Indiana election turnout averages 20.5 percent statewide
Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced the turnout figure for the Nov. 3 elections Tuesday. She said nearly 560,000 of the 2.7 million eligible Indiana voters cast ballots.
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Lawmakers hope for momentum on program to help avoid layoffs
Nearly 30 states have “work-share” programs that pay partial unemployment benefits when employers need to reduce workers’ hours. The idea has gone nowhere with Indiana lawmakers, but the next legislative session could be different.
Pence faces ACLU lawsuit for blocking Syrian refugees
The suit filed on behalf of the Indianapolis-based not-for-profit Exodus Refugee Immigration accuses Pence of violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
More than 18,000 lose food stamp benefits in Indiana
About 18,300 people in Indiana this month have lost an average of $125 of monthly food stamp benefits after a change in work and job training requirements.
Lack of Indiana exotic animal regulations raising concerns
The state Department of Natural Resources stopped issuing permits for wild animals and regulating their ownership following the February ruling that said it didn’t have the authority to manage such legally owned animals.
Charters awarded $40M in loans from controversial state program
Indiana’s State Board of Education on Friday said it had received requests for a total of $77M in loans from 33 charter schools, exceeding the funding approved for the $50M program.
State jobless rate holds steady at 4.4 percent
Solid October job gains in the manufacturing sector in were offset in part by losses in construction, hospitality and professional business services.
UPDATE: Senate Republicans unveil draft of LGBT rights bill
The proposal comes as a new poll finds that most Indiana voters support adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Indiana’s civil rights law.
GOP leader says social conservative will sponsor LGBT bill
Republican leader David Long refused to give details about what the proposal will entail other than stating that Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, is drafting the measure, which will be heard when the Legislature meets in January.
Pence: Indiana won’t accept Syrian refugees
Gov. Mike Pence's move, announced in the wake of Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris, won applause from fellow Indiana Republicans, but criticism from a legal scholar who said he might be overstepping his authority.
GOP legislator resigning year after costly re-election win
Rep. Matt Ubelhor of Bloomfield announced Monday he was resigning from the Indiana House effective Dec. 1 to focus on business opportunities.
Lawmakers grappling with state road-funding strategy
The key question is what the Indiana Legislature can do in a short or non-budget-making session, which will convene in January.
GOP Senate leader: Bill will address LGBT rights, religious freedom
An Indiana legislative leader assured business leaders Monday that Senate Republicans plan to introduce a bill that will address both civil rights for the LGBT community and religious freedom.
Contract calls for anti-abortion group to line up counseling
Real Alternatives will act as a middleman, signing up service providers to "enable pregnant women in Indiana to maintain pregnancy and achieve positive healthy pregnancy outcomes through provision of pregnancy support services and referrals to care."
Federal review faults state safety agency for understaffing
The U.S. Department of Labor's annual evaluation of the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration found it took nearly 72 days on average for the state to investigate complaints during fiscal year 2014. The national standard is five days.
Groups push Pence to work on state energy plan as court considers EPA rule
There is a growing sentiment here among key energy leaders—even from those who oppose the EPA plan—that the state should develop its own compliance plan that focuses on realistic strategies to decrease carbon emissions and diversify its energy mix.
Lawmaker suggests tackling ISTEP issue on Organization Day
Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington, on Wednesday called for the Indiana legislature to take the dramatic step of passing a bill next week to protect schools and teachers from possible consequences of an expected steep drop in ISTEP scores.
Indiana pays off federal unemployment loan
Gov. Mike Pence said Tuesday that the payment will save Indiana employers $327 million in taxes, which equates to $126 per employee.
UPDATE: Dem leader seeks to outdo Pence on road funding
The leader of minority Democrats in the Indiana House is calling for an additional $2 billion in road funding in a bid to outdo Gov. Mike Pence's call for more highway spending.
State Supreme Court rules against officer’s ‘0INK’ plate
The unanimous Indiana Supreme Court decision found that messages on state-issued license plates amount to government speech, not constitutionally protected personal speech.