City-County Council OKs new crime grants board
The Indianapolis Parks Foundation will administer the city's tax-supported crime grants program, under a proposal approved Monday night 26-0 by the City-County Council.
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Indiana Senate OKs contentious immigration bill
The Republican-ruled Senate voted 31-18 Tuesday for the bill, which contains penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants and allows police officers to ask someone for proof of immigration status if they have a reasonable suspicion the person is in the country illegally.
GOP senators leery of Indiana immigration crackdown
A bill aimed at having an Arizona-style crackdown on illegal immigration in Indiana is on its way to the state Senate, but some Republican senators expressed concerns Thursday about the ramifications for law enforcement and taxpayers.
Gun bill raises concerns for CIB properties
Legislation that would allow Hoosiers with gun permits to carry their weapons into municipal properties could affect Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.
Indiana Senate panel advances marijuana, meth bills
The Senate's criminal law committee voted 5-3 to advance to the full Senate the bill directing the criminal law and sentencing study committee to examine Indiana's marijuana laws next summer and make recommendations.
Inspectors find Indiana tobacco sales to minors declining
A partnership called the Tobacco Retailer Inspection Program said Monday that sales of tobacco products to teen-agers occurred in less than 4 percent of more than 8,400 inspections.
Ice storm uses big chunk of city snow-removal budget
Indianapolis spent almost half its 2011 budget for snow removal—$3.4 million—to deal with last week’s ice and snow storms, the city announced Friday morning.
Indiana House, Senate cancel work due to ice storm
The Indiana House and Senate have cancelled plans to work Tuesday because of the ice storm that's sweeping across central Indiana.
State braces for second wave of ice, snow
Indiana residents are facing an icy trek to work as the second wave of a winter storm that brought freezing rain, snow and sleet overnight approaches the state.
Indiana House OKs smoking ban with bars exempted
The Republican-led House voted 68-31 Monday to approve the bill, which now moves to the GOP-controlled Senate for consideration.
State senator: Should Indiana legalize marijuana?
Sen. Karen Tallian, D- Portage, is sponsoring a bill that would direct the criminal law and sentencing study committee to examine Indiana's marijuana laws next summer and come up with recommendations.
Statewide smoking ban bill clears House committee
The Indiana House Public Health Committee voted 9-3 to endorse the bill prohibiting smoking in public places and indoor work sites—after it exempted casinos and pari-mutuel horse tracks from the ban.
Indiana House panel backs texting ban for all drivers
Drivers wouldn’t be allowed to send or read text messages on cell phones under a bill approved by an Indiana House committee.
Lawmaker wants homeowners to pay for pond safety
An Indiana lawmaker worried about the dangers posed by retention ponds wants nearby homeowners to foot the bill of erecting safety barriers such as guardrails.
Embattled prosecutor Brizzi plans new business
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said he plans a new business in reputation management. He will also work as an attorney from offices in Hamilton County and Indianapolis.
CIB seeking bids for stadium, convention security
Request for proposals calls for providing 24-hour security at both Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center, as well as providing armed guards for special events. The CIB plans to award contracts in mid-March.
Bill would ban texting while driving
Republican State Sen. Travis Holdman's bill would allow people to use hands-free headsets or speaker systems, but texting and calls that require using hands would be off limits.
State pushing to keep building-review wait times down
Wait times in the plan-review process for non-residential projects increased dramatically this year, creating a backlog of cases.
Controversial airport scanners identify more crooks than terrorists
The federal government’s latest, more-intrusive airport screening measures appear more useful in finding drugs and wads of cash than tools of terror, a review of Indianapolis Airport Police records suggests.
City rolls out revised parking-meter deal
City would reap more cash in the long run and get more flexibility to alter the deal if necessary, but the controversial 50-year term of the contract remains.