Alcoa fighting Boonville’s bid to limit coal mine plans
Alcoa Corp. wants a court to block Boonville from enforcing its new local coal mining regulations.
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Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in fatal chase case
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide if a man who led police on a chase that killed a driver and seriously injured two passengers can be convicted on multiple counts of resisting law enforcement after agreeing to hear the Marion County case last week.
Judge declines recusal in fraudster Durham’s case
Indiana Southern District Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson has denied a motion for her recusal in a civil case against convicted fraudster Tim Durham, determining her relationships with leaders of Indiana’s Democratic Party did not create the appearance of or actual bias.
Lawsuit claims Charlestown pressured sale of rental houses
Property owners are suing Charlestown city officials, alleging that they used fines to pressure them to sell their properties at prices well under market value for a planned redevelopment project.
USA Gymnastics board of directors to resign under pressure
The remaining members of the Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics board of directors will resign under pressure from the United States Olympic Committee after the USOC threatened to decertify the organization if it didn’t take more strident steps toward change amid the fallout from the scandal surrounding former team doctor Larry Nassar.
Justices hear plea modification case as Senate acts on similar bill
Before 2014, it was a cut-and-dry issue: fixed-sentence plea agreements meant an offender would serve out the terms of their plea, with no chance to change it. But after 2014 legislation and a 2016 Indiana Court of Appeals decision, the Indiana Supreme Court must now decide whether such agreements may be modified.
East Chicago facility settles suit over Clean Air Act violations
Cokenergy, SunCoke Energy and its subsidiary Indiana Harbor Coke Co. have reached a settlement including $5 million in penalties with the state and federal governments to clean up operations in East Chicago, resolving a case that involved hundreds of violations of federal pollution standards.
Ex-volleyball coach faces federal child exploitation charges
A former Muncie volleyball coach faces federal child sexual exploitation charges for allegedly having sex with two minors over a three-year period.
Judgment for Morgan County HOA upheld in drainage dispute
An exculpatory clause in the covenants of a Morgan County subdivision protects the local homeowners’ association from a complaint for damages filed by three residents, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled. Residents sued the HOA in a dispute over drainage in the Martinsville subdivision.
After Nassar sentencing, senators seek investigation of USOC, USA Gymnastics
Senators from both parties are calling for creation of a select committee to investigate the U.S. Olympic Committee and Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics after the sentencing of a former sports doctor who admitted molesting female gymnasts for years under the guise of medical treatment.
Essay contest on branches of government open to students
The Indiana Supreme Court is encouraging students from elementary to high school age to enter an essay contest in honor of Law Day on May 1.
7th Circuit upholds meth convictions
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld an Indiana man’s multiple drug convictions after finding no error during his district court trial.
Divided COA upholds custody change after mom’s stroke
A Marshall County child will now be in her father’s care after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined the impact of her mother’s stroke made a change in custody necessary for the best interests of the child.
Decision upheld in Oklahoma-Indiana custody dispute
An Oklahoma couple seeking custody of a child with ties to both the western state and Indiana have lost their Hoosier appeal, with the Indiana Court of Appeals determining an Indiana trial court properly exercised jurisdiction and awarded custody of the child to his mother.
Deported DACA immigrant loses appeal that divides panel
An immigrant who was deported after a misdemeanor guilty plea cost him his protection under the federal Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals policy failed to show he was entitled to relief because his lawyer failed to inform him of his risk of deportation, the majority of an Indiana appellate panel found.
Bankruptcy filings fall at slowest rate since 2010
In a continuing trend, bankruptcy filings in 2017 continued to fall, but at a slower rate than any time since 2010, a new report issued by the U.S. Courts says.
Committee delays over vote on Sweeney nomination
The vote to send to the full U.S. Senate James Sweeney II’s nomination to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District was delayed Thursday by the Senate’s Committee on the Judiciary.
Three magistrates named as finalists for Allen Superior vacancy
Three magistrate judges have been selected as finalists to fill an upcoming vacancy in the Allen Superior Court.
7th Circuit’s Williams joins Jones Day
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Senior Judge and Notre Dame Law School graduate Ann Claire Williams has joined Jones Day to lead the international law firm’s effort in advancing the rule of law in Africa.
7th Circuit: Suit against Evansville, Kentucky police may proceed
A federal complaint alleging coercion, constitutional violations and falsification at the hands of Evansville and Kentucky police officers investigating a murder will continue after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined qualified immunity was not appropriate for certain claims against the officers.