Lawmaker wants more access to food in urban neighborhoods
A central Indiana lawmaker wants to provide better access to healthy food to inner-city Hoosiers with legislation to promote urban farms, food-co-ops and farmer’s markets
Government & Economic Development
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Pelath calls for higher minimum wage, education changes
House Minority Leader Scott Pelath outlined several proposals Democrats would be pursuing, including revising Indiana's ethics and campaign finance laws.
Bill would let Hoosiers refuse gay-wedding services
The proposed legislation would allow small businesses, including bakeries, caterers, florists, and wedding chapels, to refuse services to gay couples based on the owner's religious beliefs.
Hogsett kick-starts mayoral election year with $1.4M
Democrat Joe Hogsett hopes his hefty first round of fundraising—including at least three donors of at least $100,000 each—will prove imposing to any Republican challengers in the wings for Indianapolis mayor.
Proposal would add e-cigarette restrictions, taxes
Indiana would require stores to have a license to sell electronic cigarettes and would tax the battery-powered devices like traditional tobacco products under a bill a state lawmaker said he'll sponsor.
Indiana legislators eye school funding revamp
Indiana lawmakers could face a prickly debate as they aim to tighten up funding differences between the state's school districts during the General Assembly session that starts Tuesday.
Long tenures distinguish mayors of Carmel, Noblesville
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard has led Carmel since 1996, and John Ditslear has led Noblesville since 2004.
Applications for U.S. jobless aid rise, but growth looks solid
More Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, but the number of applications continues to be at historically low levels that suggest solid economic growth will continue.
Electric utilities battle over annexing territories
Municipal-owned utilities are trying to fend off an attack on a state law that allows them to expand their territories through annexation. Rural electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities say they’re losing big customers.
Bill would allow Pence to run for president, governor
Sen. Mike Delph’s measure would expand Indiana’s election law to allow a sitting governor or state lawmaker to simultaneously seek both re-election and any federal office.
Indiana low-powered moped law to take effect Jan. 1
Beginning Thursday, owners of mopeds or scooters with engines smaller than 50 cubic centimeters must have a registration, a license plate and an Indiana identification card.
Companies explore options for counterattacks on hackers
A growing number of firms are considering ways to break into hackers’ networks to retrieve stolen data or even knock their computers offline. Such actions could push the limits of existing law.
Appeals court upholds 3 felony convictions against White
The ruling rejected arguments from former Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White that his defense lawyer during his 2012 trial provided incompetent counsel.
Pence begins economic development part of Israel trip
The governor will meet Monday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett to discuss economic relations between Indiana and Israel.
Little Statehouse appetite for government reform
A Republican state senator said he hasn't heard any discussion about pursuing more of the recommendations of a 2007 bipartisan commission that called for 27 local government reforms.
Impact of Indiana’s criminal code changes unclear
Indiana's prosecutors and judges are still adjusting to sweeping changes to the state's criminal code intended to send more low-level, nonviolent criminals to community corrections programs and jails instead of state prisons.
State’s preschool pilot program receives 1,800 applicants
The goal for the first phase of the program was to enroll 350 children. But because of the high demand, the state plans to enroll 100 additional children.
Mayoral mouthpiece to depart
Marc Lotter says he doesn’t know yet where he will land. He has been Mayor Greg Ballard’s communications director since November 2010.
City lines up justice center, music venue for GM site
Redevelopment of the former General Motors Stamping Plant site west of downtown began taking shape in 2014, culminating in December with the city’s selection of a Paris company to build a criminal justice center on the property.
2014 NEWSMAKER: Joe Hogsett
Former U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett went from ruling out a mayoral run to front-runner in the course of eight months.