Federal Government - The Indiana Lawyer

Mass shooters exploited gun laws, loopholes before carnage

March 25, 2021 | Associated Press

The suspect in the shooting at a Boulder, Colorado, supermarket was convicted of assaulting a high school classmate but still got a gun. The man accused of opening fire on three massage businesses in the Atlanta area bought his gun just hours before the attack — no waiting required. They are the latest suspected U.S. mass shooters to obtain guns because of limited firearms laws, background check lapses or law enforcement’s failure to heed warnings of concerning behavior.

SCOTUS leans toward tribal police in traffic stop, search of non-Indian

March 24, 2021 | Associated Press and IL Staff

The Supreme Court of the United States seemed likely Tuesday to allow tribal police officers to stop and search non-Indians on tribal lands over concerns that drunk drivers or even violent criminals might otherwise elude authorities.

Indiana Gaming Commission fines Spectacle $530K for slow removal of CEO

March 24, 2021 | Lindsey Erdody, Indianapolis Business Journal

The Indiana Gaming Commission has fined Spectacle Entertainment more than a half-million dollars for not initially complying with an order to remove its former CEO and chairman from any ownership or oversight of the company.

Druidism must be recognized in Department of Correction, judge rules

March 23, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Druidism could soon become a formally recognized religion within the Indiana Department of Correction after a federal judge granted injunctive relief to a prisoner who claimed his religious rights were violated by the lack of communal Druid services in the DOC.

Agency reverses Trump-era oil rights ruling snubbing tribes

March 23, 2021 | Associated Press

The Biden administration has scrapped a Department of Interior opinion under former President Donald Trump that attempted to strip mineral rights under the original Missouri River riverbed from a North Dakota tribal nation.

Colorado shooting leaves 10 dead in latest mass tragedy

March 23, 2021 | Associated Press

A shooting at a crowded Colorado supermarket that killed 10 people, including the first police officer to arrive, sent terrorized shoppers and workers scrambling for safety and stunned a state that has grieved several mass killings. A lone suspect was in custody, authorities said.

Court could reimpose Boston marathon bomber’s death sentence

March 22, 2021 | Associated Press

The United States Supreme Court said Monday it will consider reinstating the death sentence for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, presenting President Joe Biden with an early test of his opposition to capital punishment.

On federal death row, inmates talk about Biden, executions

March 22, 2021 | Associated Press

On federal death row in Terre Haute, prisoners fling notes on a string under each other’s cell doors and converse through interconnected air ducts. A top issue these days: whether President Joe Biden will halt executions, several told The Associated Press.

Biden: US to hit 100 million vaccinations goal on Friday

March 19, 2021 | Associated Press

With the U.S. closing in on President Joe Biden’s goal of injecting 100 million coronavirus vaccinations weeks ahead of his target date, the White House said the nation is now in position to help supply neighbors Canada and Mexico with millions of lifesaving shots.

Breyer mum as some liberals urge him to quit Supreme Court

March 18, 2021 | Associated Press

With spring comes the start of the period in which many justices have announced their retirement from the United States Supreme Court. Some progressives say it is time for Justice Stephen Breyer to go, without delay. Other liberal voices have said Breyer, the oldest justice, should retire when the court finishes its work for the term, usually by early summer.

Southern Indiana District Court on list for more judges

March 17, 2021 | IL Staff

The Judicial Conference of the United States is asking Congress to create 79 new judgeships in federal courts across the country, including adding two new permanent judges in the Southern Indiana District Court.

Police: Georgia spa murders suspect may have ‘sexual addiction’

March 17, 2021 | Associated Press

A white man accused of killing eight people, most of whom were of Asian descent, at massage parlors in the Atlanta area told police the attack was not racially motivated and that he potentially had a “sexual addiction,” officials said Wednesday.

Rokita joins Republican AGs questioning stimulus barring tax cuts

March 17, 2021 | Associated Press and IL Staff

Republican attorneys general from 21 states, including Indiana, are questioning a provision in the $1.9 trillion pandemic rescue plan that bars states from using its funds to offset tax cuts.

Jones: Pardon me? Can you deny a presidential pardon or commutation?

March 17, 2021

Though most of us might strain ourselves thinking of a reason why one might refuse a pardon or a commutation, multiple individuals have attempted to reject a pardon or commutation, providing both interesting stories and a strange, potential check on the executive.

Scrounging for change: DOL pauses proposed tip-pooling, tip credit rules changes

March 17, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

Proposed changes to the country’s tipped employee regulations have caused a stir among some states and worker advocates, prompting a temporary halt of further movement from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Indiana Supreme Court again asked to protect stimulus checks

March 16, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

A collection of Indiana agencies, including several legal aid providers, are asking the Indiana Supreme Court to help low-income Hoosiers by again blocking creditors from taking their new round stimulus payments that are being issued as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

With athlete name, image, likeness reform in limbo, NCAA heads toward busy June

March 16, 2021 | Associated Press and IL Staff

The Indianapolis-based NCAA’s efforts to allow athletes to earn money from personal endorsement and sponsorship deals are stuck in limbo, and June is shaping up to be a potentially busy and important month for college sports.

Indiana could see $5.8 billion in new COVID relief money

March 15, 2021 | Associated Press

Indiana officials have yet to describe any big plans for the influx of federal money expected from the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that Congress approved this week.

Man sentenced 75 years for bomb threats, extortion

March 15, 2021 | Associated Press

A California man accused of making online threats to bomb two suburban Indianapolis high schools in addition to a slew of other crimes was sentenced Friday by a federal judge to 75 years in prison.

AG Garland vows return to ‘normal’ Justice Dept. on first day

March 12, 2021 | Associated Press

Taking the reins at the Justice Department, Attorney General Merrick Garland sought Thursday to assure career staffers that he would prioritize restoring the department’s reputation for political independence and ensuring equal justice after a tumultuous four years under former President Donald Trump.

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