News
With gambling legislation on pause, some push for reform
The leaders of the Statehouse’s dual Republican supermajorities have been clear: after recent gambling industry scandals involving former lawmakers, next year’s legislative session will include no expansion. That’s prompted a divided response over what to do instead. It’s a chance for reform, some government transparency and ethics advocates say. But others — industry leaders, experts […]
Court dismisses Rokita suits against TikTok
Nearly a year after filing two lawsuits against TikTok, Attorney General Todd Rokita’s challenge against the company and its parent ByteDance has been dismissed by an Allen County judge. Rokita alleged the popular app misrepresented its safety for children and data protection efforts. An office spokesperson for Rokita said the agency is considering appellate options. […]
Buttigieg says former President Carter encouraged him to drop out of the 2020 presidential race
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in East Lansing on Wednesday that former President Jimmy Carter encouraged him to drop out of the 2020 presidential election. “I had come there in hopes that we might be able to earn some support from them, but it was clear that things were not going my way by […]
Committee provides updates on Medicaid programs for aging, maternal health
An estimated 130,000 Hoosiers over the age of 60 using Medicaid will receive notices in early 2024 advising them to choose a Managed Care Entity (MCE) to coordinate their health coverage under the state’s Pathways for Aging program. The program is set to go live by July. With a potential $15 billion worth of contracts, […]
Indiana teachers union presses reticent state lawmakers to reopen budget in 2024 session
Indiana’s largest teacher’s union is calling for better collective bargaining, increased pay for support staff and more say over curriculum in the upcoming legislative session. Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) President Keith Gambill said Tuesday that Hoosier educators are also seeking new social and emotional learning support for students. “These priorities … reflect what educators […]
Schumer on U.S. Senate floor condemns ‘rank antisemitism’ amid Israel-Hamas war
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the nation’s highest-ranking Jewish official, spoke from the chamber on Wednesday about the rise of antisemitism in the United States since the attack by Hamas militants on Israel and that nation’s airstrikes on Gaza. Schumer, speaking to a mostly empty chamber, an unlikely setting for what he described […]
Lottery Commission approves $50k payout to man with torn-up winning ticket
Two recent lottery winners got differing results from Tuesday’s Hoosier Lottery Commission meeting — one reaped thousands while another received nothing. Paul Marshall had a winning $50,000 Powerball ticket. Hoosier Lottery participating retailers can’t pay tickets of more than $600, so when Marshall took his to a retailer, a machine spat out written instructions to […]
Gun violence as a public health crisis explored by U.S. Senate Democrats
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats on Tuesday discussed how to treat gun violence as a public health crisis, in hopes of building upon last year’s federal gun safety legislation. “Across the country, gun violence is a public health epidemic,” Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin, the chairman of the committee, said in his opening remarks. […]
McCormick campaign hits signature milestone
Democrat Jennifer McCormick said Tuesday she has gathered the required signatures to qualify for the May primary in the race to succeed Gov. Eric Holcomb, who is term-limited and cannot run for the office again. “We have always believed this campaign is about empowering the voices of Hoosiers, and our strong petition signature collection demonstrates […]
Former Rep. Sean Eberhart pleads guilty to felony charge
Former Shelbyville Rep. Sean Eberhart pleaded guilty to a felony charge Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman, admitting his role in a gambling corruption case. The plea to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud can include accepting bribes or kickbacks related to one’s public service and includes a maximum punishment of five years […]
Holcomb names Nieshalla as new State Comptroller
Elise Nieshalla held back tears Tuesday as Gov. Eric Holcomb announced her as the next state comptroller. “In Indiana, we enjoy balanced budgets, low debt, low pension liability, healthy cash reserves and a AAA credit rating. When you compare our fiscal standing with that of our nation, it is a stark contrast,” she said at […]
Kevin Brinegar reflects on decades-long career at Chamber, Statehouse
From his first legislative session in 1981 to his last in 2023, Kevin Brinegar has personally witnessed some of Indiana’s most pivotal, historic moments — either crunching numbers for Senate Republicans or leading the state’s Chamber of Commerce. The Indiana University graduate from “the wrong side of the tracks” in Monroe County has seen the […]