Indiana is missing out on a manufacturing boom, despite being one of the top states in the U.S. for making goods.

Why it matters: Indiana's slow growth in a sector it has traditionally dominated points to a mismatch between the state's workers and the skills employers are looking for.

By the numbers: Indiana gained about 18,000 manufacturing jobs from January 2021 to May, an increase of about 3.5%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• That's the seventh-lowest statewide percentage gain during that time.

The big picture: The U.S. economy has added some 800,000 manufacturing jobs during President Biden's 2½ years in office, Axios' Hans Nichols writes.

Between the lines: Indiana is ill-equipped to keep up because the state's manufacturing workforce is less educated than the national average, Ball State University economist Michael Hicks told Axios.

• Also, low-skilled jobs — especially common in Indiana — are among the easiest to automate, Hicks said.

What they're saying: "In the short run, a less well-educated factory workforce makes employment more volatile," Hicks said. "Lower skilled workers are more abundant, and firms (are) less worried about replacing them as the economy slows."

The other side: General Motors and Samsung SDI recently announced they're partnering on a $3 billion battery manufacturing plant near New Carlisle.

• Gov. Eric Holcomb called it "proof that Indiana has turned it up and shifted into a higher gear."

Yes, but: Hicks noted Indiana lost manufacturing jobs through the first six months of the year, while the sector grew by 1.3% nationwide.

• "All the happy economic development news and promiscuous use of tax incentives masks the fact that Hoosier manufacturing employment is shrinking," Hicks said.

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Destination weddings are increasingly popular, forcing guests to factor in travel costs before they RSVP, Axios' Sareen Habeshian writes.

By the numbers: The global destination wedding market grew from $21.31 billion in 2022 to $28.31 billion in 2023 — and it's expected to grow to $78.89 billion in 2027, according to data from the Destination Wedding Global Market Report 2023.

• Last year, 18% of couples hosted a destination wedding, according to a survey by wedding planning website The Knot.

Mexico is the most popular location for international destination weddings, according to The Knot, followed by countries in Europe, islands in the Caribbean, and Costa Rica.

💭 James' thought bubble: My wife and I are planning to travel to England for a wedding next year.

• From the guest's perspective, a wedding is a nice incentive to book a trip you've wanted to take anyway but keep putting off.

Of note: While the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is $30,000, the average spend for a destination celebration is $35,600, despite guest lists often being smaller.

• The costs are also higher for guests, who spend between $600 and $1,300, per data from The Knot.

🏫 It's the first week of school for Indianapolis Public Schools, a district where parents are navigating yet another round of major changes. The district's Rebuilding Stronger strategy closed six schools and caused 1,200 students and 300 staff to move. (Chalkbeat Indiana)

⚖️ A law banning instruction on "human sexuality" for students between kindergarten and third grade remains in effect after a federal judge denied a motion for a preliminary injunction to pause enforcement of the law.

• Supporters say the law shields young children from sex education, while critics argue it is intended to ban discussion of LGBTQ+ issues. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

🏗️ A new tax-increment finance district could lead to a long-awaited major redevelopment of Irvington Plaza, an east-side strip mall that has been all but abandoned except for a lonely, yet thriving, Dairy Queen. (IBJ)

Former Vice President Mike Pence is still trying to qualify for the first Republican presidential debate.

State of play: Seven Republican presidential candidates appear to have qualified for the Republican National Committee's Aug. 23 debate, hosted by Fox News in Milwaukee.

• Former President Trump says he won't participate.

How it works: Candidates need 40,000 donors, including at least 200 unique donors in each of 20 states, per the RNC.

• Candidates also need at least 1% support in three independent national polls or two national polls and one independent poll from two of four early voting states.

Between the lines: Pence is taking aim at rivals who've turned to unconventional fundraising tactics to boost small-dollar donor support and qualify, Axios' Erin Doherty writes.

• "We're not doing kickbacks. We're not doing gift cards. We're not even giving out soccer tickets," Pence said during an interview with Semafor, adding that he is "confident" he'll make the cut.
• "We're just asking people for support, and it's rolling in," he said.

Meanwhile, Trump is trouncing his Republican rivals, according to a new N.Y. Times/Siena College poll.

• In the overall poll, Trump was at 54% and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis 17%.
• Pence, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) each had 3%.

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We asked about your favorite ice cream, and you gave us tips on creamy treats across Indiana. Here are some responses.

Rebecca R.: There's not much I like about Cincinnati, but I'm glad they sent us the Graeter's at 56th and Illinois!

Rena B.: Zesto (of Fort Wayne) is the best! Locally owned, multiple locations, the absolutely creamiest soft serve.

Matt H.: I grew up in New Palestine, so I'm required by law to mention Frosty Boy Drive-In whenever ice cream comes up.

Gregory C.: Square Scoop Ice Cream in Fountain Square!

Alex G.: Chris's Ice Cream is the best in the city. You won't find "creamier" ice cream anywhere else and you get the benefit of devouring the best tacos in Indy as well.