Israel, Hamas measures get look as most state legislatures prepare to meet
In Indiana, a key leader has said the House will prioritize addressing antisemitism.
Associated Press
Articles
The secret life of gift cards: Here’s what happens to the billions that go unspent each year
After clothing, gift cards will be the most popular present this holiday season. Nearly half of Americans plan to give them, according to the National Retail Federation. But many will remain unspent.
A year of social media soul-searching
In 2023, we lost Twitter and got X. We tried out Bluesky and Mastodon (well, some of us did). And we fretted about AI bots and teen mental health
Judge cuts probation for Indiana lawmaker after drunken driving plea
Republican Rep. Jim Lucas of Seymour asked Jackson Superior Court Judge Bruce MacTavish earlier this month to end his probation after six months, stating in court filings that he “performed very well on probation with no violations” and “all fees and financial obligations have been satisfied.”
Fed’s favored inflation gauge tumbles as prices continue to ease
Inflation is steadily moving down to the Fed’s year-over-year target of 2% and appears to be clearing the way for Fed rate cuts in 2024. That, in turn, could translate into lower rates on everything from mortgages to credit cards.
Mickey Mouse will soon belong to you and me—with some caveats
With several asterisks, qualification and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form is leading a raft of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.
U.S. Steel sale to Japanese company warrants ‘serious scrutiny,’ White House says
The combined company will be among the top three steel-producing companies in the world, according to 2022 figures from the World Steel Association.
Homebuilders step up construction as 30-year mortgage rate eases
Another incentive for builders: The inventory of previously occupied homes for sale is likely to remain tight because many homeowners have locked in low mortgage rates.
Prez of Indy-based NCAA drawing on lessons learned as Massachusetts governor
Navigating potentially choppy political waters was a skill Charlie Baker honed as a Republican in a Democratic state, adapting to a sometimes frosty political environment by making as many allies as possible and choosing his fights carefully.
More than 2.5 million Hondas, Acuras under recall due to fuel pump defect
If the fuel pump module doesn’t work, the car’s engine may not start or can stall while driving, regulators said, increasing crash and injury risks.
Ready, set, travel: Holiday rush to airports, highways now underway
Cross your fingers: Flight cancellations are the lowest they’ve been in five years. The busiest days on the road will be Saturday and next Thursday, Dec. 28.
Supreme Court to hear challenge to EPA rule limiting downwind power plant pollution in 10 states
The rule is being challenged by three energy-producing states—Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia—as well as industry groups and individual businesses.
Indiana underestimated Medicaid cost by nearly $1 billion, report says
The flawed forecast was based on data that did not reflect the latest needs of enrollees, state agencies said.
U.S. consumers more confident as holiday shopping season peaks
Americans’ expectations of a recession in the next 12 months have declined to the lowest level so far this year.
IRS to waive $1B in penalties for people, firms owing back taxes for 2020 or 2021
Nearly 5 million people, businesses and tax-exempt organizations—most making under $400,000 per year—will be eligible for the relief starting this week.
Retailers improving delivery speeds, meaning good news for late holiday shoppers
Walmart, Target and Amazon are all-in on the shipping wars, a move retail experts say will help them maintain a competitive edge against low-cost Chinese retailers Shein and Temu.
Google to pay $700M to U.S. states, consumers in app store settlement
Although Google struck the deal with state attorneys general in September, the settlement’s terms weren’t revealed until late Monday.
Biden administration says environmental enforcement on the upswing
The EPA opened nearly 200 criminal investigations this year, a 70% increase over 2022, the agency said in a report. It completed nearly 1,800 civil settlements, a 9% increase over 2022.
Southwest Airlines reaches $140M settlement over holiday meltdown last year
The airline will pay a $35 million fine as part of a $140 million settlement to resolve a federal investigation into a debacle in December 2022 when the airline canceled thousands of flights.
Penn State close to hiring former IU coach Tom Allen as defensive coordinator, sources say
Penn State coach James Franklin is looking for a replacement for Manny Diaz, who spent the last two seasons as defensive coordinator before leaving earlier this month to become head coach at Duke.