Several law firms with a substantial Indiana presence have announced mergers this year, reflecting a national trend of rising merger activity. Experts told reporter Maura Johnson it's a trend that is expected to remain strong. Managing Editor Daniel Carson reports on the complications that attorneys and their clients are facing as the federal government shutdown drags on. Answers on questions dealing with permits, tax issues and federal funding are becoming increasingly difficult to come by. In Focus, reporter Cameron Shaw takes a closer look at a renewed push for state legislation that would give Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita far more authority on immigration issues.

Indiana businesses and universities, like those in every other state, submit thousands of H-1B visa petitions to the federal government each year with hopes they can find highly skilled foreign professionals to fill critical positions. But President Donald Trump's new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas is causing concern and confusion for employers and the attorneys who advise them, reports Managing Editor Daniel Carson. A story from reporter Cameron Shaw explores how a new case in federal court in Indianapolis could clarify free speech rights for public employees. Suzanne Swierc was fired as Ball State University's director of health promotion and advocacy over a Facebook post she made about the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk. Now she's suing in what is becoming a closely watched case. In Focus, Carson writes about the appeal of small law firms for some recent graduates.

Some people can't afford their own attorney but make too much money to qualify for legal aid. Students at Indiana University Maurer School of Law are developing a nonprofit law firm model that could help fill the gaps, and reporter Maura Johnson has the details. At the IU McKinney School of Law, a partnership is developing with Indiana University Indianapolis to offer a sports law program that blends an undergraduate degree in sports management with a masters in jurisprudence. The program is expected to give a leg up to students who want to lead university athletic conferences or work in the front offices of professional sports teams, Cameron Shaw reports. On the immigration front, Managing Editor Daniel Carson has the story on a new memo that has been issued to immigration judges to make sure their courts meet certain "performance metrics." That has some immigration attorneys concerned that the courts will place the emphasis on speed rather than fairness.

Pressure from the Trump administration on Indiana Republicans to engineer a rare mid-decade redistricting of the state's congressional maps has Indiana Democrats preparing to challenge the maneuver in court. Reporter Cameron Shaw explores the potential legal arguments that Democrats may use, including lessons learned from a mid-cycle legislative redistricting Republican lawmakers briefly considered 30 years ago. The judicial upholding of a Trump policy to deny bond hearings for detained undocumented immigrants is explored by Managing Editor Daniel Carson, who interviewed several Indiana immigration attorneys. In Focus, reporter Maura Johnson explains how Indiana University is rolling out an educational brand of artificial intelligence for use by students and faculty.

Will the U.S. Supreme Court agree to hear a request to overturn the landmark decision the legalized same-sex marriage? Managing Editor Daniel Carson surveys some Indiana attorneys and explores could happen if the decision falls. He also explores the impact of a fascinating case involving an end-of-death doula who is testing the bounds of Indiana laws that set out what kinds of services can be provided only by licensed funeral directors. Reporter Maura Johnson has a story about a new program at the University of Notre Dame Law School aimed at first-year students who haven't had that much exposure to lawyers or the law school experience and are seeking some additional guidance. In Focus, Johnson interviews attorney John Maley to see what he has planned as the incoming president of the Indiana State Bar Association.

Could President Donald Trump's interest in reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug nudge Indiana lawmakers closer to legalizing it. Some advocates think so, Managing Editor Daniel Carson reports. On the casino gambling front, global law firm Greenberg Traurig is increasing the competition for Indiana gambling clients with the hiring of two attorneys with deep experience in the state. Reporter Cameron Shaw has the details. One approach to dealing with Indiana's lawyer shortage may be to provide a pathway to lawyer licensure that doesn't involve taking a full-blown bar exam but requires newly-minted attorneys to work in rural or other underserved areas. Reporter Maura Johnson explores the recent recommendation from a commission looking at Indiana's legal future. In Focus, Johnson also examines why Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is probing the diversity practices of three Indiana colleges.

The three-year feud between Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and the state attorney disciplinary commission is taking some unusual turns. Reporter Cameron Shaw reports that the Indiana Supreme Court's suggestion that the current disciplinary case against Rokita go to a neutral third-party mediator is particularly rare. As Indiana prepares to take on more federal immigration detainees, immigration attorneys are  expressing worries about those in custody will be granted access to their lawyers or have their day in court. Managing Editor Daniel Carson lays out their concerns and the responses from state and federal government. Reporter Maura Johnson reports on plans for legal prep school in Indianapolis that would serve grades six to 12. And Shaw tells the story of seven transgender Hoosier whose requests to have the gender changed on their birth certificates are in legal limbo.

What if Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers come calling? It's a question that attorneys say they are facing frequently as families, businesses, churches and nonprofits try to prepare for the possibility. Managing Editor Daniel Carson shares the advice that some lawyers are offering. In Fort Wayne, new concerns about juror privacy have arisen after the names and addresses of jurors were accidentally included in case file information requested by an inmate. Reporter Cameron Shaw has the story. Ever wanted to see all 92 Indiana county courthouses at once? An art show depicting all of these "secular cathedrals" will be on display Aug. 1 at Indiana Landmarks, Maura Johnson reports. And in Focus, Carson explores an NCAA proposal that would allow college athletes to bet on pro sports.

The high costs of lethal-injection drugs could reopen legislative debate over the death penalty in Indiana, Managing Editor Daniel Carson reports. Some are calling for the repeal of the death penalty, while others are calling for less costly alternatives, such as a firing squad. In this issue, Carson also provides a deeper look at President Donald Trump's nominees for U.S. Attorney in Indiana: Tom Wheeler and Adam Mildred. Ever wondered how many offenders and arrestees are on electronic monitoring in Indiana. Reporter Cameron Shaw has the answer and more about the types of offenders on house arrest.  In Focus, reporter Maura Johnson examines what impact Trump's decision to rescind guidance on emergency abortions could have on Indiana hospitals.

Some organizations are continuing to fight civil subpoenas from Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita as he seeks inforration from them about their interactions with potentially undocumented immigrants. As Managing Editor Daniel Carson reports, it's unclear how many entities are actually complying with Rokita's demands. Some Jack's Donuts franchisees are uneasy now that four creditors have sued Jack’s Donuts of Indiana Commissary LLC for money they say they’re owed. Susan Orr of the Indianapolis Business Journal reports that two of those cases have resulted in judgments against Jack’s totaling just over $888,000. In Focus, Daniel Carson takes a look at how new laws in Indiana could encourage the development of small nuclear reactors in the state.