Indiana deaths jumped by 18% during 2020 amid pandemic
A larger surge of coronavirus deaths in Indiana during December than was initially reported contributed to an 18% jump in the state’s overall deaths during 2020.
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Susan Bayh, former Indiana first lady, dies after long battle with brain cancer
Former Indiana First Lady and attorney Susan Bayh has died at age 61 after nearly three years of brain cancer treatments, her family said Saturday.
Holcomb promotes Allen to chairwoman of Alcohol and Tobacco Commission
The attorney who serves as executive secretary of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission has been promoted to chairwoman of the commission, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday.
Legislature overrides Holcomb veto of housing measure
Nearing the mid-point of the 2021 legislative session, the Indiana Senate overrode Gov. Eric Holcomb’s veto of a bill that housing advocates claimed would put more Hoosier tenants at risk of eviction. Democrats harshly criticized the override as the work of a Republican supermajority “drunk on power.”
Project to place overdose antidote kits in every Indiana county
Indiana is partnering with the nonprofit Overdose Lifeline Inc. to expand access to the opioid overdose antidote naloxone through exterior dispensers available at all hours.
Justices: California can’t enforce indoor church service ban
The United States Supreme Court is telling California that it can’t bar indoor church services because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it can keep for now a ban on singing and chanting indoors.
Lawmakers reject no-excuse absentee voting, other election amendments
At least 13 bills dealing with election and voting have been introduced into the 2021 session of the Indiana General Assembly, but only three have received a hearing and none are addressing calls by Democrats for expanded absentee voting and easier access to early voting.
Indiana lawmakers propose using cigarette tax for Medicaid
A House committee made significant changes Thursday to the way Indiana would spend proceeds from a proposal to hike the state’s cigarette tax https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/indiana-lawmakers-discuss-doubling-cigarette-tax-rate for the first time in more than a decade and impose a new state tax on vaping liquids.
State lawmakers consider new emergency session rules
State lawmakers have significantly amended a bill that would give the Legislature the authority to weigh in on policies made during a public emergency. The bill cleared a committee and now heads to the full House for consideration.
Justices accepting disciplinary commission applications as Witte gets senior judge status
The Indiana Supreme Court is now accepting applications for a new disciplinary commission executive director as the current director prepares to retire and take senior judge status.
Law enforcement reform bill advances with bipartisan support
A bipartisan bill aimed at increasing police accountability and enacting criminal justice reform advanced to the Indiana Senate after lawmakers unanimously approved the measure in a House vote Tuesday.
Senate bill addresses post-release mental health treatment
A Senate bill requested by the Indiana Department of Correction would provide a way to ensure mental health treatment for inmates upon their release.
Indiana Senate approves bill to deregulate wetlands
The Indiana Senate has passed controversial legislation that would repeal state oversight of wetlands. Some lawmakers in both parties, however, said the law goes too far and would interfere with regulatory or judicial review of multiple pending cases.
State ordered to pay attorney fees in election security lawsuit
Attorneys who represented the National Election Defense Coalition in a lawsuit seeking information about the security of Indiana’s voting machines have been awarded nearly $50,000 in fees and costs after a Marion Superior judge found the plaintiff had substantially prevailed in the case.
COA reverses ruling for INDOT, allows negligence case to proceed
Summary judgment for the state on a negligence claim brought by an injured motorist has been reversed after the Indiana Court of Appeals rejected an immunity claim and found that material factual issues remain.
Tax Court allows motor carriers’ refund case to proceed
Three motor carriers can proceed with their claims for a tax refund from the state, the Indiana Tax Court has ruled.
Holcomb relaxing coronavirus limits on crowd sizes
Indiana’s crowd size limits will be relaxed starting next week after recent improvements in the statewide COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates, the governor announced Wednesday.
Woman’s PI suit against state after hydroplane crash divides appeals panel
A woman who sued the Indiana Department of Transportation after she was injured in a crash resulting from her vehicle hydroplaning on a northern Indiana highway cannot pursue her lawsuit against the state, a majority of the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday. A dissenting judge, however, would reverse and send the matter back to the trial court to hear her claims.
‘Fairly simple bill’ provides way to reject discriminatory land title restrictive covenants
Although covenants barring people of certain races, ethnicities and religions from owning property are no longer enforceable, they are still attached to many deeds and mortgages throughout Indiana.
Former judge, ATC chair Cook named Indiana inspector general
A former Marion County judge and the current chairman of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission is moving to a new public service position next month, transitioning to the role of Indiana inspector general.