Judge turns away challenge to smoking ordinance
A federal judge has denied a challenge by bar owners to a smoking ordinance passed last year by the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council.
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Indiana mayors want law for cold-med prescriptions
Local officials from around Indiana are making a push for the Legislature to require that people obtain a doctor's prescription to buy cold medications often used to make methamphetamine.
Federal cuts to hit Indiana jobless, National Guard
Indiana agencies are cutting jobless benefits, furloughing National Guard members and losing food funds for the Women Infants and Children program because of the automatic federal budget cuts, officials said Monday.
Report: IOSHA loses its teeth as workplace safety watchdog
The state agency inspects fewer than a third of the businesses it did in the 1980s, issues fines for serious violations that average less than half the national rate and issued violations at a lower rate than the national average the past decade, according to a newspaper report.
City reports rise in parking meter profit, revenue
Indianapolis estimates it earned about $1 million more from parking meters in 2012, with meter revenue almost doubling from the previous year, the Department of Public Works announced Thursday.
Woman sues Kroger, ex-manager over shooting
Christine Nelson was held hostage by a man who was fatally shot as he tried to rob a northwest-side Kroger. She alleges that witnessing the incident caused her "extreme mental anguish and emotional distress."
Indiana gun permit denials nearly double in 4 years
The number of state residents whose gun permit requests were denied by the Indiana State Police has nearly doubled in the past four years amid an increase in permit applications.
Pence names Indiana judge as child services chief
Gov. Mike Pence turned to the top judge of one toughest juvenile court systems in the state to lead the troubled Indiana Department of Child Services, naming Lake County's Mary Beth Bonaventura to direct the agency Wednesday.
Glass company faces more fines for safety violations
The state wants to fine Pilkington North America $231,000 following another round of safety concerns at a Shelbyville factory. This is at least the third time in less than a year, and fourth time since 2010, that the state has stepped in to address problems at the plant.
Senate overhauling $10M school safety proposal
Indiana Senate Republicans are in the middle of overhauling a safety measure aimed at better protecting schools after a shooting last month in Connecticut left 20 first-graders dead.
State lawmakers unlikely to toughen smoking ban
It appears health advocates have little chance of seeing Indiana's smoking ban extended to include bars.
Indiana House panel backs sentencing-laws overhaul
A sweeping plan to overhaul Indiana's criminal sentencing laws cleared its first hurdle in the Legislature on Wednesday with the support of law-enforcement groups that had scuttled similar efforts the past two years.
Senator’s bill would ease penalty for pot possession
Sen. Karen Tallian’s proposal would reduce the penalty for possession of less than 2 ounces of pot to an infraction punishable by a fine. But the amount has caught the attention of at least one antidrug advocate.
Senators propose guns on campus, expanded access
Sen. Jim Banks of Columbia City has proposed allowing students to carry firearms on Indiana's public university campuses. Sen. Dennis Kruse of Auburn wants a bill that would exempt guns made exclusively in Indiana from federal rules and regulations.
FDA proposes sweeping new food safety rules
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday proposed the most sweeping food safety rules in decades, requiring farmers and food companies to be more vigilant in the wake of deadly outbreaks in peanuts, cantaloupe and leafy greens.
Ballard nixes new redistricting plan for Council
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on Friday vetoed a City-County Council redistricting plan, likely setting the stage for a lengthy court battle. He wants to stick with the lines drawn by Republicans in late 2011, before newly elected Democrats took control.
Indy home explosion investigation costs: $308,674
The Indianapolis Department of Public Safety says it has spent more than $300,000 on manpower and other expenses investigating an explosion that killed a couple and decimated their neighborhood on the southeast side.
Johnson County officials repeal public smoking ordinance
Johnson County commissioners voted unanimously this week to repeal a tough new public smoking ordinance less than a month before it was scheduled to go into effect.
Gas leaks force 29 from central Indiana apartments
Authorities have ordered the 29 residents of an Anderson apartment complex to leave their homes until gas leaks found in all five of its buildings can be repaired.
Mayor reaches preliminary pact with police, firefighter unions
After saying in August he would revoke raises for police officers and firefighters, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has agreed in principal to a new contract that would delay a 3 percent salary hike by six months.