Articles

Illinois poised to be 11th state to allow recreational marijuana

Illinois is likely to become the 11th state to allow small amounts of marijuana for recreational use after the Democratic-controlled House on Friday sent a legalization plan to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The move further isolates Indiana’s criminalization of marijuana nationally and among its neighboring states.

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2 charged in vandalism of Hammond church

Authorities say two men are facing charges after they allegedly ransacked a northwestern Indiana church and left behind painted hate messages. Hammond police announced Saturday that 23-year-old Aaron J. Vanoppens and 22-year-old Nicholas D. Reding were charged with one count each of burglary and institutional criminal mischief after the interior of Faith United Church of Christ in Hammond sustained significant damage.

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Judge to hear bid to block Indiana abortion procedure ban

A federal judge is set to take up the American Civil Liberties Union’s bid to block a new Indiana law that would ban a second-trimester abortion procedure. A judge in Indianapolis was scheduled to hear arguments Monday from the state’s attorneys and the ALCU of Indiana, which is seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the ban on dilation and evacuation abortions from taking effect July 1.

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Appeals court trims sentence for Muncie man in bomb case

The Indiana Court of Appeals has overturned one of several convictions and trimmed the sentence for a central Indiana man who tried to kill his former girlfriend with a homemade bomb. The rulings in the case of 40-year-old Lionel Ray Mackey Jr. of Muncie will apparently reduce his prison term from 101 years to 94½ years.

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Suit: Franklin schools failed to stop student from being bullied

A central Indiana teenager with special needs is suing her local school district, alleging it failed to stop “severe and pervasive” bullying she has faced in school. The federal lawsuit filed May 13 in Indianapolis against the Franklin Community School Corp. doesn’t identify the girl.

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4 from Indiana sentenced in $125,000 veteran funds fraud

Four southern Indiana residents have been sentenced after authorities say they pocketed more than $125,000 through fundraisers touted as benefiting veterans and their families. Federal prosecutors say James Linville was sentenced this week to 5 years in prison; Joanie Watson was sentenced to 3½ years, and; Thomas Johnson and Amy Bennett were sentenced to 3 years.

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Amish couple settles lawsuit over photos their faith forbids

An Amish couple with 13 children settled a lawsuit that accused federal officials of violating their constitutional rights by insisting they provide photographs of themselves before the Canadian wife’s request to become a permanent U.S. resident can be approved.

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Ex-Vanderburgh prosecutor employee files bias complaint

A former employee alleges Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann fired her unfairly after she rejected his romantic advances. Hermann denied the allegations but acknowledged the former employee had told him he had made her uncomfortable.

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Trump: Mueller is a ‘never Trumper’ who led a biased probe

President Donald Trump blasted special counsel Robert Mueller on Thursday, calling him a “never Trumper” who led a biased investigation on Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and failed to investigate his opponents who didn’t want Trump to be president.

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Accused pediatrician’s medical license suspension extended

A Boone County pediatrician charged with sexually abusing three boys has had his medical license suspended for another 90 days. The Indiana Medical Licensing Board originally suspended 41-year-old Dr. Jonathon Cavins’ medical license in March for 90 days, until mid-June, but the board recently added another 90 days to the Jamestown man’s original suspension, meaning he’ll remain suspended until after his July trial.

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Report: Detective’s contact with USA Gymnastics not a breach

An internal Indianapolis police investigation has determined a detective didn’t violate department policies by working with USA Gymnastics’ former chief executive to deflect criticism of the organization’s child abuse reporting policies. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department conducted a months-long probe into the actions of Lt. Bruce Smith, an acquaintance of ex-USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny who formerly ran the department’s Child Abuse Unit.

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Indiana prosecutor asks state police to investigate his office

The prosecutor in Vigo County says he’s fired the director of the child support division and asked for a police investigation of his office. But Prosecutor Terry Modesitt declined to offer details on the investigation, saying he wants to be “very generic” during an “ongoing investigation.”

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Crime sentences, vaping tax up for Indiana lawmaker panels

Indiana lawmakers will be looking at prescription drug prices, crime sentences and taxes on vaping liquids in the coming months. Those are among the more than 40 topics that leaders have assigned to committees ahead of next year’s General Assembly session.

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