Election updates: McCray to take on Banks | Spartz, Shreve win GOP congressional nods
Check back for updates tonight.
Politics
Articles
Who votes? Here’s who decides Indiana’s elections
It’s a small percentage of people, particularly in Indiana, which ranked second-last in the country for turnout in the 2022 election.
Hogsett’s plan to win MLS franchise faces city-level legislative hurdles
Following the mayor’s announcement, some Indianapolis councilors expressed apprehension about abandoning a soccer stadium already in the works. But the council’s majority Democratic leaders have not weighed in.
La Keisha Jackson wins caucus to represent Senate District 34
Jackson, a city-county councilor of 10 years and a not-for-profit CEO, will finish out Sen. Jean Breaux’s term. Democrats will hold a second caucus to determine who will fill Breaux’s place on the November ballot to serve the next four-year term.
Crouch has the most money on hand for final governor’s race push
Combined, the candidates have nearly $5 million left to spend and have spent a jaw-dropping $20 million in the first quarter of 2024.
Democratic lawmaker to seek judicial changes after sentence in IMPD officer’s death
State Rep. Mitch Gore, who is a captain at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, said he would explore “all legislative remedies” to address what he said is a sentence that is too lenient. A Republican committee chair said he’s open to legislative proposals that come out of the case.
Spartz criticizes Goodrich in 5th District forum
Incumbent Rep. Victoria Spartz accused challenger Chuck Goodrich of failing to support legislation to ban some foreign ownership of farmland. But his votes on a key bill tell a different story.
IMPD decides against use of gunshot detection technology
The devices are perched on buildings and telephone poles, use acoustic sensors to triangulate the approximate location of a gunshot and notify local police. A company IMPD was evaulating, ShotSpotter, has received increased media scrutiny at both the local and national level.
Law regulating AI usage in elections takes effect
The law requires that candidates include a disclaimer when a political ad includes the use of generative AI, and it creates a path for legal action when candidates believe they are misrepresented.
Sue or give up? States’ open records policies often leave residents facing costly choice
A nationwide review of procedures—included in Indiana—found that fewer than a third of states have offices that can force agencies to turn over documents or comply with open meetings requirements.
Gaming commission funding throttled by lawmakers in late-night move
A feud between the General Assembly and the Indiana Gaming Commission escalated late Friday when lawmakers approved language blocking the commission from getting more money without their approval.
Bill limiting land buys by ‘foreign adversaries’ goes to governor
Some critics worry the bill would compromise economic development deals in the works, but it passed easily.
Additional options for spending work-based learning funds approved by Indiana lawmakers
The final draft allows students to use up to $625 from annual CSA grants to pay for training for a driver’s license with an employer match.
Here are the education bills approved by the 2024 Indiana legislature
Stricter rules on school attendance, reading proficiency, and cellphone use in the classroom will affect Indiana students and schools beginning next year under legislation passed in the General Assembly’s 2024 session.
Indiana lawmakers pass bill defining antisemitism, with compromises
The final version accepted by both the House and Senate chambers made concessions in language that was opposed by critics of Israel.
Legislature sends new rules for Indy downtown tax district to governor
The bill, now headed to Gov. Eric Holcomb for consideration, would let some property owners opt out of paying the tax and cap the revenue but let the city expand the district.
Biden delivers State of the Union with fiery political tone
Biden engaged in repeated exchanges with Republican lawmakers in the House chamber, at times, turning the address into a form of political theater.
Nikki Haley suspends campaign, leaves Trump as last major GOP candidate
Haley encouraged Trump to earn the support of the coalition of moderate Republicans and independent voters who supported her.
Brainard endorses Raju Chinthala for 5th Congressional District seat
Chinthala, a Carmel resident, is the founder and president of the Indiana-India Business Council and formerly served as a senior adviser for Indiana for the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
Q&A: Indy’s new DMD director talks about housing, downtown and more
Megan Vukusich, who previously worked in city planning in Fishers, said one of her priorities will be creating a resiliency strategy for the Indianapolis downtown.