Young: Signs of progress as ‘Strange Fruit’ resonates
The relevance of “Strange Fruit” today is disconcerting, but signs are popping up pointing us toward justice. Will we follow them?
Legislature
Articles
Last-minute Statehouse gun reform efforts fail
With the Republicans having a supermajority, the Legislature has been consistent in passing bills that weaken restrictions on firearms. Legislation that Moms Demand Action and other organizations consider common sense, such as universal background checks and safe storage, face an uphill battle in the Indiana Statehouse.
Holcomb’s lawsuit draws rebuke from Attorney General
Following the Legislature’s override of his veto, Gov. Eric Holcomb has filed a lawsuit against the legislative branch, claiming the provisions in HEA 1123 which allow the Indiana General Assembly to call itself into “emergency session” are unconstitutional. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, however, is asserting that his office has the exclusive authority to resolve the dispute.
All eyes on Holcomb’s decision on bill that would allow local officials to overrule health officers
Two of the largest health organizations in Indiana are pleading with Gov. Eric Holcomb to veto a bill they say would hamper the ability of local health officials to respond to emergencies.
Indiana governor vetoes bill requiring ethanol warning label
Gov. Eric Holcomb has vetoed a bill that would require additional labeling for Indiana gas pumps that distribute E15, a fuel blend that contains up to 15% ethanol in gasoline.
Census shows Indiana grows, retains all 9 US House seats
Indiana’s population grew about 5% during the past decade to nearly 6.8 million residents and the state held onto its nine U.S. House seats, the U.S. Census Bureau announced Monday in the first release of data from the 2020 national headcount.
Marion Co. prosecutor facing criticism after FedEx shooting
An Indiana prosecutor is facing mounting criticism for declining to pursue court hearings that could have prevented a man from accessing the guns used to shoot and kill eight people at a FedEx Ground facility in Indianapolis.
Holcomb asked to veto wetlands bill by environmental activists, Hoosiers
More than 100 activists and residents from across the state are pleading with Gov. Eric Holcomb to veto a bill that would remove a large chunk of protections from Indiana’s wetlands, which were the target of a bill that opponents say could damage water supply, wildlife and vegetation.
Indiana bill approved to ban government vaccine passports
State or local governments in Indiana will be prohibited from issuing or requiring COVID-19 vaccine passports under a bill approved by state lawmakers.
Bill restricting local officials’ health orders passes
Indiana lawmakers voted Wednesday in favor of limiting the authority of county or city health departments by allowing local elected officials to overturn orders or enforcement actions issued during emergencies.
Indiana budget plan invests revenue bump in education, infrastructure
An extra $2 billion in revenue has led to new and “historic” investments in education, small businesses and broadband, Indiana legislative and executive leaders announced Tuesday.
Ex-officer convicted on all counts in George Floyd’s murder
Former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck in a case that touched off worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S.
Legislators back expanded gambling at tribe’s South Bend casino
Indiana legislators have endorsed a deal allowing the tribal casino in South Bend to become a full-fledged competitor to Indiana’s other casinos.
Holcomb signs bill expanding aid to small businesses hurt by pandemic
Additional relief from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be on the way to Hoosier small businesses, as Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill Monday creating a grant program that extends and expands existing aid.
Indiana agrees to deal giving local officials say over health orders
Indiana legislative negotiators have reached an agreement on limiting the authority of county or city health departments by allowing local elected officials to overturn orders or enforcement actions issued during emergencies.
SCOTUS rejects lingering 2020 election challenge case
The United States Supreme Court on Monday said it will not hear a case out of Pennsylvania related to the 2020 election, a case that had lingered while similar election challenges had already been rejected by the justices.
Scrutiny grows over whether officials enforced ‘red flag’ law in case of FedEx shooter
Questions are mounting in the wake of last week’s mass shooting at the FedEx Ground facility about whether Marion County authorities dropped the ball when it came to enforcing a state law designed to keep guns out of the hands of mentally unstable people.
‘Landmark’ juvenile justice bill awaiting governor’s signature
Indiana’s juvenile justice bill, which will implement key reforms and enable the state to retain federal funding, is headed to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk after the Senate unanimously concurred on the amended legislation earlier this week.
St. Joe JNC names new finalist to succeed Reagan after previous finalist appointed to bench
A new finalist has been submitted to the governor to fill an upcoming vacancy on the St. Joseph Superior Court after a previous finalist was selected for a different judicial position.
Indiana budget outlook shows bigger tax revenue jump
A new state tax revenue forecast given to state legislators Thursday projects those collections going up by more than 4% in each of the next two years. That could mean about $2 billion more available for the new two-year state budget being completed by legislative negotiators after the last forecast in December projected growth between 2% and 3%.