Senate Republicans strip down key Indiana House bills in second half of session
Republican leaders of the House and Senate say they are optimistic they’ll find compromises before the Legislature adjourns in March.
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Biden puts focus on drug prices as he tries to revive agenda
Efforts to lower prescription drug costs have long been popular with voters, but bipartisan consensus has proved elusive. It’s unclear if there’s a political path forward for Biden’s plans in Congress.
Report: Opioid fight needs new strategy, Cabinet leadership
With vastly powerful synthetic drugs like fentanyl driving record overdose deaths, the scourge of opioids awaits after the COVID-19 pandemic finally recedes, a shift that public health experts expect in the months ahead.
IBJ Podcast: Is nuclear power headed to Indiana?
IBJ reporter John Russell joins the podcast to talk about why the Indiana Legislature is consider a proposal that could help clear a path for smaller, modular nuclear reactors to be located in Indiana.
Pence: Trump is ‘wrong’ to say election could be overturned
The audience applauded Pence’s line about beating the Democrats in the upcoming presidential election but remained silent when Pence said earlier that “Trump is wrong.”
China’s pandemic Olympics begin, with lockdown and boycotts
For Beijing, these Olympics are a confirmation of its status as world player and power. But for many outside China, particularly in the West, they have become a confirmation of the country’s increasingly authoritarian turn.
Brian Flores’ allegations against NFL lead to call for congressional hearing
Flores said in a televised interview earlier Wednesday that he is trying to “create some change” to the league’s minority hiring practices.
Researchers are asking why some countries were better prepared for COVID. One surprising answer: Trust.
“We found no links between COVID outcomes and democracy, populism, government effectiveness, universal health care, pandemic preparedness metrics, economic inequality or trust in science,” a researcher said.
Some Black Democratic leaders call on Marion County party chair to resign
Some Black Indianapolis-area elected officials accused Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell of running discriminatory selection processes for slating and precinct committee people.
Trump suggests Pence should have ‘overturned’ the election on Jan. 6
Trump has expressed frustration before that Pence did not use his role to try to reject the electoral votes of several states that Joe Biden won. But the language in Sunday’s statement was among Trump’s most explicit in publicly stating his desire.
Q&A: Behind City-County Council’s redistricting forums
IBJ talked to City-County Council Chief Financial Officer and Policy Director Brandon Herget to learn how council staff chose the forum locations, why it contracted out the hosting work and how feedback will actually get used.
State lawmakers spar with Marion County sheriff over funding control
An Indiana Senate bill sponsored by Indianapolis Republicans would prevent Democrat Sheriff Kerry Forestal from spending commissary fund money unless it is appropriated by the Indianapolis City-County Council.
Indiana Senate committee advances crime bill package
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee has endorsed five criminal justice bills aimed at reducing violent crime.
Holcomb appointee announces challenge to Marion County Prosecutor Mears
Cyndi Carrasco, former deputy general counsel for Gov. Eric Holcomb, announced her decision Tuesday to take on Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.
State lawmakers propose fund aimed at attracting more major sporting events, conventions
The Indiana Sports Corp. would be responsible for administering a grant program to disperse the funds, with the organization giving money to groups across the state as well as using a portion of the funding for its own bidding efforts.
Community forums to encourage public input on City-County Council redistricting
As Indianapolis embarks on the once-a-decade task of redrawing City-County Council districts, officials are soliciting public input at community forums in January and February.
U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth says he won’t run for reelection. What’s next?
U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth announced Wednesday that he won’t run for re-election in southern Indiana’s 9th District, raising speculation about what the three-term Republican congressman might do next.
Indiana House backs dropping state’s handgun permit law
The proposal, which would loosen Indiana’s already lenient firearms restrictions, passed on a largely party-line 63-29 vote despite the opposition of several major law enforcement organizations.
GOP differences on Indiana tax cuts, vaccine mandate limits solidify
The Indiana Senate’s top Republican said tax cuts and limits on employer vaccine mandates didn’t land on his priority list because they are “controversial” and “more complicated to work through.” But that won’t stop House Republicans from pursuing them.
Bill seeks to limit some ‘discriminatory concepts’ from being taught in school
Indiana lawmakers on Wednesday began debate on a Republican-backed bill that would require all school curricula to be posted online for parental review and ban schools’ ability to implement concepts like critical race theory.