Governor signs bill for Indiana COVID-19 lawsuit shield
Indiana businesses and others now have broad protections from lawsuits by people blaming them for contracting COVID-19 under a new state law.
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IU McKinney, Purdue unveil new joint degree program
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law is partnering with Purdue University to create the first agricultural economics and law program in the nation, the Indianapolis law school has announced.
AG Rokita declined to sign bipartisan letter condemning Capitol attack
Separately, Indiana’s attorney general is facing calls for records surrounding his decision to remain employed as an adviser to a private company while also holding statewide elected office.
Indiana lawmakers weigh bills aimed at prosecutors, riot penalties
The endorsed proposal ensures Indiana prosecutors can’t create lists of crimes they won’t prosecute, said bill sponsor Sen. Mike Young.
Town of Speedway again exploring legal options for delayed Wilshaw hotel
Town officials have grown “frustrated by a lack of transparency and communication from Loftus Robinson despite our multiple requests,” as well as the firm’s effort to continue batting away responsibility for the project.
Lawmakers kill bill that would have stripped control of IMPD away from city
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday amended Senate Bill 168, which would have created a five-member board to oversee and govern the Indianapolis police department, to recommend the issue be discussed in a summer study committee.
AG Rokita keeping private sector job while in elected office
Republican Todd Rokita was sworn into office as attorney general in January, but he continues to serve as strategic policy adviser for Apex Benefits, a decision that is being questioned by a government-accountability watchdog group.
BoomBozz owner suing former pizzeria franchisees over new restaurant
The company behind the BoomBozz pizzeria chain is suing the its former franchisees in Carmel and Fishers for allegedly using the company’s recipes and other trade secrets to open Crafters Pizza and Draft House in Carmel.
Indiana Southern District to resume in-person jury trials in April
Previously, Southern District Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson issued orders suspending in-person jury trials through March 1, then extended the suspension to April 5.
Drug companies seek billion-dollar tax deductions from opioid settlement
Four companies that agreed to pay a combined $26 billion to settle claims about their roles in the opioid crisis plan to deduct some of those costs from their taxes and recoup around $1 billion apiece.
Taft builds new lobby group with Ice Miller transplants
The former Ice Miller employees—including Lacy Johnson and John Hammond III—will form the core of Taft’s new 14-member Public Affairs Strategies Group, 11 professionals plus three support staffers.
Splenda maker sues Speedway chain over knockoff sweetener
Carmel-based Heartland Consumer Products says Speedway offers knockoff sweetener in packets that are too similar to Splenda’s packaging, which could confuse customers.
Indiana Senate votes to override Holcomb’s veto of landlord-tenant bill
If it becomes law, Senate Enrolled Act 148 would prevent all local governments from regulating any aspect of landlord-tenant relationships and would block tenant protections that the city of Indianapolis had put in place last spring.
Roche Diagnostics whistleblower wins $3.6M in settlement agreement
Crystal Derrick, who was a national account manager in Roche’s diabetes division, had accused the company of illegally paying insurance company Humana Inc. for access to certain formularies.
Indiana to receive $12.6M as part of $573M opioid crisis settlement
The global business consulting firm McKinsey & Company has agreed to a $573 million settlement with 49 states over its role in advising companies on how to “supercharge” opioid sales amid an overdose crisis.
Emmis, Colts, Staysniak off hook in Derek Daly’s defamation lawsuit
A Marion Superior Court Judge on Tuesday dismissed all counts against three of the four defendants in the defamation lawsuit involving a racial slur, but threw out only one of six counts against former Colts game announcer Bob Lamey.
Law enforcement reform bill advances with bipartisan support
A bipartisan bill aimed at increasing police accountability and enacting criminal justice reform advanced to the Indiana Senate after lawmakers unanimously approved the measure in a House vote Tuesday.
Gaming Commission files petition to permanently revoke Ratcliff’s gaming license
The Indiana Gaming Commission alleges longtime casino executive Rod Ratcliff funneled money from his former company into a personal gambling account and repeatedly concealed financial information from the commission that should have been disclosed.
Lawmakers consider eliminating requirement to publish public notices in newspapers
House Bill 1498 would allow local governments and other public bodies, such as school boards, airport authorities and local commissions, to publish legal notices online instead of in local newspapers, which is currently required by law.
EA revives college football game as courts mull NCAA stance on amateurism
EA Sports announced Tuesday that it is bringing back its college football video game series, a beloved franchise that was discontinued in 2013 after EA and the Indianapolis-based NCAA were taken to court over the unpaid use of player likenesses.