Bill banning local plastic bag restrictions signed by Pence
City and county officials across Indiana won't be allowed to tax or restrict the use of disposable plastic bags by grocery stores and other retailers under a new state law.
Environment
Articles
BOHANON & STYRING: Knee-jerk decision to recycle not always wise
Wealth, technology and relative prices tell us when it makes sense to use a virgin resource from the Earth and when to reuse something.
Pork producer wins final suit over Indiana swine farms
The nation's 11th largest pork producer has claimed victory after seven years of litigation over an influx of industrial swine farms in east central Indiana.
Hancock County farm seeks to feed those in need
A not-for-profit farm hopes to contribute more than 500,000 pounds of fresh produce, along with hundreds of pounds of locally raised chicken, pork and beef to feed area residents who struggle to put food on their tables.
Green BEAN Delivery spreads into eight new markets
The expansion marks the first time Green BEAN has added more than one metro market at a time to its growing service territory.
Dow Chemical sees weak agricultural sales continuing
Dow Chemical Co. said low commodity prices and currency fluctuations will continue to hurt sales to farmers this year, echoing the outlooks of Monsanto Co. and DuPont Co.
Senate advances compromise on farm-to-table poultry bill
Lawmakers have advanced a compromise that seems to appease both small poultry producers who are part of Indiana’s “farm-to-fork” movement and those who say they are worried about protecting public health.
Recycling industry buffeted by falling prices
With prices tumbling for scrap metal, used paper and old plastic bottles, recycling firms around Indiana are watching revenue drop. Most are working harder to find buyers that will pay a decent price for their truckloads of materials. Some are idling operations.
Dilemma for farmers: Which crop will lose least money?
A three-year plunge in prices has sent farm income to the lowest in more than a decade and left parts of the Midwest agricultural economy in recession.
Bill banning local plastic bag restrictions passes Senate
The Indiana Senate has approved a measure banning local governments from taxing or restricting the use of disposable plastic bags by retailers, including grocery stores.
Purdue: U.S. farm entrapments fall to lowest level in decade
Purdue's study shows the U.S. had 47 entrapments in grain bins and other confined spaces in 2015. That's 34 percent fewer than in 2014.
Senate panel overhauls environmental rules bill
Indiana would keep its authority to make its own environmental rules after a Senate committee passed an overhaul to a bill that would have let the federal government set all standards.
Indiana lifts most bird flu-related restrictions
The State Board of Animal Health ended testing and surveillance requirements early Monday at poultry farms near a turkey farm where the H7N8 viral strain was first found.
Fate of Indy employees still hazy in Dow, DuPont merger
Although the city will host a “global business center,” it will be months before details are known about how the combined agriculture operations will shake out. For now, the two firms are still competitors.
Environmental bill gets Senate hearing, awaits vote
Under the proposal, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management would not be allowed to make local rules tougher than similar federal laws.
Harding Street power plant’s move away from coal is watershed moment
Under pressure to meet stringent clean-air regulations, Indianapolis Power & Light Co. is converting the Harding Street plant to natural gas.
Ethanol ‘train wreck’ seen getting worse with record supply
Record stockpiles of ethanol are forcing some biofuels producers into the ranks of energy companies that are slowing operations in the face of $30-per-barrel crude oil.
Supreme Court puts Obama’s Clean Power Plan on hold
The surprising move is a blow to the administration and a victory for the coalition of 27 mostly Republican-led states, including Indiana, and industry opponents that call the regulations “an unprecedented power grab.”
Bill could put crimp in farm-to-table poultry trade
The bill’s sponsors say its purpose is consumer safety. Small poultry producers contend it would hamstring their ability to compete in a marketplace dominated by large producers.
Indiana preparing to lift most bird flu-related restrictions
Animal health officials monitoring the bird flu outbreak in southwestern Indiana say they will lift most restrictions in two weeks if ongoing testing finds no additional infections.