Jury convicts former Portage mayor of bribery in retrial
A federal jury convicted a former northwestern Indiana mayor on a bribery charge Friday in his retrial on allegations he solicited and accepted a $13,000 bribe from a trucking company.
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Zionsville mayor files suit, seeks to clear up her power to demote department heads
Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron filed a lawsuit Tuesday that should determine whether the town’s council can keep her from demoting the fire department’s chief.
Rokita’s AG office defends governor’s mask order power in restaurant suit
Indiana’s attorney general’s office vigorously defended Gov. Eric Holcomb’s emergency powers in response to a restaurant’s lawsuit challenging his order that masks must be worn inside restaurants to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Trump’s taxes in hand, Manhattan DA’s probe heats up
With former President Donald Trump’s tax returns finally in hand, a team of New York prosecutors led by a newly hired former mob-buster is sending out fresh subpoenas and meeting face-to-face with key witnesses, scrutinizing Trump’s business practices in granular detail.
Police reform bill heads to governor’s desk after 49-0 Senate vote
A significant law enforcement reform bill is headed to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb for his signature. The bill largely bans chokeholds and adds several measures addressing police accountability.
Work to keep voters informed continuing even in non-election year
In a year without an election, The Indiana Citizen, a nonprofit focused on increasing voter turnout, is transforming its website into a source of news and information about Hoosier politics, elected officials and civic issues that attorney co-founder Bill Moreau described as “our new venture into accountability journalism.”
Jury selection set in ex-Portage mayor’s bribery retrial
Jury selection is set to begin Monday in a former northwestern Indiana mayor’s long-delayed retrial on a federal charge alleging that he solicited a bribe from two businessmen.
Justices to hear arguments in med-mal case over hepatitis misdiagnosis
The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in a case brought by a woman who was incorrectly told a hepatitis test was negative when the test revealed she was, in fact, hepatitis positive.
Indianapolis to relax COVID-19 restrictions starting Monday
Indianapolis will relax coronavirus restrictions on the city’s bars and restaurants starting Monday ahead of the upcoming Big Ten and NCAA men’s basketball tournaments.
Finding consensus, struggling with conflict at legislative halfway mark
As Indiana lawmakers prepare for the second half of the session, several key issues are awaiting further review.
Restaurant, bar capacity limits in Marion County to increase March 1
More people will be allowed into Marion County restaurants, bars and gyms starting March 1, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Thursday morning, citing improving local COVID-19 pandemic conditions.
Indiana woman admits spending $86K in public funds on self
A Jay County woman has pleaded guilty to diverting more than $86,000 in public funds and spending it on personal indulgences during her time as a township trustee.
Justices reverse, find for Bloomington in ex-IU frat house spat
The Indiana Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed lower court decisions against the city of Bloomington, upholding zoning orders requiring residents to vacate a fraternity house that Indiana University no longer recognized. Justices noted the ruling may apply in college and university towns throughout the state.
Frost Brown Todd opens office in D.C. market
Frost Brown Todd is opening a new office in Washington, D.C., consolidating the firm’s federal public policy and regulatory practices into the new location and drawing upon the expertise of attorneys throughout the firm’s other nine offices, including Indianapolis.
Children’s Museum lawsuit over Drake moves ahead amid talks with developer
An effort by the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis to overturn the city’s designation of the Drake apartment building as a historic property has been transferred to federal court — even as the organization continues working with city officials on a plan to salvage the nearby building.
House votes to override governor’s veto of landlord-tenant bill, allowing it to become law
The GOP-controlled Indiana House has voted to override Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s veto of a controversial landlord-tenant bill, allowing the measure to become law. The measure could eliminate local regulation of rental properties, most notably in Indianapolis. Both Holcomb and Democratic Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett expressed disappointment in the Legislature.
Lawmakers kill bill that would have stripped control of IMPD from city
Legislation that would have stripped control of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department from the city’s mayor is dead for the year. Meanwhile, a separate police oversight bill was voted down in committee by request of its author.
Taft builds new lobby group with Ice Miller transplants
Taft Stettinius & Hollister is making a big push into public affairs and lobbying in both Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., and has nabbed seven attorneys and non-lawyer professionals — including several big names in Indiana politics — from rival Ice Miller to do it.
60 executives urge lawmakers to resist ‘heavy-handed limits’ on Indianapolis government
Sixty business and not-for-profit executives are publicly criticizing the Republican-controlled General Assembly for action on multiple bills that would strip control away from Indianapolis city government.
Indiana panel OKs bill that sets statewide standards on renewable energy projects
A bill that would set statewide standards for large wind and solar projects in Indiana passed a House committee on Wednesday morning, following a passionate debate between renewable energy advocates and a group of residents and local officials who said the bill would take away local control.