Judge weighs bid to block Indiana’s Syrian refugee order
U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt noted at a Friday hearing that Indiana had no actual ability to prevent Syrian refugees from entering the state.
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Democrats attempt to restart the LGBT rights debate
Indiana Democrats unsuccessfully tried to add amendments dealing with LGBT rights to seemingly unrelated legislation Thursday in the House. Democrats said to expect more efforts to revive the issue.
Congress moves near final OK of local Internet tax ban
State and local governments would be permanently barred from taxing access to the Internet under a bipartisan compromise the Senate began pushing on Thursday toward congressional approval.
Stutzman joins Democrats to attack GOP rival’s Senate ballot
U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, who is backed by the tea party, piled on after Democrats raised questions about Todd Young’s candidacy and argued he was shy of meeting the requirement for ballot petition signatures.
Senate panel plans changes to limits in police video bill
An Indiana Senate committee is considering an overhaul of a bill that would give Indiana police departments broad authority to withhold body camera video amid opposition from open-government advocates.
Dems object but Holcomb should be easily confirmed
Republicans don’t need Democrats’ help to confirm Eric Holcomb as lieutenant governor. They hold a huge majority in the Legislature—and it appears they support the governor’s choice to replace Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann.
Pence taps Holcomb as lieutenant governor, running mate
The move is a major shakeup for the Pence administration with a primary election just months away.
Bill could put crimp in farm-to-table poultry trade
The bill’s sponsors say its purpose is consumer safety. Small poultry producers contend it would hamstring their ability to compete in a marketplace dominated by large producers.
Pence could announce new running mate, lieutenant governor
Gov. Mike Pence has scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference Tuesday at which he is expected to announce that former state GOP chairman Eric Holcomb will be his running mate for the November election—and perhaps take over as lieutenant governor even earlier.
GOP senator enters race for state attorney general
Sen. Randy Head of Logansport says he wants the attorney general’s office to challenge the expanding role of the federal government that’s diminishing the power of states.
State lawmakers warm to hate-crime bill
Although gay rights legislation is dead for this session, supporters of a hate crimes bill making its way through the Statehouse note that crimes committed based on a person’s LGBT status are included.
UPDATE: Nightingale CEO claims state retaliated for report of ‘racially tinged’ remarks
The home-health firm’s lawsuit alleges state officials discriminated against the company and CEO Dev Brar when they conducted inspections that led Medicare to terminate payments to the company.
UPDATE: Whitcomb remembered for ‘life of courage, service, adventure’
Edgar Whitcomb, a Republican small-town lawyer from southern Indiana who served as Indiana governor from 1969 to 1973, died Thursday at 98.
Indiana Senate’s Republican leader faces primary challenger
A Fort Wayne educator emerged Thursday as a GOP primary challenger to Senate President Pro Tem David Long, who has faced criticism for championing a bill that would have extended civil rights protections to lesbians, gays and bisexuals.
INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE: Bills would mean big bucks for local government
Indiana lawmakers are debating ways to give money back to local governments—money that already belongs to cities, towns and counties but the state has been holding in reserves.
Senate bets on fantasy sports, sends regulatory bill to House
The bill’s author, Sen. Jon Ford, R-Terre Haute, said his bill is about providing consumer protection and transparency to the tens of thousands of Hoosiers who spend money on the games.
Plan to change teacher pay, pensions passes after debate
A bill that would create a path for teachers to try to negotiate extra pay and manage their own pension funds passed the Indiana House on Wednesday despite passionate opposition from Democrats and others.
Lawmakers pass meth-fighting bills that empower pharmacists
Indiana lawmakers passed similar, competing bills Wednesday aimed at giving pharmacists the ability to prevent methamphetamine cooks from buying pseudoephedrine.
Senate approves road-improvement funding bill
The Indiana Senate has endorsed a proposal backed by Gov. Mike Pence that aims to boost highway funding by drawing down the state's cash reserves and borrowing money.
House OKs changes to liquor permitting for state parks
Indiana state parks would be able to bypass local liquor authorities and allow on-site vendors to serve alcohol despite objections from local residents under a bill advancing in the Legislature.