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Indiana case – now at the Supreme Court — could impact millions of vulnerable Americans
As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments in an Indiana case that could have national implications for millions of Americans participating in federal safety net programs, pressure is mounting locally for the public health agency at the heart of the legal battle to withdraw the case altogether. Advocates for the elderly, poor […]
Indiana Attorney General draws backlash for tweets about Kayne West, Christopher Columbus
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita drew waves of backlash on social media after he tweet-praised Kanye West’s “independent thinking,” over the weekend and on Monday commended Christopher Columbus for “discovering America.” Rokita’s tweets — on his official state account — came just days after the rapper, who now goes by Ye, made remarks on Instagram […]
Holcomb rolls out Indiana ‘welcome mat’ during European economic development trip
Gov. Eric Holcomb returned Friday from a weeklong economic development trip to Germany and Switzerland, which he said was an opportunity to attract more manufacturing jobs and other investment to Indiana. The Republican governor led a nine-person delegation to Europe to build on business discussions surrounding medical device manufacturing in Indiana, as well as the […]
What to know about Indiana’s latest college completion rate gains
Although Indiana’s statewide college completion rates continue to show improvement, education officials caution there aren’t enough Hoosiers earning degrees overall to meet the state’s workforce needs. A final report released last week by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) showed the on-time college completion rate for 2021 graduates continued a five-year improvement trend. Extended-time […]
Is Indiana welcoming to immigrants?
As Gov. Eric Holcomb participates on another international economic development trip this year, advocates at home wonder whether Indiana is doing enough to overcome its bureaucratic hurdles and welcome immigrants to the Hoosier State. Ellen Wu, a history professor at Indiana University with a focus on immigration, said people tend to remember America as more […]
Biden to pardon all federal offenses for simple marijuana possession, review criminalization
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday announced executive actions that would pardon thousands of people with prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession. He will also direct U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and Attorney General Merrick Garland to review how marijuana is classified under federal law as a Schedule I drug, the Drug […]
Indiana Farm Bureau outlines priorities for upcoming federal farm bill
Indiana’s largest farmer advocacy group says it’s prioritizing commodities, conservation and nutrition in its lobbying efforts around the next federal farm bill. Indiana Farm Bureau, an agricultural organization that seeks to support Hoosier farmers, made the announcement after members of Indiana’s congressional delegation spent time during their recent six-week recess to meet with the state’s […]
Hoosiers with commercially-held loans might not qualify for federal student debt relief
Some Hoosiers may no longer qualify for President Joe Biden’s student debt relief plan after federal officials quietly changed the eligibility qualifications late last week. The U.S. Department of Education indicated Thursday that privately held loans will not be forgiven. That means borrowers who took out Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs), or Perkins Loans, are […]
Could Morales allegations tilt Secretary of State’s race?
Republican Secretary of State candidate Diego Morales has fielded controversy since his first unsuccessful bid for public office in 2018, but could a pair of sexual misconduct allegations less than a month before Election Day endanger his latest campaign? Two longtime former Republicans divulged decade-old allegations of sexual assaults in interview transcripts published this week […]
Up for debate: Can Indiana’s religious freedom law strike down the state’s abortion ban?
Indiana’s controversial religious freedom law is at the heart of at least two ongoing lawsuits that seek to strike down the state’s near-total abortion ban, fueling debate about where to draw lines between religion and policy. The first legal challenge — a class action lawsuit filed last month by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) […]
Indiana auditor says all automatic taxpayer refund checks have mailed out
The Indiana Auditor’s Office has printed and mailed all of the state’s automatic taxpayer refund checks, the agency announced on Thursday. More than 1.5 million checks finished printing on Sept. 21, and the last batch of checks were sent to the postal service the next day. A paper shortage in August had delayed the first […]
Indiana BMV weighs more branch closures, pushes for more digital transactions
Some Hoosiers are pleading with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles to keep local branches open as the agency debates additional closures and pushes for more digital service transactions. The Indiana BMV has completely closed eight branches around the state since 2019, according to agency data. More than a dozen other locations have additionally downsized […]