Man loses 7th Circuit appeal of drug-related firearm conviction
A federal appeals court has upheld the conviction of a man who was arrested after federal authorities set up a controlled drug purchase.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
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WISH-TV sues AT&T over fee negotiations, claims racial discrimination
Indianapolis-based Circle City Broadcasting, which owns WISH-TV Channel 8 and WNDY-TV Channel 23, has filed a lawsuit that accuses AT&T of racial discrimination as the two companies battle over retransmission fees.
High court permits expansion of mail-in voting for 1 state
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday left in place an agreement that allows Rhode Island residents to vote by mail through November’s general election without getting signatures from two witnesses or a notary. The order was immediately cited in a lawsuit seeking to expand mail-in voting in Indiana.
Scam callers using Southern District Court’s main phone number to intimidate residents
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is warning Hoosiers of scam phone calls being made by “spoofing” the federal district court’s main phone number to intimidate residents, the federal court alerted in a Wednesday announcement.
Hispanic Heritage Month speaker to address citizenship during annual celebration
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and the Indiana State Bar Association Latino Affairs Committee will host a presentation focusing on historical and contemporary approaches to the dilemmas of citizenship during its fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
Jackson County asks 7th Circuit to allow Christmas Nativity scene display
The legal battle over the constitutionality of a Jackson County Christmas display on public property is continuing in federal court, with advocates for a Nativity scene urging the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court injunction.
13th annual Southern District Court history symposium goes virtual
The fall schedule for the 13th annual Court History and Continuing Legal Education Symposium has been released, the Historical Society of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana announced Friday.
Federal judge rejects indicted ex-Celadon exec’s vacation plans
A federal judge has denied a request by a former executive of now-defunct Celadon Group Inc. to travel to a Mexican resort for a birthday celebration while he is awaiting trial on multiple fraud charges.
Man who allegedly targeted Black neighbor with swastika, slurs charged with hate crime
An Indiana man, allegedly angered by the removal of a tree, is charged with a hate crime for attempting to intimidate an African American neighbor because of his race, the U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday.
7th Circuit declines to reinstate exhibitor’s license for controversial Charlestown zoo owner
In a second legal defeat in one week, the owner of the controversial Charlestown zoo appearing in Netflix’s “Tiger King” series has lost his bid to reinstate his federal exhibitor’s license.
Reversing rulings for quadriplegic, 7th Circuit asks ‘how much’ court may order state to pay
A quadriplegic woman requiring nearly around-the-clock care was stripped of a federal court ruling permitting her to dictate the terms of her own home health care at the state’s expense. In so ruling, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals asked, “How much state expenditure outside the scope of the Medicaid program may a court command?”
Protesters restricted from Terre Haute execution site sue ISP
Protesters kept away from the federal prison in Terre Haute during executions last month have filed a lawsuit in federal court, arguing the Indiana State Police violated their First Amendment rights by erecting roadblocks and preventing them from holding vigils immediately outside the entrance of the facility.
Judge rules for PETA in suit against embattled Charlestown zoo
A federal judge has ruled that an embattled private Charlestown zoo harmed and harassed big cats in violation of the Endangered Species Act, setting the stage for the transfer of its animals to “a reputable sanctuary.” The ruling is a victory for an animal-rights group in one of several legal actions against the zoo owner who appeared in the Netflix series “Tiger King.”
7th Circuit grants writ of mandamus after Southern District transfers case to California
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday granted an Indiana business’ petition for writ of mandamus, finding that the Southern Indiana District Court deviated substantially from the course of decision‐making mandated by the U.S. Supreme Court when it transferred the business’ action back to a California court.
National bankruptcy filings fall despite COVID-19 impact
Personal and business bankruptcy filings posted a decline in the year ending June 30, despite a sharp rise in national unemployment stemming from the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Suit: Election Day deadline to receive mailed ballots disenfranchises voters
Indiana law that says mail-in ballots must be received by noon on Election Day will disenfranchise voters and should be blocked, a federal lawsuit filed Thursday says.
Southern District again suspends jury trials due to COVID-19
Jury trials in all divisions of the Southern District of Indiana have once again been suspended, Chief Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson announced Wednesday. The decision stems from the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the state and within the district following a brief resumption of jury trials.
Kokomo men sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking ring involvement
Two Indiana men will spend decades in federal prison after being sentenced for their role in a large drug trafficking ring operating in Kokomo, United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced Friday.
Indianapolis man gets 11-plus years in federal prison for leading fraud scheme
Indianapolis man Frank “Bread” Powell has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for leading a large-scale fraud ring that bilked Kroger and other retailers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Southern District hosts first naturalization ceremony since March
Nearly 90 people took an oath to become an American citizen on Thursday morning, becoming the first group to participate in a naturalization ceremony hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana since the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic.