Public-private partnership launching venue to test, develop 5G technologies
Indiana is positioning itself to be the epicenter for the latest generation of wireless technology, which experts say will be revolutionary.
Government & Economic Development
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Indianapolis Democrats want to study impact of climate change on city
A City-County Council proposal introduced Friday calls for the creation of a year-long commission to take stock of climate-change effects and make recommendations to address them.
More than half of Indiana schools met feds’ academic expectations
Although 205 Indiana schools, or about 11 percent, didn’t meet the federal expectations, 620 Indiana schools, or about 34 percent, received the federal assessment’s Approaching Expectations rating.
Trump’s plan to curb teen vaping includes major exceptions
U.S. health officials will begin cracking down on most flavored e-cigarettes that are popular with underage teenagers, but the policy will spare a significant portion of the multibillion-dollar vaping market aimed at adults.
Buttigieg raises $24.7M during 4th quarter
The former South Bend mayor also said his campaign staff had 500 people nationwide, a show of organizational strength heading into the presidential primaries.
Illinois begins legal sales of recreational marijuana
The law approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker allows people 21 or older to possess of up to 30 grams of cannabis flower and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate.
Trump says he’ll sign first-step China trade deal on Jan. 15
In the first-step agreement, the U.S. dropped its plan to impose new tariffs on $160 billion of Chinese imports and agreed to trim existing import taxes on about $112 billion in Chinese goods. In return, the U.S. said China agreed to buy $40 billion a year in farm products over two years.
Trump signs law to reduce robocalls, although they won’t end
The new law gives authorities more enforcement powers and could speed up measures the industry is already taking to identify robocalls. And when phone companies block robocalls, they must do so without charging consumers.
Live dealer games starting at 2 casinos in central Indiana
Officials of Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Shelbyville have long pushed for the change that they expect will draw more gamblers and boost state tax revenue.
UPDATE: New IMPD chief hopes to make dent in homicide rate
One of Randal Taylor’s most pressing problems will be lowering the homicide rate. The city has set four consecutive records for criminal murders, capped by 159 in 2018. In 2017, the total was 157, besting 149 in 2016 and 144 in 2015.
Judges disqualify Washington Township school board member in residency challenge
A lawyer elected to the Washington Township School Board in 2018 is ineligible to serve, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday in an unprecedented decision regarding her home’s location.
ISU’s Dreiser Hall to get $18M renovation
The project will improve the 70-year-old building’s HVAC and plumbing systems, its fire suppression system and electrical needs and also bring it into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Legal marijuana sales in Illinois, Michigan might spark interstate tension
As Illinois prepares to join Michigan in the recreational pot market on Wednesday, officials are renewing warnings to consumers against carrying such products over state lines.
Buttigieg no longer boasting he helped McKinsey ‘turn around’ Fortune 500 companies
When he first pursued public office, Pete Buttigieg emphasized his McKinsey experience, claiming he was “part of billion-dollar decisions made by Fortune 500 companies.”
Indiana Dunes National Park to build erosion-fighting sand traps
Officials are asking the public to steer clear of the area as heavy equipment is used to install and fill the sand traps and fight erosion during a time of high water levels on the lake.
Plan to house homeless off to slow start
It’s been more than two years since the city and state chose four developers to build 500 affordable housing units—including some reserved for people experiencing homelessness.
Holcomb opts in to accepting refugees
Gov. Eric Holcomb is giving the green light for federal officials to continue placing refugees in Indiana, following in the footsteps of a growing group of governors.
City-County Council pay lags badly in Indianapolis
Indianapolis’ part-time city-county councilors are paid significantly less than officials with the same positions in comparable cities across the nation
2020 election will direct Statehouse attention to teacher demands
State lawmakers might choose not to address some education issues in the upcoming legislative session, but they are likely to loom over Indiana politics in the election season.
911 tax hike means Hamilton County has cash to spend
An income tax hike going into effect next year will generate millions of dollars more than needed—a windfall government officials are eyeing to help pay for other public safety initiatives.