US surgeon general declares gun violence a public health emergency
The U.S. surgeon general on Tuesday declared gun violence a public health crisis, driven by the fast-growing number of injuries and deaths involving firearms in the country.
Public Health
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The verdict on Zoom: New report says remote hearings provide relief from traditional court challenges
A team of researchers produced a new report, “Accessing Justice with Zoom: Experiences and Outcomes in Online Civil Courts,” which found more than 80% of unrepresented litigant respondents were able to access online civil court proceedings remotely.
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2022 in review: Honorable mentions
While the “top stories” of each year are usually easy to define, there are always other stories that, while perhaps not as high-profile, are equally as important to our readers.
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Blurred lines: Study finds lawyers want more flexibility, but remote work creating imbalances
Earlier this month, Clio released its 2022 Legal Trends Report. What the study found is remote work “has brought new opportunities for flexibility, but has also contributed to the breakdown of work-life balance.”
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Web Exclusive: COVID-19 vaccine mandate concerns nearly ‘moot’ for Indiana employers
After more than two years of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, Indianapolis employment attorney Melissa Macchia predicts that if the issue of vaccine mandates is not moot at this point for employers, it’s close.
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Articles
Indiana AG Todd Rokita alleges inflated COVID-19 stats
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita accused public health entities across the state of submitting “faulty” and “unsound” data when it came to COVID-19’s death toll and positivity rate.
SCOTUS rejects appeal from 3 GOP House members over $500 mask fines
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected appeals from three Republican U.S. House members who challenged fines for not wearing face coverings on the House floor in 2021.
Not wearing a mask during COVID-19 health emergency isn’t a free speech right, appeals court says
A federal appeals court shot down claims Monday that New Jersey residents’ refusal to wear face masks at school board meetings during the COVID-19 outbreak constituted protected speech under the First Amendment.
Mizzell: Economic legacy of the pandemic: Challenges, opportunities
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout have posed serious challenges to Indiana businesses, lenders and consumers.
A little fish at the Supreme Court could take a big bite out of regulatory power
In a Supreme Court term increasingly dominated by cases related to former President Donald Trump, the justices are about to take up lower profile cases that could rein in a wide range of government regulations affecting the environment, workplace standards, consumer protections and public health.
IU McKinney prof works on drug policy reform project
To Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law professor Nicolas Terry, there are a lot of opportunities available on the federal, state and local level to make significant changes in U.S. drug policy and improve people’s lives.
IN Supreme Court affirms for Ball State in student’s COVID breach case
The Indiana Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favor of Ball State University in case in which a student sued for breach of contract and unjust enrichment when classes switched to only-online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
State, localities start to spend $507 million from National Opioid Settlement
Almost a year after distributions started from the National Opioid Settlement, only $7.1 million has been put to use so far in Indiana as local units of government wrestle with how to make the most of the payments.
Hoosiers gave ‘Zoom court’ high marks
For thousands of Hoosiers undergoing civil proceedings during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote hearings or “Zoom court” allowed them to attend safely and conveniently.
IU McKinney symposium focused on public health, housing, environmental issues
The IU McKinney School of Law plans to hold a daylong symposium devoted to public health, housing and environmental issues later this month.
On COVID-19 response, Holcomb says he has ‘no regrets’
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said he is comfortable with the difficult decisions his administration made to shut down schools, businesses and public gatherings during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summit looks to address rural needs, challenges: Legal, public health issues at forefront of Wabash conference
The 2023 Summit for Rural Justice and Public Health Professionals will feature 26 speakers, including Indiana Supreme Court Justice Christopher Goff, who serves as the chair of Indiana’s Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council.
The Great Grift: More than $200 billion in COVID-19 aid may have been stolen, federal watchdog says
More than $200 billion may have been stolen from two large COVID-19 relief initiatives, according to new estimates from a federal watchdog.
Florida couple with IN ties charged with more than $2M in COVID-19 relief fraud
A southwest Florida couple with ties to Indiana has been charged with stealing more than $2 million in COVID-19 relief funds and using the money to buy boats, new businesses and other luxury items.
Federal courts enter ‘grace period’ to phase out remote audio access as COVID emergency ends
The U.S. federal judiciary has entered a 120-day “grace period” to phase out the use of remote public audio access to civil and bankruptcy proceedings, put in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Child care, early learning advocates highlight legislative successes
There was no comprehensive effort to address Indiana’s child care and early learning shortages this legislative session, but a series of smaller changes will have big impacts on Hoosier families.
As public health emergency ends, pandemic-era support programs have already been fading away
The formal end of the national Public Health Emergency on Thursday is largely a symbolic and psychological step. But behind the scenes, several core aspects of America’s pandemic-era emergency safety net are also coming to a close.
Inability to travel during pandemic gave man right to rescind Florida rental contract, split COA rules in reversal
An Indiana man prohibited by state order from traveling to a Florida vacation home during the COVID-19 pandemic had a right to rescind his rental contract, a split Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled Wednesday in reversing a small claims court’s decision.
Clark Co. nurse in mask case avoids jail time with plea deal
A southern Indiana nurse facing a criminal charge for allegedly removing a nursing home resident’s oxygen mask hours before his death from COVID-19 will avoid jail time under a plea bargain.