Long-serving Allen Superior Court magistrate to retire
Houk is presently the longest serving active judicial officer in Allen County
Samm Quinn
Articles
ACLU calls on Hogsett to reduce funding for police in Indianapolis
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana is calling on Mayor Joe Hogsett to “reimagine” the role of police in Indianapolis and shift funding away from law enforcement into community-based initiatives.
Indy Council passes resolution declaring racism a public health crisis
The Indianapolis City-County Council on Monday night declared racism a public health crisis in Marion County. The three-page resolution declares racism to be a public health crisis “that affects all members of the community and deserves action from all levels of government and civil society.”
AG Hill: Indianapolis’ limit on religious services is unconstitutional
Attorney General Curtis Hill on Thursday said Indianapolis’ order limiting church gatherings to no more than 25 people amounts to “unconstitutional and unlawful religious discrimination.”
Marion County extending stay-at-home order to May 15—with adjustments
Marion County plans to extend its stay-at-home order until May 15, city and county officials announced Thursday morning, but the order will be adjusted to comply with new state requirements that are expected to be announced Friday.
Indianapolis Council approves $25M to make federal paycheck loans available to small businesses
The Indianapolis City-County Council voted unanimously Friday morning to provide Indy Chamber with $25 million that will enable the business-advocacy group to quickly offer forgivable loans to small businesses in Marion County backed by the federal Paycheck Protection Program.
Advocates warn stimulus checks could be garnished by creditors
While the federal government won’t seize stimulus checks being deposited into Americans’ bank accounts this week for owed debts, private debt collectors might, consumer advocates are warning.
Indiana shuts down schools for the rest of academic year
Indiana has closed public schools for the rest of the academic year, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick announced Thursday afternoon.
Justice center’s first building — addictions, mental health center — nears completion
City leaders can look southeast out the top floors of the City-County Building and see the Community Justice Campus taking shape in the Twin Aire neighborhood. Today, officials are just six months from a tentative opening for the first piece of the project, the 37,000-square-foot Assessment and Intervention Center.
Former prosecutor Brizzi to seek GOP nomination in 5th District race
Former Marion County prosecutor Carl Brizzi is joining the crowded field of Republicans seeking nomination to run for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District.
Indianapolis committee OKs Hogsett’s tenant-protection initiative
A City-County Council committee has advanced two proposals that support Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s tenant-protections initiative, despite opposition from landlords and organizations that represent them.
Hogsett unveils tenant protection initiative, aims to cut down evictions
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett on Wednesday announced a new city tenant protection and legal assistance initiative that is expected to increase resources for Indianapolis residents dealing with housing challenges that include substandard living conditions, eviction and retaliatory actions by “bad-actor” landlords.
House Speaker Brian Bosma to retire from Legislature at end of 2020 session
House Speaker Brian Bosma announced Tuesday afternoon he’ll step down at the end of the 2020 legislative session — likely in March — and won’t seek re-election as he takes a new position in Republican politics.
State drug czar McClelland announces retirement
The state’s first drug czar is retiring, and his deputy director will replace him. Jim McClelland, who was appointed the state’s executive director for drug prevention, treatment and enforcement in January 2017, announced his retirement Thursday.
Hamilton County Jail program aims to connect inmates with jobs, mentors
The Hamilton County Jail’s Transitioning Opportunities for Work, Education & Reality — or TOWER — mentoring program, which was launched in January, provides inmates with a mentor who can help connect them to resources in the community. But perhaps most importantly, it also aims to help inmates find work.
Justice Department supports archdiocese’s right to fire teacher in same-sex marriage
The U.S. Justice Department filed a statement in court Friday saying the Archdiocese of Indianapolis was within its rights when it fired a Cathedral High School teacher in a same-sex marriage. The Justice Department’s so-called “statement of interest” said the First Amendment prevents courts from impairing the constitutional rights of religious institutions.
Brebeuf, Cathedral take opposing stances over gay teachers
Leaders at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School say the school will no longer be recognized by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis as a Catholic school after Brebeuf refused to fire a “highly capable and qualified teacher” who is married to a same-sex partner. Meanwhile, Cathedral High School took the opposite position.
Carmel to take legal action against Lucas Estate in party controversy
Carmel plans to take legal action to stop Charlotte and Forrest Lucas from hosting events at their massive estate, the city announced in a press release Wednesday afternoon. The city said it plans to file requests for preliminary and permanent injunctions against the estate to prohibit the family from conducting a business at its private residential property.
Carmel official says Brainard created ‘toxic environment’; mayor calls relationship consensual
Carmel Clerk-Treasurer Christine Pauley has accused Mayor Jim Brainard of creating a toxic environment at City Hall after she said she turned down at least two invitations to accompany him on personal trips.
Federal board’s ruling paves way for Nickel Plate Trail development
The Federal Surface Transportation Board has ruled in favor of a plan by Fishers and Noblesville to convert the Nickel Plate Railroad into a recreational trail, removing the last big legal hurdle faced by the project.