Handheld phone ban, other laws take effect Wednesday in Indiana
New state laws affecting phone use in cars, tobacco fines, teen marriage and gasoline taxes begin this week.
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Money still available for PPP loans, but deadline looms
Indiana lenders had secured a total of $9.5 billion in Paycheck Protection Program loans for their borrowers as of Saturday, according to the Small Business Administration.
Governor’s race not top of mind in Black community
Democrat Woody Myers is the state’s first Black gubernatorial nominee from either major political party, but Black community leaders say his campaign is getting lost in the barrage of news about COVID-19 and protests over police brutality and racial inequity.
Black chamber leader calls for more city support
During the coronavirus pandemic—which research shows has disproportionately affected black-owned businesses—the 250-member organization has received no city funding to give loans or grants to its members who were struggling.
Utilities face major pushback over pandemic-relief request
More than 2,300 people have complained by email to the Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor, which is on track to become the largest number of complaints for any single case in at least a decade.
Incumbent AG Hill defends himself during virtual GOP convention
During Thursday night’s state GOP convention, which was shifted to a virtual format due to the pandemic, Attorney General Curtis Hill compared himself to President Donald Trump, saying Trump also has faced false accusations and smears.
Democrats pick former Evansville mayor to run for Indiana attorney general
Jonathan Weinzapfel’s Republican opponent is still undecided. Embattled incumbent Curtis Hill and three challengers are running for the GOP nomination.
State rep from Indianapolis resigns from office following arrest
State Rep. Dan Forestal, D-Indianapolis, 37, was jailed Friday on preliminary charges including battery of a public safety official and resisting law enforcement.
IndyGo running out of office space, but board members don’t agree on fix
IndyGo is investigating whether to purchase the former Harrison College site for millions of dollars to use as additional space—but some board members are not convinced doing so is a good idea.
State starts to dole out $2.6 billion in federal virus aid
The funding is intended to help the state navigate the pandemic, and state officials are slowly rolling out plans to spend it—while holding a sizable portion back in case COVID-19 roars back.
Fears growing about strength of U.S. voting system
The chaos that plagued Georgia’s primary this week is raising concerns about a potential broader failure of the nation’s patchwork election system that could undermine the November presidential contest, political leaders and elections experts say.
Holcomb allocates $50M in CARES Act funding for workforce programs
Most of the funding will be used to expand Workforce Ready Grants and Employer Training Grants. The state also plans to use some of the funding to scale up career coaching efforts and other workforce development outreach.
Indiana budget off by $1.2B for fiscal year with one month to go
Pandemic-related drops in sales and individual income taxes—the state’s top two revenue sources—continue to have the most significant impact on the state budget.
Black legislative leaders call for chokehold ban, criminal justice coalition
In a press conference Friday morning outside the Indiana Statehouse, black legislative leaders outlined their suggestions for immediate action that elected officials could take in the wake of ongoing protests of police brutality and racial injustice.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Myers said he wants to unite Hoosiers
During a televised speech Thursday evening as part of the Indiana Democratic Party’s virtual convention, Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate Woody Myers talked about his experiences with racism as a child in Indianapolis.
Indiana holding delayed primary with widespread mail balloting
Many counties have drastically slashed their numbers of polling sites that will be open Tuesday, prompting worries about possible voter confusion and long lines for voters.
Holcomb encourages peaceful protests, but says violent riots slow progress
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s remarks were made during a press conference Monday afternoon—the first time he has spoken publicly since protests started in Indianapolis and other areas of the state on Friday.
Hogsett extends Marion County curfew for another night
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett implemented a curfew after a weekend of violent protests, riots and vandalism that led to two deaths, dozens of arrests and damage to at least 30 downtown businesses.
Secretary of state holds firm to absentee-ballot deadline, says county should have geared up faster
Marion County’s clerk had implored the Indiana Election Commission to extend the deadline, saying thousands of voters who planned to vote by mail in Tuesday’s election might not be able to do so.
Washington Township Schools referendums meet opposition from GOP heavyweight
Al Hubbard, who served in the White House under the George H.W. Bush and the George W. Bush administrations, is backing a campaign to defeat referendums that seek to raise $285 million for construction projects and $16 million for operating expenses.