Facing pressure, McConnell agrees to criminal justice vote
If the legislation passes, it could be a rare bipartisan policy achievement for this Congress and the largest criminal sentencing overhaul in decades.
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Gov. Holcomb wants hate-crimes bill to include gender identity
The Indiana governor announced his 2019 agenda on Thursday, and it included passing a hate crimes law to get Indiana off the list of five states without such protection. Holcomb referred to it as being on the “naughty list.”
Parents of girl shot at Noblesville school sue shooter’s parents
The parents of a 13-year-old girl who was shot seven times by a classmate are seeking damages for their daughter’s injuries.
USA Gymnastics bankruptcy might leave sex-abuse victims unpaid
In court filings, USA Gymnastics said it might not have the estimated $75 million to $150 million needed to settle lawsuits from dozens of claims from victims of Larry Nassar.
Chatham Arch residential project set to move forward after legal battle
The Indiana Supreme Court declined to consider a case that was delaying the proposed redevelopment of the 800 block of North East Street. The project includes more than 50 condominiums, retail space, townhouses and single-family homes.
Indiana Supreme Court calls for review of state’s bar exam
In an order issued Tuesday, the Supreme Court noted the decision to form the commission was driven by Indiana’s falling bar passage rates. The overall pass rate for the July exam fell from 82 percent in 2008 to 65 percent in 2018.
Hamilton County asks state police to probe late-fee claims in lawsuit
The Hamilton County Commissioners have asked state police to investigate claims that the treasurer’s office dodged fees for family members who made late property tax payments after a former employee filed a lawsuit alleging the practice.
Indiana medical firm sued by 12 states over data breach
A dozen states are suing an Indiana company over a data breach that compromised information of more than 3.9 million people.
Landlord suing Mo’s Irish Pub for $100K in rent, liquor permit
Hamilton Town Center claims that the operator of the now-closed Irish-themed restaurant has reneged on an agreement to sell the valuable liquor, wine and beer permit back to the landlord.
Carmel spine surgeon wins $112M verdict in royalty battle with Medtronic
At issue in the five-year legal dispute was whether Dr. Rick Sasso was properly compensated for various inventions, and whether Minnesota-based Medtronic paid him sufficient royalties as spelled out in their agreements.
UPDATE: Supreme Court weighs Indiana case on civil forfeiture
The U.S. Supreme Court left little doubt Wednesday that it would rule that the Constitution’s ban on excessive fines applies to the states, an outcome that could help an Indiana man recover the $40,000 Land Rover police seized when they arrested him.
State police collect unused medicines
Indiana State Police collected more than a ton of expired and unwanted prescription medications Oct. 27 as part of the national “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Indiana biz leader suggests making state attorney general an appointed post
With controversy over Attorney General Curtis Hill still fresh, Indiana Chamber of Commerce CEO Kevin Brinegar on Monday suggested making the AG position appointed instead of elected. Hill said he opposed the idea.
Indiana lawmakers draft hate-crime legislation for 2019 session
The draft covers bias-motivated crimes based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, ancestry and sexual orientation.
Another gay Roncalli counselor alleges discrimination at school
A 39-year employee filed a discrimination charge Friday with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Roncalli High School.
DeVos proposes overhaul to campus sexual misconduct rules
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Friday proposed a major overhaul to the way colleges and universities handle sexual misconduct complaints.
UPDATE: Two paintings from Robert Indiana estate fetch $5M at controversial auction
The estate of artist Robert Indiana, creator of the iconic LOVE series, auctioned off two paintings by other artists that he owned to raise money to defend against a lawsuit and to stabilize his deteriorating island home in Maine.
Proposed Statehouse sexual harassment guidelines ‘shockingly dated,’ says law professor
An Indiana employment law professor said the proposed guidelines to combat sexual harassment at the Indiana Statehouse appear to be designed to insulate lawmakers from liability.
Firms could hire marginalized workers to keep economic growth humming, expert says
The unemployment rate is so low that the U.S. economy risks slipping into recession due to lack of labor. Businesses should consider hiring ex-offenders and other prospects that they previously have avoided, according to a chief economic strategist for Fifth Third Bank.
Indiana sues Purdue Pharma for role in opioid crisis
The lawsuit is the culmination of two-year investigation that included depositions of former employees, interviews with prescribers across the state and a review of Purdue Pharma’s profits, Attorney General Curtis Hill said.