US Attorney General levels broadside on voting by mail
U.S. Attorney General William Barr delivered a broadside attack on mail-in voting Thursday, attacking the process used by many Americans as prone to undue influence and coercion.
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Virus bill blocked in Senate as prospects dim for new relief
Senate Democrats scuttled a scaled-back GOP coronavirus rescue package on Thursday as the parties argued to a standstill over the size and scope of the aid, likely ending hopes for coronavirus relief before the November election.
Charges, sanctions revive specter of Russian interference
The Trump administration has charged a Russian national in a sweeping plot to sow distrust in the American political process and imposed sanctions against a Russia-linked Ukrainian lawmaker accused of interfering in the U.S. presidential election.
Indiana, other states seeking SCOTUS amici status in COVID-19 chemical abortion case
The office of Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is asking the United States Supreme Court for permission to intervene in abortion litigation seeking to uphold chemical abortion procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
IPL to pay $1.5M fine to settle Petersburg pollution issues
Indianapolis Power & Light Co. has agreed to pay about $1.5 million in penalties to settle longstanding pollution issues at its huge Petersburg Generating Station.
IU McKinney professors contribute to assessment of U.S. response to COVID-19
United States policy response to COVID-19 has been dangerously lacking, according to a recent report authored partially by two Indianapolis law professors. The new report recommends steps to safeguard health as well as civil and human rights.
Plaintiffs seek 10-day deadline for November mail-in ballots
As part of another lawsuit challenging Indiana’s election laws, Common Cause Indiana and the Indiana State Conference of the NAACP are seeking a preliminary injunction to suspend the noon Election Day deadline for county officials to receive completed mail-in ballots.
Holcomb unveils plan to equip state police with body cameras, create cabinet position
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Tuesday announced plans to equip Indiana State Police troopers with body cameras by next spring and create a new cabinet-level position in his administration to focus on equity and inclusion.
Justice Department schedules 2 additional federal executions
The Justice Department scheduled two additional federal executions on Friday, an announcement that comes weeks after it fought off last-minute legal challenges and successfully resumed federal executions following a 17-year pause.
Holcomb officially orders wearing of masks effective Monday
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Friday issued an executive order requiring the wearing of face coverings in public as Indiana coronavirus cases continue at near-record levels. The order does not include potential criminal penalties, which Attorney General Curtis Hill had said Holcomb lacked the authority to enforce.
State reports all-time daily high in new COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health on Thursday reported 954 new COVID-19 cases, an all-time daily high for positive cases.
Indiana Democrats call for special legislative session
Legislative Democrats want Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to bring the General Assembly back in a special session as concerns over racial injustice and rising coronavirus cases have created what they say is an immediate need for legislators to reconvene.
Indiana AG supports new Title IX rule for campus sexual assault allegations
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has joined other Republican attorneys general in supporting the new Title IX regulation for how colleges and universities should handle sexual misconduct complaints, saying the new rule combats sexual harassment and protects constitutional liberties.
Indiana launches helpline for support during virus pandemic
Indiana residents can call and speak confidentially with a trained counselor at any hour free of charge under an initiative announced Monday. The helpline was established by FSSA’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction in direct response to the elevated levels of stress and anxiety Hoosiers are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virus downturn knocks Indiana surplus down $850 million
Plunging tax collections caused by the coronavirus pandemic have delivered an $850 million hit to Indiana’s state budget reserves, and a top state official said Thursday he anticipates possibly steep spending cuts in the coming years.
Indiana’s virus testing falling short on sites, results
Indiana’s state-sponsored coronavirus testing program has not been meeting the levels of testing or the speed of results that were touted when it was started in May.
Executed man’s defense team blasts ‘shameful’ process
The defense team for a man executed in Terre Haute on Tuesday morning in the first federal death sentence carried out in nearly two decades blasted what they called a “shameful” middle-of-the-night process that they contend should awaken public outrage.
Indiana passes 50K COVID-19 cases as daily count hits 2-month high
Indiana surpassed 50,000 reported cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, the Indiana Department of Health reported, as the daily count of reported cases hit a two-month high.
Indiana GOP AG candidates speak out before ballots come in
Indiana’s Republican delegates are casting ballots as the time nears to select who will run for state attorney general in November.
7th Circuit temporarily stays federal execution set for next week
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily stayed an execution scheduled for next week after finding that two issues raised by a Terre Haute inmate were “worthy of further exploration.” Wesley Ira Purkey’s execution was scheduled for July 15, but now it will be stayed “pending the completion of proceedings in the Seventh Circuit.”