Federal judge blocks Indiana’s noon deadline for receiving mail-in ballots
A federal judge on Tuesday blocked a state law that declares mail-in absentee ballots late and invalid if they aren’t received by noon on Election Day.
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Suit: Challenged law may invalidate tens of thousands of Indiana mail-in ballots
An estimated 10,000 Hoosiers’ mail-in absentee ballots were rejected as “late” during Indiana’s 2020 primary election under a disputed Indiana law, suggesting multiple times more ballots may be thrown out in the Nov. 3 general election, groups challenging the law in federal court contend.
Dismay over Breonna Taylor spills into America’s streets
Anger, frustration and sadness over the decision not to charge police officers for Breonna Taylor’s death poured into America’s streets as protesters lashed out at a criminal justice system they say is stacked against Black people. Violence seized the demonstrations in her hometown of Louisville as gunfire rang out and wounded two police officers. Protests in Indianapolis remained peaceful.
‘Say her name’: Louisville to pay $12M to Breonna Taylor’s family
Months after the police killing of Breonna Taylor thrust her name to the forefront of a national reckoning on race and excessive use of force, the city of Louisville agreed to pay the Black woman’s family $12 million and reform police practices as part of a settlement announced Tuesday.
Report: Death penalty cases show history of racial disparity
Black people have been overrepresented on death rows across the United States and killers of Black people are less likely to face the death penalty than people who kill white people, a new report found.
Indiana AG urges 7th Circuit to keep absentee voting restrictions in place
Less than two months before the November presidential election, the Indiana Attorney General is countering a push to remove the state’s restrictions on mail-in voting by telling the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals those restrictions guard against fraud and encourage voter turnout.
Prosecutors: Similar charges warrant 1 trial in Floyd death
Prosecutors in the case of four former Minneapolis officers charged in the death of George Floyd told a judge Friday that the men should face trial together because the evidence and charges against them are similar, and multiple trials could traumatize witnesses and Floyd’s family.
7th Circuit rejects sexual orientation claim of DOC worker fired for harassment
After working for the Indiana Department of Correction for more than 20 years, Robbie Marshall was terminated from his position after a co-worker brought sexual harassment allegations against him.
Officers suspended in Rochester, N.Y. suffocation death; protesters unswayed
Seven police officers involved in the suffocation death of Daniel Prude in Rochester, New York, were suspended by the city’s mayor, who said she was misled for months about the circumstances of the fatal encounter.
Federal task force kills Portland shooting suspect at arrest
A man suspected of fatally shooting a supporter of a right-wing group in Portland, Oregon, last week after a caravan of Donald Trump backers rode through downtown was killed Thursday as investigators moved in to arrest him, the U.S. Marshals Service said Friday.
New Title IX rule brings change
In a 90-day sprint, colleges and universities across the country have had to spend the summer developing and implementing new processes for handling allegations of sexual misconduct on their campuses, but the schools must wait and see whether all the work will repair a system perceived as unfair and unjust.
7th Circuit’s reasoning in Purdue sex misconduct case getting nod
The lawsuit against Purdue University for expelling a male student after finding him guilty of sexual misconduct, which was the first such Title IX case to be heard by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, is continuing to be litigated while the appellate decision is gaining a following in other circuits.
2 people shot to death during protest over Kenosha shooting
Two people were shot to death and another was wounded during a third night of protests in Kenosha over the police shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake. Authorities Wednesday hunted for a possible vigilante seen on cellphone video opening fire in the middle of the street with a rifle.
Exercising their right: Women voting in greater numbers than men, but impact at ballot box is limited
As Indiana prepares to celebrate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, women are still going to the polls, often in higher numbers than men, and still have diverse political views. In addition, they are galvanized to vote by issues that range from the environment to immigration, health care and pay equity. Yet in 100 years of voting, how much impact have Hoosier women had?
Plaintiffs in ERA fight undeterred by lawsuit dismissal
An attempt to revive and ratify the Equal Rights Amendment was blocked earlier this month after a federal court found the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the lawsuit, but supporters of ratification are vowing to continue their fight and have filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Slew of events to mark passage of 19th Amendment
Hoosiers will be able to learn about the suffrage movement in Indiana through an array of events planned to celebrate and commemorate the 100-year anniversary of women’s right to vote.
Remembering the fight for women’s equality
As Indiana celebrates 100 years of suffrage, Hoosier women are reflecting on the efforts taken by their predecessors to secure equal rights for future generations, from the right to vote to continuing efforts to pass the Equal Rights Amendment.
Young: John Lewis’ legacy shows path forward
A collective approach to evaluate, critique, plan and deconstruct inequities within the legal system is the only way we can improve a legal construct created more than 240 years ago. How do we, in the state of Indiana, synthesize our efforts into a coordinated plan of action that addresses statewide and local issues of inequity?
COA: Indiana right to counsel doesn’t extend to revocation hearings
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the revocation of a woman’s home detention in favor of incarceration, declining to make the “profound statement” that the Indiana constitutional right to counsel extends to revocation hearings.
Indiana Black Caucus pushes for more police accountability
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus on Thursday called for state lawmakers to increase accountability and transparency for the state’s police officers.