Report: States could help prevent natural gas explosions
Three powerful accidents in recent years highlight weaknesses in oversight of how natural gas providers maintain their largest pipelines, the National Transportation Safety Board reported.
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House panel OKs much-revised Sunday alcohol sales bill
The proposal to legalize Sunday carry-out alcohol sales in Indiana now could force grocery stores and pharmacies to follow the same regulations as liquor stores.
Pork purveyor to build $43.5M facility, hire 260
John Morrell Food Group, one of the oldest meat manufacturing firms in the nation, plans to build and equip a massive refrigerated distribution center just east of Indianapolis.
Ritz proposes 1-year freeze on school accountability grades
The State Board of Education will consider a proposal to suspend accountability grades and scrap portions of the ISTEP+ exam as it grapples with concerns about increased testing time for students.
Massage therapy legislation passed by Indiana House
House Bill 1360, authored by Rep. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, applies the standards of practice of health professions to certified massage therapists.
Energy-conservation legislation easily passes Senate
The bill, authored by Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, would replace the Energizing Indiana program, which the General Assembly canceled last year over the objection of environmental groups.
Schools being told to be ready for longer ISTEP exam
Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Danielle Shockey said it wasn’t clear what changes could be made before the first possible day of the testing period arrives on Feb. 25.
Legislation tackles big-box retail valuation issue
The bill comes as assessors around the state worry that recent Indiana Board of Tax Review decisions in favor of Meijer and Kohl’s will force them to slash the value of big-box stores during the upcoming spring assessment cycle.
UPDATE: Senate panel OKs bill to let education board elect leader
The legislation would overturn the current law in which the state's elected superintendent of public instruction – now Democrat Glenda Ritz – automatically chairs the board.
Indiana business groups oppose ‘religious freedom’ law
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce and other business groups argued that the Republican-sponsored proposal could hurt the state's reputation and make it more difficulty to attract companies.
Pence orders shorter ISTEP+ exams after Ritz raises concerns
The governor announced Monday he would look for ways to curtail Indiana's revamped statewide assessment test from the up to 12½ hours it's been projected to take.
Indiana finance chief jumps to private sector
Kendra York, who led Indiana through public-private partnerships to fund major road and bridge projects, has stepped down as the state's public finance director and joined engineering contractor American Structurepoint.
State panel backs legalizing fenced-in hunting preserves
Indiana’s four current high-fenced deer-hunting preserves would be the only ones allowed in the state under a bill endorsed by a legislative committee.
Senate panel taking up Indiana religious freedom bill
On Monday afternoon, lawmakers will debate broadly worded proposals that opponents fear would give businesses the justification to discriminate against customers who don’t share the same beliefs.
Obama pitches free community college plan at Ivy Tech
President Barack Obama pitched his plan for two free years of community college to a raucous crowd of students and Democratic officials during a Friday stop on Ivy Tech Community College’s campus.
January jobs report finds robust gains on all fronts
The Labor Department said Friday that the economy added 257,000 jobs in January, previous months were revised up, wages rose by the most in six years, and more Americans entered the job market.
Obama to promote college proposal during Indy Ivy Tech visit
The president, who wants to make the first two years of community or technical college free for students, will face resistance to his plan from Republicans leery of having government pick up the tab.
House panel backs bill seeking to boost industrial hemp crop
The House agriculture committee unanimously passed the proposal that would specify the exemption of industrial hemp from its illegal cousin marijuana to include the "fiber, seeds, resin, and oil or any other compound," from an industrial hemp plant.
House backs off Pence plan to cut higher ed tax credit
The Indiana House is dropping one unpopular part of Gov. Mike Pence’s proposed tax overhaul – and another key section that would help some businesses is in jeopardy.
House, Senate continue push to revamp education governance
Majority Republicans in the House and Senate are pushing forward with bills to revamp the Indiana Board of Education and strip power from the state superintendent even as Democrats complain the GOP is only playing politics.