Experts tell state panel marijuana prohibition has failed
A state panel heard from a parade of experts Thursday as it began studying whether to legalize marijuana in Indiana or reduce criminal penalties on small amounts of the drug.
Public Safety
Articles
City seeks to close south-side hotel on nuisance charges
The owners of the Traveler’s Inn on Bluff Road face public nuisance charges and are accused of operating without a proper business license, according to a lawsuit filed by the city on Monday.
Can’t stand the heat? Get off the job site
The combination of rising temperatures and humid air have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory for central Indiana through 8 p.m., but some area workers can’t stay out of the elements.
Indiana first to require drug tests for job training
The U.S. Department of Labor says Indiana is the first state to require drug testing of people seeking job training. But at least 30 states have considered requiring drug tests for those receiving government assistance.
Indiana fireworks tax raises millions for training
State budget officials said Indiana took in $2.5 million from the special 5-percent public safety tax on fireworks during the 2011 fiscal year that ended June 30. That indicates about $51 million in retail fireworks sales around the state during that time.
Judge grills attorney for state over immigration law
A federal judge grilled an attorney for the state of Indiana on Monday about the state's new immigration law, questioning how police would enforce the law and saying one of its provisions conflicts with federal law.
Critics: City’s effort to help ex-offenders ineffective
Three years after Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard launched a city office designed to help ex-offenders avoid a repeat prison visit, some of those original supporters say the city’s Office of Re-Entry Initiatives not only has fallen short of that goal but has accomplished little else.
Straub: Funding cut poses no threat to Super Bowl security
The Indianapolis metropolitan area is among 33 nationwide that have been eliminated from a federal Homeland Security grant program for 2011.
City proceeding with public safety complex at Eastgate
City-County Council grants approval for the city to enter into a 25-year lease with the owner of the former Eastgate mall to take 76,000 square feet for a Regional Operations Center.
Common sense might not keep you from being carded
The revised law that takes effect July 1 requires that only those who appear to be younger than 40 show ID when buying alcohol. But some retailers who embraced the stricter provisions say they're not ready to give customers the benefit of the doubt.
Indiana Senate narrowly OKs ban on texting while driving
A proposal making it illegal for drivers to send or read text messages narrowly cleared the Indiana Senate on Friday after several senators argued that the ban wouldn't be enforceable.
Indiana poised to cut Planned Parenthood funding
The Indiana House voted 66-32 Wednesday to approve a bill cutting the $3 million in federal money the state distributes to the organization for family planning and health programs. The Senate approved the measure earlier this month.
State’s top anti-smoking agency could be abolished
Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, formed in 2001 and funded by money from a settlement with the tobacco industry, may be consolidated into the state Department of Health as a budget-cutting measure.
State Senate OKs bill to cut Planned Parenthood aid
The Indiana Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would cut off funding to Planned Parenthood and give the state some of the country's tightest abortion restrictions.
Indiana Senate backs pulling Planned Parenthood money
The Indiana Senate voted Monday to prohibit any state contracts or grants with Planned Parenthood or other organizations that provide abortions.
New law bans firms from asking workers about their guns
Indiana employers won't be allowed to ask workers about guns and ammunition that they might have in their vehicles under a bill that Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed into law.
Indiana’s anti-tobacco agency’s first decade mixed
Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation officials acknowledge they still have work to do in a state that in 2008 had the nation's highest smoking rate and still has more than 1 million smokers.
House panel backs weakened immigration bill
An Indiana House committee has approved a watered-down immigration proposal a day after removing a contentious provision that would have given police officers more latitude to ask people for proof that they are in the country legally.
Arizona-style provision removed from immigration bill
The House Public Policy Committee made several changes Thursday to the bill proposed by Republican Sen. Mike Delph of Carmel and could vote on it Friday. The legislation includes tax penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants.
Daniels’ plan on sentencing changes appears dead
Daniels had made revamping of the criminal sentencing laws one of his top priorities for this year's legislative session, but lawmakers handling the bill said Tuesday they hadn't been able to reach a compromise and didn't expect more action before the General Assembly's April 29 adjournment deadline.