911 tax hike means Hamilton County has cash to spend
An income tax hike going into effect next year will generate millions of dollars more than needed—a windfall government officials are eyeing to help pay for other public safety initiatives.
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AMA calls for total ban on all e-cigarette, vaping products
The group adopted the sweeping stance at a policy-making meeting in San Diego. It aims to lobby for state and federal laws, regulations or legal action to achieve a ban, but the industry is sure to fight back.
Federal investigators: Coast Guard ignored duck boat safety proposals
The National Transportation Safety Board criticized the U.S. Coast Guard on Wednesday for ignoring suggestions they say might have prevented last year’s Missouri accident that killed 17 people, including nine members of an Indiana family.
Supreme Court lets Sandy Hook shooting lawsuit go forward
The justices rejected an appeal from Remington Arms that argued it should be shielded by a 2005 federal law preventing most lawsuits against firearms manufacturers when their products are used in crimes.
Indiana ranks high in hazardous dams that need improvements
Indiana has more than 250 high-hazard dams, a term used when a failure likely would result in the loss of human life. Of those, 65 are rated in poor or unsatisfactory condition
Airport firefighters, police officers voting on unionization
The police and fire departments at Indianapolis International Airport have been non-union since 2011, when the airport authority withdrew its recognition of employee unions.
Council approves Hogsett’s $1.2B budget, with focus on public safety, infrastructure
The 2020 spending plan—which passed 22-2—is projected to spend about $171,500 less than the city will receive in revenue. Officials say that makes it the city’s third consecutive balanced budget since Hogsett—who is seeking re-election—took office in 2016.
Experts say CIB is thin on liability coverage for event venues
The board carries $56 million in liability insurance for its facilities, including a $1 million general liability policy and a $55 million umbrella policy.
Purdue lands $10M grant for new food safety laboratory
The funding from the United States Agency for International Development will go toward Purdue’s new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Safety.
UPDATE: Merritt, longtime state senator, running for Indianapolis mayor
Jim Merritt, who will formally announce his campaign Thursday afternoon, told IBJ he was running for mayor because he “loves my city,” and is concerned about the city’s high number of murders and “rampant homelessness.”
Groups ask EPA to investigate contamination in Franklin
The groups say the EPA’s handling of the site formerly used by electronics manufacturer Amphenol involved “serious mismanagement.”
Proposal to ban sitting, lying down in Mile Square withdrawn
Minority Leader Mike McQuillen, who said the purpose of the proposal was intended to curb panhandling and increase the sense of safety downtown, withdrew the proposal.
Firms could hire marginalized workers to keep economic growth humming, expert says
The unemployment rate is so low that the U.S. economy risks slipping into recession due to lack of labor. Businesses should consider hiring ex-offenders and other prospects that they previously have avoided, according to a chief economic strategist for Fifth Third Bank.
Trump administration finalizes birth control opt-out policy
The Trump administration on Wednesday finalized a policy change that allows some employers with religious or moral objections to opt out of providing no-cost birth control for female workers.
State study panel makes no recommendation on medical marijuana
Indiana lawmakers listened to more than three hours of testimony Thursday afternoon about whether Indiana should allow for medical marijuana usage but did not come to any consensus on the issue.
Analysis finds sheriff’s department underfunded, facing big overtime cost jump
A preliminary audit of the sheriff’s office budget and operations, being conducted for the city by consulting firm KPMG, follows a dispute last year over the agency’s budget.
Billboard from Seattle aimed at recruiting Indianapolis officers
Local Fraternal Order of Police President Rick Snyder called the billboard a "canary in the coalmine," saying that the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has been losing officers to other cities at an alarming rate.
Purdue researchers develop software to make big events safer
The platform is designed to track social media posts and use that information to alert emergency responders and event organizers of problems or potential problems within a specified geographical area.
Indiana’s sheriffs push for more funding to keep felons jailed
Indiana's sheriffs say they need more state money to cover the costs of holding low-level nonviolent felons in county jails.
Products distributed by local company recalled for possible parasite
The Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service said lettuce in the products, distributed by Indianapolis-based Caito Foods LLC, might be contaminated with cyclospora. The parasite causes intestinal illness.