Indiana police reform bill sails through Senate committee
A bipartisan bill aimed at increasing police accountability and enacting criminal justice reform advanced with unanimous support from a key Indiana Senate committee Tuesday.
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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.”
7th Circuit: State courts, not federal, should rule on counsel for kids in CHINS cases
The question of whether children in CHINS proceedings should be appointed counsel is best left for state court resolution, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled, finding no “civil Gideon” principle requiring counsel in child welfare cases.
Plans curbing Indiana governor’s emergency power face doubts
Indiana lawmakers have advanced bills that would curb a governor’s authority to impose emergency restrictions such as mask rules and business closures, although Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and a former state Supreme Court justice, among others, question whether those proposals written by members of Holcomb’s own party are allowed under the state Constitution.
Attorney General Rokita gives up private-sector job after scrutiny
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who drew scrutiny last month over his decision to retain employment with a health care benefits business while serving in his elected position, says he has given up the private-sector job.
Advocates ask U.S. Supreme Court to review Indiana absentee voting laws
Hoosiers who unsuccessfully pushed for no-excuse absentee voting in Indiana during the 2020 election are turning to the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming the constitutional arguments they raised will become even more pertinent as some state legislatures are already trying to restrict mail-in balloting.
Public warned to avoid Hammond lake where waterfowl died
State environmental officials are warning the public to avoid a northwestern Indiana lake while authorities investigate the deaths of dozens of ducks and other waterfowl in the area.
Indiana governor gets virus shot at state’s 1st mass clinic
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb was jabbed with the COVID-19 vaccine shot Friday as the state’s first mass vaccination clinic opened at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
House passes sweeping voting rights bill over GOP opposition
House Democrats passed sweeping voting and ethics legislation over unanimous Republican opposition, advancing to the Senate what would be the largest overhaul of the U.S. election law in at least a generation.
Hoosiers 50-54 now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines
Hoosiers aged 54-55 are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday. The decision comes one day after the state opened up vaccinations to the 55-59 age group.
Protect and serve: Indiana Capitol Police take pride in patrolling Statehouse, Circle City
Indiana Capitol Police say they feel a special sense of pride and honor carrying out their duties of safeguarding the Indiana Statehouse and many other Circle City landmarks. They feel they are doing something especially important for fellow Hoosiers.
Bill aims to prevent ‘social justice prosecuting’
Under a bill in the Statehouse, a prosecutor who establishes a policy of not charging certain offenses would be considered “noncompliant.” But local prosecutors fear changes that would step on their prosecutorial discretion and give the attorney general, a statewide officeholder, a say over her local decisions.
Toxic fallout: Remediation and lawsuits continuing at USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago
The pictures of sun-drenched homes and neatly trimmed lawns in East Chicago showcase what is perhaps the best outcome. However, the images belie the nightmare many residents are still living. The homes along with the neighboring West Calumet Housing Project and Carrie Gosch Elementary School were all built on the USS Lead Superfund site.
Holcomb joins 21 governors in opposing state-allocation formula in stimulus package
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has joined 21 other governors in opposing how proposed pandemic relief aid would be allocated to states under President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus plan.
Hoosiers 55-59 now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines; state rolls out 3 mass vaccination sites
Hoosiers aged 55-59 are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, according to an update posted Tuesday morning on the Indiana State Department of Health’s vaccine information and registration site.
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.
Supreme Court could put new limits on voting rights lawsuits
Eight years after carving the heart out of a landmark voting rights law, the Supreme Court is looking at putting new limits on efforts to combat racial discrimination in voting.
Justices split, let stand rulings against DOC over death penalty secrecy
The Indiana Supreme Court has evenly split in a long-running dispute over disclosure of records concerning the state’s lethal injection drugs, clearing the way for disclosure of the records and the payment by the state of more than a half-million dollars in legal fees.
Democrats launch sweeping bid to overhaul US election laws
Stacey Abrams, whose voting rights work helped make Georgia into a swing state, exhorted Congress on Thursday to reject “outright lies” that have historically restricted access to the ballot as Democrats began their push for a sweeping overhaul of election and ethics laws.
Juvenile justice reform bill heads to House with bipartisan support
The Indiana Senate passed a bill Wednesday that could save the state nearly $1 million in federal funding by prohibiting juveniles charged with crimes from being held in adult jails.