Senate panel weighs carve-outs in statewide smoking ban
The House-approved measure includes exemptions for casinos and private clubs. It also includes an 18-month delay before the ban takes effect in bars.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Sugarland attorneys: Injured fair fans share in blame
Attorneys for country duo Sugarland say concertgoers were at least partly to blame for injuries suffered in the 2011 stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair. The stance drew a sharp reaction from fans Tuesday and prompted the band’s manager to issue a statement criticizing the finger-pointing.
City-County Council member gives salary to local library
Steve Talley will donate his council salary over the next four years, which totals about $52,000, to launch an endowment through the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation in honor of his late wife, Donna.
Indiana retailers face penalties over ‘bath salts’
State retailers could lose their business licenses for a year if they're caught selling synthetic stimulants nicknamed "bath salts" or others that mimic marijuana.
Study: Corruption in northern Indiana not as bad as thought
A new study says northern Indiana politics may not be as corrupt as its reputation suggests.
Eiteljorg, Imax seeking approval to sell liquor
The two downtown attractions are among several entities that purchased permits in November and now are seeking approval from county officials to sell liquor.
Smoking ban among key issues pending in Legislature
The Senate is set to consider a statewide smoking ban as well as legislation that would aside another $5 million for victims of the Indiana State Fair stage collapse.
Reopening of Ohio River bridge gives lift to businesses
The reopening of the Sherman Minton Bridge has business returning to normal more than five months after a crack in load-bearing steel led to Gov. Mitch Daniels to order the span over the Ohio River closed.
Charlie White cries foul on residency, cites other cases
The ousted secretary of state claims Sen. Richard Lugar and former Sen. Evan Bayh vote from Indiana despite living near Washington, D.C. Lugar doesn't own a home in Indiana, and tea party activists want his candidacy disqualified as a result.
Indiana fair victim testifies on state plan for found money
A high school tennis player who was crippled in last summer's deadly stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair testified Thursday as legislators considered whether to double the amount the state is paying for victims.
Committee to push for safer late-night stores in Indiana
Since 2006, six people have been killed and 27 people have been seriously injured in violent crimes at late-night stores in Indiana.
Talks start on developing ‘airport city’ to boost region
The Indianapolis Airport Authority is moving ahead with plans to build an “airport city” centered on its property, but not without buy-in from the surrounding communities.
IDEM: I-69 construction affecting streams
The Indiana Department of Transportation and a contractor on the Interstate 69 project downstate have been cited for more than a dozen deficiencies in preventing erosion and the flow of sediment into streams.
City aims to erase surface parking for developments
Several downtown surface parking lots are targeted for redevelopment, with a couple already well on their way to being filled with a mixture of commercial and residential projects.
State to motorists: You break it, you buy it
Crash into a guardrail and chances are now higher that your insurer—or you—will get a repair bill from the Indiana Department of Transportation. INDOT has deployed a new way of tracking damage to state property at crash scenes and quickly collecting money from those responsible.
Former Daniels aide challenges Wallace GOP bid
A former longtime aide to Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is challenging GOP businessman Jim Wallace's qualifications to run for governor.
Lawmakers eye early finish after contentious start
Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma told House members Thursday that he and Senate President Pro Tem David Long were planning to wrap things up by March 9. The 2012 session is formally scheduled to end by March 14.
Former mayor cleared in alleged domestic dispute
Former Indianapolis Mayor Steve Goldsmith has been cleared of wrongdoing in the case involving his arrest following a domestic dispute call to Washington, D.C., police last summer.
For-profit colleges lose incentive to target vets under bills
For-profit college operators such as Carmel-based ITT Educational Services Inc.would lose a financial incentive to enroll soldiers and veterans under U.S. Senate and House bills aimed at curbing what sponsors call aggressive marketing of subpar programs.
Bill seeks school superintendent contract disclosure
A bill that would require Indiana's school boards to disclose all financial details of proposed superintendent contracts before voting on them drew only positive comments during a public hearing before a legislative panel.