Ball State to pay former employee $225K to settle case over Charlie Kirk comments
University President Geoffrey Mearns said he authorized the payout because it was “substantially less” than the expected cost to defend the case.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
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Man sentenced to federal prison for possession of machine gun amid outdoor NBA Finals crowd
Police say the man, masked and displaying multiple firearms from a backpack, caused a chaotic scene outside a downtown Indianapolis hotel, prompting some people to flee the area in a panic.
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When will the federal judge vacancy be filled in Indiana’s Southern District?
Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson assumed senior status in July. But there has been no nominee announced to fill her vacancy on the district court, and there won’t be one this year.
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Vacancy looms as federal judge heads toward senior status
It’s taken a little longer than expected for the Biden Administration to announce a nominee for the Indiana Southern District Court’s impending vacancy.
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Filling the robes: Nominations still pending for Indiana district, appellate vacancies
Of all the current Indiana judicial nominees, Magistrate Judge Joshua Kolar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana is the farthest along on his route to fill a vacancy.
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Articles
Indy drug enterprise suspects now face RICO, murder charges
Several alleged members of the “Crown Hill Enterprise” made an initial appearance in federal district court on Friday, after prosecutors updated their 2025 indictment to include RICO violations and murder.
UPDATED: Elanco to pay $6.75M to settle antitrust allegations involving flea and tick products
The settlement, which involves several retailers, comes nearly two years after a complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana accusing Elanco of monopolizing the market in violation of the federal Sherman Act and state antitrust lawsuits.
Monroe County sheriff asks court to halt enforcement of part of Indiana’s new immigration law
The motion for preliminary injunction requests “swift action” from the district court to enjoin the enforcement of Section 9(a)(3) of the Indiana FAIRNESS Act, which requires blanket compliance with ICE detainer requests.
Duo sentenced after meth is found in Cheetos bags
A Los Angeles duo has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after Evansville drug investigators discovered 40 pounds of crystal methamphetamine stored in Cheetos bags.
Former Hamilton County nonprofit bookkeeper to see prison time for stealing $79K
District Court Chief James Sweeney II imposed the sentence on Brenda Walters, 57, of Nappanee, Indiana, after she pleaded guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud.
Crackdown continues on central Indiana drug trafficking, dog-fighting ring
More than a dozen people have already been sentenced for their roles in an illegal gambling and dog-fighting ring, with more awaiting sentencing hearings.
Monroe County sheriff sues AG Rokita, calls new state law unconstitutional
On Wednesday, Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté filed a complaint asking a federal court to declare Indiana’s new FAIRNESS Act unconstitutional.
Suit accuses Lebanon-based program of abusing, isolating teens during treatment
A Lebanon business advertised as a faith-based therapy program is accused of abusing several of its teenage residents.
Ex-Ball State employee settles with university president over First Amendment case
A former Ball State University employee who was fired for her comments following political activist Charlie Kirk’s death has settled a lawsuit against the university’s president.
Federal judge sentences individuals for Indy-based drug trafficking operation
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced on Tuesday that four individuals were found responsible for distributing at least 55 kilograms of cocaine throughout the state from a business located near the east side of Indianapolis.
Family of disabled child raped by classmate sues district, bus employees for $9.8M
Carmel-based Wagner Reese LLP filed the lawsuit on behalf of the family in federal court Thursday – a day after a Jennings County jury convicted the 16-year-old on four counts of rape.
U.S. District Court dismisses lawsuit by former IU basketball players
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana dismissed a lawsuit filed by several former Indiana University basketball players against the university.
EEOC sues disability support organization for alleged disability discrimination
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit against Indianapolis-based Damar Services Inc., alleging it discriminated against a job applicant because of his deafness.
Indianapolis-based freight service company sues former chief strategy officer
The company accuses the employee of breaching his employment agreement by working for a competitor and soliciting customers and an employee to join him.
District court holds city of Loogootee in contempt in pride festival disagreement
The order stems from an ongoing disagreement between the city and Patoka Valley AIDS Community Action Group Inc., a volunteer group that claimed the city’s previous special events ordinance was unconstitutional.
New citizens look forward to civic life after Carmel naturalization ceremony
The ceremony, administered by Judge James R. Sweeney of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, also served as an early celebration of the U.S.’s 250th birthday.
Indy woman to pay $1M in restitution after using boss’ accounts to pay personal expenses
Kimberly Johnson served as the victim’s personal assistant and was responsible for paying their credit card bills and updating them weekly on their financial balances.
Brownsburg school district to pay $650K to settle former teacher’s religious accommodation claims
John Kluge argued Brownsburg Community School Corp. violated his religious beliefs after it implemented a policy requiring teachers to call transgender students by their preferred names.
ACLU of Indiana sues Ball State leaders over school’s expressive activity policy, student discipline
The two lawsuits stem from an incident in November 2025 in which students gathered in the university’s administration building to leave notes for President Geoffrey Mearns expressing their concerns regarding Ball State’s financial ties to Israel.