California governor signs moratorium on executions
The 737 inmates on the nation’s largest death row got a reprieve from California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday when he signed an executive order placing a moratorium on executions.
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In 420-0 vote, House says Mueller report should be public
The United States House of Representatives voted unanimously Thursday for a resolution calling for any final report in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation to be made public, a symbolic action designed to pressure Attorney General William Barr into releasing as much information as possible when the probe is concluded.
Indiana legal community remembers Birch Bayh
Former U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, a legend in Indiana politics who authored two amendments to the U.S. Constitution, has died at age 91. Bayh died Thursday morning of pneumonia, according to a statement from his family.
Allen County Jail offering video instead of in-person visits
The Allen County Jail in Fort Wayne no longer will have face-to-face visits with inmates and instead is offering video chats.
Indiana offers nonbinary gender option on licenses, IDs
Indiana residents who don’t identify as male or female have the option starting this month of describing themselves as a nonbinary gender on their driver’s licenses and state identification cards.
Hamilton County implements program to stop opioid overdoses
An opioid overdose prevention program has been started in Hamilton County.
Duke Energy to create plan for Indiana coal ash ponds
Duke Energy will need to create a corrective action plan for its coal ash ponds in Indiana after mandatory groundwater testing found the ponds have contaminants at levels higher than groundwater protection standards.
Indiana trooper fired for relationship with 17-year-old girl
An Indiana State Police trooper has been fired after admitting to continuing a relationship with a 17-year-old girl.
Ex-Trump campaign boss Manafort to be sentenced in tax fraud
When former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is sentenced for tax and bank fraud , U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III will likely issue the same lecture he gives to drug dealers and bank robbers.
Judgment awarded to Southport, police officials in legal feud with city councilwoman
The curtains have closed, at least for now, on a longstanding political battle between Southport law enforcement, a city council member and her ex-boyfriend now that a district court has awarded judgment in favor of the city, its police chief and a former detective on their motions for summary judgment on the council members remaining claims.
As marijuana bills die, hemp legislation raises concerns
Despite previous optimism among pro-marijuana lawmakers for the issue to have a higher chance of success during the 2019 legislative session, numerous-marijuana related bills faltered, most not even receiving a hearing in committee to move forward before the deadline for bills to be approved had passed.
Attorney general won’t recuse from overseeing Mueller probe
Attorney General William Barr will not recuse himself from overseeing the special counsel’s Russia probe after consulting with senior ethics officials, the Justice Department said Monday.
Indiana lawmakers have 400 bills at session’s halfway mark
Indiana lawmakers are entering the second half of the legislative session with more than 400 bills still alive, covering issues including teacher pay, gambling and hate crimes.
Judiciary faces ‘political’ task in border wall emergency declaration
The question for courts hearing challenges to President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration is not as simple as deciding whetherthe action is legal; they also must determine the extent of congressional and presidential powers, the meaning of relevant statutes and how much deference to give a president asserting executive authority.
Ruling in smart meter case highlights privacy concerns
A ruling from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals about smart meters inspired contradictory reactions as the appellate panel held that data collected through the devices by a public utility is protected by the Fourth Amendment, but then, in the next breath, found the search by the Naperville, Illinois, power company was reasonable.
Legislation aims to tame ‘Wild West’ nature of land contracts
A bill that passed through the Indiana House 82-14 and is now in the Senate would protect families from predatory land contracts. Provisions would require buyers be told the value of the property and how much they will ultimately pay for it if they complete the terms of the agreement, among other protections.
Critics say Indiana redistricting bill doesn’t do enough
An Indiana bill that would change the state’s redistricting rules doesn’t do enough to end gerrymandering, critics say. The bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Greg Walker of Columbus would allow lawmakers to continue drawing the state’s legislative and congressional district maps for the foreseeable future.
Justices halt removal of Yorktown clerk-treasurer from office
Efforts to forcibly remove a Yorktown clerk-treasurer from her elected office faced a setback Wednesday when the Indiana Supreme Court affirmed a trial court’s decision finding the officer’s failure to keep track of town finances did not result in a general failure to perform her official duties.
Holcomb plans public appeal on Indiana hate crimes law
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said Wednesday he will try to build public support for a hate crimes law, a week after the Republican-dominated state Senate stripped out a list of specific protected traits he had supported to get Indiana off a list of five states without such a law.
Holcomb says he tried pot in college, opposes legalization
Gov. Eric Holcomb says he tried marijuana as a college student, but he doesn’t support efforts to allow medical or recreational marijuana use in Indiana.