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.
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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?
Plaintiffs in ERA fight undeterred by lawsuit dismissal
An attempt to revive and ratify the Equal Rights Amendment was blocked earlier this month after a federal court found the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the lawsuit, but supporters of ratification are vowing to continue their fight and have filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Policing the police: Indiana Black Legislative Caucus counting on public advocacy to push policy changes
Following the growing awareness of police brutality across the country, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus is leading the call for policing reform with the group’s chair believing if the General Assembly does not act during the 2021 session, the opportunity for meaningful change will have been lost.
Remembering the fight for women’s equality
As Indiana celebrates 100 years of suffrage, Hoosier women are reflecting on the efforts taken by their predecessors to secure equal rights for future generations, from the right to vote to continuing efforts to pass the Equal Rights Amendment.
IU McKinney professors contribute to assessment of U.S. response to COVID-19
United States policy response to COVID-19 has been dangerously lacking, according to a recent report authored partially by two Indianapolis law professors. The new report recommends steps to safeguard health as well as civil and human rights.
Plaintiffs seek 10-day deadline for November mail-in ballots
As part of another lawsuit challenging Indiana’s election laws, Common Cause Indiana and the Indiana State Conference of the NAACP are seeking a preliminary injunction to suspend the noon Election Day deadline for county officials to receive completed mail-in ballots.
Pelosi calls House back into session to vote on Postal bill
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling the House back into session over the crisis at the U.S. Postal Service, setting up a political showdown amid growing concerns that the Trump White House is trying to undermine the agency ahead of the election.
Indiana Election Commission rejects expanding voting by mail to all
The Indiana Election Commission on Friday voted against a proposal to expand absentee voting by mail to all voters for the November election. The 2-2 deadlock comes as lawsuits seek to expand mail-in voting with COVID-19 cases continuing to rise in the Hoosier State.
AG Hill presses Holcomb to call special session focused on COVID-19
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is urging Gov. Eric Holcomb to call a special session of the Indiana General Assembly to focus on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Hill joins legislative Democrats who have also called for a special session to address the pandemic and potentially other issues.
For Americans waiting on virus aid, no new relief in sight
Americans counting on emergency coronavirus aid from Washington may have to wait until fall. Negotiations over a new virus relief package have all but ended with the White House and congressional leaders far apart on the size, scope and approach for shoring up households, re-opening schools and launching a national strategy to contain the virus.
Holcomb backs delay to possible Indiana school funding cuts
Indiana’s public schools would be assured of full state funding for the rest of this year under a plan announced by the governor Wednesday to sidestep a warning from a top fellow Republican that schools could face a 15% cut if they didn’t hold in-person classes.
Biden selects California Sen. Kamala Harris as running mate
Joe Biden named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on Tuesday, making history by selecting the first Black woman to compete on a major party’s presidential ticket and acknowledging the vital role Black voters will play in his bid to defeat President Donald Trump.
Indianapolis warns fines coming for virus rules violations
Indianapolis businesses not following the city’s coronavirus restrictions will face a greater chance of fines as officials said Tuesday that they will ramp up enforcement. Increased enforcement comes as Indiana reported its highest COVID-19 daily death count in two months Tuesday.