Pressure growing to remove PFAS from fast food wrappers
Known as “forever chemicals” for their persistence in the environment, PFAS have been used for decades to prevent grease, water and other liquids from soaking through wrappers, boxes and bags.
Public Safety
Articles
Hyundai recalls 239,000 cars for exploding seat belt parts
Regulators said that the driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt pretensioners can explode upon deployment and send shrapnel throughout the vehicle.
Q&A with Shannon Schumacher, CEO of The Villages of Indiana
This is a particularly challenging time for the statewide not-for-profit, which helps place children with foster-care families and provides a wide gamut of services to help support vulnerable parents and children, facilitate adoptions and prevent child abuse.
New deal to help USA Track & Field simplify abuse reporting
The Indianapolis-based organization has signed on to use technology that will give athletes and members an additional method to anonymously report sexual abuse and other forms of misconduct.
Domestic violence calls to IMPD surged 65% early in pandemic, report says
Domestic violence in central Indiana grew more prevalent and severe in the first year of the pandemic, according to the 2020 State of Domestic Violence Service Report released Tuesday.
Judge dismisses charges for duck boat tragedy that killed 17
A judge on Tuesday dismissed criminal charges against three men prosecuted after a tourist boat sank and killed 17 people, including nine members of an extended family.
New city policy provides avenue for neighbors’ ideas on road safety
Residents are taking a do-it-yourself approach to tweaking specific stretches of road by their schools, businesses and neighborhoods to better protect children and neighbors.
U.S. bird flu case puts chicken, turkey farms on high alert
The new fear is driven by the discovery announced Feb. 9 of the virus infecting a commercial turkey flock in southern Indiana’s Dubois County.
Park outside: Hyundai, Kia recall vehicles due to fire risk
Hyundai and Kia are telling the owners of nearly 485,000 vehicles in the United States to park them outdoors because they can catch fire even if the engines have been turned off.
City health and safety office adds first violence reduction leader
Tony Lopez was named deputy director of violence reduction and will oversee the city’s peacemaker program, which is in the midst of hiring 50 people.
Indiana town to seek reimbursement from business after fire
Officials in a small central Indiana town plan to seek reimbursement from a straw-storage business after fire crews spent weeks fighting a fire smoldering amid corncobs and straw bales.
Indiana National Guard chief promoted to major general
Lyles, who assumed command of the Indiana National Guard in October 2019, leads a force of about 13,500 troops.
Council committee advances new emergency services agency
Indianapolis’ emergency services functions, including 911 and fire communications, are one step closer to becoming part of a new, separate agency with an initial $23.1 million budget.
Road safety agency: Traffic deaths rise again as drivers take risks
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said traffic deaths in the first quarter of 2021 rose by 10.5% over last year, even as driving has declined.
Mayor unveils $166M anti-violence plan as part of city financial proposal
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s plan, funded largely with federal coronavirus relief, gives $33 million to traditional law enforcement efforts, $82 million toward community-led programming and $51.5 million toward “root cause” services like mental health care, hunger relief and workforce development.
City-County Council votes to ditch mask mandate for vaccinated residents
The Democratic-majority council passed the measure 19-5, along party lines, with Republicans opposed because the order didn’t fully lift all capacity limits for businesses.
Despite pandemic, traffic deaths last year hit highest number since 2007
Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration shows that vehicle miles traveled fell by about 430.2 billion miles last year when compared with 2019.
Safety expert: Make a plan, be ready to execute
Eric Dietz, director of Purdue University’s Homeland Security Institute, says businesses should have “active shooter” emergency drills just as they have fire drills.
Cities braced for post-Chauvin trial unrest, got celebrations instead
Across America, communities prepared for the worst. They put up barriers and called in reinforcements. They boarded up windows and declared emergencies. They were bracing for Derek Chauvin to be acquitted of George Floyd’s murder, but that didn’t happen.
Ex-cop Chauvin convicted of murder, manslaughter in George Floyd death
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the explosive case that triggered worldwide protests and a furious reexamination of racism and policing.