Project to place overdose antidote kits in every Indiana county
Indiana is partnering with the nonprofit Overdose Lifeline Inc. to expand access to the opioid overdose antidote naloxone through exterior dispensers available at all hours.
Local government
Articles
Lawmakers reject no-excuse absentee voting, other election amendments
At least 13 bills dealing with election and voting have been introduced into the 2021 session of the Indiana General Assembly, but only three have received a hearing and none are addressing calls by Democrats for expanded absentee voting and easier access to early voting.
State lawmakers consider new emergency session rules
State lawmakers have significantly amended a bill that would give the Legislature the authority to weigh in on policies made during a public emergency. The bill cleared a committee and now heads to the full House for consideration.
Law enforcement reform bill advances with bipartisan support
A bipartisan bill aimed at increasing police accountability and enacting criminal justice reform advanced to the Indiana Senate after lawmakers unanimously approved the measure in a House vote Tuesday.
Former Indianapolis deputy mayor joins Bose McKinney
Thomas Cook, who stepped down at the end of 2020 after five years as chief deputy mayor for Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, has joined law firm Bose McKinney & Evans LLP as a partner.
Holcomb relaxing coronavirus limits on crowd sizes
Indiana’s crowd size limits will be relaxed starting next week after recent improvements in the statewide COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates, the governor announced Wednesday.
COA rules against gun range owners despite officials’ failure to take oaths
Though certain Jefferson County officials failed to take their oaths of office, that failure does not invalidate the officials’ zoning complaint against a local couple, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
Barkdull, Egan and Rivin: Utilizing P3s to finance transportation projects
How can Indiana fund much-needed infrastructure improvements? Governmental entities across the country have endorsed the idea of combining the resources of the public and private sectors through “public-private partnerships” (P3s) to finance and manage America’s crumbling infrastructure.
Former Whiting mayor who stole money to gamble avoids prison
A former Whiting mayor who pleaded guilty to charges that he spent about a quarter-million dollars in campaign funds to gamble and pay personal bills avoided prison on Wednesday when a federal judge ordered he be placed on two years’ probation and home detention for one year.
Amid FBI warning, state police say they aren’t aware of any planned Statehouse protests
The Indiana State Police told Indianapolis Business Journal Tuesday the agency is not aware of any planned protests at the Statehouse in the coming week, amid a warning from the FBI to law enforcement about plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitols leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration Jan. 20.
Judge rebuffs Indy bar owners’ lawsuit over COVID rules
Numerous bar owners and nightclubs took a hit in their attempts to sue the city of Indianapolis and others over pandemic-related restrictions that they allege hurt their businesses when a district court judge ruled for the city on Wednesday.
Indianapolis state senator files bill to take control of IMPD away from Hogsett
An Indianapolis state senator has filed legislation that would strip control of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department from the city’s mayor.
Tax Court affirms assessment of Boone County Meijer store
The Indiana Tax Court has affirmed a final determination rendered by the Indiana Board of Tax Review for a Boone County Meijer store that increased its assessed value over four years.
Q&A: Here’s what we know now about COVID vaccines in Indiana
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has called vaccines the “light at the end of the tunnel” to the pandemic that has hospitalized and killed thousands of Hoosiers. But it could be weeks or months before you can get one.
Indianapolis’ Amazon offer can remain secret, COA affirms
Indianapolis’ offer of taxpayer money and financial incentives in an unsuccessful attempt to lure a coveted second Amazon headquarters can remain secret, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled, rejecting an appeal by a tax trade publication that argued the offer must be disclosed as a public record.
Scott County party barn lawsuit untimely, COA affirms
A panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed for the Scott County Board of Commissioners and other defendants in a dispute brought by a farm owner who dislikes the idea of having a barn event venue constructed next to her home.
Charlestown, residents reach agreement in Pleasant Ridge code enforcement lawsuit
The nearly four-year legal battle over allegations that the southern Indiana city of Charlestown used unconstitutional code enforcement tactics to force a group of neighborhood residents out of their homes has been resolved with a settlement agreement requiring the city to act “reasonably” in its enforcement of local codes.
Plaintiffs in protracted CAFO litigation hit with counterclaim
Farmers and neighbors who battled over an 8,000-hog confined animal feeding operation in Hendricks County are starting a second round of fighting with the farmers filing a counterclaim, arguing the lawsuit brought by their neighbors and litigated for multiple years through four courts was “frivolous.”
Madison Co. council member charged with child pornography, solicitation
A member of a central Indiana county council was charged Monday with child solicitation and possession of child pornography.
Indiana restaurant sues governor, state over mask mandate
An Indiana restaurant that was shut down over the state’s mask mandate aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus is taking the issue to court, saying it was improperly closed for violating masking requirements and capacity limits.