Susan Brooks to step down from Congress after fourth term
Indiana Rep. Susan Brooks, a Republican who has represented Indiana’s 5th District since 2013, announced Friday morning that she will not run for a fifth term in Congress.
Government
Articles
Neighbors ask for rehearing on Right to Farm Act dispute
Supporters and opponents are mobilizing after the neighbors of an 8,000-hog farm in Hendricks County asked the Indiana Court of Appeals to reconsider its earlier ruling that found their nuisance claim based on the “noxious odors” from the farming operation was barred under Indiana’s Right to Farm Act.
Judge: DOC must pay $538K in ‘egregious’ death penalty records case
The Indiana Department of Correction’s refusal to disclose to the public information concerning the means it would use to execute a condemned criminal will cost taxpayers more than a half-million dollars in attorney fees, a judge has ruled.
Barker rejects request to keep closed South Bend abortion clinic pending appeal
Despite the Indiana Attorney General’s efforts, a federal judge has denied a request to stay the opening of what could become the state’s newest abortion clinic. Indiana Southern District Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker on Friday rejected Attorney General Curtis Hill’s request to keep closed the doors of a South Bend abortion clinic until the state’s appeal of the matter can be considered.
House resolution would make it easier to enforce subpoenas
A resolution being voted on Tuesday in the House would make it easier for Democrats to sue President Donald Trump’s administration and other potential witnesses who refuse to comply with subpoenas. The House resolution would authorize lawsuits against Attorney General William Barr and former White House counsel Don McGahn for defying subpoenas pertaining to special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.
7th Circuit upholds conditions of release
An Indiana man seeking relief for the conditions placed on his supervised release was reminded by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that it matters what is said and done before a federal judge.
Naming of Indianapolis post office sought for ex-Sen. Lugar
Indiana’s congressional delegation is seeking to put former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar’s name on a downtown Indianapolis post office.
Republican caucus picks new Indiana House member
A former gubernatorial aide has been picked to replace a retiring member of the Indiana House who will represent a central Indiana district.
9th Circuit weighs if climate change violates children’s rights
In a Portland, Oregon, courtroom packed with environmental activists, federal judges wrestled Tuesday with whether climate change violates the constitutional rights of young people who have sued the U.S. government over the use of fossil fuels.
Cass County auditor loses appeal of contempt finding
A Cass County elected official who refused to pay out a payroll voucher has failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals to overturn the local trial court’s imposition of a contempt finding against her.
Cash held by state shutters domestic violence shelters
A much longer-than-ordinary delay funneling state and federal grant dollars through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute to domestic violence agencies has had dire results for many, causing at least one shelter for victims of abuse to close.
Indiana fetal disposition law upheld by U.S. Supreme Court
Indiana’s law mandating that fetal remains be either buried or cremated has been upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in a per curiam opinion issued Tuesday that found the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals had “clearly erred” in overturning the law. However, in the same opinion, the Supreme Court let stand a ruling which blocked another Indiana law that would have prevented abortions based on the gender, race or genetic abnormality of the fetus.
Accused pediatrician’s medical license suspension extended
A Boone County pediatrician charged with sexually abusing three boys has had his medical license suspended for another 90 days. The Indiana Medical Licensing Board originally suspended 41-year-old Dr. Jonathon Cavins’ medical license in March for 90 days, until mid-June, but the board recently added another 90 days to the Jamestown man’s original suspension, meaning he’ll remain suspended until after his July trial.
Indiana prosecutor asks state police to investigate his office
The prosecutor in Vigo County says he’s fired the director of the child support division and asked for a police investigation of his office. But Prosecutor Terry Modesitt declined to offer details on the investigation, saying he wants to be “very generic” during an “ongoing investigation.”
‘Red flag law’ changes narrow language, information gaps
Indiana is considered a leader in the red flag law movement that allows firearms to be confiscated from people deemed dangerous. But with language that some experts considered overly broad and potentially unconstitutional, the Indiana General Assembly revisited that legislation, known as the Jake Laird Law, during the 2019 legislative session.
Crime sentences, vaping tax up for Indiana lawmaker panels
Indiana lawmakers will be looking at prescription drug prices, crime sentences and taxes on vaping liquids in the coming months. Those are among the more than 40 topics that leaders have assigned to committees ahead of next year’s General Assembly session.
Contamination at new Marion County justice center site raising concerns
An independent environmental assessment of the site for the new Marion County jail and courthouse has some judges questioning if the property will pose a health hazard to the people working and visiting the courts, but others are cautioning to not let fear dictate decision-making.
Gary lawsuit against gun makers may proceed, COA rules
A unanimous appellate panel has revived the city of Gary’s lawsuit against 10 handgun manufacturers, enabling the municipality to survive the Indiana General Assembly’s attempt to derail the legal action by amending the state’s Immunity Statute in 2015.
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.
Justice Department to turn over some Mueller documents
Easing some of the escalating tension between Congress and the White House, the House Intelligence Committee postponed efforts to enforce a subpoena against the Justice Department on Wednesday after officials agreed to hand over a cache of documents related to special counsel Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia report.