Trucker awarded nearly $900K after Lawrenceburg post office fall
The United States government has been ordered to pay nearly $900,000 to a disabled truck driver who suffered brain and spinal injuries after a fall at an Indiana post office.
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Court: House entitled to see Mueller probe grand jury testimony
The Justice Department must give Congress secret grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday, giving the House a significant win in a separation-of-powers clash with the Trump administration.
Strong showing of intellectual disability prompts stay of federal execution
A federal judge in Indiana has granted a Louisiana man’s motion to stay his execution pending resolution of his habeas action, finding the man made a strong showing that he is intellectually disabled and as a result, the Federal Death Penalty Act forbids his execution.
Indiana community battling shoreline erosion files lawsuit
An Indiana community along Lake Michigan has filed a federal lawsuit over its battle with shoreline erosion, saying the town’s infrastructure is in danger of “total destruction.” The suit comes as homeowners and communities along the lakeshore deal with record high water levels in the Great Lakes.
US attorney reviewing polling places for ADA compliance
U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler said his office is reviewing all polling places in the Southern District of Indiana to see if they comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Judge rebukes Barr’s handling of Mueller report, orders unredacted copy
A federal judge on Thursday sharply rebuked Attorney General William Barr’s handling of the special counsel’s Russia report, saying Barr had made “misleading public statements” to spin the investigation’s findings in favor of President Donald Trump and had shown a “lack of candor.”
Justices OK state charges for immigrants who use fake IDs
The Supreme Court made it easier Tuesday for states to prosecute immigrants who use fake Social Security numbers to get a job. The issue for the court was whether states could pursue the immigrants in court or had to leave those choices to the federal government, which typically has authority over immigration.
Bont: Baseball, politics and the curveballs of crime and punishment
Much like baseball players, politicians (or political operatives) are making headlines for not playing the game by the rules.
Federal legislation would grow, sustain veterans court programs
As veterans court programs expand nationwide, the federal government is exploring opportunities to provide additional resources to local courts. If enacted, the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019 would task the Department of Justice with establishing an office to provide additional funding and technical assistance to veterans courts.
President’s power to can independent agency heads faces test
The Supreme Court is about to tell President Donald Trump whether he has more power to use a favorite phrase: “You’re fired.” A case being argued at the high court Tuesday could threaten the structure of agencies that form an enormous swath of the federal government. It has to do with whether a president can fire the heads of independent agencies for any reason.
Justices seem divided over court access for asylum seekers
The Supreme Court appeared divided Monday over whether the government can deport people who fail initial asylum screenings without allowing them to make their case to a federal judge.
Buttigieg ends historic presidential campaign, urges unity
Pete Buttigieg, who rose from relative obscurity as an Indiana mayor to a barrier-breaking, top-tier candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, ended his campaign Sunday. The decision by the first openly gay candidate to seriously contend for the presidency — and among the youngest ever — came just a day after a leading rival, Joe Biden, scored a resounding victory in South Carolina.
Pence’s handling of 2015 HIV outbreak gets new scrutiny
President Donald Trump’s choice of Vice President Mike Pence to oversee the nation’s response to the new coronavirus threat is bringing renewed scrutiny to the former governor’s handling of an HIV outbreak in southern Indiana when he was governor.
Trump says Ginsburg, Sotomayor should sit out cases, but they decide
A month before the Supreme Court takes up cases over his tax returns and financial records, President Donald Trump on Tuesday made the unusual suggestion that two liberal justices should not take part in those or any other cases involving him or his administration.
High court closes courthouse door on slain Mexican teen’s family
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled 5-4 Tuesday to close the courthouse door on the parents of a Mexican teenager who was shot dead over the border by an American agent. The case tested a half-century-old Supreme Court decision that allows people to sue federal officials for constitutional violations.
Intel officials say Russia boosting Trump candidacy
Intelligence officials have warned lawmakers that Russia is interfering in the 2020 election campaign to help President Donald Trump get reelected, according to three officials familiar with the closed-door briefing.
Trump ally Roger Stone sentenced to 40 months in prison
Trump loyalist and ally Roger Stone was sentenced Thursday to more than three years in federal prison, following an extraordinary move by Attorney General William Barr to back off his Justice Department’s original sentencing recommendation.
Holcomb orders steps on Lake Michigan shoreline erosion
As the Great Lakes continue to rise to record levels and the Indiana shoreline of Lake Michigan continues to erode and put at risk nearby homes, roads and infrastructure, Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday took official action that may be a catalyst for a future disaster declaration.
Toxic Superfund cleanups decline to more than 30-year low
The Trump administration completed the fewest cleanups of toxic Superfund sites last year than any administration since the program’s first years in the 1980s, figures released by the Environmental Protection Agency indicated Wednesday.
IRS to visit high-income taxpayers who fail to file
If you earn six figures and haven’t been filing your taxes, the IRS may come knocking. The agency said Wednesday it is stepping up efforts to visit high-income taxpayers who failed in prior years to file their tax returns on time.