Big Ten cancels remainder of men’s basketball tournament
The tournament started Wednesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Fans were present for Wednesday’s games, but the conference that evening barred fans for the remaining days.
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Legislation aimed at reducing health care costs passes, but impact could be weak
Despite lengthy debates on reducing health care costs this year, Indiana lawmakers completely eliminated the provision that business leaders said was likely to have the most impact.
Bill that outlined requirement for ousting AG dies in last night of session
Despite a push from Indiana House lawmakers to clarify in state code whether Attorney General Curtis Hill could remain in office if his law license is suspended, state legislators failed to pass a bill before adjourning this year’s session Wednesday night.
Indiana House kills bill that would have jeopardized IndyGo funding
After the Indiana Senate passed a compromise on the IndyGo funding feud Wednesday night, the Indiana House killed the measure by not voting on it before adjourning for the year.
Indiana set to raise smoking age, impose harsher penalties for selling tobacco to minors
The House and Senate on Wednesday both passed Senate Bill 1, which increases the legal tobacco age and doubles the fines stores could face for selling smoking or vaping products to anyone younger than 21.
UPDATE: NCAA won’t allow fans at tournament games, might move Indy games from Lucas Oil
NCAA President Mark Emmert announced the games will be open only to “essential staff and limited family attendance.”
WISH-TV sues Dish TV over fee negotiations, claims racial discrimination
Indianapolis-based Circle City Broadcasting, which owns WISH-TV Channel 8, this week filed a lawsuit against Dish TV, accusing Dish of racial discrimination as the two sides negotiate over fees that WISH is seeking to be retransmitted on the satellite service.
Emmis takes step toward diversification with $75M acquisition of sound-masking biz
The acquisition appears to be the first big step in Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan’s goal to reinvent the longtime Indianapolis-based media company by entering new lines of business.
Indiana hospitals use drills, telehealth to get ready for possible large COVID-19 outbreak
Around Indiana, hospital officials say they have stepped up safety precautions in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. But even amid extensive preparation, some acknowledge that if the disease spreads quickly, it could test their facilities.
Scrutiny on NCAA tournament coronavirus plan intensifies as two leagues keep out fans
The Indianapolis-based NCAA faced mounting pressure over how it will conduct its marquee event Tuesday, the same day the Ivy League canceled its conference basketball tournaments and two other Division I conferences announced that their tournaments would be played without spectators.
Bill to expand panhandling definition passes both chambers
The Indiana House and Senate both passed a measure Tuesday night that would make panhandling illegal within 50 feet of any ATM; entrance or exit of a bank, business or restaurant; public monument; or place where any “financial transaction” occurs.
UPDATE: Purdue, IU suspend in-person classes for at least part of spring semester
The decisions were made to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the potentially deadly respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. Neither school currently has a coronavirus case on campus.
Artificial sweetener might make users fatter, sicker, new study says
The study looked at the common artificial sweetener used in Splenda, which is owned and made by Carmel-based Heartland Food Products Group.
Big liquor chain sues Indiana for denying permit for Nora superstore
The Maryland-based company, which is the nation’s largest liquor retailer, claims Indiana’s residency requirement is unconstitutional and amounts to economic protectionism.
Airlines slash flights, freeze hiring as virus cuts travel
Delta, the world’s biggest airline, said it will cut international flights by 20% to 25% and reduce U.S. flying by 10% to 15%, roughly matching cuts previously announced by United Airlines.
City fields proposals to redevelop historic west-side fire station
City officials asked developers to consider three key elements: transit along West Washington Street, the evolution of the former Central State hospital campus to the north, and maintaining the building’s Art Moderne qualities.
Compromise on IndyGo legislation could cut fundraising requirement in half
The new language offered on Monday afternoon would gradually phase in how much IndyGo has to fundraise and would require a new traffic study on the impact of the proposed Blue Line.
UPDATE: Indiana House leadership changes as session nears end
House Speaker Brian Bosma, the longest-serving House speaker in state history, stepped down Monday and was replaced by Rep. Todd Huston.
IU School of Medicine gearing up for move to new campus near Methodist Hospital
The Indiana University School of Medicine plans to leave its longtime home on the IUPUI campus and move about two miles north as part of a new “academic health campus” near Methodist Hospital.
Bill that freezes unemployment trust fund contribution rates headed to Holcomb
The contribution rates used to determine how much Indiana businesses pay into the state’s unemployment trust fund will be frozen for another five years under legislation passed by both the Indiana House and Senate.