Immunity laws flourishing in Indiana
ITLA task force examines number of protections in the Indiana Code.
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Ruling on robocalls expected this week
After an extended wait, the FCC plans to issue a ruling this week that may put an end to robocalls, scam text messages and telemarketing calls to home phones. Unwanted calls and telephone harassment continue to be the most common complaint received by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, reaching more than 13,000 filed complaints last year.
Renewed fight expected over Indiana abortion clinic rules
Indiana's push to place tougher restrictions on a Lafayette Planned Parenthood clinic that provides abortions only by using drugs, not surgery, could spark a new court fight under a revised law set to take effect in July.
Tippecanoe County Courthouse dome rusted, needs repairs
Small pieces of metal are falling from the Tippecanoe County Courthouse and officials say its dome and pillars need repairs.
Appeals court tosses suits challenging climate change plan
A federal appeals court on Tuesday threw out a pair of high-profile lawsuits challenging the Obama administration's sweeping plan to address climate change, saying it's too early to challenge a proposed rule that isn't yet final.
Prosecutor offers parents behind on child support amnesty
A northeastern Indiana prosecutor is offering parents who lost driving privileges because they're behind on child support payments a chance to get back behind the wheel.
Indianapolis City-County Council to sue over $32M electric-car contract
The Indianapolis City-County Council has voted to sue the city as a way to prevent it from implementing a $32 million plan to rent 425 electric cars for its vehicle fleet.
Court strikes down ‘born in Jerusalem’ passport law
The Supreme Court of the United States struck down a disputed law Monday that would have allowed Americans born in Jerusalem to list their birthplace as Israel on their U.S. passports in an important ruling that underscores the president's authority in foreign affairs.
US House chops legal aid budget
Budget cuts to legal aid funding approved June 3 by the U.S. House of Representatives could mean layoffs and office closures nationwide.
Developer proposes revised plan for Indy criminal justice center
The partnership that wants to develop a criminal justice center in Indianapolis has proposed a slightly scaled-down version in hopes of resurrecting the project.
Whitestown likely to appeal Zionsville case to Supreme Court
A ruling from the Indiana Court of Appeals allowing Zionsville to merge with Perry Township is likely to be challenged before the state Supreme Court.
Legislature continues support of We the People program
Indiana’s We the People program, a civics education curriculum that teaches elementary, middle and high school students about U.S. history and government, has received another round of funding from the Statehouse.
Appeals court sides with EPA on air pollution limits
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the Environmental Protection Agency complied with the law in deciding which areas of the country failed to meet federal limits on smog-forming pollution that can cause asthma and respiratory illness.
New laws shelter attorneys-in-fact from liability in settling estates
How long heirs have to initiate an action arising from an attorney-in-fact’s final accounting of an estate has been an open question in Indiana, but a recent change in state law settles it. Mostly.
Legislative Council assigns topics to summer committees
Although a study to determine the appropriate number of courts in Pulaski County was not assigned to a summer interim committee, the Indiana Legislature may not be finished with making reductions in some state courts.
Expected changes to Patriot Act better, says IU Maurer cybersecurity expert
The failure of the U.S. Senate to reauthorize parts of the Patriot Act surprised cybersecurity expert Fred Cate, but he hesitated to describe the expiration of the legislation as a major shift in current policy.
Legislature turns to attorney to lead new ethics office
A longtime legislative attorney has been tapped to lead the state’s new Office of Legislative Ethics.
Where the clients ‘are no stoned-out hippies’
Small firms, like Brian Vicente’s in Denver, have been advising clients on marijuana law issues for several years. Now even some bigger corporate firms are tiptoeing into the business.
Lawsuit says Mourdock gave chief deputy 3-year contract
A lawsuit by former Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock's chief deputy challenging his firing claims the official gave him a three-year, $300,000 contract before he resigned from office last year.
Obama loses second bid to implement overhaul of immigration
President Barack Obama’s bid to make overhauling immigration policy a second-term victory was dealt a serious blow as federal judges ruled the effort must remain on hold while 26 states sue to overturn it.