Archive for May 2013

May 1, 2013

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test

ISTEP+ Testing Resumes Again, No Data Lost

The Indiana Department of Education says the decision to resume testing was made based upon assurances made by the company which administers the test.

May 1, 2013

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prek students

Report: Indiana One Of Ten States Without Preschool Program

A preschool program bill passed committee, but fizzled with an amendment that included a series of changes and no direct funding for a statewide program.

May 1, 2013

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building

Dems Urge Pence To Veto Bill Eliminating Council Seats

Marion County‘s Democratic officeholders have been fighting a bill expanding the powers of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.

May 1, 2013

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STD testing

Governor Pence Signs Abortion Drug Bill

Planned Parenthood is planning a legal challenge to the measure, which regulates Indiana clinics that provide drug-induced abortions.

May 1, 2013

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istep computers

No Problems With ISTEP+ Reported On Third Day Of Testing

To make up for two days of suspended testing, the state is extending the testing window an extra three days.

May 1, 2013

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plant wide

Natural Gas Plant To Replace Coal Plant In Martinsville

The Indianapolis Power and Light Company plant is expected to be complete by 2017.

May 1, 2013

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ethanol plant

Court Rules Indiana Ethanol Plants Must Cut Back Emissions

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management was letting ethanol plants in the state release more than two times EPA-allowed emissions.

May 2, 2013

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basketball court

Home Schoolers Eligible To Play On District Athletic Teams

The Indiana High School Athletic Association Board of Directors has approved the new rule.

May 2, 2013

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Indiana

Indiana Census Data Shows Rise In Minority Population

Most notably, the Hispanic population has soared in the past decade, and experts expect it will continue to rise.

May 2, 2013

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military

Pence To Sign Bill Giving In-State Tuition To Veterans

The bill's author says it will help veterans receive jobs training and reduce the veteran unemployment rate.

May 2, 2013

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talapia

Soybean Alliance To Study Need For Fish Feed Production

The Indiana Soybean Alliance plans to study whether building a facility to produce fish feed would be economically viable in Indiana.

May 2, 2013

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oath

Immigrants Obtain Citizenship In Indianapolis Ceremony

After a naturalization ceremony in Indianapolis the immigrants in attendance look forward to enjoying the benefits of being legal citizens of the United States.

May 2, 2013

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Brown county roads

Brown County Road Money Still Tight Despite Budget Increase

Brown County could receive up to $600,000 more in transportation funding next year, but that is not enough to cover all the needed road maintenance.

May 2, 2013

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terre haute students

Vigo County Schools Sought To Delay ISTEP+ Before Glitches

Vigo County's request to reduce the number of students taking the ISTEP+ this year was denied.

May 2, 2013

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20 dollar bills

Indiana Sees Strong Tax Revenue In April

State tax revenue and individual income tax revenues were up, while corporate income tax collections were down since last April.

May 2, 2013

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arne duncan

US Ed Secretary: Keep Online Testing, Learn From ISTEP+

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan suggests this week’s glitches in Indiana, Oklahoma and Minnesota represent a learning opportunity.

May 3, 2013

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cars

More Car Titles Being Processed, A Sign Economy Is Improving

From 2009 to 2012, the number of titles the state processed rose almost 9 percent.

May 3, 2013

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STD testing

New Abortion Pill Law Could Face Legal Challenge

An IU law school professor says states cannot put up a "substantial undue burden" for the patient seeking an abortion.

May 3, 2013

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Facilities Manager Darren Hess

Referenda Could Lead To Inequalities In School Facilities

Three Indiana school corporations will ask voters this month to approve major construction projects.

May 3, 2013

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jud mcmillin

Lawmaker Won’t Give Up On Drug Tests For Welfare Recipients

Rep. Jud McMillin (R-Brookville) has pushed for legislation the past two years requiring welfare recipients to be drug tested.

May 3, 2013

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motorcycle riders

Motorcycle Deaths At Highest Rate In 30 Years

Indiana Criminal Justice Institute officials say about half the people involved in fatal motorcycle accidents do not have the proper license.

May 3, 2013

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CDC

Middle-Age Suicide Rises Faster In Indiana Than US

Suicides of Hoosiers aged 35-64 increased 54 percent from 1999 to 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

May 3, 2013

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NW Perspective Waffle House

Waffle House Site To Become New Residential Complex

After 46 years in business, the 24-hour Waffle House at the corner of 10th and College will close to make way for a new residential complex.

May 4, 2013

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Jill Bolte-Taylor

Jill Bolte Taylor: Teenage Brains Sensitive To Technology

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a leader in the world of neuroscience, says teenagers are susceptible to over-stimulation because of their developing brains.

May 4, 2013

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peccary jaw

Ice Age Bones Found In Indiana Cave

The bones are of peccaries, pig-like animals that lived tens of thousands of years ago.

May 5, 2013

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otis bowen

Former Indiana Governor Otis Bowen Dies At 95

Former Indiana Governor Otis Bowen, who also served as the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Reagan, died Saturday.

May 6, 2013

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20 dollar bills

More Than A Dozen Bogus Bills Passed In Bloomington Recently

Police say the counterfeits may have taken advantage of busy times at stores when cashiers would not pay attention to the poorly-made fake bills.

May 6, 2013

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Electronic Voting

Bill Pushes State Officials To Examine, Purge Voter Rolls

Election officials plan to thoroughly review and clean up Indiana’s voter rolls on a statewide basis for the first time in seven years.

May 6, 2013

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Downtown Terre Haute

ISU, Thompson Thrift Ink Long-Term Housing And Retail Deal

The project is estimated to take two years to complete.

May 6, 2013

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bowen with reagan

Republicans Remember Former Governor As Tax, Health Reformer

The state’s Republican leaders remember Otis Bowen as the architect of some of the changes the party is still working to enact today.

May 6, 2013

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student

Despite Degree, College Grads Struggle To Find Employment

As many as 53 percent of people under the age of 25 with bachelor’s degrees are unemployed or underemployed.

May 6, 2013

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stem students

IUPUI Increases STEM Grads 25 Percent

More than 520 students graduated with degrees in the science, technology, engineering or mathematics fields in 2011.

May 6, 2013

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refugees

Indiana Senator Warns Against American Troops In Syria

Sen. Joe Donnelly says the U.S. should not send troops to Syria, but he says providing limited weapons to opposition fighters should be considered an option.

May 7, 2013

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BAE unmanned drone

ACLU Concerned About Indiana Bidding For Drone Testing Site

ACLU of Indiana Executive Director Jane Henegar says the organization has concerns regarding the way drones are used.

May 7, 2013

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Glenda Ritz

Ritz Pushes For Alternative To Holding Back After I-READ

State school superintendent Glenda Ritz will ask the State Board of Education next month to make it a last-resort option for schools.

May 7, 2013

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school photos

Construction Referenda Seen As Way To Boost School Security

If voters in Starke County approve a 28-cent tax levy increase Tuesday, the district will get a safer, more secure administrative office.

May 7, 2013

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bees

Beekeepers See 30 Percent Decline In Population

Beekeepers continue to experience a decline because of "colony collapse disorder," a phenomena first identified in 2006.

May 7, 2013

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pence speaks before signing

Governor Signs School Safety Bill

The bill will provide up to $50,000 in matching grants for school districts seeking to boost security.

May 7, 2013

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bmv

BMV Overages Lawsuit Moves Forward

The suit alleges the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles overcharged Hoosiers for their driver's licenses.

May 8, 2013

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Grandmother with her grandchild

Report: Indiana’s Senior Population To Double In 20 Years

Indiana‘s senior population now tops 800,000 people.

May 8, 2013

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drone

Officials Predict Drone Development Would Boost Economy

The unmanned-aircraft industry is adding jobs at a rate of about four-percent a year, and is expected to be a $94 billion industry in seven years.

May 8, 2013

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Evansville School Makes Newsweek’s “America’s Best” List

The Signature School, a charter school, ranks number twelve on the list as one of America‘s Best High Schools.

May 8, 2013

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subaru

Subaru Adding Up To 900 Jobs In Lafayette

Subaru is planning to invest more than $400 million in expanding its Lafayette plant.

May 8, 2013

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vote

Tax Levy Fails By 4 Votes In Boone Township

The Metropolitan School District of Boone Township asked voters to approve a 23-cent tax levy increase per $100 of assessed valuation: 543 said yes, 547 said no

May 8, 2013

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statehouse

Attorney General And Lawmakers Applaud New Legislation

Indiana's attorney general and a group of bi-partisan lawmakers say new legislation will improve life for Hoosiers.

May 8, 2013

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pence signs bill

Pence Vetoes Two Bills He Says ‘Restrict Competition’

The governor has until Saturday to make decisions on 95 bills.

May 8, 2013

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Bloomington Hospital

Experts: Federal Health Numbers ‘Obscure’ Cost Of Procedures

Health experts say numbers released Wednesday showing the base cost of health care services in a number of hospitals should be viewed carefully by consumers.

May 9, 2013

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City Council Special Session

Bloomington City Council Approves Tax Break for New Hotel

The EZID will save the hotel developer $3.5 million in taxes over 10 years.

May 9, 2013

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park

Indianapolis To Build $6 Million Sports Park

The projected first phase of construction is set to begin in June and will cost an estimated $2.6 million.

May 9, 2013

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chrysler building

Chrysler Gives $25,000 For Kokomo Flood Relief

But without additional help, the cash amounts to a drop in the bucket.

May 9, 2013

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texting

More Adults Texting And Driving Than Teens

A new survey shows those who text and drive are 23 percent more likely to be involved in a crash.

May 9, 2013

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Why Middle Schoolers Are Passing High School Math Exams

Varying passage rates on the Algebra I End-of-Course Assessments underscore the difficulty in measuring a student's academic growth.

May 9, 2013

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INDOT Trees

INDOT Defends I-69 Mitigation Efforts

INDOT is spending $30 million on environmental mitigation in Section 4 of I-69, which runs from the Crane Naval Base to Bloomington.

May 10, 2013

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Remonstrance

Some Brown County Residents Protest Courthouse Remodel Bonds

Residents are concerned about the costs and designs proposed by two architectural firms; Perdue Architectural Design Studio and Miller Architects.

May 10, 2013

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panhandling

Indianapolis Committee To Review Panhandling Ban Proposal

The proposal would create a "No Solicitation Zone" which would ban panhandling of any kind in downtown Indianapolis.

May 10, 2013

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pence

Pence Signs School Voucher Bill

The law increases the maximum amount of a voucher, and guarantees eligibility to siblings of voucher students.

May 10, 2013

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tornado

Reported Tornado Causes Minor Damage In Riley, Ind.

A small tornado reportedly touched down in Southern Vigo County at 8:24 Thursday night.

May 10, 2013

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Deming Hotel

Terre Haute Housing Authority May Close Deming Hotel

More than 100 people currently live in the former hotel, which is now owned by the Terre Haute Housing Authority

May 10, 2013

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Andrew Locke

Ritz Announces New Reading Engagement Program For Kids

A new initiative is underway to encourage Hoosier elementary students to read more.

May 10, 2013

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Digital Parking Meter

Parking Meter Vendor To Tour Bloomington Monday

More than 1,500 digital parking meters, costing the city almost a $1 million, will be installed this summer.

May 10, 2013

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20 dollar bills

Deadline Looms For Many Bartholomew County Tax Appeals

There have been an unprecedented number of appeals by Bartholomew County residents over property taxes.

May 13, 2013

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istep computers

Ritz Says ISTEP Review To Look For Invalid Tests

Glenda Ritz says once testing is completed, the state will begin looking at how to make the system more efficient.

May 13, 2013

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tax rates

College Student Creates Nationwide Comparative Tax Database

Homeowners can compare their property tax bills to the rest of the state and nation

May 13, 2013

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indianapolis motor speedway

Pence Signs Motorsports Funding Bill

The bill creates a Motorsports Improvement Fund for loans for those businesses in the state including race tracks, race team owners, drivers and others.

May 13, 2013

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Columbus

Some Restaurateurs Say Columbus Mayor Working Against Them

A number of restaurant owners in downtown Columbus say communication from the Kristen Brown administration is a major reason they could not succeed.

May 13, 2013

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istep computers

Problems Temporarily Halt ISTEP At Indy Public Schools

Indianapolis Public Schools briefly halted online ISTEP+ testing Monday morning after a new “network issue” disrupted the exams.

May 13, 2013

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soybean field

Monsanto Wins SCOTUS Victory Over Indiana Farmer

Monsanto sued Indiana farmer Vernon Bowman for patent infringement in 2007. The Supreme Court ruled Monday that Bowman infringed on Monsanto's rights.

May 13, 2013

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Waynesville house

Coroner Plans To Release Waynesville Autopsy Results Tuesday

Relatives of one of the victims spoke to the media Monday.

May 13, 2013

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drill

Brown County Veteran Creates Non-Profit To Help Other Vets

Magnus Johnson created Elder Heart, a non-profit that will pay veterans to create public art.

May 13, 2013

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city

Law Could Give Indianapolis Council Republicans Majority

Governor Mike Pence signed a bill that eliminates the at-large seats on the Indianapolis Marion County City-County Council.

May 14, 2013

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homestead tax

Indianapolis To Consider Elimination Of Home Tax Credit

The Indianapolis Marion County City-County Council approved a proposal which creates a study commission on the effects of the homestead tax credit.

May 14, 2013

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pups

Evansville Zoo Fosters Rare Mexican Wolf Pups

There are only about 300 Mexican wolves left in the world.

May 14, 2013

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roundup ready soybeans

Monsanto’s Win Was More About Patents Than Seeds

The Supreme Court ruled that an Indiana farmer who used patented seed for more than one planting in violation of his licensing agreement is liable for damages.

May 14, 2013

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beer in a convenience store

Indiana Convenience Stores Sue For Right To Sell Cold Beer

Indiana law allows convenience, grocery and pharmacy stores to sell beer warm but not chilled.

May 14, 2013

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car scene

Bartholomew County Murders Were Drug-Related, Sheriff Says

All four people found dead in a Waynesville home this weekend were shot in the head, an autopsy report shows.

May 14, 2013

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GLBT Plate

BMV Says Groups Cannot Reissue Suspended License Plates

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles suspended Indiana Youth Group, Indiana Greenways and 4-H Foundation license plates because the groups gave them away to donors.

May 14, 2013

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graduation

Indiana Graduation Rate Increases In 2012

Indiana’s high school graduation rate ticked upward in 2012 to 88.4 percent. Search this StateImpact Indiana database to find your school's rate.

May 14, 2013

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matt pierce

Study Committee To Decide How To Fund Criminal Code Overhaul

A summer study committee will attempt to project how much the Department of Corrections will save once the new system is implemented.

May 15, 2013

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remodel

Brown County Verifying Petitions To Halt Contruction Bond

At last count the Brown County Clerk’s office has verified 93 of the 216 signatures it has received from registered voters.

May 15, 2013

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Classroom

Education Officials To Decrease College Remediation Rate

Officials are working on guidelines to spot those students while they are still in high school.

May 15, 2013

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Gavel

Dep. Prosecutor’s Guilty Plea May Lead To New Investigation

Federal prosecutors say David Wyser took a campaign contribution as a reward for the early release of a woman convicted of murder-for-hire.

May 15, 2013

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border

UIndy Team To Identify Immigrants’ Remains In Texas

More than a hundred bodies were found in a rural Texas county last year, but the local cemetery has no more room to bury the bodies.

May 15, 2013

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graduation

Does Indiana Have A ‘Mediocre’ Track Record On Remediation?

One third of all Hoosier high school graduates need to take at least one remedial course, and some say that is unacceptable.

May 15, 2013

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hospital

Lawmakers: Medical Form Helps Patients With End Of Life Plan

The state has created a new form patients will fill out to indicate their wishes for health care. The form will be used at any facility the patient visits.

May 15, 2013

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small corn crop

Indiana Farmers Behind On Planting Corn Crop

About 30 percent of Indiana corn crop was planted as of Monday, an agriculture report indicates.

May 15, 2013

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tree in Bryan park

Bloomington Advises Residents To Fight Emerald Ash Borer

Bloomington officials say residents must take measures to protect their trees against the invasive beetle before it is too late.

May 15, 2013

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Brown County Schools Releases New District Maps

Brown County Schools maps show which school students from Nashville Elementary must attend next school year.

May 16, 2013

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ball state

Ball State Ending Charter School Contracts With Five Schools

Ball State officials say the schools did not meet the standards set out in their own charters.

May 16, 2013

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boy scouts

Rallies Planned To Support Boy Scouts Ban On Gay Members

Forty rallies will be held across the U.S., including ones in Kokomo and Fort Wayne.

May 16, 2013

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area code map

Agency Recommends Area Code Overlay In South Central Indiana

The recommendation means new phone numbers would have a different area code, while existing numbers would keep the 812 code.

May 16, 2013

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IREAD-3

Results Of Statewide Third Grade Reading Exam Released

About 86 percent of Indiana third graders passed a statewide reading exam in March that will allow them to advance to fourth grade.

May 16, 2013

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police

Police To Be Trained To Deal With Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s and dementia patient advocates say new legislation will help ensure law enforcement know how to deal with that growing segment of the population.

May 16, 2013

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Wind Turbine

Wind Farm Offers Plan To Protect Endangered Indiana Bat

An Indiana wind farm is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a plan aimed at reducing turbine-related deaths of the Indiana bat.

May 17, 2013

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capitol

Indiana Mayors Meet To Share Ideas

Finances, economic development and legislation passed in the last session of the General Assembly are topics at the meeting.

May 17, 2013

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political ad

Ind. Failing To Disclose Money Spent On Political Ads

A report from The National Institute on Money in State Politics give Indiana a failing grade for disclosure of money spent by outside groups for political ads.

May 17, 2013

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female military

Advocate: Commanders Need A Role In Reporting Sexual Abuse

A bill in Congress would prevent top military commanders from handling cases that involve their subordinates.

May 17, 2013

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spice and k2

Synthetic Drug Ban Could Face Legal Challenge

The state’s attorney general says he is prepared to defend a new law aimed at stopping the sale of synthetic drugs if it is challenged in court.

May 17, 2013

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Bayh

ISU Dedicates Bayh Family Display

The interactive display is located in the ISU College of Education

May 17, 2013

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unemployment rate chart

Indiana Unemployment Rate Drops Slightly In April

Indiana added 6,800 private sector jobs in April, according to the monthly unemployment report.

May 17, 2013

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kids

Teachers Ask What’s Next After Common Core Pause

Common Core implementation was paused after opponents of the standards pushed a bill through the Indiana General Assembly, but what happens next is unclear.

May 17, 2013

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marion county jail

Marion County Jail Named Worst In US For Sexual Misconduct

Nearly 8 percent of inmates at the Marion County Jail reported being sexually abused by a jail staff member, according to a Department of Justice report.

May 17, 2013

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greencastle fire

Slideshow: Fire Damages Buildings On Greencastle Square

Some of the buildings that were damaged were scheduled to be renovated as part of a downtown economic development project.

May 18, 2013

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Pences Buy Lemonade

Children Across State Participate In Lemonade Day

Children are setting up lemonade stands Saturday in in Indianapolis, Elkhart, Fort Wayne, Lafayette and Bloomington.

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