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Daniels to speak at nuclear conference in Indianapolis
What do the former governor of Indiana and Miss America have in common? Nuclear power, of course. Mitch Daniels is a featured keynote speaker at the American Nuclear Society’s annual meeting in June. The reigning Miss America — Alaskan nuclear engineering student Grace Stanke — will also speak. The theme for this year’s meeting, which […]
Reaction to Bernard hearing swift and divergent
Advocates on both sides of Thursday’s contentious licensing hearing declared victory Friday after the regulatory panel sanctioned Dr. Caitlin Bernard for privacy violations related to a 10-year-old girl’s 2022 abortion but cleared her of other serious reporting charges. The Indiana Medical Licensing Board heard 14 hours of testimony and argument before issuing a letter of […]
Bring on better candidates for president
I can’t be the only one out there who is looking forward to a second Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump race for president about as much as cleaning my toilet. It’s downright depressing. I want fresh ideas, new faces — dare I say, vitality? A number of Republicans have announced they will run, including Florida […]
Statewide elected officials might deserve pay raises, but not this way
As parents, more than once my husband and I told our then-teenaged daughter, “It’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up.” Looking back at the General Assembly’s decision to sneak pay raises for statewide elected officials into the budget on the last day I will modify that sentiment to “It’s not the policy, it’s the process.” […]
Is there such a thing as too much sports?
Indiana has always been a state fueled by sports — from its place in auto racing history to its basketball worship. And this week is another example of how these games, from youth sports to the professional ranks, are big business. But is it too much? Communities are now squaring off with each other, often […]
Are shorter legislative sessions coming to Indiana?
Indiana’s part-time legislature could work less under a provision inserted into the state budget giving flexibility on the length of future sessions. The budget session — which occurs in odd-numbered years — would still have an April 29 end date. And the so-called short session — which occurs in even-numbered years — would still conclude […]
From start to finish, in photos
Throughout the 2023 legislative session, we have been capturing photos of life inside the Statehouse as 150 lawmakers slogged through four months and hundreds of bills. Others are part of the process as well — from lobbyists and protesters to staff and students. Here is a sampling of what we found in the ornate hallways.
Giving credit where credit is due
As we wrap up the 2023 legislative session, I want to take an opportunity to give credit to legislators for a few of the best bills passed this year. They may not have gotten the headlines but they deserve the praise. I have my issues with process, but the fact is the majority of bills […]
Lawmakers should give a cold shoulder to this alcohol proposal
With so many tense and emotional topics moving at the Statehouse, I want to focus this week on something we can all agree on: Indiana’s alcohol laws are ridiculous, and lawmakers are about to double down on one of the worst ones. I am talking about selling cold alcohol — wine, beer, liquor. Indiana is […]
Eli Lilly announces expanded $1.6B investment at groundbreaking for Boone County district
Snowflakes couldn’t stop the long-awaited groundbreaking of two new Eli Lilly manufacturing sites within the LEAP Innovation and Research District in Boone County Monday — with local, state and federal officials on hand to throw dirt and celebrate. Lilly’s Chair and CEO Dave Ricks used the moment to announce an expanded investment of $1.6 billion. […]
The bar to ban books for being obscene and harmful is high — as it should be
When lawmakers recently heard an amendment to tackle allegedly harmful or obscene books, one member had a list of objectionable titles at his desk that he refused to read out publicly. He shared it with others, noting the legislature has to step in because the system isn’t working. But what does it mean to say […]
Indiana Supreme Court hears COVID-19 dispute involving Ball State
A Ball State University student who wants a refund for his pandemic-interrupted classes in early 2020 took his case to the Indiana Supreme Court Tuesday, arguing his class-action suit should be allowed to continue although lawmakers blocked it. The matter boils down to a disagreement on separation of powers: does the judicial branch or legislative […]