Privacy protection bill up for Indiana House vote
A bill that would restrict law enforcement access to surveillance drones, GPS trackers and unwarranted cellphone searches is up for a vote before Indiana lawmakers.
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Senate passes bill allowing state fair alcohol sales
Senate Bill 168 would allow Indiana breweries and wineries to sell their beverages in a designated area. Those under 21 would not be allowed into the barred off section.
Indiana bill would limit use of drone surveillance
The bill introduced by Republican Rep. Eric Koch of Bedford would strictly regulate police use of unmanned aircraft and prohibit their use to conduct surveillance without a court warrant.
Ballard, Curry split on gun-violence bill
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry opposes a measure that would create a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence for crimes committed with a firearm. Mayor Greg Ballard and his public safety director support it.
Proposal to allow alcohol sales at fair still on tap
People on both sides of the issue, including those on the State Fair Commission, Indiana alcohol producers, and those opposed to the change, discussed a tentative plan Wednesday for how the state fair could sell its first alcoholic beverages since the 1940s.
GOP sheriff candidate ramps up fundraising
This is a bit of an off year for local politics, but there may be a real race for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, based on early fundraising by GOP candidate Emmitt Carney.
Some attorneys not sold on proposed justice complex
Moving the Marion County Jail, courts and other criminal justice functions to a consolidated site outside of downtown could gut businesses in the Mile Square and play havoc with legal offices, attorneys say.
Committee passes ban on tanning for young teens
Commercial tanning beds may soon be off limits to Hoosiers younger than 16 under a bill approved Wednesday by the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee.
FEMA rejects Indiana’s appeal of tornado aid request
Indiana may seek low-interest federal loans for six counties hit by tornadoes and other severe November weather now that federal officials have rejected the state's disaster aid request.
Indianapolis mayor wants another day of closures
Mayor Greg Ballard said he will be lifting the city's ban on non-emergency travel at noon Monday although he wants schools and businesses to remain closed another day until the worst of the severe cold passes.
Winter storm puts freeze on state government
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Sunday closed state government offices Monday, and the General Assembly postponed the start of its 2014 session until Tuesday due to severe weather.
Mayor raises travel emergency level in Indy to ‘red’
The level makes it illegal for anyone other than emergency personnel to drive except for emergency purposes or if they are seeking shelter. It’s the first time Indianapolis has issued such a warning since the 1978 blizzard.
City inviting proposals for new courts-jail complex
Marion County criminal-justice complex project could rival Indianapolis airport terminal in cost, entail public-private financing deal.
Council to weigh probe of public safety lease deal
The City-County Council will decide Monday whether to create a committee to scrutinize the Regional Operations Center, which Public Safety Director Troy Riggs vacated in September over safety concerns.
Supreme Court weighs arguments in smoking-ban case
At issue in part is whether one business or industry can make enough money to be exempted from rules that apply to all others. The decision could have repercussions in communities throughout the state.
Union calls for probe into unsafe operations center
Indianapolis Public Safety Director Troy Riggs removed about 150 workers from a city police department regional operations center Monday because city fire and building inspectors deemed the building unsafe.
Combatants draw partisan distinctions in debate over sheriff’s budget
The Marion County sheriff can’t control the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, but Mayor Greg Ballard can’t tell the sheriff how to operate jails or secure the City-County Building, and, much to his frustration, he’s been unable to control the sheriff’s spending.
HETRICK: It’s time to put money behind our crime-prevention push
New Haven should have everything going for it. Yet, in 2010, FBI data showed it to be the fourth most dangerous city in the United States
Indianapolis to beef up police presence on streets
More than 100 uniformed police officers will be deployed within weeks on Indianapolis' streets to combat a rise in violent crime, under a plan unveiled by the mayor and other city officials.
New rules taking effect despite Pence moratorium
Dozens of new rules and regulations have been implemented in Indiana in recent months despite an executive order Gov. Mike Pence signed on his first day in office.