Indiana lawmakers poised for final stop on redistricting listening tour
State lawmakers will convene at the Statehouse on Wednesday for a final hearing before drawing the new district maps.
State Government
Articles
Indiana construction projects boom thanks to new budget plan
The new state budget adopted in April by the Republican-controlled General Assembly is awash in federal coronavirus relief money, allowing the state to give sizeable funding to projects that had for years been shelved and left out of spending plans.
Indiana buried in unemployment appeals backlog
Indiana has more than 17,000 pending appeals of unemployment-claim denials. Only California, Texas and Virginia—states with much larger populations—have more.
Rokita loses first attempt at state high court to stop governor’s suit against General Assembly
The Indiana Supreme Court has denied Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s emergency petition to halt a trial court from continuing proceedings in the governor’s lawsuit against the Legislature.
White River State Park director Mays-Medley stepping down
Carolene Mays-Medley is planning to depart as executive director this fall to pursue a career in inspirational public speaking.
State: Decisions about vaccines, masks are up to school districts, businesses
State health officials say they have no authority to require anyone to get a vaccine, including state employees.
Holcomb extends public emergency as contagious delta variant spreads quickly
The number of Indiana counties approaching high risk for community spread of COVID-19 nearly quadrupled in one week as an especially contagious coronavirus variant spread throughout the state.
State COVID-19 cases continue resurgence, plus 12 more deaths
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported that 1,248 Hoosiers had been diagnosed with COVID-19, the highest number of daily new infections since 1,438 cases were reported on April 29.
Rokita asks Supreme Court to stop proceedings in Holcomb lawsuit against General Assembly
Gov. Eric Holcomb has argued in his lawsuit that only he has the authority to call for a special legislative session. But Attorney General Todd Rokita says Holcomb can’t proceed with the lawsuit without his consent.
State creates trail system for culinary hotspots with digital ‘passport’
Participants can receive rewards for visiting hundreds of food and drink establishments across the state, as well as deals and discounts from the venues.
Crane steps down as head of state’s Department of Administration
Lesley Crane is expected to join the private sector, ending a 14-year career in public service. Her work included serving as former Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma’s chief of staff for five years.
Seven months later, Holcomb to hold inaugural gala
The “boots and black tie” inaugural ball will take place Aug. 21 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis.
As coronavirus surges, GOP lawmakers are moving to limit public health powers
In Indiana and other states, anger at perceived overreach by health officials has prompted legislative attempts to limit their authority, including new state laws that prevent the closure of businesses or allow lawmakers to rescind mask mandates.
Lawmakers, citizens groups gird for redistricting session
The usual gerrymandering is expected this year as the Legislature embarks on the once-a-decade process of redistricting, though public scrutiny is expected to be much greater than in previous years.
Purdue, INDOT team up to investigate next-generation vehicle charging
The project focuses on whether wireless charging could be adapted for highway use, allowing electric vehicles to refresh their batteries while they drive along specially equipped stretches of road.
Free money for all? Mayors hope local tests bring big change
The surge in interest in these so-called free money pilot programs shows how quickly the concept of just handing out cash, no strings attached, has shifted from far-fetched idea to serious policy proposal.
August hearings set on Indiana election redistricting
The hearings will be the first public steps by the Republican-dominated Legislature on the once-a-decade redrawing of election maps based on population shifts.
Indiana expected to get $507 million from opioid settlement
Local governments currently litigating, such as Indianapolis, were provided the ability to opt out of the state’s opioid plan. Those local governments have the opportunity to opt back in within 60 days of opting out, according to the attorney general’s office.
Indiana files appeal in federal pandemic unemployment case
State officials argued in their court filings Monday that a Marion County judge “abused” his discretion last month by ordering Indiana to resume participation in the benefit programs.
State to spend $13M to prep possible merger of blind, deaf school sites
State officials say no final decisions about a combined campus have been reached, but they are forging ahead for now with the prep work, including the search for as many as 120 acres to house the schools.