‘I am so sorry’: Clemency hearings begin for Indiana death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie
Indiana death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie expressed remorse and shed tears as he pleaded Monday for the state’s parole board to spare his life.
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County resistance plagues Indiana renewable push
Seventy-two of 92 counties have moratoriums or bans on renewable energy installations, according to legislative energy head Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso. Several attempts this year to intervene against blockages died, but lawmakers are starting to recognize the need for diversification.
Indiana lawmaker files disciplinary action against state’s attorney general
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s claims about a sitting lawmaker—that she stopped an immigration bill for “personal reasons”—could land him in more legal hot water after she lodged a disciplinary action against him.
IU alumni question board of trustees changes slipped into state budget
A letter signed by 26 former chairs of the Board of Managers for IU’s Alumni Association expressed “alarm and anger” over provisions that take away alumni power to elect some IU trustees.
Braun chides Beckwith for Three-Fifths Compromise comments, defends tax plan
Indiana cabinet members, lawmakers, lobbyists and more gathered Wednesday to celebrate Gov. Mike Braun’s first 100 days in office—but the man of the hour had tough words for his second-in-command.
Indiana Economic Development Foundation releases annual audits at Braun’s demand
The state-affiliated nonprofit averaged more than $2 million in spending annually on travel and more.
Appeals court hears streaming services case where Legislature intervened
At question was whether lawmakers unconstitutionally intervened in 2023 to nullify a lawsuit filed by four Indiana cities seeking to recoup franchise fees from some streaming service providers.
Ex-Indiana congressional candidate gets prison sentence in campaign finance fraud case
Former Indiana Congressional candidate Gabriel “Gabe” Whitley admittedly falsified campaign finance records and lied about raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions ahead of the May 2024 primary.
A ‘great move,’ or revisionist history? Indiana’s Beckwith sparks Three-Fifths Compromise debate
Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith’s defense of the Three-Fifths Compromise — which he called “a great move” by the country’s founders toward ending slavery — has triggered sharp pushback from historians and civil rights groups.
Here’s what died – and got dropped in – during the final hours of the Indiana legislative session
Controversial language targeting homeless Hoosiers, regulating marijuana-like products and cracking down on illicit massage parlors perished late Thursday — even as Indiana lawmakers crammed changes to a new property tax reform package into an unrelated agency bill to end the session.
Disciplinary commission rejects Indiana AG Todd Rokita’s call to dismiss latest ethics complaint
In a 44-page brief, Adrienne Meiring, executive director of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, called Rokita’s motion “procedurally improper” and “meritless.”
Final legislative flurry includes bills on health care, absenteeism and school accountability
Thursday alone saw more than two dozen proposals sent to Gov. Mike Braun’s desk, including those dealing with education “deregulation,” pharmaceutical pricing and public retiree bonuses.
Last-minute budget addition gives Braun full control over IU board
The nine-member board serves as the governing body for the state’s largest postsecondary institution, overseeing major decisions related to policy, finances and leadership appointments.
Partisan school board bill narrowly avoids tie vote, goes to governor
Indiana is set to join the handful of states running partisan school board elections after a squeaker of a final vote Thursday—pending a decision from Republican Gov. Mike Braun.
Braun, Legislature plan to raise cigarette, tobacco taxes to fill budget gap
To further close the gap, leaders also said they would reduce planned spending for public health, higher education and government agencies.
Governor signs 10 more bills into Indiana law
Gov. Mike Braun signed 10 bills—technically enrolled acts—into law on Tuesday, including a contentious parental rights proposal and one adding requirements for developers of long-haul water pipelines.
Last-minute change removes requirement for Indiana schools to teach consent in sex education
A Republican senator detailed changes to a contentious sex education bill on Monday, including deletion of a proposed requirement for K-12 schools to teach about consent.
‘They cared about us’: More rural Indiana communities losing access to labor and delivery services
A March of Dimes report revealed nearly a quarter of Indiana counties are considered maternity care deserts. The growing trend is concerning because lack of access to high-quality care is a factor in maternal and infant mortality rates.
Illinois absorption, prosecutors crackdown and local road funding bills head to Indiana governor
Indiana legislation to study the absorption of secessionist Illinois counties heads to Gov. Mike Braun after a successful concurrence vote Thursday, along with measures to examine “noncompliant” prosecutors and expand local funding options for transportation infrastructure.
Bills on immigration cooperation, IEDC limits head to governor
Dozens of bills received final concurrence votes in the Indiana House and Senate on Wednesday and are headed to the governor.