Marion County bars, nightclubs can reopen Tuesday with restrictions
Bars and nightclubs in Marion County will be allowed to reopen Tuesday, but only under strict limitations, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Thursday morning.
Law & Politics
Articles
9 finalists named for Marion Superior Court vacancies
A pool of 41 applicants to fill upcoming vacancies on the Marion Superior Court has been winnowed down to nine finalists, whose names will now go to the governor for his selection. All but one of the finalists is currently a Marion County judicial officer.
Farm feud: CAFO challenge turns to U.S. Supreme Court
Hendricks County families who live with the odor from a nearby 8,000-hog farm for years have lost their nuisance, negligence and trespass claims against the concentrated animal feeding operation. After unsuccessfully seeking relief from the Indiana Court of Appeals and a divided Indiana Supreme Court, they are now turning to the U.S. Supreme Court.
New law for a new century: NEPA ‘modernization’ could limit public input on environmental impacts, lawyers say
For the last 50 years, Americans have had a say in how these projects impacted their neighborhoods through the National Environmental Policy Act. But environmental groups and lawyers have concerns that could change under a new Trump Administration rule set to take effect this week.
Indiana, other states seeking SCOTUS amici status in COVID-19 chemical abortion case
The office of Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is asking the United States Supreme Court for permission to intervene in abortion litigation seeking to uphold chemical abortion procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
House to subpoena postmaster general over mail delays
The House Oversight Committee intends to subpoena Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for documents about disruptions in mail delivery operations that are now central to questions over the ability to handle an onslaught of mail-in ballots expected for the November election.
Indiana ordered to reply by Monday to vote-by-mail appeal
The state of Indiana has been ordered to respond by Monday to an appeal in a federal lawsuit seeking no-excuse absentee voting in the Nov. 3 general election, signaling the appellate court in Chicago may fast-track the challenge over mail-in voting just over two months ahead of the election.
Watchdog groups charge Republican Convention appearances broke Hatch Act
Two White House officials violated the Hatch Act by participating in choreographed events that were aired during this week’s Republican National Convention, according to two separate ethics complaints filed by government watchdog groups.
Trump lashes Biden, defies pandemic on White House stage
President Donald Trump blasted Joe Biden as a hapless career politician who will endanger Americans’ safety as he accepted his party’s renomination on the South Lawn of the White House. While the coronavirus kills 1,000 Americans each day, Trump defied his own administration’s pandemic guidelines to speak for more than an hour to a tightly packed, largely maskless crowd.
Pence defends police at convention amid rising race tension
Vice President Mike Pence forcefully defended law enforcement but made no mention of the Black Americans killed by police this year as he addressed Republican convention proceedings that unfolded amid new protests against racial injustice following the latest shooting.
Indiana again asks full 7th Circuit to hear parental-notice abortion case
Indiana has once again asked that the full U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals consider and uphold the Hoosier state’s requirement that parents be notified when their minor children seek abortions, Attorney General Curtis Hill announced Wednesday.
Only Native American on federal death row set to be executed
The only Native American on federal death row is set to die Wednesday for the slayings of a 9-year-old and her grandmother nearly two decades ago, though many Navajos are hoping for last-minute intervention by President Donald Trump to halt the execution at the federal prison in Terre Haute.
Former IU athletic director Glass joining Taft law firm
Former Indiana University Director of Athletics Fred Glass plans to resume his law career in October, joining the Indianapolis office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP as a partner.
Federal appeals court finds parts of anti-riot law violate free speech
A federal appeals court on Monday upheld the convictions of two members of a white supremacist group who admitted they punched and kicked counter-demonstrators during the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. However, the panel found that part of an anti-riot law used to prosecute them “treads too far upon constitutionally protected speech.”
NY AG probes if Trump pumped up value of estate, assets
New York’s attorney general asked a court Monday to compel some of President Donald Trump’s business associates, including his son, Eric, to testify and turn over documents as part of her investigation into whether the president’s company lied about the value of its assets in order to get loans or tax benefits.
Federal rulings block Indiana voter roll purge, absentee ballot signature match law
Finding Indiana’s process for matching signatures on absentee ballots is unconstitutional, a federal judge has permanently enjoined the Secretary of State and other election officials from rejecting any mail-in ballot on the basis of a signature mismatch without providing adequate notice to the voter.
Past felony prevents Muncie councilman from holding office, COA rules
A Muncie city councilman could not persuade the Indiana Court of Appeals to determine on Friday that he is still eligible for the position after another candidate revealed that the councilman has a felony record.
State, Planned Parenthood agree to delay enforcement of 18-hour abortion ultrasound law
The battle over an enjoined Indiana law requiring women to obtain an ultrasound 18 hours before an abortion has taken a new turn, with the parties entering an agreement that would vacate the injunction in the new year.
Ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon charged in border wall scheme
Former White House adviser Steve Bannon was arrested Thursday on charges that he and three others ripped off donors to an online fundraising scheme “We Build The Wall.”
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?