Indiana town looks at ordinance after woman is killed by python
The Benton County town of Oxford is considering restrictions on certain snakes after a woman was strangled by an 8-foot-long python in a house full of snakes.
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Panel recommends boosting Indiana’s cigarette age to 21
An Indiana legislative panel is recommending that Indiana’s legal age for buying cigarettes be raised from 18 to 21.
Abortion parental notification law possibly headed for SCOTUS after 7th Circuit denial
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals will not revisit a prior ruling that upheld an injunction on an Indiana law requiring “mature minors” to notify their parents before they have an abortion, setting the case up for a possible trip to the United States Supreme Court.
Divided COA lets man stay in disputed final resting place
A man mistakenly buried at a gravesite that had already been sold to another individual will continue to rest in peace after the Indiana Court of Appeals declined to order the cemetery to exhume the man and relocate his grave. A dissenting judge, however, said Indiana statute and legal principles require the cemetery to correct the “wrongful entombment.”
New law gives moms, dads behind bars hope in TPR cases
Christina Kovats and Kristina Byers previously served time at the Indiana Women’s Prison, and this year they became advocates who worked to draft Indiana legislation aimed at dismantling the black-and-white mentality regarding termination of parental rights for incarcerated mothers. A new law now gives judges discretion in TPR cases involving parents behind bars.
Doctor who kept fetuses vilified in life and death
Dr. Ulrich Klopfer competed so avidly in the 1970s to perform the most abortions each day at a Chicago clinic that it was said he would set his coffee aside, jump to his feet in the break room and rush to the operating table whenever his chief rival walked by.
Judgment for school, town affirmed in gang-rape case
A northern Indiana town and school corporation’s motion to dismiss a case stemming from an unreported gang rape was affirmed Thursday, with one appellate judge apologizing to the victim for being unable to find an ‘adequate remedy’ under current Indiana law.
Halt of simple pot prosecutions gets mixed reaction
Reactions have been mixed to the recent announcement that the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will no longer prosecute cases of simple possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced the new policy Sept. 30.
Reconstituted probate code commission goes to work
When the Probate Code Study Commission convened for its first meeting Aug. 12, it marked the return of a process meant to help Indiana legislators understand the often complex and intertwined issues regarding wills, estates, trusts, guardianships and other probate matters.
US appeals court skeptical of Trump’s Medicaid work rules
A federal appeals court in Washington on Friday sharply questioned the Trump administration’s work requirements for Medicaid recipients, casting doubt on a key part of a government-wide effort to place conditions on low-income people seeking taxpayer-financed assistance.
Indiana stores may profit from Michigan flavored vape ban
Michigan’s ban on the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes could spur new business for vape shops along the state’s Indiana border, a clerk at a northern Indiana store said.
Title VII questions at U.S. Supreme Court echo Indiana case
The issue that arose in Indiana from the employment discrimination case against Ivy Tech will go before the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday as the nine justices will be asked whether Title VII protections extend to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Lawmakers study highway work zone cameras to slow speeders
Some Indiana lawmakers want to authorize the installation of work zone speed cameras along the state’s highways to photograph speeding cars and fine lead-footed motorists.
Abortion appeals, including Indiana case, awaiting Supreme Court action
Both sides of the abortion debate are waiting to see if the Supreme Court adds new disputes over state abortion regulations to its election-year docket, including an Indiana case in which a federal appeals court struck down an ultrasound waiting period law.
Legislative study committee hears juvenile offender concerns
Numerous stakeholders offered input and answers Thursday during a legislative committee meeting addressing laws and policies concerning the adjudication and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.
Groups argue RFRA fix infringes on religious rights
Nearly five years after Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act was signed into law, a lawsuit alleging subsequent amendments to the act infringe on religious rights went before a Hamilton County judge Thursday.
Judge hearing suit over Indiana’s religious objections law
Conservative religious groups are arguing their constitutional rights were violated by limits that were placed on Indiana’s contentious religious objections law signed in 2015 by then-Gov. Mike Pence.
Mobile sports betting to debut in Indiana on Thursday
Sports betting is ready to go legally online in Indiana on Thursday, a little more than a month after the state’s casinos started taking game wagers.
Indy mayoral candidates want state law to better protect tenants
The major party candidates for Indianapolis mayor say they want to see changes in the state’s eviction laws that could help prevent some people from becoming homeless.
Transfer dissent: Justices should ‘clear up uncertainty’ about disclosure of private information
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush has penned a dissent to the denial of transfer to a case involving public disclosure of private health information, calling the transfer decision a missed opportunity “to clear up uncertainty” regarding whether disclosure is actionable.