U.S. Senate confirms Coats as national intelligence chief
Senators voted 85-12 Wednesday to approve the nomination of former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats, making him the fifth person to hold the post created after the Sept. 11 attacks.
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Pence used private email account to conduct state business
Vice President Mike Pence used a private email account to conduct public business as Indiana's governor, according to public records. The practice raises security questions, but doesn’t violate Indiana law.
White House: Trump budget will hike defense spending by $54B
To counter defense-spending increases, the president plans to propose corresponding cuts to domestic programs and foreign aid.
Committee endorses transit tax hike, sends plan to full council
The City-County Council committee vote came after Mayor Joe Hogsett’s top adviser urged members to say yes—the first time the mayor’s office had expressed an opinion publicly about whether the tax increase should pass.
Lawmakers vote to restrict local Airbnb bans
The bill comes on the heels of Carmel’s recent decision to send letters to 28 residents who rent out their homes on Airbnb, stating that they are in violation of city zoning laws.
Governor names Atterholt chief utility regulator
Jim Atterholt, a former lawmaker, most recently served as chief of staff to former Gov. Mike Pence. He is returning to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, where he previously served as chairman.
Holcomb cancels Pence’s $260M cell tower contract
The Pence administration in September said it had agreed to lease the state’s existing cell towers to help the state fund its bicentennial projects and expand broadband capacity.
Trump to require two rules be killed for each new one
President Trump is fulfilling a promise he made shortly after his election to reduce federal regulations. In practice, the policy potentially requires months of study and public input for each regulation eliminated.
Daniels calls Trump’s immigration order ‘bad idea,’ urges him to revoke it
The Purdue University president said in a written statement that "if the idea is to strengthen the protection of Americans against terrorism, there are many far better ways to achieve it.”
Union plans rally to spotlight Rexnord job losses
With the shutdown of Rexnord Corp.’s local bearings plant just months away, union officials are planning a rally next week to highlight the workers’ plight. Meanwhile, employees have received approval for federal job relocation aid.
Lawmaker drops pay-hike push for governor, others
An Indiana lawmaker has decided to withdraw his proposal that would’ve given a big pay increase to the governor and other top elected state officeholders.
UPDATE: Indiana lawmaker proposes big pay increase for governor, others
The measure by Republican state Sen. Randy Head comes as legislators are considering a tax increase to fund infrastructure projects.
State lawmaker apologies for ‘fat women’ meme
An Indiana state senator regrets an “offensive” message about women who attended the Women’s March on Washington, but says he doesn’t know how it was posted to his Facebook account.
‘Draining the swamp’ easier said than done for presidents
There’s a reality to perennial promises to clean up Washington, D.C.: No one, even those knee-deep in it, considers himself or herself to be part of “the swamp.”
Trump vows to ‘confront hardships’ as he and Pence are sworn in
In his inaugural speech, the new president described closed factories as "tombstones" that dot the country and said the federal government has spent billions defending "other nations' borders while refusing to defend our own."
Holcomb: Too many Hoosiers unprepared for jobs of the future
In his first State of the State address, Gov. Eric Holcomb stressed the importance of growing the state’s economy through increasing the skills of existing workers.
Holcomb to deliver first State of the State speech
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb will deliver his first State of the State speech Tuesday night, where he is expected to discuss road funding, education and other priorities.
Ballard interviews for Trump administration job
Indianapolis’ former two-term Republican mayor was in New York City to interview for a job in President-elect Trump’s administration and says he’s “deeply impressed” with the transition team.
Holcomb seeks $2 million per year to provide free training for high-demand jobs
The plan to skill up Indiana’s adult workforce could help prepare the state to fill an estimated 1 million jobs by 2025, most of which will be openings created by the impending retirements of baby boomers.
Holcomb’s budget plan modestly boosts funding for Indiana schools
Democrats say it’s not enough, particularly in its failure to expand state-funded preschool to more counties.