Give Now  »

News Contact IPM News Indiana Public Media News

{ "banners": { "tv" : [ {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-19-24-wtiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1734584400000", "endingDate" : "1734843540000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-22-24-wtiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1734843600000", "endingDate" : "1735275540000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-27-24-wtiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735275600000", "endingDate" : "1735361940000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-28-24-to-12-29-24-wtiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735362000000", "endingDate" : "1735534740000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-30-24-wtiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735534800000", "endingDate" : "1735621140000"} , {"url" : "https://give.myiu.org/iu-bloomington/I320003966.html", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-31-24-wtiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735621200000", "endingDate" : "1735707540000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/1-1-25-wtiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735707600000", "endingDate" : "1735793940000"} ], "radio" : [ {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flgkr2wNtsqwhq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-19-24-wfiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1734584400000", "endingDate" : "1734757140000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flgkr2wNtsqwhq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-21-24-wfiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1734757200000", "endingDate" : "1734843540000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flgkr2wNtsqwhq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-19-24-wfiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1734843600000", "endingDate" : "1735448340000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flgkr2wNtsqwhq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-29-24-wfiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735448400000", "endingDate" : "1735534740000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flgkr2wNtsqwhq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-30-24-wfiu-bnr-new.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735534800000", "endingDate" : "1735621140000"} , {"url" : "https://give.myiu.org/iu-bloomington/I320003967.html", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-31-24-wfiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735621200000", "endingDate" : "1735707540000"} , {"url" : "https://give.myiu.org/iu-bloomington/I320003967.html", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/1-1-25-wfiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735707600000", "endingDate" : "1735793940000"} ] }}
{ "lightboxes": { "tv" : [ {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-19-24-wtiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1734584400000", "endingDate" : "1734843540000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-22-24-wtiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1734843600000", "endingDate" : "1735275540000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-27-24-wtiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735275600000", "endingDate" : "1735361940000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-28-24-to-12-29-24-wtiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735362000000", "endingDate" : "1735534740000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-30-24-wtiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735534800000", "endingDate" : "1735621140000"} , {"url" : "https://give.myiu.org/iu-bloomington/I320003966.html", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-31-24-wtiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735621200000", "endingDate" : "1735707540000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/1-1-25-wtiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735707600000", "endingDate" : "1735793940000"} ], "radio" : [ {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-19-24-wfiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1734584400000", "endingDate" : "1734757140000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-21-24-wfiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1734757200000", "endingDate" : "1734843540000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-19-24-wfiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1734843600000", "endingDate" : "1735448340000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-29-24-wfiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735448400000", "endingDate" : "1735534740000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-30-24-wfiu-lightbox-new.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735534800000", "endingDate" : "1735621140000"} , {"url" : "https://give.myiu.org/iu-bloomington/I320003967.html", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/12-31-24-wfiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1735621200000", "endingDate" : "1735707540000"} ] }}

2025 Legislative Session

The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly begins Jan. 8 and must conclude by April 29.

The 100 representatives and 50 senators look to tackle a multitude of issues for 2025, with education being a top priority. Indiana ranked seventh in the U.S for Pre-K through 12 grade. However, lawmakers look to increase pay to help fill teacher shortages, fund summer schools and improve services for students with disabilities. 

Lawmakers also will have to pass a new budget to run the state for the next two years. That will include discussions on Indiana’s Medicaid program, which is second only to education in percentage of the state’s budget. 

The two-year budget passed in 2023 was for $44.5 billion.

Like it has for the past decade, the GOP will have a super-majority in both chambers of the statehouse. But, for the first time in eight years, they’ll be sending legislation to a new governor’s desk. Republican Mike Braun will be sworn in on Jan. 13 to succeed Eric Holcomb.

Start here

Dec 20, 2024

feature

statehouse in winter

How do I follow Indiana’s legislative session? Here’s your guide to demystify the process

Indiana’s legislative session begins on Jan. 8. And this year, lawmakers are writing the state’s next two-year budget.

true

Jan 7, 2025

feature

The western exterior of the Indiana Statehouse. The dome is surrounded by scaffolding.

Indiana's 2025 budget-writing session begins Jan. 8. Here's how the process works

The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly begins Jan. 8 and must conclude by April 29.

true

Jan 31, 2025

feature

The western exterior of the Indiana Statehouse, at night.

Weekly Statehouse update: Online gaming legalization, moving municipal elections, test strips bill

The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly must finish no later than April 29.

true

Jan 24, 2025

feature

The eastern exterior of the Indiana Statehouse, at night.

Weekly Statehouse update: DEI ban, more income tax cuts, physician non-compete bill

The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly must finish by April 29.

true

Jan 17, 2025

feature

statehouse

Weekly Statehouse update: Braun budget proposal, House GOP and Black Caucus agendas

The 2025 session of the General Assembly must finish no later than April 29.

true
true true

All Statehouse Coverage

true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true true

February 5, 2025

feature

Gov. Mike Braun on Jan. 25, 2025

Schools face huge cuts under Gov. Braun’s tax plan. Here’s how much your district could lose

School districts rely on local property taxes to fund transportation and facility expenses. Monroe County Community School Corporation would see millions in funding lost over three years.

February 5, 2025

feature

Indiana Statehouse in reflection.

Legislation would tackle barriers for assisted living services — including Medicaid waiver waitlist

HB 1592 also addresses concerns with Indiana’s new long-term care program for Medicaid members 60 years or older, Pathways for Aging.

February 5, 2025

feature

A child's purple wheelchair with purple metal and a seat with sparkles.

One year later, lawmakers return to FSSA transparency language on attendant care

The bill would require FSSA to produce a report highlighting any information related to the Structured Family Caregiving program or possible reimbursement for family caregivers providing attendant care — which were both affected by FSSA’s response to the forecasting error.

February 5, 2025

feature

Children are getting off of a school bus.

Indiana public schools stand to lose $1.8 billion over two years under property tax relief proposal

Schools receive a large portion of their funding through local property taxes, and some advocates said reducing those taxes without replacing that funding could leave some schools in a financial crisis.

February 4, 2025

feature

The Indiana Statehouse.

Ellettsville tax revenue bill passed in House, now heads to Senate

A bill that could change the way food and beverage tax revenue is distributed in Monroe County is moving through the Statehouse.

February 4, 2025

feature

A model of Rolls Royce's small modular nuclear reactor.

Senate passes bills subsidizing small nuclear reactor development

So far, none of the small modular nuclear reactors in the U.S. have been completed. One federally-funded project was canceled in 2023 after more than a decade of work and nearly $9 billion in costs.

February 4, 2025

feature

Mike Braun sits in a chair, talking with a woman who is facing away from camera. Braun is a White man, balding with gray hair. He is wearing glasses and a gray suit jacket.

Braun to local leaders on negative impact of property tax cut: 'Prove it'

Gov. Mike Braun hosted citizens in his office who've been effected by significant increases in their property tax bills.

February 4, 2025

feature

Indiana Statehouse with scaffolding.

Peer recovery coaches in health care facilities employment exception passes House

Advocates said peers can play a vital role in clinical settings like hospitals, mental health clinics and emergency rooms because they are able to offer a unique type of support.

February 4, 2025

feature

Mike Gaskill speaks on the Senate floor. Gaskill is a White man with white and gray hair. He is wearing glasses and a navy blue suit with red tie.

Republican bill would force Hoosiers to register with political party to vote in primary elections

The bill would automatically assign party registration to everyone who’s voted in a partisan primary election before. Voter registration forms would now have a party affiliation section.

February 4, 2025

feature

people on stage at a podium at the statehouse

Braun considers releasing execution drug costs as lawmakers rally behind anti-death penalty bill

A Republican-authored bill to abolish — or at least alter — Indiana’s death penalty law is gaining traction.

February 4, 2025

feature

pigs in cages at CAFO

Despite pushback, lawmakers advance bill to double inspections of Indiana’s confined animal farms

The state’s largest farming associations were opposed to increased visits by regulators, in part due to added costs.

February 4, 2025

feature

Sediment from a construction site washes over a silt fence and into a waterway.

Bill strips cities, counties of stricter laws to control stormwater from construction sites

While home developers and manufacturers support the bill, environmental groups and some stormwater experts have concerns.

February 4, 2025

feature

Fentanyl test strips

Indiana Senate passes bill to decriminalize fentanyl test strips, eliminate legal ‘gray area'

Indiana law classifies tools that test the strength, effectiveness, or purity of a controlled substances as paraphernalia. The Senate passed legislation to clarify tools that check for the presence of a substance would no longer be considered paraphernalia.

February 4, 2025

feature

man in suit with gray hair talking at a microphone

Faith leaders, bipartisan lawmakers rally support to end Indiana’s death penalty

Faith leaders and a bipartisan group of lawmakers gathered Monday at the Statehouse to rally support for a measure to repeal Indiana’s death penalty.

February 4, 2025

feature

students sitting on the floor with a teacher in front

These 13 bills would change Indiana's K-12 education system

Lawmakers are considering proposals that range from universal vouchers to school district closures and changes to charter school funding

February 4, 2025

feature

Vernon Smith

Sweeping education deregulation bill advances to Senate

Among other things, the bill would change the job requirements for the state's secretary of education.

February 3, 2025

feature

Voters stand at voting machines

Early, in-person voting days cut in half by Indiana Republican-led bill

Hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers vote early in person in Indiana elections.

February 3, 2025

feature

Vernon Smith is a Black man, wearing a checked suit. He has short grey hair and a mustache.

Bill to prevent additional testing for graduates of nonaccredited schools heads to Senate

The Indiana House advanced a bill this week to prohibit state employers, colleges and universities from making prospective employees or students take extra skill tests because of the type of school they attended.

January 31, 2025

feature

A red Indianapolis EMS unit outside of the Indianapolis convention center.

Lawmakers want counties to fill EMS coverage gaps. Counties are concerned about resources, time

The Indiana County Commissioners Association said it agrees with the intent of the bill, but is concerned about the lack of a funding framework to support counties.

January 31, 2025

feature

Two women sit in a committee room, each with a sign in front of them that reads "No Casino! Save New Haven"

After testimony pits neighbor against neighbor, proposed casino move likely dead this session

New Haven, Indiana, residents — both for and against a casino locating there — traveled to the Statehouse on Wednesday to testify in a Senate committee.

January 31, 2025

feature

A teacher reviews a student’s completed work in a third-grade classroom as students rotate to new math stations.

Can Indiana's reading improvements be repeated with math?

Less than 41 percent of elementary and middle school students passed the mathematics portion of the state’s 2024 ILEARN exam.

January 31, 2025

feature

shelia_klinker-lc.jpg

Measure to define chronic absenteeism, support truant students advances to Senate

Chronic absenteeism is currently not defined in Indiana Code. The bill defines it as missing 10 percent or more of a school year for any reason — which is about 18 days.

January 30, 2025

feature

Two people embrace among a crowd inside the Indiana Statehouse. One person has a non-binary pride flag in their hand. The other wears a bucket hat with the pansexual pride colors.

LGBTQ+ Day at the Statehouse responds to Trump executive order, calls for support

Advocates and LGBTQ+ Hoosiers gathered at the Statehouse Thursday to share resources and call attention to a measure to walk back Indiana’s gender-affirming care ban for transgender youth.

January 30, 2025

feature

An over-the-counter hearing aid in a display case at Walgreens.

Lawmakers hope to close telehealth gap for hard-of-hearing Hoosiers

Speech-language pathology assistants help in the assessment and treatment of disorders related to voice, fluency, speech and language.

January 30, 2025

feature

An emaciated deer stands at a corrugated metal fence.

Deer farmers want to use genetics to address chronic wasting disease in Senate bill

A Senate bill, SB 32, aims to make Indiana’s deer more genetically resilient to chronic wasting disease. It’s an incurable illness in deer that causes neurological problems, much like mad cow disease.

VIEW MORE STORIES

January 30, 2025

feature

mike braun

Braun uses first State of the State to make case to lawmakers for his agenda

Gov. Mike Braun used his first State of the State address to make the case for his policy priorities including property tax reform and addressing high health care costs.

January 30, 2025

feature

sign that says equity is the goal

Black Legislative Caucus hosts 'unity rally' during Braun’s first State of the State address

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus gathered a crowd just down the hall from where Gov. Mike Braun delivered his first State of the State address.

January 29, 2025

feature

Loretta Rush is a White woman with dark brown hair. She is wearing glasses and black judicial robes over a white shirt.

Chief Justice Rush highlights 'direct and transformative' impact of Indiana courts

Chief Justice Loretta Rush sought to “demystify” the Indiana court system’s impact on Hoosiers’ lives in her 2025 State of the Judiciary address.

January 29, 2025

feature

The Indiana Statehouse.

Bill looks to clarify financial responsibility in employer-sponsored health plans to tackle costs

The goal of the bill is to increase transparency and lower health care costs.

January 29, 2025

feature

Voters approved a third consecutive referendum for the School Town of Speedway in 2023. Under a proposed bill in the Indiana Statehouse, Speedway would need to wait a year after its current levy ends before asking voters for a new referendum.

Lawmakers seek limit on how often schools ask voters for funding increase

Senate Bill 8 would require school districts to wait at least one calendar year after an operating or safety referendum ends before asking voters to approve another increase.

January 29, 2025

feature

2025 Indiana State of the State with Governor Mike Braun

WFIU/WTIU News to air Indiana State of the State Address

The address, expected to run approximately 30 minutes, marks a significant moment as the newly-elected governor outlines his vision and priorities for Indiana.

January 28, 2025

feature

A screenshot of the Kentucky lottery online games page.

Online gambling, online lottery legalized under Indiana House committee-approved legislation

Indiana would fully legalize online gambling — and online lottery — under legislation approved by a House committee Tuesday. The state’s casinos are split on whether to support the online gaming expansion.

January 28, 2025

feature

Two electronic pull tab game terminals.

House committee unanimously approves electronic pull tab games, online raffles for nonprofit groups

Indiana nonprofit organizations — notably, veterans groups — could offer electronic pull tab games and online raffles under a bill approved by a House committee Tuesday.

January 28, 2025

feature

Indiana needs money to monitor CO2 emissions underground indefinitely. House bill sets up fund

The Department of Natural Resources said it needs money to help pay for any future issues with carbon dioxide emissions stored underground in Indiana.

January 28, 2025

feature

A piece of paper explaining how to use a fentanyl test strip, with the packaging that explains how to interpret the results of the test strip.

Effort to decriminalize test strips finds success in both chambers with new approach

A Senate committee passed a bill Tuesday that would make an exception to the statute to allow tools that test for the presence of certain substances.

January 27, 2025

feature

Senate passes parental rights measure, sends it to House for consideration

Senate passes parental rights measure, sends it to House for consideration

The Indiana Senate passed a measure to give parents legal recourse when they feel their rights have been violated by government entities — including schools and the Department of Child Services.

January 27, 2025

feature

library shelves

Indiana bill would expand K-12 curricular material ban to include ‘pornographic material’

The proposal builds on a law passed in 2023 that opened the door to more public scrutiny of school library catalogs.

January 27, 2025

feature

Immigration notice proposal raises racial profiling fears amid border security push

Indiana law enforcement may soon be required to give federal authorities notice when they arrest people suspected of being in the country illegally.

January 26, 2025

feature

Linda Rogers speaking

Committee endorses measure to raise base teacher pay, defeats bump to $65,000

A bill that would raise the floor for teacher pay in Indiana passed out of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee.

January 24, 2025

feature

Indiana lawmakers aim to eliminate rape kit testing backlog

Proposed legislation would appropriate $2.5 million to eliminate the backlog on testing rape kits.

January 24, 2025

feature

The Indiana Statehouse.

Health care facilities can’t hire people with certain felonies. Bill offers peer recovery exception

A House committee approved House Bill 1385. It applies specifically to peer recovery coaches certified through the Division of Mental Health and Addiction.

January 24, 2025

feature

closeup of teenagers on smartphone

Senate passes bill banning children from social media

The Indiana Senate advanced a measure Thursday that would require children younger than 16 to get parental permission before creating social media accounts.

January 23, 2025

feature

Tim Wesco sits behind his desk on the Indiana House floor.

House committee passes measure to prevent additional skill tests for non-accredited diplomas

HB 1348 says employers and higher education institutions cannot impose additional skill tests on prospective students and employees who were homeschooled or received another form of schooling that resulted in them earning a non-accredited high school diploma.

January 23, 2025

feature

A model showing the difference in size between small modular nuclear reactors and a traditional nuclear plant.

Tech companies could share cost of small nuclear plant pilot program under bill passed by committee

Several bills that would make Hoosiers pay some of the cost of building small modular nuclear reactors are working their way through the Indiana Statehouse.

January 23, 2025

feature

A blue sign with a white "H" indicating there is a hospital on the next turn.

Hospitals support Indiana Medicaid expansion funding changes. Braun administration raises concerns

The bill’s author said many of these changes have been discussed for years, but this year they were “investigated and embraced” as a part of a larger Healthy Indiana Plan, or HIP, redesign.

January 23, 2025

feature

generic doctor

Senate lawmakers advance a bill to ban noncompete agreements for physicians

Noncompete agreements often prohibit workers from leaving a job and taking another in the same industry.

January 23, 2025

feature

Tyler Johnson

Senate committee seeks to ban diversity, equity and inclusion in state agencies, schools

Diversity, equity and inclusion — and a list of policies and beliefs tied to them — would be banned in state agencies, educational institutions and any organization that receives money from the state under a bill approved by a Senate committee.

January 22, 2025

feature

Tim Kennedy, general counsel for the Indiana Hospital Association, testifying in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Federal law bans doctor referral incentives. Lawmakers also want to prohibit it under Indiana law

Hospitals already have to comply with federal laws pertaining to physician referrals and compensation or incentives. Senate Bill 147 would codify that in Indiana law.

January 22, 2025

feature

Harry Hoosier

Harry Hoosier? Lawmakers mull bill that would make him inspiration for state’s nickname

Amtrak owns the trademark to “The Hoosier State.”

January 22, 2025

feature

keep abortion legal sign

Governor Braun orders IDOH to share individual terminated pregnancy reports

An Indiana judge ruled in September 2024 that terminated pregnancy reports were protected under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act.

January 22, 2025

feature

Mike Braun speaks into a microphone in his office. Braun is a White man, balding with gray hair. He is wearing glasses and a dark blazer over a white shirt.

Latest Braun executive orders target health care affordability, transparency

Gov. Mike Braun signed a series of executive orders Wednesday that aim to make health care more “affordable, accessible and transparent.”

January 21, 2025

feature

Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis), center, and members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus addressed Gov. Mike Braun's DEI executive order on Jan. 21, 2025.

Indiana Black Caucus said Braun's DEI order sends message that Indiana doesn't care about fairness

Braun’s order said DEI will be replaced with MEI — merit, excellence and innovation.

January 21, 2025

feature

Travis Holdman speaks into a microphone he's holding. Holdman is a White man, balding with white hair. He is wearing glasses and a dark blue suit.

Bill would cut Indiana individual income tax rate more in future, if state revenues grow

Indiana is in the midst of a five-year reduction of its individual income tax rate. A bill unanimously approved by a Senate committee Tuesday would continue to cut the rate after that — but only if state revenues grow.

January 21, 2025

feature

Indiana Statehouse

Southern Indiana lawmakers back bills on health care, education, government oversight

Two weeks into Indiana’s legislative session, lawmakers across the state have filed more than 2,200 bills. Here’s a look at what Southern Indiana officials are focused on.

January 20, 2025

feature

Purdue Student Body Vice President Rebecca Siener, left, and Purdue Student Body President Jason Packard, right, testify in the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee on Jan. 14, 2025.

Expansion to Indiana's Lifeline Law advances as student leaders, law enforcement advocate

The Lifeline Law protects young people from underage drinking charges for the person seeking help. But it doesn’t provide that same immunity to the underage drinker experiencing a medical issue.

January 20, 2025

feature

Tree of heaven has smooth, gray bark with chestnut brown twigs. Its large leaves can grow to 1 to 4 feet in length, smaller leaflets.

Indiana water pollution funds could be used to tackle invasive species under Senate bill

The invasive plant tree of heaven can block sunlight from reaching the forest floor, preventing hardwood trees from growing.

January 17, 2025

feature

Senator Andrea Hunley stands behind a podium and speaks into a microphone while holding a stack of papers. She is a Black woman with dark hair and glasses, wearing a suit.

Senate considers bill to raise teacher pay, expand benefits

A measure proposed by state lawmakers and endorsed by the Indiana secretary of education would raise teacher pay to a minimum of $45,000 and provide teachers with up to 20 days of paid parental leave.

January 17, 2025

feature

workforce building

Maximum benefits length for unemployment could be almost cut in half by Senate bill

Senate Bill 123, authored by Sen. Scott Alexander (R-Muncie), would reduce the current time limit for those on unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 14.

January 17, 2025

feature

Senator Jon Ford testifies on the floor of the Indiana Senate. He is a White man, bald wearing an navy suit. He stands in front of a microphone.

New heads of Indiana environment, energy agencies have ties to Trump-era deregulation, fossil fuels

Gov. Mike Braun hopes to “look for efficiencies” in Indiana’s environmental rules to make them more business-friendly.

January 17, 2025

feature

A tractor drives through a field.

Change to agricultural property tax calculations would help farmers, hurt homeowners

Farmland tax bills increased 26 percent in 2024, double the increase of any other property taxpayer category.

January 17, 2025

feature

Jonathan Ingram speaks in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He is a White man with dark hair, wearing a suit with a purple shirt.

Senate committee hears testimony on Medicaid, HIP overhaul measure

Senate Bill 2 includes a cap on enrollment, a lifetime limit on eligibility and Indiana's previously halted work requirements.

January 17, 2025

feature

elementary students in a classroom

A-to-F letter grades likely returning for Indiana schools. What to know

The A-to-F accountability system was initially designed to force failing schools to improve. In 2021, a state law ended the state takeover of underperforming public schools.

January 17, 2025

feature

Senator Rodney Pol gestures and speaks into a microphone. Senator Sue Glick watches with her hand against her mouth.

Minor social media bill advances out of committee amid lawmaker concerns

SB 11 would require social media companies to get a parent’s permission before allowing users 15 or younger to create accounts.

January 17, 2025

feature

Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Mitch Roob testifying in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Braun administration quick to make Medicaid changes related to eligibility checks, advertisements

The most significant change involves how often the Family and Social Services Administration checks whether people are still eligible.

January 17, 2025

feature

There is a man wearing a grey blazer and white dress shirt while he is standing at a podium. There are people behind him standing beside each other looking at him speak.

Lawmakers advocate for newborn tax credit, paid family medical leave this session

More than 2.5 million Hoosiers lack access to paid family medical leave and some lawmakers are advocating to change that this session through proposed legislation.

January 17, 2025

feature

 In the foreground, Mike Braun is seen on the screen of a cell phone that's taking a photo of him. In the background is Braun himself, out of focus. Braun is a White man with graying hair. He is wearing glasses and a dark blazer over a white shirt.

Braun's budget proposal includes tax relief, universal vouchers, $700 million in spending cuts

Gov. Mike Braun's initial state budget proposal includes nearly $700 million in tax relief, inflationary funding increases for K-12 schools and enough money to eliminate child care waitlists. It's built in part on Braun's pledge to cut $700 million in government spending.

January 17, 2025

feature

Senator Eric Koch stands at a lectern in the Indiana Senate. He is a White man with brown hair and wears a three-piece dark grey suit.

Bill aims to ensure long water pipelines don't threaten supply, exempts part of LEAP project

A Senate bill, SB 4, aims to address concerns over large water transfers like those planned to serve the controversial LEAP industrial district in Lebanon. But the legislation could exempt one of those transfers for the project — which makes some environmental advocates uneasy.

January 16, 2025

feature

The silhouette of a barber cutting a man's hair.

Cosmetology educators, students tell lawmakers not to cut hours required for license

Indiana is one of 43 states that requires at least 1,500 hours of education prior to taking a cosmetology licensing exam.

January 16, 2025

feature

Ellettsville town councilmember Williams Ellis testifying

Ellettsville makes case to lawmakers for cut of Monroe County Food and Beverage tax

Ellettsville Town Council member William Ellis told state lawmakers in a hearing Wednesday that the town is being unfairly cut out from money collected for the Monroe County Food and Beverage tax.

January 16, 2025

feature

unemployment insurance application

Indiana lawmakers contemplate slashing unemployment insurance timespan

The committee also discussed bills on the engineering profession and pension benefit hikes, but took no votes.

January 16, 2025

feature

Tony Hostetler is a White man with short hair wearing a Care, Not Cuffs t-shirt. He poses for a picture with attendees at Hoosier Action's event.

Care, Not Cuffs: Advocates call for harm reduction support, defeat of several housing bills

Advocates gathered at the Indiana Statehouse to rally support for a group of harm reduction bills. One of their priorities — this year's testing strips bill — was heard in a House committee.

January 16, 2025

feature

Joel Hand testified on House Bill 1002 on behalf of the American Federation of Teachers Indiana and the Indiana Coalition for Public Education Wednesday.

Deregulation bill would trim licensure, education requirements for Indiana Secretary of Education

Indiana lawmakers are considering a wide-reaching bill that aims to free schools from what they consider irrelevant or excessive regulatory burdens.

January 15, 2025

feature

House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, introduces his caucus’ priorities on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

House GOP reveals Illinois secession, school deregulation priorities

The caucus is also aiming for a balanced budget, a health care costs crackdown and investments in housing and criminal justice.

January 15, 2025

feature

Race drift car burning tires on speed track

Indiana lawmakers seek to increase penalties for ‘street takeovers,’ ban use of radio jammers

The Senate corrections committee additionally advanced a bill Tuesday to expand Indiana’s Lifeline Law.

January 15, 2025

feature

man in brown sweater sitting and writing in classroom

Should Indiana suspend students for missing school? This bill would ban that

Indiana schools suspended students for attendance violations more than 3,800 times in the 2022-23 school year, according to data from the Indiana Department of Education. There were about 140 expulsions for attendance.

January 15, 2025

feature

A computer for medical documentation, next to various medical tools.

Licensed practical nursing programs in Indiana could train high school students under new proposal

Students would still need to receive a high school diploma to become licensed by the state, but Senate Bill 176 would allow them to begin an educational program while still in high school.

January 15, 2025

feature

A poster on an easel reads "70 percent of Hoosiers support legalization." Heath VanNatter is in the foreground of the image, out of focus.

State lawmakers help push cannabis legalization initiative in 2025 session

A cannabis legalization coalition said moving Indiana directly to full adult legal use is the best way to ensure a regulated market that also addresses public safety concerns.

January 15, 2025

feature

Tim Yocum stands in front of a truck with a sign standing in the truck bed that reads "Tim Yocum For Indiana House Dist. 42". Yocum is a White man with dark hair. He is wearing a white shirt and black pants.

GOP caucus selects Vermillion County Commissioner Tim Yocum to join state House

He replaces Alan Morrison, who left the General Assembly this week to become the new head of the state Department of Natural Resources.

January 15, 2025

feature

Representative Bob Behning speaks at a microphone. He is a White man with white hair and stubble. He wears a suit with a dark red tie.

House Republicans unveil substantial school deregulation bill, aim to send decisions to districts

Among other things, the 138-page HB 1002 would slash requirements for staff training, certain advisory committees and some school programs.

January 15, 2025

feature

Micah Beckwith

Beckwith, other Kinsey Institute foes press IU but walk back ‘defunding’ university

Lawmakers and the lieutenant governor joined critics of Indiana University and the Kinsey Institute calling for more transparency from IU over the institute’s funding. 

January 15, 2025

feature

Indiana Statehouse at night

School districts, coalitions punch back at bill that would close their doors

House Bill 1136, authored by Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty), proposes closing districts where more than 50% of students who live in the boundaries attend private, charter, or other district schools.

January 14, 2025

feature

A billboard advertising Caresource and the Healthy Indiana Plan, or HIP, that reads "So much more than Health Insurance."

Indiana Senate Republicans want to make big changes to HIP, Medicaid. What do those changes mean?

A potential overhaul of the state’s Medicaid expansion program would include changes such as caps on enrollment and limits on lifetime eligibility.

January 14, 2025

feature

Earl Harris Jr. speaks at a lectern with other members of the Black Caucus standing on either side of him. Harris is a Black man with black hair and goatee. He is wearing a suit and tie.

Indiana Black Legislative Caucus's 2025 agenda centered on physical, mental health care

Black caucus priority bills include more coverage for obesity treatments; funding for first responders’ mental health care; enhanced coverage for maternal health programs; and education on water safety, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

January 14, 2025

feature

Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) addresses the media during the unveiling of the Indiana House Republican 2025 agenda on Jan. 14, 2025. Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) stands in the background.

Indiana House Republicans look to build on housing, health care costs efforts in 2025 agenda

The Indiana House GOP’s 2025 legislative priorities hope to build on previous initiatives that aimed to bring down health care and housing costs.

January 14, 2025

feature

Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, speaks in committee on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. His poll watcher proposal has been hailed as an election security measure.

Proposal would ease primary election candidates’ path to landing poll watchers

State senators additionally took up bills addressing the state comptroller and congressional term limits.

January 14, 2025

feature

Common minnow

Indiana lawmaker targets ‘destructive’ minnow fishing

Other bills heard by the Senate Natural Resources Committee address invasive plant species and chronic wasting disease in deer.

January 13, 2025

feature

Mike Braun stands on stage at a lectern while a logo for the inauguration ceremony hangs above him. Braun is a White man, balding with gray hair. He is wearing glasses and a suit.

Mike Braun sworn in as governor; Micah Beckwith, Todd Rokita also take oaths of office

Braun was sworn in Monday as Indiana’s 52nd governor.

January 13, 2025

feature

Rep. Earl Harris, Jr. (D-East Chicago)

Tuition cap bill would freeze cost for in-state undergrad college students

A proposed law could help Hoosiers avoid rising costs at in-state universities. House Bill 1069, introduced by Rep. Earl Harris, Jr., would give the Commission for Higher Education power to cap tuition rates and mandatory fees for Indiana residents while they earn a bachelor’s degree.

January 10, 2025

feature

indiana-university-bloomington-campus-red-clock-trees-winter.jpg

Bill would prevent public universities from offering race-based scholarships

State universities continue to offer scholarships with preference toward students from minority backgrounds. Although written to eliminate race-conscious scholarships, it’s not clear how the bill would affect them if passed. 

January 9, 2025

feature

Mike Bohacek stands behind a podium with one hand outstretched. He wears a black and yellow tie with a white button down shirt.

Indiana lawmakers consider bill to limit social media for children under 16

SB 11 requires social media companies to authenticate parental permission when users indicate they’re 15 or younger.

January 9, 2025

feature

House Democratic leaders stand next to each other in a line in front of a lectern.

Indiana Senate Democrats' agenda focused on health care, housing and public education

Indiana Senate Democrats said their 2025 legislative agenda is focused on ensuring Hoosier families have support and children have opportunity.

January 9, 2025

feature

Abortion pills

Proposal would outlaw use of abortion pills and tighten rape exception

Indianapolis Sen. Mike Young filed the bill. He has clashed with caucus leadership over Indiana’s abortion ban.

January 8, 2025

feature

House Democratic leaders stand next to each other in a line in front of a lectern.

Indiana House Democrats' focus for 2025 session is 'helping working Hoosiers get ahead'

Caucus leader Phil GiaQuinta (R-Fort Wayne) said a major part of that will be addressing the rising cost of living — from housing to health care to utilities.

January 8, 2025

feature

A stethoscope rests on a medical form.

New dementia outreach specialists connect people to treatment, care, education in their communities

All 16 of Indiana’s designated senior care organizations — known as Area Agencies on Aging — are now required to have a dementia outreach specialist.

January 8, 2025

feature

A line of lawmakers look on as one of their colleagues speaks at a lectern on the Indiana Senate floor.

Indiana Senate Republican agenda includes property tax reform, major Medicaid overhaul

Indiana Senate Republicans say one of their top priorities in 2025 will be a major overhaul of the state’s Medicaid expansion program.

January 7, 2025

feature

A child receives a hug from a child care worker wearing a mask.

House Democrats want more funding to support child care access in Indiana

There are currently 780 licensed child care centers in Indiana and more than 2,000 licensed home care providers.

January 7, 2025

feature

Deckard discusses new House Bill 1080

New bill would return certain tax revenue to Ellettsville

Revenue generated in the town of Ellettsville from the Monroe County Food and Beverage Tax would go back to the town under a new bill proposed for this legislative session.

January 7, 2025

feature

health panel

Health leaders flag Medicaid, public health as major policy concerns ahead of session

Lawmakers will revisit Indiana’s historic public health funding program as they develop a new state budget during this year’s legislative session.

January 7, 2025

feature

Preschoolers play with toys.

Some Indiana lawmakers advocate for pre-K, early learning expansion

Experts say Indiana’s early learning programs can only serve about 61 percent of children who are eligible.

January 6, 2025

feature

Indianapolis Public Schools central office sign

Legislation would dissolve IPS, four other school districts. Then charters take over

Sixty-one percent of students who live in the Indianapolis Public Schools district boundaries attend other districts, public charter schools or private schools.

Find Us on Facebook