Council committee OKs proposal tracking federal pandemic relief spending
Proposal 58 is a rare Republican-led initiative to gain traction in a legislative body with a 20-5 Democratic supermajority.
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Despite supermajority, Indiana Republicans change curriculum bill
Although the changes haven’t satisfied most critics, the effort highlights the tightrope walk between appeasing core conservative voters and not alienating moderates as political opinions in rural and suburban areas pull in opposite directions, analysts said.
State lawmakers table IndyGo Blue Line amendment
The House Ways and Means Committee on Monday tabled an amendment that would have conditioned the removal of some public transportation funding requirements on compliance with new lane minimums—which would’ve involved budget-busting redesign and land acquisition over several miles of the proposed 24-mile route.
Indiana lawmakers name mastodon as first state fossil
Mastodons roamed Indiana starting about 2.5 million years ago and became extinct about 10,500 years ago, according to Hanover College geology professor Stanley Totten. They’re now the most common Ice Age fossil found in Indiana.
City-County Council announces last Indianapolis redistricting forum
The event will be remote. The Zoom meeting is set for Feb. 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and is open to any interested Marion County resident with registration online.
Senate Republicans strip down key Indiana House bills in second half of session
Republican leaders of the House and Senate say they are optimistic they’ll find compromises before the Legislature adjourns in March.
Biden puts focus on drug prices as he tries to revive agenda
Efforts to lower prescription drug costs have long been popular with voters, but bipartisan consensus has proved elusive. It’s unclear if there’s a political path forward for Biden’s plans in Congress.
Report: Opioid fight needs new strategy, Cabinet leadership
With vastly powerful synthetic drugs like fentanyl driving record overdose deaths, the scourge of opioids awaits after the COVID-19 pandemic finally recedes, a shift that public health experts expect in the months ahead.
IBJ Podcast: Is nuclear power headed to Indiana?
IBJ reporter John Russell joins the podcast to talk about why the Indiana Legislature is consider a proposal that could help clear a path for smaller, modular nuclear reactors to be located in Indiana.
Pence: Trump is ‘wrong’ to say election could be overturned
The audience applauded Pence’s line about beating the Democrats in the upcoming presidential election but remained silent when Pence said earlier that “Trump is wrong.”
China’s pandemic Olympics begin, with lockdown and boycotts
For Beijing, these Olympics are a confirmation of its status as world player and power. But for many outside China, particularly in the West, they have become a confirmation of the country’s increasingly authoritarian turn.
Brian Flores’ allegations against NFL lead to call for congressional hearing
Flores said in a televised interview earlier Wednesday that he is trying to “create some change” to the league’s minority hiring practices.
Researchers are asking why some countries were better prepared for COVID. One surprising answer: Trust.
“We found no links between COVID outcomes and democracy, populism, government effectiveness, universal health care, pandemic preparedness metrics, economic inequality or trust in science,” a researcher said.
Some Black Democratic leaders call on Marion County party chair to resign
Some Black Indianapolis-area elected officials accused Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell of running discriminatory selection processes for slating and precinct committee people.
Trump suggests Pence should have ‘overturned’ the election on Jan. 6
Trump has expressed frustration before that Pence did not use his role to try to reject the electoral votes of several states that Joe Biden won. But the language in Sunday’s statement was among Trump’s most explicit in publicly stating his desire.
Q&A: Behind City-County Council’s redistricting forums
IBJ talked to City-County Council Chief Financial Officer and Policy Director Brandon Herget to learn how council staff chose the forum locations, why it contracted out the hosting work and how feedback will actually get used.
State lawmakers spar with Marion County sheriff over funding control
An Indiana Senate bill sponsored by Indianapolis Republicans would prevent Democrat Sheriff Kerry Forestal from spending commissary fund money unless it is appropriated by the Indianapolis City-County Council.
Indiana Senate committee advances crime bill package
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee has endorsed five criminal justice bills aimed at reducing violent crime.
Holcomb appointee announces challenge to Marion County Prosecutor Mears
Cyndi Carrasco, former deputy general counsel for Gov. Eric Holcomb, announced her decision Tuesday to take on Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.
State lawmakers propose fund aimed at attracting more major sporting events, conventions
The Indiana Sports Corp. would be responsible for administering a grant program to disperse the funds, with the organization giving money to groups across the state as well as using a portion of the funding for its own bidding efforts.