response on Wednesday. Texas-based company’s CEO is former Ambulance Authority director and city fire chief Tony Myers.

Losers

Tony George

: After riding waves of changes in open-wheel racing, the CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is forced out of the top spot.

Kelvin Sampson: NCAA upholds findings in violations appeal filed by former IU hoops coach. His disbarment from coaching at collegiate level continues until 2013.

Kokomo: Chrysler-dependent city logs an 11.7 percentage-point increase in unemployment between May ’08 and May ’09, the largest of any U.S. metro area. Its 18.8 percent unemployment rate is also the highest in Indiana.

Bernie Madoff

: The operator of what is described as the biggest and longest Ponzi scheme in history gets 150 years in prison, essentially a life term for the 71-year-old. His crimes included money laundering, fraud and perjury.

Kristina Nelson

: Wife of Marion Superior Court Judge William Nelson is arrested on preliminary charges of forging Judge Sheila Carlisle’s name on a document in an apparent attempt to stall foreclosure proceedings on her home in the tony Indianapolis suburb near Geist Reservoir. Judge Carlisle is Kristina Nelson’s sister-in-law.