Indiana receives 10-year extension of Healthy Indiana Plan
The state of Indiana has received federal approval to continue for 10 more years its Healthy Indiana Plan medical savings account that enrolls more than 572,000 low-income adult Hoosiers.
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USDA approves Indiana’s plan for commercial hemp growing
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Indiana’s plan to allow farmers to commercially grow and process hemp. The plan will take the Office of the Indiana State Chemist’s pilot hemp program and transition it to one allowing for commercial hemp production.
Indiana provides first look at COVID-19 vaccination plans
State health officials have released a first look at Indiana’s plan for distributing a COVID-19 vaccine, whenever one becomes available.
Indiana reports 2,519 more COVID-19 cases, another rise in hospitalizations
The Indiana State Department of Health on Friday reported 2,519 new COVID-19 cases, the third-highest number reported so far in the daily report. The seven-day average of daily cases reached the highest point since the pandemic began.
Justices affirm denial of IDEM whistleblower suit, vacate ‘broad’ holding
Indiana Supreme Court justices affirmed Thursday the denial of a fired Indiana Department of Environmental Management chemist’s petition for judicial review, but vacated a portion of an appellate panel’s decision that it considered too broad.
Supreme Court puts curbside voting on hold in Alabama
The US Supreme Court on Wednesday put on hold a lower court order that would have permitted curbside voting in Alabama in November.
Indiana governor faces debate challenges over virus actions
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb took on conservative criticism over his coronavirus pandemic orders as he faced his two reelection challengers in a televised debate Tuesday night.
Indiana clerk refuses to wear mask while administering polls
A county clerk in rural Indiana says she will not wear a mask while overseeing early voting despite the county’s surge of coronavirus cases and warnings from a state official.
Indiana providing rental assistance during virus outbreak
Indiana’s Rental Assistance Portal is accepting applications for a program that provides eligible renters with up to six months in rental assistance to help cover past due and ongoing monthly payments.
Rokita closes fundraising gap with Weinzapfel in AG race
The fundraising gap between Indiana attorney general candidates Todd Rokita and Jonathan Weinzapfel has closed, with Rokita finishing the third quarter of 2020 with a slight lead over his Democratic challenger. Both candidates are entering the final weeks of the race with a little more than $1 million, much of which has come from interest groups.
Indiana tops 2,000 daily COVID-19 cases for first time
The Indiana State Department of Health on Friday reported another all-time daily high of 2,328 new COVID-19 cases, topping the previous high of 1,962 set Thursday. Friday’s number, however, contained “approximately 300 cases whose reporting was delayed due to a technical issue over the past few days,” the department said.
Indiana officials outline response to state’s virus hotspots
Indiana health officials confirmed 28 more COVID-19 deaths on Thursday, and the state’s seven-day rolling average of new cases of the respiratory disease has doubled in three weeks.
Holcomb tests negative for COVID-19
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has tested negative for COVID-19, his office announced Thursday morning. Holcomb was tested “out of an abundance of caution” after Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box tested positive earlier this week.
Holcomb extends Indiana mask mandate; health commissioner tests positive
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday said he would extend the state’s mask mandate for another month amid sharply rising COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. He made the announcement while revealing that Dr. Kristina Box, the state’s health commissioner, had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
Stafford: Indiana has all sorts of election laws, but few favor voters
The Indiana Lawyer editorial staff has been covering Indiana’s voter suppression laws and how they are holding up to court challenges. So far, so good for several statutes, which is awful news for democracy and the right to vote.
Indiana sees most coronavirus hospitalizations since May
The number of coronavirus patients in Indiana hospitals grew over the weekend to the highest level in nearly five months, state health officials said Monday.
Indiana race opens up after attorney general’s troubles
Indiana Democrats are targeting the state attorney general’s race as their best chance to break the stranglehold Republicans have over state government.
Indiana virus dashboard lacks data from hundreds of schools
Nearly two months after Indiana officials said they would release a public dashboard to help track coronavirus cases among students and teachers, the online tool still lacks data from more than 1,000 schools.
7th Circuit affirms restrictions on absentee voting; judge stays injunction in noon deadline case
The effort to allow all Hoosiers to vote by absentee ballot in the November presidential election has been blocked by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals which, in an echo of the state’s argument, found Election Day is too close to make any changes now. In a separate case, a judge temporarily stayed pending appeal an order blocking an Indiana law that requires absentee ballots be received by noon to be counted.
AG candidate profile: Weinzapfel says attorney general should be about policy, not politics
Democratic former Evansville Mayor and lawmaker Jonathan Weinzapfel said if elected attorney general, his actions would be based on policy, not politics, and Hoosiers’ best interests. Read Weinzapfel’s recent Q&A with Indiana Lawyer’s sibling publication, the Indianapolis Business Journal.